1978 The year it was

[mal]

I have read on another site
1993 Des Foster admitted he erred in paying that dodgy mark to Phillip Gallagher
Is this true ?

[dedja]

Slightly off topic but ...

[Adelaide Hawk]

I have read on another site
1993 Des Foster admitted he erred in paying that dodgy mark to Phillip Gallagher
Is this true ?

I don't know about 1993, but Des has always admitted he just never saw the ball hit the ground. There was a player in his way, when he managed to look around that player, he saw Gallagher with the ball and honestly thought he had marked it.

I will say what I've always said. I can understand Sturt people being disappointed by the decision, and the result, but to lay sole blame for losing on one umpiring decision is nonsense. Sturt had many chances to win that game, before and after the mark was paid and weren't able to capitalise.

Also, it was a classic Grand Final, and it's a pity all some people remember from it is one umpiring decision.

[baggy8]

I have read on another site
1993 Des Foster admitted he erred in paying that dodgy mark to Phillip Gallagher
Is this true ?
Yes. Des Foster not only admitted he was wrong, but had the good grace to apologize for his error. No retrospective changing of the result has occurred yet.

Also, it was a classic Grand Final, and it's a pity all some people remember from it is one umpiring decision.

Only a Norwood supporter could say that

[Adelaide Hawk]

I have read on another site
1993 Des Foster admitted he erred in paying that dodgy mark to Phillip Gallagher
Is this true ?
Yes. Des Foster not only admitted he was wrong, but had the good grace to apologize for his error. No retrospective changing of the result has occurred yet.

Also, it was a classic Grand Final, and it's a pity all some people remember from it is one umpiring decision.

Only a Norwood supporter could say that

No, a football supporter.

[dedja]

I have read on another site
1993 Des Foster admitted he erred in paying that dodgy mark to Phillip Gallagher
Is this true ?

I don't know about 1993, but Des has always admitted he just never saw the ball hit the ground. There was a player in his way, when he managed to look around that player, he saw Gallagher with the ball and honestly thought he had marked it.

I will say what I've always said. I can understand Sturt people being disappointed by the decision, and the result, but to lay sole blame for losing on one umpiring decision is nonsense. Sturt had many chances to win that game, before and after the mark was paid and weren't able to capitalise.

Also, it was a classic Grand Final, and it's a pity all some people remember from it is one umpiring decision.

no-one here has said that ... but Sturt didn't deserve to lose that day, Norwood won, congratulations and that's all that matters now.

Enjoy the memories Mal ... errrr ... I mean ... sorry, AH.

[mal]

After the match activities

STURT
Had a disco hosted by DJ Steve Mill
Monster BBQ
TV replays

NORWOOD
Food and drinks
Jazz band
Fireworks display
The players were presented at about 8-30pm
Souvenir programmes

THE NIGHT
I rocked up at the Parade, from memory it was free admission
Caught up with fellow Redlegians at the celebrations

[dedja]

did you get one that night Mal?

[mal]

FOOTBALL PARK
What a sight Michael Kingo Taylor holding the Premiership Cup aloft
Later leading into the 1979 season there was a picture of Kingo holding the Cup
On his tee shirt was printed LETS DO IT AGAIN
This was the motto for the 1979 season
History shows NW didnt go back to back
In fact the last time NW went back to back was in 1922-1923

NORWOOD OVAL
And there I was standing on the Norwood Oval toe to toe with a myriad of mostly happy and joyous Norwood barrackers
Mid evening the moment we had waited for
Mike Coward that magnificent journalist was the compare
He introduced the Premiership players to the masses
There were thousands of us there that night

Amongst those there may have been been members on the NFC Match Committee
Robert Farnham
David Bertelsmeier
Glen Mcmahon
T Tomlinson
Wally Miller

I was there for a long time that night celebrating a Flag in Norwoods Centenary year

[GWW]

Slightly off topic but ...

Was that bloke on the left better than Roger Woodcock?

[mal]

Can't change it now but what a bullshit decision to give Gallagher the last goal of the match ...

I gotta say, I havent seen that decision for years and I completely understand where Blues fans are coming from now .. Disgraceful decision!!

Give Gags his dues he duly went back and cooly slotted it, but wow, I always thought it was 50/50 as to whether it was a free, and it was clearly not.

When you think of who would you like to have this shot for goal
Its 29 minutes into that last qtr
My first choice would have been Roger Woodcock
Phillip Gallagher my second choice

But lets delve back a few minutes b4 that shot for goal
NW 15-14
ST 13-23
Norwood kicked a point
NW 15-15
ST 13-23
Sturt then rallied with the next few scores
NW 15-15...15-15...15-15
ST .13-24...14-24..14-25

I will focus the attention on that point by that NW player to take NW from 15-14 TO 15-15
The point was scored by Phillip Gallagher
This shot hit the post !
I wonder how nervous Gallagher was lining up for this his next shot at goal ?

History shows Gags slotted through Norwoods 16th goal
That goal also was significant for another reason
In the clubs 100th season , Gallagher with that kick scored his 100th career goal !

[mal]

Missing in Action 1978 Grand Final
This is a list of players that might well have played in the 1978 Grand Final

STURT
DERRINGTON Injured,would prob have made a difference
HARDEMAN injured, a massive blow to ST
OATEY played 1 game, the champ was prob too leg weary
NELSON injured pre season and retired, would he have made a difference ?
GREENSLADE cleared to Edwardstown, was he good enough at his age ?
PETTINGILL retired mid season , another experienced player lost to ST
NUNAN cleared to Norwood
WILD retired just b4 season started, 28 years old, a significant loss perhaps ?
MIELS injured his shoulder a week b4 the season started, star wingman, a loss
WHELAN gone to Edwardstown mid season, if fit was a big loss ?
GILES cleared to WT mid season, more depth lost


NORWOOD
SEEKAMP injured pre season, retired mid season, at the time a major loss for the legs
POULTER leaves the club just b4 the season to coach Athelstone, might have been a loss of sorts
CLARKE at the 3/4 way mark he retires after a knee injury, a loss


11 players for ST that on January 1st 1978 were mostly expected to play a part in Sturts campaign
At least half those players were definately good enough to play in the GF
Hardeman and Nunan were massive losses

3 players missed by NW
Seekamp would have been in the best 20, Clarke prob a show as well

When we also add that by Round 1 NW only had 1 recruit in the line up David Armour
During the season they obtained
PHILLIS
ADAMSON
NUNAN
CLARK
the first 3 were excellent and experienced footballers
WYNNE also made his comeback very late in the season

ST gained Graham Reed during the season , quite a good pick up

What does all this mean ?
It meant ST loss a dearth of good experienced players,
NW gained significantly
Could any of these ins and outs made a difference Grand Final day ?
YES

The 1 massive question was
Would Gary Hardeman have been the difference if he played ?
He would prob had stood Brain Adamson
Given that Adamson kicked 5 goals , surely Hardeman's absence was costly

Ifs and buts
Had ST kicked straight on 30/9/78 then this post pales into insignificance

JIM THIEL
It has also come to my attention that NW strongman Jim Thiel also missed this entire season
I think this was the season Jim missed because of a long term knee injury ?

[Adelaide Hawk]

JIM THIEL
It has also come to my attention that NW strongman Jim Thiel also missed this entire season
I think this was the season Jim missed because of a long term knee injury ?

Jim was injured in a midweek cup match against the A.C.T. early in 1977. He attempted a comeback late in the season, lasted 2 games and was injured again. In 1978 he played in round 2, but that was his only game.

In 1979 he was pretty much in and out out of the team all year, didn't really get going until 1980.

[robranisgod]

GREENSLADE cleared to Edwardstown, was he good enough at his age ?

Greenslade turned 30 during the year. Interestingly enough he made a comeback with Glenelg the next season and played with them until the end of 1981. He captained Glenelg's reserves premiership in 1981 and won their B and F.

I think that he would have been handy in 1978. I have often wondered whether he was not one of Jack Oatey's favourites given that out of a possibe 7 premierships that Sturt won whilst he was at the club, he only played in 3 of them.

He wasn't selected in 1966, he played in the seconds, but he was just 18.
In 1967 he was 19th man, came on late in the game and I think kicked a vital goal.
In 1968 he was not chosen, Brian Martin was preferred at full forward. Martin didn't score a goal in a team that won comfortably.
In 1969 Greenslade kicked 9 goals in a masterful display
In 1970 he kicked 6 goals which was equally masterful given the atrocious conditions
In 1974 he missed the Second semi final with injury, Geoff Lauder took his place and held his spot for the Grand Final.
In 1976 he missed with injury.

Perhaps I have read too much into it, but his omission in 1968 and 1974 always puzzled me and then his mid season retirement and then comeback with Glenelg made me further ponder his relationship with Oatey.

[mal]

JIM THIEL

Spot on A/HAWK
My footy budget does not have Jim playing a game in 1975
Further checking has revealed he indeed did play 1 game in 1978


Jim Thiel played only 1 game in 1978
Jim started in 1975
When injured he had played 42 games
Jim was a tough key position player
Jim played his 9th game in the 1975 Grand Final win
He would no doubt have been thrilled as a 19 year old to be part of history
Imagine the disappointment for Jim , or any other player, seeing his team-mates winning a flag and being injured at the time

[mal]

1978 STANLEY H LEWIS MEMORIAL TROPHY

TEAM....LEAGUE.....RES.......U/19.....U/17........TOTAL

1 ST......210...........60.........24.......20............314
2 NW.....150...........85.........39........23............297
3 PA.......140..........55.........27........36............258
4 GL........140.........25.........43.5.......22...........230.5
5 CD........80...........50.........37.5......28...........195.5
6 WT......100...........45........24.........20............189
7 SA.......85............70.........10.5.....15.............180.5
8 NA.......50............65..........37.......14.............166
9 WA.......55...........65..........34.5.....4..............158.5
10 WV.....90...........30..........6..........18............144

[mal]

BOB HAMMOND

What Coach Bob Hammond had to say a while after the win

The naming of our Centenary Year Book 'Red and Blue Blooded' and the subsequent adoption of that title as our slogan for the year 1978 could not have been more appropriate
At various times during the year everyone associated with the Club had to show the colour of their blood
The ultimate success obviously was not achieved without a tremendous amount of work, team spirit, unity, discipline and belief from all sections of the club
Whilst at times we may have questioned our progress in 1978, we never lost sight of our goal and to everyone, may I take the opportunity of saying thank you
1979 to me will be the biggest challenge of my football career
Complacency in football is a disease and unless we are guarded and industrious then we cant look to the same degree of success that we enjoyed in 1978
Our PresiDENT has mentioned in his report the need for the players of today to make thier own tradition and what better way to do so than to make it 2 in a row, a feat the club has been unable to do since 1922/23
Centenary year certainly seemed to provide a stimulus for success in 1978, let personal pride and setting a new tradition be a stimulus for 1979
Lets do it again !!!

HAMMOND 1974 -1978 COACH
130 GAMES
86 WON
44 LOSS
5 FINALS
66.15 %
FLAGS 2


HAMMOND
When we talk about the great SANFL coaches, Hammond in these 5 seasons as a coach needs to be at least mentioned
Bob was involved in SANFL footy wayyyy back in 1954 as a 12 year old kid selling Footy Budgets
Born 16/2/42 in WA, after WW2 his parents shifted to Kilburn
Bob was a magnificent full back for NA [perhaps NA 2nd greatest ever full back ?]
A teenage Bob played in the 1960 flag won by NA beating Norwood [his 1st season]
Ironically on the same day NW beat NA in the colts GF, and Bob Oatey played for NW that game
Played briefly as a player coach at NW and played 14 games
Bob played 234 games for NA
His appointment as the Norwood Coach in 1974 met with some dissapproval within the club
He was introduced to to the members in 1973 and some had called up "' Give us Oatey ""
There was some booing and heckling

At a NW Trophy presentation night
There were still the Oateyists who were against Hammonds appointment
Bob made this address to the crowd
"" Members of the North Adelaide Football Club""
Ahhhhhhem !!!!!
A slip of the tongue !
Bob then added "" I thought that would break you up .""

QUESTION
Could Bob Oatey have taken NW to a Premiership if he continued ?

[Adelaide Hawk]

JIM THIEL
Imagine the disappointment for Jim , or any other player, seeing his team-mates winning a flag and being injured at the time

Both Thiel and Greg Turbill suffered career threatening knee injuries early in their careers. They turned out to be blessings in disguise for the Norwood Football Club as both would have been snapped up by VFL clubs. They had great seasons in 1982 as captain and vice captain of our premiership team.

[mal]

JACK OATEY
As coach at the end of 1978
699 GAMES
472 WINS
223 LOSSES
4 DRAWS
33 SEASONS
28 FINALS
10 FLAGS [An Australian Record at the time, and still is ?]
67.9 % STRIKE RATE


FAMILY
Born 1920 at Semaphore
Father Ted Oatey played for PA + WT
Son Robert Oatey for NW + ST
Son Peter Oatey for NW
What a family
In 1936 he roved for Maitland as a 15 year old rover changing in the pocket with his dad Ted !
In 1939 he roved in the Yorke Peninusula representative team
The ruckman that day he roved to was Stan Davies, Stan is the Uncle of Rick Davies


PLAYING CAREER
In 1940 Jack debuted for NW
To show Jacks dedication, as a 19 year old he ran 12-15 laps of the NW Oval throughout the summer !
He debuted against GL
He took a mark and goaled from the first bounce, he later said "" I have never felt better.""
Apparently in 1961 Robert Oatey did similarily on debut !
Jack won the B/F in 40/41
In 41 was runner up in the Magarey Medal

COACHING CAREER
In 45 Jack started coaching NW for 50 pound a year !
46/48/50 were premiership years for Jack and NW
Jack coached until 1956
His record form 1945 to 1956 was 312131524424
1951 was the first season NW missed the finals in 17 years
At Alberton 1951 he had his jaw busted
NW led by 4 goals when Jacks jaw was broken , Jack 4 days later regained full consiousness to find out NW lost by 6 goals
Jack played his last game as a player in the 1952 GF massacre NA inflicted upon NW
181 games played
In 1956 there was a sort of coup when a group of players were not happy with Oatey at the helm
This faction was stopped , but Oatey sensing he didnt have the satisfaction of a few players and perhaps elsewhere stopped as the NW coach, and eventually replaced by Haydn Bunton
In 1956 he coached at WA until 1960
In 1962 he started at ST
It was with ST were he coached himself into greatness to the present 1978 season with another 7 flags
His tenure with ST coincided with some of the most breathtaking dynamic footy ever witnessed

Ironoically in 1978 both Jack and son Robert were involved with ST and were beaten by a club where their careers had started as players and coaches

JACK
In my opinion the best SANFL coach of all time

[mal]

1/10/1978
ROBERT LOVEDAY TESTIMONIAL

Special day for Bob Loveday, it was a testimonial for his great service to the WA football club
Some of the SA greatest post war footballers returned to action at Richmond oval
Loveday at 32 years of age has retired from league footy after a career spanning 16 seasons
Loveday played 263 games, thus being the highest games player for Westies
Loveday is leading a group of former WA players
They will be pitted against Neil Kerleys all stars

TEAMS
Some of the players
KERLEYS :
RON tank KNEEBONE ........One of the great Redleg players in the 60s
PETER AISH.....................A great name at the parade, I think he played wing in the 50s ?
TONY doc CLARKSON........The great ST ruckman of the 60s
GARY WINDOW.................Magarey Medalist and effervesent media commentator
NEVILLE HAYES................Was he the PA player they called Chicken Hayes ???
FRED BILLS......................The 300 game WT legend
DON LINDNER...................Dare I say it a high marking leaping superstar for the Roosters
BILL WEDDING..................Big Bill the great NW ruckman
BOB SIMUNSEN ................brillliant player, and a great cricket fieldsman
BARRIE ROBRAN................What more can anyone ever say about the champ from a GOlDen era
PETER MINNERVINI............???
DARYL HICKS...................Fantastic winger for the brilliant blues in the 60s

LOVEDAYS :
DON ROACH.......................Good WA + NW left footer
DOUG the mouth THOMAS... Legend at WA, have heard he was a great player at WA
TREVOR HUGHES.................Great WA player
BOB DAY...........................Star WA midfielder, later played VFL for the Hawks [no relation to Bob Loveday...]
JOHNNY RYAN ....................????
ALDO RUSSIAN ..................Good WA ruckman from memory

What a parade of stars, fantastic entertainment for those who spent the $2 admission
Smart man that Loveday , he tipped NW to beat ST !

BIRTHDAY BOYS 1/10/78
DAVID WARK [25]
JIM DERRINGTON [21] Mixed feelings missed the GF thru injury, who could blame Jim if he got pissed on his birthday