19 Men On The Field

[Adelaide Hawk]

This latest episode from the Sydney Swans involving 19 men on the field takes me back to Fred Bills' final match at Thebarton Oval, 9th August 1975.

West Torrens were playing West Adelaide, and Fred Bills was named on the bench. A West Torrens player (can't recall who) was injured and had to be removed from the ground on a stretcher.

In his enthusiasm, Bills ran onto the field before the injured player was taken from the ground. West Adelaide captain Bob Loveday noticed this and called for a count. What followed was pure chaos.

Players ran everywhere, some of them leaping the fence into the crowd. One player, Norm Dare, borrowed a spectator's hat and coat and tried to lose himself in the crowd. Had they taken the count at that time, they would have counted about 14 Eagles players.

I can't recall if the count took place, but if it did they would have only counted 18 players. Why? Because the one thing everyone had forgotten was the 19th man was the player on the stretcher who they allowed to be taken from the ground.

Perhaps some people who were there, or have a better recall of events can add to this?

[godoubleblues]

was it John Cassin who got injured
did they also get their points docked as I thought they might have been in the lead at the time although the score still stood

[Adelaide Hawk]

Yes they got their points. West Torrens won the game 15-10 to 12-10.

[spell_check]

I'm sure I saw a snippet of this in the intro to the 1998 Magarey Medal Count (or one of the Magarey Nights). If only I knew someone who has footage of it.

John Cassin was the player, and I got this from the Sunday Mail:

"West Adelaide President, Mr. Ken Eustice, said last night there was no question that there had been 19 men on the field. 'Television will show that' he said.

'The rule should be changed. But it won't be as a result of a move from West Adelaide, because the League wants us out of the League. Secondly, they don't like me'

A goal had just been scored by Torrens and Bennett went to bounce the ball in the centre square. Loveday approached him and asked for a count to be made. West Adelaide players tried to line up to be counted. But Torrens players milled around the boundary line. Some tried to walk off into the race. Eagle centreman Norm Dare then jumped the fence and hid in the crowd. At the time the score was Torrens 12.10 West 11.7.

[godoubleblues]

I'm sure I saw a snippet of this in the intro to the 1998 Magarey Medal Count (or one of the Magarey Nights). If only I knew someone who has footage of it.

John Cassin was the player, and I got this from the Sunday Mail:

"West Adelaide President, Mr. Ken Eustice, said last night there was no question that there had been 19 men on the field. 'Television will show that' he said.

'The rule should be changed. But it won't be as a result of a move from West Adelaide, because the League wants us out of the League. Secondly, they don't like me'

A goal had just been scored by Torrens and Bennett went to bounce the ball in the centre square. Loveday approached him and asked for a count to be made. West Adelaide players tried to line up to be counted. But Torrens players milled around the boundary line. Some tried to walk off into the race. Eagle centreman Norm Dare then jumped the fence and hid in the crowd. At the time the score was Torrens 12.10 West 11.7.

love Ken Eustice's comment "the league dont like me" classic

[Adelaide Hawk]

"West Adelaide President, Mr. Ken Eustice, said last night there was no question that there had been 19 men on the field. 'Television will show that' he said.

'The rule should be changed. But it won't be as a result of a move from West Adelaide, because the League wants us out of the League. Secondly, they don't like me'

From the "South Austraian Football Budget" 16 August 1975. (This was the week following the 19 men on the ground incident).

The President of the SANFL, Judge DM Brebner issued the following press release on Thursday of this week ...

There has been no move at any level to put West Adelaide out of the league.

Mr Eustice is outspoken in his destructive criticism of the League, but perhaps he should remember that the only voting members of the League are the Delegates of the 10 League Clubs and the Two Delegates representing the Affiliated Associations.

Any move to alter the Clubs comprising the League would have to be made at a League Meeting and no such move has been made.

The Management Committee has not resolved to put forward any such proposal.

What the Management Committee is doing is making an assessment of all League grounds to establish priorities for future development. It is also reviewing every aspect of the League Competition with a view to seeing whether it should recommend any further changes in the nature of the League's program in future. This is surely only good business sense following a drop in attendances this year.

The Management Committee and the League Staff are always ready to discuss any aspect of Football administration with the Clubs or with anybody else. Perhaps Mr Eustice should participate in such a discussion so that something constructive might emerge to help him with the problems apparently facing his Club.


A fair bit of bad blood between the SANFL and the Presdent of West Adelaide, Mr Ken Eustice it would appear. I have only very hazy memory of any suggestion to kick West Adelaide out of the competition, so I doubt it was anything more than idle gossip.

[McAlmanac]

Pretty sure Westies Reserves had their score annulled against Woodville in 1975 at Woodville Oval for having 19 men on the field. Spelly?

[Footy Chick]

Unrelated perhaps, but I think the same thing happened in a SAAFL final a couple years back.

[Mickyj]

I was 12 at the time and was at the game.Can not really remember much old age is creeping in
Think you will find that Norm Dare got famous from that incident. And was interviewed years latter when he was an assistant at either Sydney/Bribane.
Those were the days I am glad they are gone

[rogernumber10]

Unrelated perhaps, but I think the same thing happened in a SAAFL final a couple years back.

this should obviously be in the amateurs thread but ...

Old Ignatians played Fitzroy in around 1994 or 1995 (can't remember which of the two years it was when I was back in SA), and we were at Athelstone and there was a count. Fitzroy was way better than us that year but we were ahead early in the second half. One of our guys went down, stretcher went out etc, and new player ran on but play had never actually stopped . Play was up the other end and our bench had a total 'mare and thought that new player could come on, just because stretcher was out there. We've got extra guy on the ground, and then injured bloke decides he's okay and gets off stretcher while Fitzroy calls for count. Complete circus as the crowd is yelling out who's on and not on etc, with guys trying to sneak off in every direction. Athlestone is so open though that you can see anyone wandering off. Everyone agrees we have 19 on the field but Fitzroy captain nobly said he didn't want score annulled (even though they were behind) and most of his teammates wanted the score wiped. Umpire happy to have no part of wiping the score and just wanted a quiet day umpiring a match. Our extra player goes off after the longest 4-5 minute kerfuffle of all time and we went on and won.

[spell_check]

Pretty sure Westies Reserves had their score annulled against Woodville in 1975 at Woodville Oval for having 19 men on the field. Spelly?

Yes, in Round 7 at the 28 minute mark of the third quarter West had their score annulled. The score at the time was West 6.7 to Woodville 4.7. That was the three quarter time score (or as it became, 4.7 to 0.0). Woodville outscored West in the last quarter - 2.4 to 1.2, so the score ended up being 6.11 to 1.2. Without the annulment, West would have won 7.9 to 6.11.

[McAlmanac]

Pretty sure Westies Reserves had their score annulled against Woodville in 1975 at Woodville Oval for having 19 men on the field. Spelly?

Yes, in Round 7 at the 28 minute mark of the third quarter West had their score annulled. The score at the time was West 6.7 to Woodville 4.7. That was the three quarter time score (or as it became, 4.7 to 0.0). Woodville outscored West in the last quarter - 2.4 to 1.2, so the score ended up being 6.11 to 1.2. Without the annulment, West would have won 7.9 to 6.11.

Thanks Spelly. The reason I remember - I played Mini League that day!

[spell_check]

Pretty sure Westies Reserves had their score annulled against Woodville in 1975 at Woodville Oval for having 19 men on the field. Spelly?

Yes, in Round 7 at the 28 minute mark of the third quarter West had their score annulled. The score at the time was West 6.7 to Woodville 4.7. That was the three quarter time score (or as it became, 4.7 to 0.0). Woodville outscored West in the last quarter - 2.4 to 1.2, so the score ended up being 6.11 to 1.2. Without the annulment, West would have won 7.9 to 6.11.

Thanks Spelly. The reason I remember - I played Mini League that day!

A memorable day.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Pretty sure Westies Reserves had their score annulled against Woodville in 1975 at Woodville Oval for having 19 men on the field. Spelly?

Yes, in Round 7 at the 28 minute mark of the third quarter West had their score annulled. The score at the time was West 6.7 to Woodville 4.7. That was the three quarter time score (or as it became, 4.7 to 0.0). Woodville outscored West in the last quarter - 2.4 to 1.2, so the score ended up being 6.11 to 1.2. Without the annulment, West would have won 7.9 to 6.11.

Thanks Spelly. The reason I remember - I played Mini League that day!

Ah yes, the Woodville Mini League, respresented by Woodville Primary.

Were you number 12 by any chance?

[McAlmanac]

John Cummins! You obviously have the Budget.