VFA/VFL reminiscences (split from NEAFL thread)

[Nico]

16 a side meant not a lot of congestion.in those days!

But there wasn't much congestion in the VFL either.

[KSAS]

My older brother played under 19's for South one year. Being a local, i remember walking to the Lake Oval every Saturday arvo that year to watch either the Seniors or my brother play in the under 19's when the seniors played away, as that's how the fixture worked backed then. This was the early 70's and have fond memories of that era despite the lack of success.

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VFA compulsory viewing on a Sunday on Channel 0, now 10,. Big crowds, big ratings. Max Papley, Tom's grandfather, was Captain/Coach of Williamstown. Very tough competition. These days, half of the players would be rubbed out for most of the season!

I have vague memory of Channel 0 replaying the entire match of the day late on a Sunday evening. This was in the days of black & white tv.

[Nico]

I remember going to Moorabin and seeing Plugger playing for StKilda choke (Spiro?) Melakelis until his face went purple.

My daughter plays basketball (when not in lockdown) at footescray and its funny visiting a place it hated going and watching us play. Watching games there was awful.

Princess park was great. Seeing mark Bayes carve up Carlton on Saturday is a fons memory.

Windy Hill was basically scary as was Victoria Park. Saw people getting punched and spat on because they wore the wrong colours. Times have changed for the better on that front. On the other hand footy at suburban grounds was something I loved that my kids miss out on.

Didn't wear the colours to Windy Hill. You didn't dare wear red and white in the dunnies in the outer. Absolutely feral individuals. Doesn't surprise me that they win the flag each year on social media for disgusting and racist posts. I felt quite comfortable in the outer at Collingwood but Carlton was another story. I recall someone being king hit and dying in the members section. And I don't think the antagonist got charged with manslaughter. Arrogant tossers. They can stay as cellar dwellers forever as far as I am concerned. Salary cap cheats and cheque book recruiting.

[Blood Fever]

My older brother played under 19's for South one year. Being a local, i remember walking to the Lake Oval every Saturday arvo that year to watch either the Seniors or my brother play in the under 19's when the seniors played away, as that's how the fixture worked backed then. This was the early 70's and have fond memories of that era despite the lack of success.

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I have vague memory of Channel 0 replaying the entire match of the day late on a Sunday evening. This was in the days of black & white tv.

Had similar experiences with my older brother who played U/19s in the mid 60s. Got to know the old South ground really well, including the cockatoo outside the cricket club bar who dropped the magic word often as well as staying 'Up there Cazaly'

[Sandridge]

Still see Peter Bedford around Port/Albert Park area. Took a while for South to prise him away from Port. No love lost between clubs.

Through a mutual friend, I met Peter Bedford about a year ago. A wonderful man and very humble. And he still loves the Swans and Port Melbourne!

[Sandridge]

These posts about the Lake Oval are bringing a tear to my eye! More please!

All the talk recently about the Adelaide Crows losing streak has made me think of one of my favourite South Melbourne games at the Lake Oval.

On July 7, 1973 South beat Geelong by 45 points to end a streak of 29 straight losses. I don't remember much about the game itself other than the fact that we were so far in front in the last quarter that we were actually able to relax and enjoy it. What I remember most was what happened after the final siren. In those days, fans could run on to the ground when the siren went. (You were actually allowed to jump the fence and wait on the sidelines before the siren rang!) After we beat Geelong that day, I reckon every South supporter was on the ground celebrating!! The feeling was magnificent! Our coach, Graeme John, was mobbed by fans as he attempted to walk from the coaches box on the bowling green side to the rooms under the grandstand. And my clearest memory of that day is of an elderly man singing the club song while crying his heart out!

Please please tell me that there were other RWOers there that day!

[Blood Fever]

Through a mutual friend, I met Peter Bedford about a year ago. A wonderful man and very humble. And he still loves the Swans and Port Melbourne!

Lovely natured guy

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These posts about the Lake Oval are bringing a tear to my eye! More please!

All the talk recently about the Adelaide Crows losing streak has made me think of one of my favourite South Melbourne games at the Lake Oval.

On July 7, 1973 South beat Geelong by 45 points to end a streak of 29 straight losses. I don't remember much about the game itself other than the fact that we were so far in front in the last quarter that we were actually able to relax and enjoy it. What I remember most was what happened after the final siren. In those days, fans could run on to the ground when the siren went. (You were actually allowed to jump the fence and wait on the sidelines before the siren rang!) After we beat Geelong that day, I reckon every South supporter was on the ground celebrating!! The feeling was magnificent! Our coach, Graeme John, was mobbed by fans as he attempted to walk from the coaches box on the bowling green side to the rooms under the grandstand. And my clearest memory of that day is of an elderly man singing the club song while crying his heart out!

Please please tell me that there were other RWOers there that day!

Was at the game and on the ground. Bigger than Texas.

[goswannies]

Still see Peter Bedford around Port/Albert Park area. Took a while for South to prise him away from Port. No love lost between clubs.

Other Port/Swans players include (aside from Rod Carter, Tony Haenen & Bernie Evans, who someone else mentioned) Bedford’s nephew Stephen Allender, Peter Carter (who somewhat ironically had his photo on the Rod Carter Scanlens 1980 football card), Brownlow medalist Fred Goldsmith, Frank Johnson, Norm Goss, “Gentleman” Jim Cleary, Graeme John, Austin Robertson Snr (the fastest man in football), Barry Beecroft, Tommy Lahiff, Vic Aanensen, Gary Brice, Jack Bissett (Captain/coach of our 1933 premiership side), Terry O’Neill, Gerard Bennett, Fred Carpenter, Dick Doran, Ron Reynolds, Bill Goddard, Billy McGee, Charles Stanbridge

In addition, the Swans reserves were affiliated with Port Melbourne in 2001 & 2002, so we had several of our guys suite up with Port (including Plugger IIRC)

[Sandridge]

Lovely natured guy

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Was at the game and on the ground. Bigger than Texas.

It's a cliche to say "it was like winning a Grand Final" but it really was just like winning a Grand Final! Will never forget the exhilaration and emotion of that day!

[Blood Fever]

Other Port/Swans players include (aside from Rod Carter, Tony Haenen & Bernie Evans, who someone else mentioned) Bedford’s nephew Stephen Allender, Peter Carter (who somewhat ironically had his photo on the Rod Carter Scanlens 1980 football card), Brownlow medalist Fred Goldsmith, Frank Johnson, Norm Goss, “Gentleman” Jim Cleary, Graeme John, Austin Robertson Snr (the fastest man in football), Barry Beecroft, Tommy Lahiff, Vic Aanensen, Gary Brice, Jack Bissett (Captain/coach of our 1933 premiership side), Terry O’Neill, Gerard Bennett, Fred Carpenter, Dick Doran, Ron Reynolds, Bill Goddard, Billy McGee, Charles Stanbridge

In addition, the Swans reserves were affiliated with Port Melbourne in 2001 & 2002, so we had several of our guys suite up with Port (including Plugger IIRC)

Great post GS. also, pretty sure Bob Skilton and Ron Barassi played a game or two with Port after they had retired from VFL.

[goswannies]

Great post GS. also, pretty sure Bob Skilton and Ron Barassi played a game or two with Port after they had retired from VFL.

Ah! I can believe I missed Bobby!

[chuckie]

Bobby Skilton and Ron Barassi played there in 1972 both missed a lot of games through injury.
Skilton just missed winning the JJ Liston medal I think he was runner-up and only played 10 games at the most. Ian Collins ex number 2 in the AFL was captain coach.

[KSAS]

Footscray v South Melbourne R8 1968 Western Oval. Lots of nostalgia! South won the match.
FNWB.com.au - 1968: Round 8, Footscray vs South Melbourne - YouTube

[Nico]

Russell Cooke no.17 had huge feet, so much so that he had to have his boots especially made for him. Graeme John no.7 was as weak as water. Played centre half forward and continually dropped his head in a marking contest. Didn't know how to tackle.

Can't recall why Magee left us but was a handy player for us. Doubt it was money back in those days. Probably had a blue with a committee member who were rapped up in their own importance and had too much influence. Eric Sarich came from WA and was handy for us. His brother invented the orbital engine. Too technical for me but was a big deal back then. I think the car industry bought the patent and shelved it. Pretty much didn't run on petrol. Google it for the story. Quite a few of the players on that day played in the 1970 semi final. Peter Bedford was only new to the club that year and subsequently wore no.11, worn previously by Max Papley.

Boy how the game has changed.

[Legs Akimbo]

But there wasn't much congestion in the VFL either.

Off topic but I have a theory that list reductions are a prelude to reducing sides to 16. Less congestion, lower cost base, higher scores, which neans, most importantly, more ad breaks and more $$$. It's actually hard to fault the logic.