Old time Footballers - More Port men

[Leaping Lindner]

The following is an extract from an article in "The Register" in 1916 talking about some Port stars of past times. No clues as to the dates they played. Anyone got any ideas? The Aboriginal Player mentioned (Harry Hewitt) played a handful of games for Medindie in 1889 and 1890 but I don't know if that was before or after his stint at Port.

- More Memories -

Many amusing incidents can be recalled of the early days, incidents that aroused much controversy. The teams did not take up their positions in the orderly fashion that is witnessed nowadays. Prior to the bounce the players were marshalled in the centre, lined up, and told to number off like a squad of soldiers to see that there were no more than the allotted 20 on each side. Satisfied that all was right the umpire would then give the order to proceed. Now, it was not a difficult matter, if any team had sinister designs, to “pack” the field, and with the spectators and participants engrossed in the play, the addition of a man or two was simply accomplished. I do not suggest that this became a regular practice, but all the same it was done on more than one occasion. Several of the clubs became cognisant of this proceeding, but the culprits were usually too wary to be caught redhanded. The only way to ensure that there were no extra men on the field or that none of the players was using “sprigs” on the boots was for the captain, if he had any doubt, to order a “line up” , and frequently the recount was attended with compromising results! Still, they considered it all in the game, and the incidents never called for any stringent action.
- More Port Men –
Arthur Tomlin and Bunny Hills were regarded as two of the fastest and cleverest wingmen that ever donned the magenta colours, while as followers Tom Munyard, Vince Cavacovitch (I will be pardoned if I have spelt his name incorrectly), and Geordie Webb were a group that proved invincible. Webb was in his element on a wet day, and the sloppier the ground the better he enjoyed it. Few players have received more buffetings than this sturdy Portonian, but, withal he was the personification of good temper. Percy Gardiner was one of the reliable goalkickers who ever occupied that important position, and some of his runs from the posts around the wings were often paralysing. Charlie Fry and Albert Schwann were seldom away from their posts when needed, and the pair turned away many an ominous tide. Tick Phillips was an imperturbable follower, and Archie Hose captained the Ports with skill, afterwards figuring as a successful umpire.

- Aboriginal Player –
Port Adelaide heard of the deeds of Harry Hewitt, a Point Macleay native, who some years since met a tragic death, and in their principal matches he was brought down to Adelaide. Followers will readily recall how Hewitt used to take the field barefooted and follow right through with a doggedness that was surprising. He was a proud man indeed when he was called upon to don the magenta colours, and although there was nothing scientific in his display, it was of the useful order. Hewitt was rather a fair cricketer, too, and the writer (E.J. Bee) has a bitter experience of the aborigine giving him a great leather-hunting experience at Victor Harbour. Hewitt was dark in skin, but he had the heart of a white man. On one occasion on the Adelaide Oval a team of Point Macleay natives contested a match with a scratch team from the city and the contest aroused great enthusiasm.

(Part of “OLD-TIME FOOTBALLERS” from “The Register” 26/2/1916.)

[Ecky]

Hewitt was dark in skin, but he had the heart of a white man.

(Part of “OLD-TIME FOOTBALLERS” from “The Register” 26/2/1916.)

I haven't seen that description in the papers for a while...

[spell_check]

That might be the Justin Murphy 'coconut'?

[Magpiespower]

Anyone know the name of the of player who was reportedly the first Aborigine to play league footy in SA?

He supposed to play for South. South officials had organised to meet him at the Railway Station.

But Port officials caught wind of this young talent and arrived at the Station at the same time.

As luck would have it, this player was seated on the carriage closest to where the Port officials were waiting on the platform.

When he hopped off the train, the Port officials whisked him away.

Leaving the poor old South officials scratching their heads wondering what happened to their star recruit.

[RustyCage]

Arthur (Albert) Tomlin
1890 (? games - ? goals - 5 state games)

Bunny (Henry Walter) Hills



1888-1989 (118 games - ? goals)

Tom Munyard
1899 (? games - ? goals - 1 state game)

Vince Cavacovitch
unknown (unknown)

Geordie Webb
1890 (pos: Follower) (? games (170 total)- 5 goals - 5 state games)

Percy Gardiner

1980 - (? games (185 total) - 1 goal - 4 state games)
Life member 1923

Charlie Fry
1889-1890 (? games - 40 goals - 2 state games)
B+F 1889 1890, Leading goalkicker 1889 1890

Albert Schwann
1891 (? games - ? goals - 1 state game)

(Harold) Tick Phillips

1886-1900 (198 games - 43 goals (126 total) - 5 state games)
B+F 1888 1891 1892 1893. leading goalkicker 1888, captain 1899-1900, Life Member 1909, Hall of Fame 1998, Port Adelaide Greatest Team 2001

Archie Hose (Hosie)

1890-1904 (183 games - 1 goal - 6 state games)
B+F 1898, Captain 1901-1904, Coach 1908-1910, 1924-1925, Life Member 1925

Harry Hewitt - unknown (unknown)

[Leaping Lindner]

Anyone know the name of the of player who was reportedly the first Aborigine to play league footy in SA?

He supposed to play for South. South officials had organised to meet him at the Railway Station.

But Port officials caught wind of this young talent and arrived at the Station at the same time.

As luck would have it, this player was seated on the carriage closest to where the Port officials were waiting on the platform.

When he hopped off the train, the Port officials whisked him away.

Leaving the poor old South officials scratching their heads wondering what happened to their star recruit.

Any idea of the year MP? Or even roughly the year.

[Magpiespower]

Gonna have to search for that one, LL.

Reakon it might have been early 20th century?

Because IIRC, he was the first Aborigine to play league, as opposed to association, footy.

Time to refer to my John Wood library...