Ron Kneebone
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:08 pmI have a football with the signatures of some very famous people in SANFL history, mainly Magarey Medallists such as Bob Hank, Lindsay Head, Barrie Robran, Russell Ebert, John Platten, Don Lindner, etc ... you get the idea.
One signature I wanted to add to my collection was that of Ron "Bones" Kneebone, the great Norwood utility who won the Magarey Medal in 1966 playing at Full Back, a very difficult thing to achieve. I also had a photo of several Norwood players in the early 60s I couldn't identify.
So I contacted Ron last Saturday morning and asked if I could see him. His reaction was that of the gentleman I always heard he was .... "I would love to". So I visited the house of the great man later that morning.
We sat in his recreation room for an hour and a half and I listened to great stories of his career at Norwood, including how he was recruited, his first game, the Marx Kretschmer incident (and how he got even), how he nearly left Norwood early in his career to play for West Torrens, his friendships with other players (especially the "Gentle Giant" Big Bill Wedding), amongst other great stories.
He spoke of the night he won the Magarey Medal, and typical of Ron's humility, decided he had no chance of winning so he went to the Royal Show with his wife and great friend Bill Wedding. He was walking around the grounds and people were all yelling out to him, "Well done Ron", "Congratulations", etc.
It wasn't until he discovered the Channel 9 reporters were looking for him that he realised he had won the medal. I recall sitting at home waiting to an interview with him and wondering why it took so long for him to get to the studio.
Ahhh, there were so many stories, too many to relate here. However, for the benefit of all Norwood supporters of my "vintage" I will relate a very special story he told about Bill Wedding.
Ron claims he has been very lucky with his health over the years, and still looks great at 71 years of age. The only issues were of the odd operation for knee replacements etc, he has managed to keep himself very fit.
On the last day of Bill's life, Ron visited him in hospital. There was Bill, deathly ill, .. and worried about Ron's knees rather than his own dillemma. I think that speaks volumes, not only of Wedding, but of the esteem and respect he had for his good friend Ron Kneebone.
As a kid, I had four heroes ... Bill Wedding, Ron Kneebone, Ian Brewer, and Peter Hudson. I had the pleasure of meeting all four in later years and am comforted in the knowledge the men I looked up to all those years ago were men of impeccable quality.
I will see Ron again soon, and looking forward to it. As I drove away I thought how nice it would have been to have had a camera crew filming my "interview" with Ron, it would have made compelling viewing for us "oldies" interested in the game's history and great players of a bygone era.
For those not familair with his record, here are a few details:
* 201 games, 86 goals from 1957 to 1967
* 16 games for South Australia from 1959 to 1967
* Norwood Captain 1963, 1964. Vice Captain 1961-62 & 1965-67.
* Norwood Best & Fairest & Magarey Medallist in 1966
* AFC Carnival selection (Hobart 1966)
In his best season, 1966, he stood Peter Hudson in a carnival match in Hobart and kept the legenday full forward to 2 goals. Not many players ever did that .... but then Ron could do almost anything once he applied himself to the job.
I would welcome any memories others may have of Ron "Bones" Kneebone.
One signature I wanted to add to my collection was that of Ron "Bones" Kneebone, the great Norwood utility who won the Magarey Medal in 1966 playing at Full Back, a very difficult thing to achieve. I also had a photo of several Norwood players in the early 60s I couldn't identify.
So I contacted Ron last Saturday morning and asked if I could see him. His reaction was that of the gentleman I always heard he was .... "I would love to". So I visited the house of the great man later that morning.
We sat in his recreation room for an hour and a half and I listened to great stories of his career at Norwood, including how he was recruited, his first game, the Marx Kretschmer incident (and how he got even), how he nearly left Norwood early in his career to play for West Torrens, his friendships with other players (especially the "Gentle Giant" Big Bill Wedding), amongst other great stories.
He spoke of the night he won the Magarey Medal, and typical of Ron's humility, decided he had no chance of winning so he went to the Royal Show with his wife and great friend Bill Wedding. He was walking around the grounds and people were all yelling out to him, "Well done Ron", "Congratulations", etc.
It wasn't until he discovered the Channel 9 reporters were looking for him that he realised he had won the medal. I recall sitting at home waiting to an interview with him and wondering why it took so long for him to get to the studio.
Ahhh, there were so many stories, too many to relate here. However, for the benefit of all Norwood supporters of my "vintage" I will relate a very special story he told about Bill Wedding.
Ron claims he has been very lucky with his health over the years, and still looks great at 71 years of age. The only issues were of the odd operation for knee replacements etc, he has managed to keep himself very fit.
On the last day of Bill's life, Ron visited him in hospital. There was Bill, deathly ill, .. and worried about Ron's knees rather than his own dillemma. I think that speaks volumes, not only of Wedding, but of the esteem and respect he had for his good friend Ron Kneebone.
As a kid, I had four heroes ... Bill Wedding, Ron Kneebone, Ian Brewer, and Peter Hudson. I had the pleasure of meeting all four in later years and am comforted in the knowledge the men I looked up to all those years ago were men of impeccable quality.
I will see Ron again soon, and looking forward to it. As I drove away I thought how nice it would have been to have had a camera crew filming my "interview" with Ron, it would have made compelling viewing for us "oldies" interested in the game's history and great players of a bygone era.
For those not familair with his record, here are a few details:
* 201 games, 86 goals from 1957 to 1967
* 16 games for South Australia from 1959 to 1967
* Norwood Captain 1963, 1964. Vice Captain 1961-62 & 1965-67.
* Norwood Best & Fairest & Magarey Medallist in 1966
* AFC Carnival selection (Hobart 1966)
In his best season, 1966, he stood Peter Hudson in a carnival match in Hobart and kept the legenday full forward to 2 goals. Not many players ever did that .... but then Ron could do almost anything once he applied himself to the job.
I would welcome any memories others may have of Ron "Bones" Kneebone.
