Laurie Dore 200 Games With President Don Serong

Laurie Dore was a Longwarry local. A knockabout bloke who simply loved playing football with his mates. Laurie was an institution in Longwarry, playing over 400 Senior “open” games for the club between 1973 and 1996.

Born 28 July 1955 the son of Harry (Pud) Dore and his wife Marie. Harry Dore was a football legend in Longwarry, and it wasn’t long before Laurie began to play the game his Dad loved. Laurie was a distant relation to Caleb Serong (of the Fremantle Dockers AFL side) His Great Grandmother (Nellie Serong) was born Nellie Dore. Harry’s first cousin was Ivan McAlpine (179 games for Footscray and Hawthorn) so with this background it wasn’t difficult to understand Laurie’s love of the game.

His overall games record was outstanding. After playing his first game in the 4ths at the age of just 14. He spent 2 or 3 years in the 3rds, completely missed the 1972 season and started back in 1973 in the Seniors where he played until retirement. Although he played over 400 games for the club, a premiership was never to be. Between 1970 and 1973 he played in 6 finals, only to be beaten in the prelim each year. He played in 5 WGFL finals between 1984 and 1985 reaching the grand final in 1984, only to be beaten.

He played as a “backman” most of his career. This could be a factor in Laurie’s lack of personal senior achievements. However, when called upon to “go forward” in 1980, he won the Senior goalkicking award with 46 majors. In 1990 Laurie played only a “handful” of reserve games but received enough votes in those games to win the Best & Fairest award that year. In 1995 he won the club’s reserve goal kicking award and was runner up in the EDFL.

He notched up 200 Senior games 1984, 300 Senior games 1992 and 400 Senior games 1996. In addition there were many other games prior to his rise to the seniors that were not noted. His 400 plus games was a huge effort and gives stature to his resilience and versatility as a footballer. When Longwarry transitioned to the EDFL, Laurie was appointed Seniors Captain.

Laurie represented WGFL in 3 interleague games in 1985. He was awarded life membership of the club in 1992 after playing 300 games. He was chosen in the Longwarry Team of the 70’s in the back pocket, and the Longwarry team of the 80’s on the back flank.

Laurie Dore 400 Games Certificate

Surprisingly over 400+ games Laurie was never reported. His opponents of the time remembered him being tough but fair, with a never say die attitude.

Laurie played his 400^th game for the club 1 day before his 41^st birthday, a remarkable achievement in longevity.

Laurie passed away in 2019. Remembered as a great team man, friend and workmate, he will mostly be thought of as a legend of the Longwarry Footy Club.

We are grateful for the information supplied to us by Adrienne Dore