BIO

Kerry Corrigan experienced ultimate success as a youngster at the Perth Football Club but was cut down by injury during a short career at Norwood. 

Born on 14 January 1945, he played in three premierships with the Perth Thirds/Colts team, which he captained in 1964. Later that year he moved to Adelaide, where his future brother-in-law, Kevin Jarrett, was a workmate of Norwood ruckman Bill Wedding.  ‘Big Bill’ recommended Kerry to Haydn Bunton, who was embarking on his second stint as Norwood captain-coach.

A centreman/ruck-rover, Kerry was one of four Perth juniors  who joined Norwood for the 1965 season.  Only Bill Pickering thrived.  Syd Simeon played just one senior game and was back home the following season.  Gary McCormack busted a shoulder in the Reserves.  Kerry sat on the bench throughout his league debut match and suffered a serious knee injury a week later in the Reserves.  

Against the advice of club doctor Brian Sando,  he had a knee reconstruction but it was only partially successful.  He broke down again in 1966 during his ninth Reserves game with Norwood and returned to WA with his bride, Marilyn.

Kerry coached the metropolitan team Bayswater B  for two years and also played for the As, winning the best utility player award in 1968.  The arrival of daughters Lee-Anne and Tiffany lit up his home life.  He moved to Cranbrook as captain-coach for two years, reaching the grand final in 1971 when he was named the club’s best utility player.  He was captain-coach of Busselton for two years  before returning to Adelaide after the collapse of his marriage.

Kerry married Pauline Marshall in 1987.  At 75 he was retired with his wife at Paradise, in good spirits despite two knee replacements, the legacy of two snapped Achilles tendons and two serious shoulder injuries, and the onset of Parkinson’s.

P Robins, G Adams May 2020

* Our picture shows Kerry as a member of the unbeaten Perth Thirds team of 1963