Peter  Dougan had a career of highs and lows with South Fremantle. A fiercely loyal Bulldog, he played in the sixties, a decade in which the club suffered one of it's lowest periods in terms of finals appearances, was a premiership player under Hassa Mann in 1970, and, as an assistant coach to Malcolm Brown, had an involvement in the 1980 grand final success over a talented Swan Districts.  “They were an excellent group of players, and you went home from each game marvelling at the feats of the players on a Saturday afternoon,” Peter said of his charges when we caught up with the former South Fremantle forward.  “Players like Rioli, Michael,  Vigona, McKay, Carter, Delmenico, and others were magical to watch and a pleasure to be involved with.” Peter Dougan was a fast leading forward with a good football brain. Best known for a magnificent dropkick on the run, he was a stylish player, perhaps short for the key centre half forward position at just on six foot, but his positioning at one on one contests enabled him to be an effective attacking target for South Fremantle during an eight year career. A product of the South Fremantle juniors, Dougan had some coaches of great credentials, including Frank “Scranno” Jenkins(under eighteens), Bernie Naylor(thirds), and Kyffin Miller(reserves), but he said a bloke he had as coach in the under twelves, Wally Harding, gave him the best of groundings to become a league footballer. “Wally came from Victoria, I think, and he spent all of his time teaching the little things about the game. He missed nothing. He would give blackboard lectures about the importance of the skills of football, and he stressed the values of the one percenters.” Peter Dougan made his first league appearance in the first game of Ray Sorrell's coaching stint at South Fremantle. “It was a Derby, and Gero being unavailable, I was at full forward, opposed initially to Frank Coulson. I was feeling happy at half time with three goals on the board, but when Con Regan sidled up alongside me at the beginning of the third quarter, it was to change proceedings somewhat, and I never managed a touch after that,” was his recollection of the big day. He played most of the 1964 season on a half forward flank, but the following year found himself in defence for the first five or six games. “It was a good experience, and I was able to become a more flexible player,” he said. In July of that year, his second season, he was selected to play for Western Australia against Victoria, at Subiaco Oval. Opposed to John Gould, he kicked three goals from a half forward flank.  Dougan established himself as a regular half forward in the next three seasons, and, with  South Fremantle in the four, looked set to take part in his first finals series. However, in the last game of the qualifying rounds, he became part of WANFL history by being the first player to be convicted by the Protests and Disputes Tribunal on video evidence.  “ We were playing East Perth,” Peter ruefully recalled. “In an earlier encounter, “Dobbie” Graham had filled Cicco in. In this game,“Dobbie” put himself over  the ball and I copped him with an elbow. I was reported, and at the tribunal “Dobbie” was said to be suffering from concussion and didn't give evidence. After contradictory evidence they called for the video and it was damning. Out I went for the finals.” Peter Dougan's luck deteriorated even further over the next two seasons, with a knee injury followed by a burst appendix costing him almost two years of playing time. Returning to the fray finally, in 1970, he reclaimed his centre half forward role, and was a key part of South Fremantle's memorable last-to-first premiership year of 1970.     Injury struck again in the pre season period of 1972, when Peter broke a bone in his foot in a scratch match against Collingwood, ultimately causing his retirement from league football, after 101 games.  Playing at South Suburban club Gosnells in 1973, Dougan was part of a premiership under the coaching of former Perth ruckman George Spalding, before taking the helm himself the following year. He captain coached the Hawks for four seasons, winning back to back flags in 1977 and 78, and went runners up in 1975.  Malcolm Brown brought Peter back to South Fremantle for  three years from1979, with the premiership of 1980 a highlight. After coaching Sunday League club Willeton in 1983, Dougan pulled the pin on his football career, and went back to University.  Peter regards West Perth defender, Peter Grogan, as his toughest opponent, along with Ken McAullay, of East Perth. Kevin Miller, Colin Beard, Graeme Reilly, and John Gerovich were the best he played with. “Toddy was the best player I ever saw, but when I played with him he was racked with injury,  still a good player, but towards the end of his career,” he said.  Spending most of his working life with the Police Department, Peter is now enjoying a life of retirement. He still has interests at South Fremantle, where he is a life member, and is a committee member for the Past Players Association, but is happiest these days when with wife Christine either cycling or picnicking, or knocking a golf ball around a friendly green.  Peter Dougan made his mark as a centre half forward in a premiership side, in a career influenced greatly by injury. South Fremantle supporters will remember the dropkick goals on the run with much pleasure.