The 1991 Grand Final

[spell_check]

In todays section of Ben, Bec and Buzz, it has:

Who said football violence is bad for the promotion of the game? Finland won back-to-back CEAFL (Australian Football) Championships in Vienna last weekend with a victory in the Grand Final over Austria.

The moment even earneda five minute snippet on German TV. Interestingly, the Germans chose footage from the 1991 bloodbath SANFL Grand Final between West Adelaide and North Adelaide to showcase how the game is usually played.

Although Finland got the chocolates, it is yet to wrest the major regional title from Croatia - the aptly titled Schnitzel Cup.

[Footy Chick]

i too was there, on the fence in what was then called section X (near campbells pocket), not too far from "the action". I have fonder memories of the GF party at Prospect though..

Adam Saliba and Andrew Savage were so sick of me going on about Brodie (which for the record, was nearly every other day for the past year), so he dragged me over and tried to introduce me but I could'nt even say hi, I just giggled like a friggin schoolgirl (which I was at the time..) and ran off! I still regret it...

[redandblack]

Well, I was there and had a pretty good view of the fights and the day's events from up close.

When Schumann belted Sims, they finished up on the West Adelaide bench where I was sitting and I couldn't get out of the way. Sims head actually hit my head when Schumann belted him. If anyone has the video, it's pretty clear to see. Matthew Simpson was badly concussed and was in a bad way for a long time.

[JK]

What happened to Schumann after that fateful day .. Did he stick around at Westies for long?

[redandblack]

I think 'Dingo' Schumann carved out a successful playing (and coaching?) role in the Sunraysia or Riverland League from memory. I don't think he played at West much after 1991, but I'm not sure.

I still see Matt Simpson now and again. He's a teacher and was the eagles runner a couple of years ago.

I still think Sims' action that day was the most cowardly I've seen on the field.

[smithy]

I know he didn't play that day but for the westies folk...
Does anyone know what Craig Bennetts is doing these days?

[Dogwatcher]

The player in question in the Ben Hart photo is Damien Lister. A former Collingwood reserves player. Came to the Riverland where he played with Berri (there's an interesting story about his performances there by all accounts), then played for Loxton the following year, playing in their 1996 flag, then transferred to Barmera-Monash where he won a league (Whillas) medal. He's since moved to the Barossa, has a finance background and is now a part owner of a winery. He played for Nuri in the Barossa, then signed a clearance to Moorook in the Riverland but never came. Then played for Barossa District in their premiership last year. Might still be playing this year.

Dean 'Dingo' Schumann had a very colourful coaching career in the Riverland. He coached Waikerie in 1998/99. Minor premiers in 98, lost prelim final by a huge margin. 99 season not successful. Ended his time at Waikerie and was named Renmark coach. He won a Whillas Medal during his time in the Riverland. Got sack from Renmark part way through season after a regrettable incident. IIRC he ended up back in the Victorian Mallee, maybe with his home club Manangatang.

Incidentally Stephen Hamilton, who Schumann got reported for hitting, also spent some time in the Riverland at the same time as these two, playing for Loxton. The son of Kerry 'Bomber' Hamilton who was B&F for Glenelg in a premiership season (the last GF played at Adelaide Oval).

[redandblack]

I know he didn't play that day but for the westies folk...
Does anyone know what Craig Bennetts is doing these days?

Craig Bennetts is a Committeeman at West Adelaide.

He was the League runner for several seasons until recently and I think was reserves runner at Sturt for a year.

[am Bays]

I think 'Dingo' Schumann carved out a successful playing (and coaching?) role in the Sunraysia or Riverland League from memory. I don't think he played at West much after 1991, but I'm not sure.

Schumann is coaching Jeparit Rainbow in the Mallee league here ATM, last year he coached Nhill. The less said about his coaching the better, was not reappointed by Nhill for 2007.

[selion]

I think you will find that Dean Schumann & Steven Sims actually pulled on the same guernsey in the same side one day in the mid 90's. Padthaway in the KNTFL, Sims was coaching Padthaway in about 95 I think & Schumann actually played a few games. Would have been interesting the first time Schumann came out!!! Wonder if there was any competitive work done???

[smithy]

I know he didn't play that day but for the westies folk...
Does anyone know what Craig Bennetts is doing these days?

Craig Bennetts is a Committeeman at West Adelaide.

He was the League runner for several seasons until recently and I think was reserves runner at Sturt for a year.

Thanks R&B.
Went to the old Camden primary with Craig and always used to say gday when we bumped into each other at the footy when he was runner.

BTW - Is Mad Dog McKenzie and Colin Grose still around the traps ?

Thanks

[dinglinga]

wonder if craig bennetts has stopped swinging his fists these days...now becoming a commitee member or has he kept up his old antics.........me wonders!!!!!

[smithy]

wonder if craig bennetts has stopped swinging his fists these days...now becoming a commitee member or has he kept up his old antics.........me wonders!!!!!

LMAO - He was like that in Grade 2 as well...

[Mic]

What a great day it was, I was only 14 but I can remember it like it was yesterday.

Lots of highlights- Darel Hart's dominance, Craig Burton's "miraculous" goal, Modra kicking it out on the full from 5 metres out with Perkins immediately after running the ball from one end to the other to kick a booming goal, Clisby kicking a rare goal after 2 consecutive 50m penalties, the 2 brawls near the grandstand during the 3rd and 4th quarter (I missed us kicking a goal as I was too busy watching the brawl), Schumann almost clotheslining Hamilton's head off at the start of the 3rd quarter, Marshall, Kreig and Atkinson's cracking goals towards the southern end, Parsons running around 2 defenders to kick a goal from the boundary line, great memories. The lowlights would be Klomp using the 'f word' during his post-match speech and of course Simpson's vicious headbutt to Sims' fist.

[redandblack]

I know he didn't play that day but for the westies folk...
Does anyone know what Craig Bennetts is doing these days?

Craig Bennetts is a Committeeman at West Adelaide.

He was the League runner for several seasons until recently and I think was reserves runner at Sturt for a year.

Thanks R&B.
Went to the old Camden primary with Craig and always used to say gday when we bumped into each other at the footy when he was runner.

BTW - Is Mad Dog McKenzie and Colin Grose still around the traps ?

Thanks

I don't know Colin Grose, but Big dave Mckenzie is currently League Property Steward at Westies.

"Detective Bloodhound' did a story on him last year on the Westies website.

I'll put a link up if I can find it.

[Bluedemon]

good photo of brodie and ian day, i sure brodie cried again after the big win from the blues in 2002

[Dan The Man]

It was a hard Grand Final to judge as the SANFL was very much in transition with the formation of the Crows.I believe that North lost fewer players to the AFL than the other clubs at the time.The memory of 2 years earlier being fresh in everybodies mind.
However all Premierships count and none are meaningless.
Bye the way did Steven Sims play many more games after his suspension ?

[Mic]

It was a hard Grand Final to judge as the SANFL was very much in transition with the formation of the Crows.I believe that North lost fewer players to the AFL than the other clubs at the time.The memory of 2 years earlier being fresh in everybodies mind.
However all Premierships count and none are meaningless.
Bye the way did Steven Sims play many more games after his suspension ?

I reckon he only played in 1992 (well, half of 1992 ).

[redden whites]

I still think Sims' action that day was the most cowardly I've seen on the field.

I will vote for Bickleys elbow shot to Wakelins face as the worst I have seen.

[Hondo]

I still think Sims' action that day was the most cowardly I've seen on the field.

I will vote for Bickleys elbow shot to Wakelins face as the worst I have seen.

Both very ordinary incidents - two of the worst I can think of

As I said earlier when this post started - I was a 20 rows up directly in front of the Sims one and it was the ugliest thing I have seen live at a footy match