Three Lions Make WA Italian Side

There was a wonderful Subiaco flavour in the first ever WA Italian Team of the Century.

Revealed at a gala event at Optus Stadium, Alec Epis (pictured below) (Kalgoorlie region), Mark Zanotti and John Georgiades made the final line up, while the Lions can claim a small piece of Bill Valli, who played 17 games for the club, who was named as the team’s rover.

The original squad of 150 was culled to 50 on the night with the final team of 23 revealed along with a coach, all with Italian heritage.

Other Lions players to make the final 50 were Richard Ambrose, Luke Toia, Marc Webb, Brandon Matera.

Zanotti was thrilled by the honour.

“It was a huge buzz to have lots of family there on the night and it was great to be in a room, full of other footy stars who have Italian blood running through their veins,” Zanotti said.

Georgiades was unable to attend the night but his signed Italian Team of the Century framed jumper, auctioned for $5,000, with the money raised going to Channel 7 Telethon.

Event organiser Peter Gangemi and the WA Italian Club were overwhelmed by the atmosphere in the ballroom with more than 850 attendees.

“We (the Italian community) have made a sizable contribution to footy around Australia and it was great to have those names honoured by making the final team,” Gangemi said.

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