1978 The year it was

[FlyingHigh]

I went to that 1978 game - SA were about 5 goals up during the 2nd qtr when Neville Roberts fractured his cheekbone colliding with SA teammate Michael Taylor in a marking contest. SA fell apart after that. WA ruckman Steven Michael got on top of Rick Davies (one of the few times Davies was challenged as a ruckman in the 70s) and Graham Moss stationed himself in a forward pocket for WA and kicked 7 goals, giving a young Greg Phillips a valuable lesson in one on one marking contests. And Peter Featherby in the centre thrashed Mark Williams who was making his debut for SA.

Recently you-tubed an old WAFL GF and back then Stephen Michael was running around like the most agile ruckmen in the AFL do today.
Understandably, plenty of talk about the SA greats on this site, and VFL stars in more common media. For those that saw him play, how does Stephen Michael compare to these elite players? Is he short-changed because he never played in the VFL? 3 Sandovers during probably the greatest WAFL era IIRC

[Adelaide Hawk]

Recently you-tubed an old WAFL GF and back then Stephen Michael was running around like the most agile ruckmen in the AFL do today.
Understandably, plenty of talk about the SA greats on this site, and VFL stars in more common media. For those that saw him play, how does Stephen Michael compare to these elite players? Is he short-changed because he never played in the VFL? 3 Sandovers during probably the greatest WAFL era IIRC

I recall an AFL forum was discussing aboriginal players, talking about the Farmers, Longs, Cables, etc, all the indigenous players to have played VFL/AFL. I chimed in with players such as David Kantilla, Michael Graham and Stephen Michael as three of the greats. As usual, the Victorian element had no knowledge of these players.

If Stephen Michael were playing today he would be a superstar. No doubt at all in my mind about that.

[JK]

Thanks for all the information guys, very much appreciated!!

[rd]

I went to that 1978 game - SA were about 5 goals up during the 2nd qtr when Neville Roberts fractured his cheekbone colliding with SA teammate Michael Taylor in a marking contest. SA fell apart after that. WA ruckman Steven Michael got on top of Rick Davies (one of the few times Davies was challenged as a ruckman in the 70s) and Graham Moss stationed himself in a forward pocket for WA and kicked 7 goals, giving a young Greg Phillips a valuable lesson in one on one marking contests. And Peter Featherby in the centre thrashed Mark Williams who was making his debut for SA.

Recently you-tubed an old WAFL GF and back then Stephen Michael was running around like the most agile ruckmen in the AFL do today.
Understandably, plenty of talk about the SA greats on this site, and VFL stars in more common media. For those that saw him play, how does Stephen Michael compare to these elite players? Is he short-changed because he never played in the VFL? 3 Sandovers during probably the greatest WAFL era IIRC

This 78 state match was the only time I saw Stephen Michael play in the flesh - I knew nothing about him before the game. The 70s battles between Davies & Moss were always built up by the media as the clashes to decide Australia's best ruckmen - Davies always had the better of Moss and had done so in this game - hence Moss went to a forward pocket & Michael onto the ball. I remember Michael winning most boundary thow-ins against Davies in this game and, as a Sturt supporter, I wasn't used to seeing that !

[am Bays]

If Stephen Michael were playing today he would be a superstar. No doubt at all in my mind about that.

Agreed, think Adam Goodes but better, much better....

[robranisgod]

Barrie Robran is easily the best player never to play VFL/AFL, hence he is the only player from outside of those leagues to be a legend of the AFL. Stephen Michael is easily the second best player never to play VFL/AFL. That is how good he was.

[GWW]

Is Stephen Michael "easily" a better footballer than Ken Farmer?

[robranisgod]

Is Stephen Michael "easily" a better footballer than Ken Farmer?

Good point. I should have added the rider "that I have seen".

[FOURTH ESTATE]

WA 24-18 (162)

SA 13-15 (93)

That game put SA into a 3 game losing streak against WA having lost both matches the year before.

WA's score was the 3rd highest score against SA at the time and still stands today.

Only 4 years later SA was to record its biggest ever winning margin against the Sandgropers by 116 pts at Football Park

SA lost its first 3 state matches against WA before recording its first win in 1911 at Adelaide Oval 13-18 (96) - 3.5 (23)

[the red baron]

If Stephen Michael were playing today he would be a superstar. No doubt at all in my mind about that

Went to see south fremantle play perth in the early eighties and he rucked all day ,ran all day and fought when he had to. what a player!!!

[FOURTH ESTATE]

Have a copy of the 1981 WAFL GF between Claremont and South Fremantle had his colors lowered a bit that day but Stephen Michael was a an absolute gun

[mal]

JULY 18
SA beat Port Melbourne in an exciting NFL Semi Final game played in Melbourne
The Grand Final is to be played between GL V SA

JULY 20
Milan Spooffffffffffffer Faletic was chosen toplay for PA as a follower

JULY 22
ROUND 16

WV 11-10 GL 6-14
SA 8-10 WA 7-16
CD 17-5 WT 12-16
NW 11-19 NA 4-11
ST 18-11 PA 8-13

ST 15-1.....61-34
GL 12-4.....55-53
NW 10-6....56-95
WT 8-8......50-28
PA 8-8......49-32
WV 7-9.....46-33
CD 7-9......45-79
SA 5-10-1..46-22
WA 4-11-1.47-25
NA 3-13.....41-45

The losing teams scored 37-70 and need goalkicking practice !
The minor premiership is well and truly Sturts
WV upset GL to keep thier finals aspirations alive
The first draw of the season by WA + SA
CD beat WT to keep alive its finals hopes, WT had 6 more scoring shots
ST beat PA easily
With WT + PA beaten it gave NW some breathing space for the double chance
PA with a modest 8-8 season , would be the biggest dissapointment so far

[mal]

By 1978 did they have interchange, or was it still "reserve" players?

I'm sure they had entered the interchange era by then. I have memory of Stan Wickham as interchange steward in the Grand Final. I wonder how he would have coped with the fiasco we see these days.

SA was the first state to introoduce the Interchange in 1977
In the 80s 3 Interchange players were used in Interstate matches

[baggy8]

JULY 18
SA beat Port Melbourne in an exciting NFL Semi Final game played in Melbourne

I well remember watching that game on TV. One of South's greatest efforts. Their skill and discipline in overcoming what could be described as VFA umpiring interpretations was magnificent. But that description of the ump is far too kind. It's the only game I can recall where the ump could only be described as a blatant cheat.

[Adelaide Hawk]

JULY 18
SA beat Port Melbourne in an exciting NFL Semi Final game played in Melbourne

I well remember watching that game on TV. One of South's greatest efforts. Their skill and discipline in overcoming what could be described as VFA umpiring interpretations was magnificent. But that description of the ump is far too kind. It's the only game I can recall where the ump could only be described as a blatant cheat.

Then you do not recall John Caulfield, South Adelaide v Norwood at Adelaide Oval, 1972. The game won by South Adelaide after Peter Darley was paid a mark in the goalsquare when he barely touched the ball in the contest.

At 3/4 time, for some reason Caulfield told Norwood vice captain Ross Porritt he would do whatever he could to ensure Norwood would not win the game. Porritt reported the comment, and Caulfield was suspended. We all talk about biased umpiring, but this was a game where an umpire cheated and owned up to it. A black mark in SANFL football.

[FlyingHigh]

Thanks for all the info fellas.
This is the you-tube of the WAFL GF I mentioned. Couldn't seem to find any more footage of him on there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbHzGK_45yk

[dedja]

... and Gags's mark late in the '78 GF was clear cut?

[Adelaide Hawk]

No, but I don't see what that has to do with what I posted.

[dedja]

LOL, the thread's gone long enough, time to move onto the GF

[rd]

LOL, the thread's gone long enough, time to move onto the GF

Nah - move it back to Rd 16 in July 78 where it was before - us Sturties can continue this wonderful trip down memory lane for a bit longer yet !