So when West Perth president Brett Raponi said he phoned the just-retired WA football administrator last week and hung up the following day, he got plenty of laughs.
Mr Raponi was introducing ‘Dorro’ as the luncheon guest speaker ahead of the Falcons-East Perth clash at Arena Joondalup on Saturday.
But the one-time East Perth league coach hit back in enemy territory: ‘The truth behind the phone call the other day was that my Dad, who was passionate East Perth, taught me from day one to hate West Perth with a passion, and he said when you talk to them, talk very slowly in one-|syllable words ” that’s why it took two days to talk to Brett.’
Mr Raponi may have had the last laugh, however, presenting Mr Dorrington post-speech with a West Perth scarf and a Falcons membership for him and his wife, Glenys.
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READ NOWThe Falcons defeated East Perth 10.14 (74) to 6.8 (44).
See Inside the Falcons, page 58