Ron Alexander

Ron Alexander (born 10 December 1950) is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL and WAFL as well as a coach.

Playing career

During his career he represented Western Australia 13 times, Victoria twice, and was awarded a Simpson Medal for a match against Victoria in 1974.

WAFL career

He began his career with East Perth Football Club where from 1971 to 1975 he played 98 games and kicked 49 goals. He was a big, strong ruckman, weighing 98 kg and standing at 196 cm tall.

He was a member of their 1972 premiership team and won the club's fairest and best award in 1974.

VFL career

He then crossed over to Fitzroy in 1976. He was their captain from 1979-80, and in 1981 won their best and fairest, finishing ahead of that season's Brownlow Medallist Bernie Quinlan by 9 votes. In total he played 133 games and booted 30 goals for the Roys.

While in Melbourne he gained a degree in Physical Education and for a time was president of the VFL Players Association. He went back to Perth after the 1981 season.

Coaching career

He returned to Perth in 1982 and took on the role of captain/coach at East Fremantle taking them to the grand final in 1984 and 1985, the latter time winning them a premiership.

In 1986, after 76 games for East Fremantle, he stepped down as a player, but as coach he once again took his side the grand final and like 1984 they were again runners-up.

West Coast Eagles

In 1987 he was picked to be the inaugural coach of the West Coast Eagles.

He was controversially replaced by John Todd the following season despite being close to taking his side to the finals in their first year.

Today

He is currently the Director-General of the Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation.

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