SA Footy

1979 Magarey Medal was won by John Duckworth (CD) with 44 votes ahead of Peter Cloke (NA) 39.
Team votes - NWD 145, SA 122, CD 121, GLG 119, NA 112, WA 112, TORR 110, WDV 108, STURT 101 & PORT 90.
Yep - Port the 1979 premiers came last in the Magarey Medal team tally.
Has this happened in any other year where the premiership team has ranked bottom in the Magarey Medal?

That is a fairly amazing stat.

I guess with Ebert being at North Melbourne, the umpires didn't know who to award the votes too

A lot of Port's best players were probably in defence (Phillips, Giles, Eckermann etc), plus Evans in the Forward line, generally defenders and forwards don't poll a lot of votes, given the amount of times midfielders win these awards.

I remember as the 79 season progressed that the common vibe around town was that "this was the year to steal a premiership" as 2 of the big 4 - Glenelg & Sturt were terrible and missed the finals, while reigning premier Norwood were inconsistent and went out to South in the 1st Semi. Woodville made the finals for the first time ever - but went into the finals with no form having lost their last 4 minor round matches to Sturt, South, West and Torrens (3 of that four finished 8,9 and 10). South and Centrals probably played the best footy during the minor round but their exciting skillful pacy players had no answer to Port's finals hardened mob once September started. Even Port fans I knew were saying that season that Port's team weren't a patch on the 77 side. Port's leading MM vote getters were Faletic 21, D Cahill 13, G Phillips 11, Clifford 9 and Cunningham 7.

Was a terrible GF ... cold, wet and the last quarter consisted of Greg Phillips continually thumping the ball out of bounds.

Interesting Magarey stat though ...

dedja wrote:Was a terrible GF ... cold, wet and the last quarter consisted of Greg Phillips continually thumping the ball out of bounds.

Interesting Magarey stat though ...

Last nights AFL umpires for the West Coast/Geelong game would have had a great time dealing with Greg Phillips and his deliberate out of bounds strategy...

I was only 7 that year so don't remember a huge amount, but do remember watching that Grand Final on tv.

The main thing I think of in relation to that GF, was the incredible amount of points South scored, I'm thinking quite a few would have been rushed.

I've heard some say that South were the best side that year -not sure if they finished minor premiers - and that they probably went into the GF as favourites.

Re the actual Magarey Medallist, John Duckworth (I remember the lame joke at the time - "Whats a duck worth? ..Answer -A Magarey Medal") - anyone got any further info on him? I dont think he stayed at Centrals that long after being recruited from Western Australia. Played some footy in the VFL, with Fitzroy?

Kicked quite a few goals, but was more of a flanker/midfielder than key forward?

rd wrote:I remember as the 79 season progressed that the common vibe around town was that "this was the year to steal a premiership" as 2 of the big 4 - Glenelg & Sturt were terrible and missed the finals, while reigning premier Norwood were inconsistent and went out to South in the 1st Semi. Woodville made the finals for the first time ever - but went into the finals with no form having lost their last 4 minor round matches to Sturt, South, West and Torrens (3 of that four finished 8,9 and 10). South and Centrals probably played the best footy during the minor round but their exciting skillful pacy players had no answer to Port's finals hardened mob once September started. Even Port fans I knew were saying that season that Port's team weren't a patch on the 77 side. Port's leading MM vote getters were Faletic 21, D Cahill 13, G Phillips 11, Clifford 9 and Cunningham 7.

rd, have been trying to google the 1979 ladder with no luck - where would have Woodville finishsed if they won 3 of those last 4 games (assuming a loss to South). Thanks.

GWW wrote:I've heard some say that South were the best side that year -not sure if they finished minor premiers - and that they probably went into the GF as favourites.

Centrals were minor premiers, South must have finished 2nd or 3rd but lost to Port in the QF.
Norwood beat Woodville in the EF, but lost to South in the 1st SF.
Port beat Centrals in the 2nd SF and South went on to beat Centrals in a high scoring PF.

So I expect Port would have been clear favourites given their experience and path into the GF.

GWW wrote:I guess with Ebert being at North Melbourne, the umpires didn't know who to award the votes too

Their excitement at his return explains the medal he was gifted the following year

JK wrote:Their excitement at his return explains the medal he was gifted the following year

Its not that extraordinary for the best player in the most dominant minor round side to win the medal

He'd already won 3 so it wouldn't be classed as a fluke

GWW wrote:I was only 7 that year so don't remember a huge amount, but do remember watching that Grand Final on tv.

The main thing I think of in relation to that GF, was the incredible amount of points South scored, I'm thinking quite a few would have been rushed.

I've heard some say that South were the best side that year -not sure if they finished minor premiers - and that they probably went into the GF as favourites.

Re the actual Magarey Medallist, John Duckworth (I remember the lame joke at the time - "Whats a duck worth? ..Answer -A Magarey Medal") - anyone got any further info on him? I dont think he stayed at Centrals that long after being recruited from Western Australia. Played some footy in the VFL, with Fitzroy?

Kicked quite a few goals, but was more of a flanker/midfielder than key forward?

All I can confirm is that whatsa never got over presenting me my participation medallion at Salisbury park primary school that year, he was never the same again.

GWW wrote:I was only 7 that year so don't remember a huge amount, but do remember watching that Grand Final on tv.

The main thing I think of in relation to that GF, was the incredible amount of points South scored, I'm thinking quite a few would have been rushed.

I've heard some say that South were the best side that year -not sure if they finished minor premiers - and that they probably went into the GF as favourites.

Re the actual Magarey Medallist, John Duckworth (I remember the lame joke at the time - "Whats a duck worth? ..Answer -A Magarey Medal") - anyone got any further info on him? I dont think he stayed at Centrals that long after being recruited from Western Australia. Played some footy in the VFL, with Fitzroy?

Kicked quite a few goals, but was more of a flanker/midfielder than key forward?

All I can confirm is that whatsa never got over presenting me my participation medallion at Salisbury park primary school that year, he was never the same again.

GWW wrote:

JK wrote:Their excitement at his return explains the medal he was gifted the following year

Its not that extraordinary for the best player in the most dominant minor round side to win the medal

He'd already won 3 so it wouldn't be classed as a fluke

Not according to the great man himself

JK wrote:

GWW wrote:

JK wrote:Their excitement at his return explains the medal he was gifted the following year

Its not that extraordinary for the best player in the most dominant minor round side to win the medal

He'd already won 3 so it wouldn't be classed as a fluke

Not according to the great man himself

Umpies were just making up for '75 and '78...

Peter Mead didn't help them enough?

Opening "pandora's box" if you want the North supporters to comment on Ebert's second medal and Duckworth winning in 1979. Best we leave it I say!

Be careful not to move on, otr!

smac wrote:Be careful not to move on, otr!

Whoops!

FlyingHigh wrote:

rd wrote:I remember as the 79 season progressed that the common vibe around town was that "this was the year to steal a premiership" as 2 of the big 4 - Glenelg & Sturt were terrible and missed the finals, while reigning premier Norwood were inconsistent and went out to South in the 1st Semi. Woodville made the finals for the first time ever - but went into the finals with no form having lost their last 4 minor round matches to Sturt, South, West and Torrens (3 of that four finished 8,9 and 10). South and Centrals probably played the best footy during the minor round but their exciting skillful pacy players had no answer to Port's finals hardened mob once September started. Even Port fans I knew were saying that season that Port's team weren't a patch on the 77 side. Port's leading MM vote getters were Faletic 21, D Cahill 13, G Phillips 11, Clifford 9 and Cunningham 7.

rd, have been trying to google the 1979 ladder with no luck - where would have Woodville finishsed if they won 3 of those last 4 games (assuming a loss to South). Thanks.

The 1979 Minor Round Ladder (22 games)

CD 15 wins & a draw
Port 14
South 14
Nwd 11
Wdv 10 %51.10
North 10 %47.49
Glg 9 & a draw
Torrens 9 & a draw
Sturt 9
West 7 and a draw

The 1979 West side are generally considered to be the best ever 10th ranked team !!

Whoever won the toss was going to win the Grand Final. Port did. Also South had Ron Hateley out with an ankle injury and he was probably the best player in their team at that point.