Manjimup Imperials celebrates 20 years since 2004 LSWFL premiership with team reunion

The Manjimup Imperials hosted a reunion for the 2004 Lower South West Football League Premiership team on Saturday, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the premiership season with food, drinks and several conversation panels. Speaking to the room full of former players and helpers, past Imperials president John Ipsen said the significance of the premiership to the club was the break between their prior premiership and the challenges leading up to their season win. “There was a break between the 1998 premiership and 2004, so six years was a long time without success,” he said. “What made that premiership so special was that we won six games for the year, so we had to win the last few games to make it into the top four, and then win three finals. “We did that and had a good win at home, which made it so special, and to have the reunion 20 years later is just great to see.” Premiership player and coach Craig Giacomel said the 2004 premiership was a “massive highlight” for him, given his experiences coaching the team. “It’s a massive highlight in my life — coaching was something I always thought I could do, and this is the only team I had coached. “I did it once, and we won a flag, so I proved that I could coach and it’s a big moment for me.” Mr Ipsen said Imperials was a “family club” with the support shown by the community evident at the reunion. “Imperials is a great club, it’s a family club and looks after their own,” he said. “When they have success, it’s a community event, it’s not just a team or club event, which was shown by today.”