EAST FREMANTLE footy legend Ray Sorrell has been inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

Born in January 1938, Sorrell was one of the finest centre-men to ever play for the Sharks.

He played with the club for seven seasons from 1956, then spent two years as player/coach at arch rivals South Fremantle, before returning to East Freo where he finished his 196-game WANFL career.

A left-footer, he received many accolades including two Sandover Medals and two Simpson Medals. In total he represented WA at interstate football 18 times and was named in All-Australian teams in 1958 and 1961.

A fine mark, Sorrell’s instinctive playing style regularly sent the Sharks into attack with his long, raking drop kicks. “Ray Sorrell can be spoken about in the same breath as Polly Farmer,” says respected footy commentator Dennis Cometti.

Sorrell said his Sandover wins and a 1961 carnival were his career highlights. But he also relished the tribal nature of football, particularly the derbies with South Fremantle.

“The football produced by the two clubs was great,” he said. “It was exciting and the atmosphere was electric. There were 3000 waterside workers, half were East (Fremantle), half were South and the bantering and sledging helped create this huge atmosphere. It was magic.”

Sorrell is the grandfather of Collingwood defender Jonathon Marsh.