On The Lighter Side.

[basher williams]

Been some heavy and interesting discussions this week. In a lighter vein, just wondering whether any RWO's recollect when we used to go into the rooms before the game listen to the coach's address and hope to get a word and a pat on the head from our favourite players. Then at the breaks, and after the game out on the ground with our paper footy's trying to emulate what we had seen that day.

[Wardy]

Been some heavy and interesting discussions this week. In a lighter vein, just wondering whether any RWO's recollect when we used to go into the rooms before the game listen to the coach's address and hope to get a word and a pat on the head from our favourite players. Then at the breaks, and after the game out on the ground with our paper footy's trying to emulate what we had seen that day.

I remember those days - blimey you are showing your age too!!!!

[basher williams]

Good to get a response Wardy. Nice to have a compatriot

[basher williams]

I remember those days - blimey you are showing your age too!!!!

Nice to have a response Wardy. Guess there.s still a few oldtimers around

[wolftone57]

Never had a paper footy, we always kicked the footy club footys as we came from the bush, that is if we didn't take our own. I used to play Moquito Fleet (Little League) at Half Time & always went into the Reserves & 'A' Grade Rooms before, Half Time & after the games. When we moved to Adelaide we were allowed to go into the Glenelg Rooms if they were playing at the Bay Oval as my Grandfather was a legend of the club having coached then to their first win in the SANFL. But that didn't last & by the late '70's early '80's they were not allowing supporters or members in the rooms.

I'm sure it still happens in the bush but all the city sides have gone closed shop unfortunately. I used to love the smell of the liniment & the buzz of the players getting ready for a game. Some of the Coaches addresses were classic & I would love to have a copy of them today. Neil Kerley came up with this classic "Never mind if the umpie has got a guide dog, that's his problem. But you blokes have gotta stop playing like your on the 740 bus & start playing like you're driving at Monaco"

[Bas]

I remember those days - blimey you are showing your age too!!!!

Wardy you old timer, you!

That would have been in 1993 when the whole crowd supporting the Swans would fit into the dressing room before the game.

[Bas]

Nice to have a response Wardy. Guess there.s still a few oldtimers around

You must have said it loud enough for her to hear

[Bas]

Been some heavy and interesting discussions this week. In a lighter vein, just wondering whether any RWO's recollect when we used to go into the rooms before the game listen to the coach's address and hope to get a word and a pat on the head from our favourite players. Then at the breaks, and after the game out on the ground with our paper footy's trying to emulate what we had seen that day.

Ay least you can still do that when the Ressies play at Lakeside or other non SCG fields. It's OK to walk out on the ground at BOP at the quarter intervals. Personally, get that little bit closer to the Gatorade stand.

[Big Al]

Have gotten to listen to Henry and co on a few occasions this year. You feel part of the team some how and it's as interesting as hell. Also I got to listen to Sheedy and Williams at BOP a couple of weeks ago give it to Folou at Qtr time. He responded with 4 goals so a bake that worked.

[Big Al]

Ay least you can still do that when the Ressies play at Lakeside or other non SCG fields. It's OK to walk out on the ground at BOP at the quarter intervals. Personally, get that little bit closer to the Gatorade stand.

My nephew got a drink from the Gatorade stand at the last game at Lakeside. Yes, I can feel your jealousy gentlemen.

[basher williams]

Never had a paper footy, we always kicked the footy club footys as we came from the bush, that is if we didn't take our own. I used to play Moquito Fleet (Little League) at Half Time & always went into the Reserves & 'A' Grade Rooms before, Half Time & after the games. When we moved to Adelaide we were allowed to go into the Glenelg Rooms if they were playing at the Bay Oval as my Grandfather was a legend of the club having coached then to their first win in the SANFL. But that didn't last & by the late '70's early '80's they were not allowing supporters or members in the rooms.

I'm sure it still happens in the bush but all the city sides have gone closed shop unfortunately. I used to love the smell of the liniment & the buzz of the players getting ready for a game. Some of the Coaches addresses were classic & I would love to have a copy of them today. Neil Kerley came up with this classic "Never mind if the umpie has got a guide dog, that's his problem. But you blokes have gotta stop playing like your on the 740 bus & start playing like you're driving at Monaco"

Great times Wolf', but nothing remains constant, everything changes. I was born &bred in Collingwood, but followed South Melb or the Bloodstained Angels as they were known as then. Father and son rule. Lived only a stones throw from Vic Park.Collingwood's home ground. Regularly used to go with my mates , all Collingwood supporters to watch training.Players were paid I think ,about $7 per game . A lot of them would arrive after work on their pushbikes, boots tied together hanging over the handlebars.Great to go into the rooms and talk, and then sometimes onto the ground if you were lucky for a few tips. The game has certainlybecome professionalized since then

[Wardy]

Wardy you old timer, you!

That would have been in 1993 when the whole crowd supporting the Swans would fit into the dressing room before the game.

nah when visited Melbourne as a kid and went to the footy with my Dad & Great Uncle Herb - we were at Princess Park (naturally) and thge Blues we were playing against the Bombers it was the early 70's I was about 8 years old - and I remember the days (when I lived in Melbourne in the mid 80's) when the cheer squad used to walk around the field at half time with a blanket and people throwing coins into the blanket for fund raising.( or at Moorabin people were throwing the coins at the people carrying the blanket to see it they got a reaction!) Also boyfriend in 1986 was playing for Glenroy in some comp - we could run onto the field at quarter time - I would just run on there to look at him - yes I was young and in love - it didnt last!!!

[Bas]

Also boyfriend in 1986 was playing for Glenroy in some comp - we could run onto the field at quarter time - I would just run on there to look at him

A few of us can relate to that feeling and the gatorade stand.

[wolftone57]

Great times Wolf', but nothing remains constant, everything changes. I was born &bred in Collingwood, but followed South Melb or the Bloodstained Angels as they were known as then. Father and son rule. Lived only a stones throw from Vic Park.Collingwood's home ground. Regularly used to go with my mates , all Collingwood supporters to watch training.Players were paid I think ,about $7 per game . A lot of them would arrive after work on their pushbikes, boots tied together hanging over the handlebars.Great to go into the rooms and talk, and then sometimes onto the ground if you were lucky for a few tips. The game has certainlybecome professionalized since then

I asked my grandfather why he & my other grandfather never moved to Adelaide or Melbourne to play footy (My fathers father played cricket in Adelaide this was my mothers father). He told me that in the old days the City clubs didn't pay enough to pack up your life & move to the city & most of the blokes on the mines earned 5 to 10 times as much as the blokes playing in the VFL. He also told me that the city clubs couldn't always guarantee a job so most of the blokes told them politely to go away. A top VFL footballer could earn 10 shillings & 6p about $1.05 but on the mines with lead bonus they could earn up to 10 pounds $20.00 (that is an up to, the norm was bet5 & 10 pounds). In later years things improved and my great uncle Jack Owens became the leading goalkicker in the SANFL for Glenelg. Jack kicked 100 goals in a bottom of the table side, the only player to have ever achieved this feat. Ken Farmer who played for North Adelaide, a top side at the time, got all the plaudits because he kicked the most goals ever kicked up until that stage in the SANFL but most observers at the time believed Owens to have been the best goal kicker ever in the SANFL. By the way he was only 5'7".

I used to love the atmosphere of the footy clubs & in my playing days in the suburban comps loved the camaraderie of the celebrations or commiserations after the game. Most often you would get together with the opposition supporters & have a really good time all in the good spirit of footy & friendship. Now nobody stays around & if they do not even those at your club will talk or socialise, everyone seems to only socialise in their own small groups. Can't bring the old days back & we all have to move on but hope to get to know a few of the RWO crew in the next few years now I am living in Sydney & can attend games. I will also become a member next year.

[Dooloo]

Been some heavy and interesting discussions this week. In a lighter vein, just wondering whether any RWO's recollect when we used to go into the rooms before the game listen to the coach's address and hope to get a word and a pat on the head from our favourite players. Then at the breaks, and after the game out on the ground with our paper footy's trying to emulate what we had seen that day.

Yep. I remember you taking me down to the Lake Oval as a youngster and going onto the ground during the breaks. Also venturing into the rooms after the game and getting the Footy record signed.