Vale Bob Tregenza
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 10:28 amFrom Graham Cornes. Was surprised to read he played only 55 games.
BOB Tregenza was never the most talented Glenelg footballer but there is no Glenelg
player more respected by his team-mates than big ‘Trigger’.
His heroics in the 1973 grand final when he rucked all day after a first-quarter injury to
our lead ruckman, Bob Tardif, are enshrined in the legends and mythology of the Bay
Oval. Big, square-shouldered and raw-boned, he was never the classical footballer, but
if ability could be measured by the size of his heart and the extent of his endeavour, he
would be in any of football’s Halls of Fame. Sadly, despite the support of many past
players, that honour has not been accorded him at Glenelg. Fifty- Five games and three
goals were never considered enough. But that one game, which gave the club one of its
greatest moments, should be enough.
My enduring memory of Trigger has nothing to do with anything that happened on the
footy field, although the day he ran through ‘Rooster’ Wallace, who was as tough as
anyone who played the game, is still pretty vivid.
No, the image of him sitting outside in the gutter, dehydrated and completely
exhausted as celebrations of the ’73 triumph raged inside, will linger forever. He had
played his heart out and required medical treatment.
He faced his battle with cancer with the same courage and determination and kept it at
bay for several years – never once complaining.
Sometimes heart is not enough. Bob Tregenza passed away last Thursday. His absence
of self-indulgent ego would not allow him to contemplate it but I hope he knew. To his
old team-mates he is one of the greats.
BOB Tregenza was never the most talented Glenelg footballer but there is no Glenelg
player more respected by his team-mates than big ‘Trigger’.
His heroics in the 1973 grand final when he rucked all day after a first-quarter injury to
our lead ruckman, Bob Tardif, are enshrined in the legends and mythology of the Bay
Oval. Big, square-shouldered and raw-boned, he was never the classical footballer, but
if ability could be measured by the size of his heart and the extent of his endeavour, he
would be in any of football’s Halls of Fame. Sadly, despite the support of many past
players, that honour has not been accorded him at Glenelg. Fifty- Five games and three
goals were never considered enough. But that one game, which gave the club one of its
greatest moments, should be enough.
My enduring memory of Trigger has nothing to do with anything that happened on the
footy field, although the day he ran through ‘Rooster’ Wallace, who was as tough as
anyone who played the game, is still pretty vivid.
No, the image of him sitting outside in the gutter, dehydrated and completely
exhausted as celebrations of the ’73 triumph raged inside, will linger forever. He had
played his heart out and required medical treatment.
He faced his battle with cancer with the same courage and determination and kept it at
bay for several years – never once complaining.
Sometimes heart is not enough. Bob Tregenza passed away last Thursday. His absence
of self-indulgent ego would not allow him to contemplate it but I hope he knew. To his
old team-mates he is one of the greats.