Hero of the Central Bulldogs

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Hero of the Central Bulldogs

Postby Sojourner » Sun Jan 28, 2007 1:52 pm

Like anyone here I loved going to the SANFL footy in the 1970's and 1980's as a kid, I remember many absolute legends of the game who were in my opinion better footballers than many on various AFL club lists today. I went once to see Port play the Crows in a Showdown where the Crows wore their adaption of the state gurnsey, and the point that I came home with out of the game was not once did a player from either side nail a goal from outside of 50 meters. When I grew up watching Rick Davies and Wilbur Wilson take those shots it was somewhat of a different story.

Wilbur Wilson would come pretty close to being the player that I admired the most, even though he didnt play for my team. He used to be the one that kept the Central players going for the four quarters and I would say he was one of the hardest and toughest players of the era. He was an awesome goal kicker and thought nothing of crashing a pack or putting himself on the line to take the hard ball gets when they were there.

Wilbur Wilson, an absolute legend, thanks for the memories! 8)

- Talented though he was, Wilbur Wilson was by no means a champion footballer.  Nevertheless, it is doubtful if the SANFL has ever given footy fans a more popular folk hero.  Tubby to the point of rotundity, Wilson's mere presence on a football field was a kind of statement; it said, quite simply, "I'm like you" - which, presumably, went a long way towards explaining his popularity.

A left footer, whose right leg was, as the cliché has it, 'for standing on', Wilbur Wilson was a half forward flank specialist who gave the Central District Football Club exemplary service in 171 games between 1974 and 1986.  He also booted a highly commendable 331 goals, which included 45 in 1983 and 67 the following year to top Centrals' list.  Much more to the point, however, only Tony Modra in recent years has come close to matching the levels of hero worship and adulation enjoyed by the man who could lay strong claim to having been Central District's favourite son.

http://snipurl.com/18jlm
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Postby Jar Man Out » Sun Jan 28, 2007 1:56 pm

fantastic post.

Great to see Adrian (Wilburs son) running around for the dogs. Brings back great memories of his old man. Hope Adrian one day gets earns himself a premiership.

Wilbur was amazing. One of the best ever to wear the guernsey.
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Postby Wedgie » Sun Jan 28, 2007 2:04 pm

I don't think anyone disliked Wilbur, a real character of the game at the time.

Speaking of characters, I briefly got to chat to Grenville Dietrich yesterday at the Grange Bowling Club. Still my all time fav. :D
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Postby Snaggletooth Tiger » Sun Jan 28, 2007 2:20 pm

Wilbur Wilson certainly held cult status back in the 70's-80's...
Michael Wilson (Maggies/Power) nickname's a sign of respect
for the legendary big fella!
I suppose ANY SANFL footballer who shares the same last name
will be nicknamed 'Wilbur' from now on!
:prayer:
GO THE GROWL!!!


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Postby Dogwatcher » Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:57 pm

Any footballer at all in SA gets given the nickname. In fact, I know blokes who aren't even footballers but have the sirname that get handed the nickname Wilbur.

Champion footballer and champion bloke.

Watching his son gives me a measure of what he was like as a player. Mercurial yet tough.

Having spent a couple of sessions drinking with Adrian, he's also a top bloke.
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Postby TimmiesChin » Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:38 pm

Wedgie wrote:I don't think anyone disliked Wilbur, a real character of the game at the time.

Speaking of characters, I briefly got to chat to Grenville Dietrich yesterday at the Grange Bowling Club. Still my all time fav. :D


I'd say he wouldn't be Max Parkers favourite player.
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Postby CENTURION » Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:37 pm

that incident occurred after both had finished with the SANFL. Ray Hayes whacked him so hard at Elizbf one day that Wilbur swallowed his own tongue.
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Postby topsywaldron » Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:39 pm

CENTURION wrote:that incident occurred after both had finished with the SANFL. Ray Hayes whacked him so hard at Elizbf one day that Wilbur swallowed his own tongue.


How do you reconcile your respect for Wilbur Wilson AND your support of the National Front Centurion? Surely the two are mutually exclusive.

Just curious. :?
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Postby Groucho » Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:58 pm

Sojourner great article, I really enjoyed it. Nice to see a supporter appreciating players from other clubs, especially ours.

Then our friend from the Bay had to go and spoil it with this.

Snaggletooth Tiger wrote:Wilbur Wilson certainly held cult status back in the 70's-80's...
Michael Wilson (Maggies/Power) nickname's a sign of respect
for the legendary big fella!
I suppose ANY SANFL footballer who shares the same last name
will be nicknamed 'Wilbur' from now on!
:prayer:


This has always made my blood boil. Who is Michael Wilson, what has he done ? When did PA EVER respect Centrals and our players? He is AFL not SANFL and worse he plays for both the Port Adelaide teams.

I have been to every game since 1973 (count on one hand missing due to weddings,illness etc) and all I ever got from PA / PAM supporters was grief and physically assaulted. How many premierships have you won? go to centrelink and cash your dole check, stolen a commodore lately? etc.

How ironic! Scioeconomic stereotype taunts from Magpie supporters. :twisted:

M Wilson may call himself Wilbur when he meets the following criteria :
1. Played 171 games in 13 seasons and kicked 331 goals for Central District.
2. Is Aboriginal.
3. Is a Folk Hero.
4. Does not play for the Evil Empire (either branch)

Until then he has not earned the right to this revered nickname and never will. Adrian Wilson has more right than this upstart to the nickname as it is his heritage.

Interesting side note "Wilbur" Wilson (the real one, original and best) was born Wilfred John Wilson and was mistakenly referred to as Wilbur by Denis Jones when he started in the Reserves and was too shy to correct him and the name stuck.
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Postby Snaggletooth Tiger » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:57 am

It's only an observation Groucho...
The impact & legacy he left on footy as a whole in South Australia.
Never taking anything away from Wilbur Wilson himself.
Truly one of the most recognisable players of the era!
Tough as nails!
Mate, your hatred of Ports seems justifiably strong! :wink:
GO THE GROWL!!!


"Shut the gate on this one Maxy... It's the Duck's Guts!"
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Postby JK » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:26 am

Can't argue with any of the that, Wilbur Wilson was a fantastic player and admired by all SANFL fans I think, regardless of which club their loyalty was directed toward.

Back in the 80's there were a few others aswell, including Roger Luders, Grenville, Peter Motley and Michael Graham.
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Postby CENTURION » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:23 am

topsywaldron wrote:
CENTURION wrote:that incident occurred after both had finished with the SANFL. Ray Hayes whacked him so hard at Elizbf one day that Wilbur swallowed his own tongue.


How do you reconcile your respect for Wilbur Wilson AND your support of the National Front Centurion? Surely the two are mutually exclusive.

Ju
t curious. :?


Isn't Wilbur the ultimate Australian?
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Postby BenchedEagle » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:10 pm

Heres an intresting fact. I went out with his daughter vanessa for about 3 weeks in Yr8 at Craigmore HS. Good kisser. Gun Netballer. :wink:
Dont know what she is doing these days.
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Postby BenchedEagle » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:10 pm

******
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Postby Dogwatcher » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:19 pm

She's probably still haunted by those three weeks of her life.

Three weeks of her life she can't get back.... ;)
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Postby BenchedEagle » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:22 pm

He he he. Theyre my 3 weeks now. Mwahhahaha
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