1978 The year it was

[baggy8]

Brian Lees was a former league umpire and occasional Port Adelaide league player who commentated for many years. Sadly he too is now dead.

Pretty sure (almost certain) that Brian was the grandfather of current Magpie, Daniel.

Mick Clingly was a former Torrens forward or occasional defender. He was best on ground in Torrens 1953 premiership. He once kicked a place kick goal when he had a day out kicking about 8 goals

Mick actually did it on the day he broke the club record (since equalled by Brian Mulvihill) in kicking 12 against the Bays.

Take your point about Motley, rig, but still maintain that the universal joy did not come anywhere near our house.

[robranisgod]

Brian Lees was a former league umpire and occasional Port Adelaide league player who commentated for many years. Sadly he too is now dead.

Pretty sure (almost certain) that Brian was the grandfather of current Magpie, Daniel.

Mick Clingly was a former Torrens forward or occasional defender. He was best on ground in Torrens 1953 premiership. He once kicked a place kick goal when he had a day out kicking about 8 goals

Mick actually did it on the day he broke the club record (since equalled by Brian Mulvihill) in kicking 12 against the Bays.

Take your point about Motley, rig, but still maintain that the universal joy did not come anywhere near our house.

Perhaps almost universal joy, I guess South fans would have been dismayed, but around my way where there were absolute Port haters there was great joy as there was incidentally two years later when Ron Kneebone won the medal. I liken it to the excitement that was felt throught the auditorium when Matthew Richardson went so close to winning the medal the other year.

[mal]

1978 Was a time when Sponsorships were on the move
His Majestys Voice donated sums of $$$ to the SANFL
The trade off was that the Umpires would bear the HMV logo on thier umpires uniforms
Other sponsors in about those times were Dandy Ham and Brambles Transport

Currently the umpires wear sponsorship for TAB
Would that be for a sugarless drink we drank years ago, or a place where Nick X probably frowns upon ? ...


Just for the record all 3 squaded 1978 G/F umps, Mead, Scolefield, Foster had all won the Golden whistle Awards being the best umpire in a season

1977 was the start of 2 umps in the SANFL
That meant twice as many umps required
In theory does having 2 umps extend the longevity of umpires at all ?

I have no Umpiring stats, excepting that Dizzy Des Foster went on to umpire 300 games

[mal]

SECONDS: P BARNES [WT] Is this Peter, was he a rover at WT ?
THIRDS : B GRAHAM [CD] Is he a relation to Michael Graham ?
COLTS : C WRIGHT [PA] he also won the reserves medal in 1979, did he ever play League footy ?

Peter Barnes became more famous as the Power's chief medical officer between 1997 and 2009.
Brenton Graham, brother of Phil (I think) and cousin of Michael
Chris Wright despite the two medals never played a league game - later became an optician

This is unconfirmed information on the Mystery Man Chris Wright

There is an opinion out about Chris Wright
Might have been a left footer
Might have played as rover or wingman
Had long dark hair
Might have played football at Millicent after his PA days


Still to confirm if C WRIGHT was an optician ....

[Pseudo]

1977 was the start of 2 umps in the SANFL
That meant twice as many umps required
In theory does having 2 umps extend the longevity of umpires at all ?

In the mid '80s I was privy to a talk by umpire Rick Charlesworth. Among other things, he spoke of the introduction of the 2 umpire system. IIRC, he said that the powers-that-be tracked umpires with a video camera and estimated how far they ran over the course of a match. They estimated a single ump ran 12 km (or was it miles?) over the whole game. Once 2 umpires were brought in, they ran only about 5 km each. Rick himself said he wasn't thoroughly shagged after the games any more, so he was all for it.

I don't remember much else of what he spoke about. Vaguely recall something about the time he booked an Aboriginal player - Tom Thorn of Westies? - then argued against his suspension at the tribunal.

[stampy]

I think it says a lot for Nunan that he was willing to undertake the thankless task of coaching the AFL's sacrificial lamb, Fitzroy, in their last year of existence in 1996; something he did with class and dignity.



baggy8, he did, until he knew there was no next year & a bloke named mcconnell (alan or albert i think) took over

no way pete, as soon as it was made public that fitzroy were playing their last season he was out of there

[mal]

24/9/1978

JOHN WYNNE
The day after NW beat PA in the Preliminary Final it was the birthday of Johnny Elbows two eight Wynne
Wynne was born 24/9/1948 and would have celebrated his 30th birthday
Wynne played his first game in Round 18 this season
Some 6 weeks later he is playing in the Grand Final
Birthplace Perth
Played for West Perth in the sixties
recruited to NW in 1970
State player WA in 1969
State player SA in 71/72/73/74
Wynne was to play his 175th game in the Grand Final
Stood at 6'2'' but appeared much bigger on the field
Some 33 years later Wynne is still involved with the club
What a legend he is
Wynne was a vital cog, he was to be used at times as the 3rd man up against Jumbo Davies in NW V ST games

RICK DAVIES
Won the Football budget player of the year
3rd in the Magarey Medal
5AD player of the year
Advertiser player of the year
Channell 7 player of the year
News runner up footabller of the year
Vice Captain of SA
Acclaimed Best player v WA in the State game
Chosen in Harry Beitzels All stars team[the only SA player chosen]

DAVIES
Born in Maitland
recruited from Port Victoria
League debut 1970
B/F awards 73/74/75/76
Playing his 196th game in the g/f
Whadda player, arguably the most skillful most brilliant ruckman in SANFL history
He was only a 6'3'' ruckman
Davies was to later win the Best and Fairest at Sturt in 78[ made it 5 each with Baggy8]
It has been documented in circles that Davies never won a Magarey Medal becoz he backchatted Umpires ?
Pre season Davies was in hospital suffering from a collapsed lung and a bout of pneumonia
At that stage he was doubtful to even play a game
To play and play so well in 78 is remarkable
In my eyes he was a champion


QUESTION
Was he better than Paul Bagshaw ?

[mal]

CURRENT PLAYERS GOALS IN 1978
These are the platers who had 250 + goals at this stage

869 PHILLIS
476 WOODCOCK
434 ???????????????????
393 WHELAN
380 SAYWELL
286 CORNES
285 CUNNINGHAM
283 D CAHILL
270 G HEWITT
270 NUNAN
266 EVANS
265 CAREY
258 VOIGT
257 GRAHAM

Rex Voigt was an interesting stat, I knew he roved at some stage, but had always thought of him as a star back pocket
476 Roger Woodcock is no surprise, something for S Copping to aspire to in those days
568 goals to Daryl Cahill and Bucky Cunningham, makes those 2 a lethal combo in the forward pocket area[as well as being excellent rovers]
Nunan 270 goals and a million handballs !

FREDDY PHILLIS
One of the finest full forwards the SANFL has produced
A strong mark and a reliable left foot kick
Round 2 GL 13-21 WA 14-12
That was 8/4/78, a day to remember as Freddy kicked his 827th goal that day and became the 2nd highest goalscorer in SANFL history
He passed another Bay goalkicking machine in Jack Owens that day
To be the 2nd highest scorer to the Don Bradman of Full forwards in Ken Farmer is indeed a great achievement
Ken Farmer, there may never be another forward like him, kicked 1419 goals of the 3352 goals scored by NA when he played [averages at about 42 % of NA goals ]
One of the most privilaged conversations Ive had was with his wife a couple of decades ago
Back to Phillis, I must make an apology to Freddy for what happened 36 years ago
1975 Grand Final
Freddy had a bad bad day
He kicked about 5-6 points, and may not have scored a goal that game
Aplogise for this:
It twas me behind the goals that sledged Freddy for some of 2 quarters in this match
I was the very young boy yelling out '' Hey Freddy ya wearin' ya mothers slippers."
That was a remark made in reference to the bright yellow boots he wore in that final !
Sorry

QUESTION
3RD in the most SANFL goals of the current players in 78 was a man who had kicked 434 goals
Ive put a ??? instead of naming him
I was shocked to see who it was
Can anybody have it a guess as to who this very very good player was ?

[robranisgod]

Rex Voigt was an interesting stat, I knew he roved at some stage, but had always thought of him as a star back pocket

LIke many star rovers of the time Rex Voight went to the back pocket late in his career when he lost a yard. He kicked a bag of goals in the 1973 Grand Final. I would have thought that he played easily the majority of his games as a rover.

[smithy]

This has been a great thread MAL.
Has anyone got the info to do the same on season 1988 ?
1988 was a very good year in footy.
Good crowds, good footy and a final five that had many scenarios up until the last round.

[mal]

The player who scored 434 goals to be the 3rd highest scorer of the 1978 players was
Robert Oatey
I was amazed to see that
When you think Of Bob you think of a gutsy rover who was a handball artist
He played 1 game in 1978 for a then total of 301 games

[mal]

HEAD TO HEAD STATS
166 GAMES PLAYED
83 NW
82 ST
1 DRAW
ST needed to win this game to be even with NW
NW needed to win this game to be 1 Premiership behind PA

ST had won 14 of the last 20 matches v NW

FOOTBALL PARK GAMES
8/6/74
ST 18-6 NW 10-14

10/8/74
NW 17-12 ST 15-8

12/4/75
ST 17-13 NW 13-23

26/6/76
NW 11-16 ST 8-11

11/9/76
ST 17-23 NW 16-3

4/6/77
NW 16-15 ST 13-10

17/9/78 [SECOND SEMI]
ST 13-19 NW 11-9

ST lead 4-3 at all Football Park games between the clubs
Ive noticed a trend
All 7 games , the sides took it in turns to win at Footy Park
The trend is
ST
NW
ST
NW
ST
NW
ST

So if NW win the Grand Final the trend continues !

My records show that NW has only played ST in one Grand Final 1908 -1977

1941
NW 14-16
ST 10-11

ST played NW 3 times in 1978 and won all 3 games

NW 7-13 ST 14-21 [NW]
ST 16-12 NW 9-18 [UNLEY]
ST 13-19 NW 11-9 [FOOTY PK]

By the looks of things NW needed to find a way to kick more goals

WD + HO WILLS put up $14,000 prizemoney for the GF
$9,000 winner
$5,000 runner up

ST would prob need the $$$
In 1979 it had been news that ST had a financial kerfuffle due to the collapse of Associated Securities Limited
St had an association with this company and lost $38k

G/F ADMISSION
$6 Adults
$3-50 Kids and Pensioners

[baggy8]

HEAD TO HEAD STATS
166 GAMES PLAYED
83 NW
82 ST
1 DRAW
ST needed to win this game to be even with NW

Eight wooden spoons in a row didn't do us much good, did it? Norwood now 27 wins ahead.

[bayman]

I think it says a lot for Nunan that he was willing to undertake the thankless task of coaching the AFL's sacrificial lamb, Fitzroy, in their last year of existence in 1996; something he did with class and dignity.



baggy8, he did, until he knew there was no next year & a bloke named mcconnell (alan or albert i think) took over

no way pete, as soon as it was made public that fitzroy were playing their last season he was out of there

what are you on about stampy ?, this is all i said ''baggy8, he did, until he knew there was no next year & a bloke named mcconnell (alan or albert i think) took over''....baggy8 said the first bit of what you've quoted me saying

[Adelaide Hawk]

The player who scored 434 goals to be the 3rd highest scorer of the 1978 players was
Robert Oatey
I was amazed to see that
When you think Of Bob you think of a gutsy rover who was a handball artist
He played 1 game in 1978 for a then total of 301 games

Robert Oatey was a real chip of the old block, almost a carbon copy of Jack as a player. A brilliant rover who won 4 B&F awards at Norwood, he also was leading goalkicker three seasons in a row, 1967 to 1969. His highest tally was 7 goals against West Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 1967. It was great to bump into Robert at Norwood's Hall of Fame dinner last year and we had a long chat about footy. He's got a great memory. A true Norwood champion.

[Ruben Carter]

The player who scored 434 goals to be the 3rd highest scorer of the 1978 players was
Robert Oatey
I was amazed to see that
When you think Of Bob you think of a gutsy rover who was a handball artist
He played 1 game in 1978 for a then total of 301 games

Robert Oatey was a real chip of the old block, almost a carbon copy of Jack as a player. A brilliant rover who won 4 B&F awards at Norwood, he also was leading goalkicker three seasons in a row, 1967 to 1969. His highest tally was 7 goals against West Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 1967. It was great to bump into Robert at Norwood's Hall of Fame dinner last year and we had a long chat about footy. He's got a great memory. A true Norwood champion.

Not only a great footballer but a very astute and innovative coach as well. Although he never had a great amount of success at Norwood, he has dedicated his life to improving coaches and coaching standards in the SANFL, not to mention his influence as a tennis mentor as well. A true legend of the game and he's still working for the SANFL and is just as passionate and enthusiastic today as he was in the sixties.

[GWW]

Robert Oatey was a real chip of the old block, almost a carbon copy of Jack as a player. A brilliant rover who won 4 B&F awards at Norwood, he also was leading goalkicker three seasons in a row, 1967 to 1969. His highest tally was 7 goals against West Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 1967. It was great to bump into Robert at Norwood's Hall of Fame dinner last year and we had a long chat about footy. He's got a great memory. A true Norwood champion.

I'm not old enough to remember Robert Oatey's career, the first I knew of him was through his footy commentary on the Saturday night replays.

I don't know much about his career, so i'm curious, and i'm sure AH would know - did Oatey only ever play for (and coach) Norwood, or was he involved in any other club at any stage (I'm guessing Sturt if he ever had an involvement with another SANFL club, maybe as an assistant coach...and secondly, did he play much state football, and if so, how did he go? I'm also guessing that if he played a game in 1978, he must have old in football terms.

[dedja]

I had a bit to do with Robert during my time at Norwood High in the late '70's ... always willing to help, teach and mentor.

Good to see he's been helping the good guys lately ...

[Adelaide Hawk]

I don't know much about his career, so i'm curious, and i'm sure AH would know - did Oatey ever play (and coach) Norwood, or was he involved in any other club at any stage (I'm guessing Sturt if he ever had an involvement with another SANFL club, maybe as an assistant coach...and secondly, did he play much state football, and if so, how did he go? I'm also guessing that if he played a game in 1978, he must have old in football terms.

Robert played for Norwood from 1961-73 (232 games), then played 69 games for Sturt from 1974-78. He also played 9 state games, was the regular roving partner to Port's Jeff Potter in the mid to late 60s and played in the 1966 & 1969 NFC carnivals. He was a member of Sturt's 1974 premiership team.

He coached Norwod for 6 seasons (1968-73) before being replaced by Bob Hammond. My understanding is he was Reserves coach at Sturt for awhile, and a skills consultant with the SANFL. He was born 16 August 1942, so he would have turned 36 in his final season of football.

[JK]

Robert played for Norwood from 1961-73 (232 games), then played 69 games for Sturt from 1974-78. He also played 9 state games, was the regular roving partner to Port's Jeff Potter in the mid to late 60s and played in the 1966 & 1969 NFC carnivals. He was a member of Sturt's 1974 premiership team.

He coached Norwod for 6 seasons (1968-73) before being replaced by Bob Hammond. My understanding is he was Reserves coach at Sturt for awhile, and a skills consultant with the SANFL. He was born 16 August 1942, so he would have turned 36 in his final season of football.

AH - Im guessing given the likes of Taylor, Gallagher, Thomas, Aish, McIntosh all came later on that Rob's tally must have made him pretty high up on Norwood's all-time games played list at the time?

Back in 2005 I had to help with a 9-a side footy demonstration at halftime of a Norwood v South game one night at the Parade ... It was freezing cold and slippery, and there's Robert kicking these torps, kick after kick, not one didn't spin properly, and not one didn't reach his kicking partner (me) whilst standing completely still .. Still amazes me to this day.