Past player - Chris Mainwaring (1987 - 1999)

[Miguel Sanchez]

Chris Mainwaring​

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Nickname: Mainy

DOB: 27/12/1965

Height: 177cm

Weight: 85 kg

Playing number: 3

Arrived: As a foundation selection in 1986, from East Fremantle

Debut: Round 3, 1987 vs Sydney – 23rd Eagles player

Games: 201

Goals: 84

Won: Premiership medals in 1992 and 1994
All-Australian selection in 1991 and 1996
West Coast Rookie of the Year in 1987
West Coast Best Clubman (later renamed Chris Mainwaring Medal) in 1997
Team of the Decade selection in 1996
Team 20 selection in 2006

Departed: Retired at the end of the 1999 season.

The golden-haired boy from Geraldton, Chris Mainwaring was an extremely popular player among fans and teammates alike during his playing days, and that continued in retirement as a media personality. His tragic death five years ago at just 41 years of age shocked the Western Australian community.

Mainy played in a WAFL premiership with East Fremantle in 1985 as a 19 year old before being recruited into the newly-formed Eagles in 1987. An instant hit, he won the club’s first Rookie of the Year award as well as finishing third in the Club Champion award. Mainy finished third again in 1988 (coming equal 8th in the Brownlow Medal count that year) and then runner-up in 1989 behind Guy McKenna.

When Peter Matera hit the scene in the early 1990s, he, Mainwaring and Dean Kemp formed an awe-inspiring centreline that is still considered one of the best midfields of all time. Mainy typically lined up on the slightly choppier southern wing at Subiaco, allowing the athletic Matera the firmer surface on the northern side of the ground. The set-up paid immediate dividends with both Mainwaring and Matera named in the All-Australian side in 1991 (along with McKenna and Craig Turley). West Coast stormed to the minor premiership that season before faltering against a vastly more experienced Hawthorn side in September.

The 1992 season represented revenge for West Coast and Mainy was right in the thick of the action. He played every game, finished runner-up once again in the Club Champion award and created one of the enduring memories of the club’s first premiership win, ignoring a broken ankle and throwing aside his crutches on the bench to jump in elation as the final siren sounded.

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Mainy with the 1992 premiership cup.​

1993 was a bit of a non-event for Mainwaring, with the aforementioned ankle injury contributing to a late start to the season. He bounced back in 1994, with the blonde wingman bringing up his 150th game mid-season, averaging more possessions than any other Eagle and proving instrumental in the club’s run to its second premiership.

After an injury-affected 1995, where he played just 9 games, Mainy had a ripper 1996. Named in the All-Australian side for the second time, he again just missed out on a Club Champion award, finishing just one vote behind winner Drew Banfield.

It all came crashing down in Mainwaring’s first game in 1997, the 193rd of his career, as he blew out his knee early in the match against Geelong. It wasn’t until round 20 in 1998 that he returned, a shadow of the player he once was. After an extended run at East Fremantle in 1999 he eventually limped his way to his 200th game before retiring at the end of the season.

In retirement Mainwaring forged an impressive career in the media, reading the sports news on Channel 7 as well as appearing on Mix 94.5. He also stayed involved in football, sitting on the selection panels of both the All-Australian side and the Rising Star award.

On 1 October 2007 Perth was rocked by the news that Mainwaring had died of an apparent drug overdose. He was 41.

The honours bestowed on Mainwaring in death were almost as numerous as in his playing career. His number 3 jumper (which had been vacated by Chris Judd just days earlier) was retired for three years as a mark of respect. The Best Clubman award, which he had won 10 years earlier, was renamed in his honour, as was the southern wing at Subiaco where he had spent much of his game time during his career. Perhaps the most lasting legacy is the Chris Mainwaring Legends Match, held every year to benefit Telethon and featuring former Eagles players, other former VFL/AFL stars, local celebrities and Mainwaring’s children Zac and Maddie.
RIP Mainy, you are deeply missed by all.

 

[byebyexenxen]

He was one of my fave players!!!!

 

[kane249]

One of the most enduring memories as a kid of the '92 grand final

What made that moment even more special was from memory the fact he had been off the ground with his tracksuit top on because he had done his ankle and was done for the day. The fact he was so excited when we won forgot about his injury and landed on that bad ankle just summed up how much passion the guy had for the club.

Even when we won in '06 his passion for the club was still evident

The Man
The Myth
The Legend

RIP

 

[Reminiscence]

Awe-inspiring Hero that so many Eagles fans have looked up to.
Absolute champion and his passion for our club was second to none.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Can't believe it's been 5 years. Still gets me down.

What a horrible time that was for the club.

 

[Fatty rules]

I remember going to a game in Melbourne against Hawthorn in the Eagles' early days. Living away from Oz, the chance to go to a game was great, but I remember wondering if we could take it up to the Hawks, who were dominating at the time. He lined up on Dipper on the wing, where we and a few other Eagles supporters were stationed. He totally ripped Dipierdomenico, the leading wingman in the comp, apart that day. Young upstart gave the master a complete flogging and we won. The Eagles had arrived. A precious moment indeed and I reckon a defining game in our history...

 

[JackJako27]

One of my favourite early Eagles memories was Mainy running around on a wing at Waverley Park. Legend.

 

[UpForGrabs]

Loved the guy.

My five favourite Mainy memories:

5) Hitting the post vs Carlton in 1993. A goal would've given us the win, but such was his somewhat-inaccurate kicking I don't think many of us expected him to get remotely close. But I watched it off the boot, and for about one-millionth of a second I thought it was going to go through, and that one-millionth of a second was almost as happy as I'd ever been at an Eagles match.

4) The massive shiner he got in the 1990 Prelim final vs Essendon. He hadn't shave for a few weeks and he looked like a drunken hobo. Was fantastic.

3) Captaining the WA side which thrashed the Vics at the WACA in 1991. Was one of the best nights of footy in my life, especially since there was a massive downpour and I was undercover in the Inverarity Stand.

2) Two goals in two minutes to kick off our first-ever finals win versus Melbourne in the 1990 1st Semi Final.

1) Leaping off the bench with what turned out to be a broken leg when the siren went in 1992.

Was a massive punch to the guts when I heard he died. Got an SMS from a friend early in the morning and refused to believe it. Still can't believe he's gone.

 

[Hairy Lager]

So sad, such a waste.

 

[Matera92]

Not much more to add that hasn't already been said, one of my all time favourite players and a ripper bloke.

Went to the same Primary school as him in Geraldton, were pictures of him all over the place and he always came to the school once a year to talk to the whole school in an assembly.

Was shattered when I heard he had died.

RIP Mainy, you were,are, and always will be part of the heart and soul that is the West Coast Eagles.

 

[Pea Barrel]

I'm not fond of looking back at Grand Final losses, but I still remember him tearing us (Subiaco) to shreds in the '85 decider. I've always been glad I was there to witness his performance that day. He was an absolute star right from day one.

 

[jod23]

Legend and very much missed.

 

[Le Class]

My absolute favourite player of all time.. Mainy was a champion, I had the pleasure of meeting him a fair few times as a kid and he was always fantastic. I went to the funeral too and it was an incredibly sad day

 

[Natho]

Thank you for the memories Mainy. Everyone misses you more and more each day.

 

[Patron]

Lets hope we get a replacement F/S mainy soon.

 

[pantskyle]

Gem/Diamond.

 

[wce4premiership]

Legend.

 

[ChampRevesby]

I still tear up when I think of Mainy. Champion of our great club and he is sorely missed.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

Couldnt believe it when i heard the news of his death. Gave heaps if time to fans. Remember him doing a book signing at Midland gate and chatted to everyone about all sorts of things each time someone came up to him. Massive big queue and he took his sweet time with everyone. Must have been there hours...

 

[QS]

I remember when I was about 9 or 10 Dad who was mates with Rob Wiley got me into the rooms before and after a game. I remember Jako picking me up and chucking me on Mainys shoulders in the changeroom and took me for a tour.
Will never forget him! If only all current players had his thirst and passion for the club.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

The good die young. But the rest of us learn from the lessons of the good and become better people ourselves.

What a player.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

My favourite player as a kid.

Remember the last goal he kicked, his comeback game from that knee injury, his 200th game and his last game all like it was yesterday.

 

[The Passenger]

was in byron bay with my girlfriend (of the time) when news filtered through of his death.

i was absolutely shattered.

she was irish and couldn't quite comprehend why i hardly spoke for an entire day.

 

[Top2]

Was a great person.....Played hard on the field and harder off. Remember Rumours night club... Oh Great times

 

[QS]

Courtesy of Lost Perth on FB