Benny Vigona facts for kids

Benedict John "Benny" Vigona (born 9 October 1958) is a former Australian rules football player. He is best known for his time playing for in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).

Who is Benny Vigona?

Benny Vigona comes from a large family deeply involved in football in the Northern Territory. His father, Anastasius, played for St Mary's in Darwin. Benny's brother, Tony, also played for St Mary's. Their nephew, Ronnie Burns, went on to play in the Australian Football League (AFL). Ronnie played for Geelong and Adelaide.

Benny's Football Journey

Benny Vigona started his senior football career in 1977. He made his league debut for the South Fremantle team. He quickly became an important player for the club.

Playing for South Fremantle

Benny was a key part of the Bulldogs' team that won the 1980 premiership. This was a big achievement for him and the club. He played his last game for South Fremantle in 1986. Over his career, he played 165 matches for the team.

Playing in the Northern Territory

During the southern summer months, Benny would return to Darwin. There, he played for St Mary's in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL). He helped the Saints win two premierships. These victories happened in the 1977/78 and 1983/84 seasons. In the 1977/78 NTFL Grand Final, he was awarded the Chaney Medal. This medal is given to the best player in the Grand Final.

Recognitions and Achievements

Benny Vigona was the first player from the Northern Territory to become a life member of the South Fremantle Football Club. This shows how much he contributed to the team. In 1994, he was named in the NTFL Team of Two Decades. This team honored the best players from 1974 to 1994. In 2009, he was also included in the Bulldogs' Indigenous Team of the Century. These honors highlight his lasting impact on Australian Rules Football.