1979 season - including Magarey Medal

[FlyingHigh]

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 !!

Thanks rd, a lot of similarities to this year. Seems like Woodville were never really in the hunt for a double chance and the three top teams were comfortably ahead of the rest.

[GWW]

For Woodville to go from finals in'79, to struggling in the early 80's, I'm assuming they lost a few players in the next few years.

Do we know who they may have lost around that time? Maylin? Hutton?? ....

[dedja]

They 'lurched' ...

[Leaping Lindner]

For Woodville to go from finals in'79, to struggling in the early 80's, I'm assuming they lost a few players in the next few years.

Do we know who they may have lost around that time? Maylin? Hutton?? ....

Maylin, Hutton, Roberts, Sewer, Daryl Hewitt from memory. Also Goodingham wasn't really that good a coach. He basically reeped the rewards in 79 of the hard yards John McInnes put in the previous seasons.

[rd]

1979 was also a tipsters nightmare - our family did footy tips for many years through the 70s and 80s and the winning score for the 79 season was far lower than any other year - every round seemed to bring at least 2 major upsets as teams like West, Torrens & Woodville were incredibly erratic that year.

[darley16]

Notice not one South supporter posed on this topic, just the thought of 79 GF bring out a nasty rash

[ORDoubleBlues]

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?

Last I knew he owned and ran the Greenwood Tavern in the Perth suburb of the same name. Used to go in there a bit as it was one of the better sports pubs in Perth's north. He did use to come across as a bit lacking in personality but to be fair he may have gotten sick of p***** c**** talking s**t about footy - not that I ever did myself.
Just as a side note I also was in there drinking at least two times with the man whose name I don't think you're even allowed to mention on this website - the now infamous CM.

[CENTURION]

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?

Last I knew he owned and ran the Greenwood Tavern in the Perth suburb of the same name. Used to go in there a bit as it was one of the better sports pubs in Perth's north. He did use to come across as a bit lacking in personality but to be fair he may have gotten sick of p***** c**** talking s**t about footy - not that I ever did myself.
Just as a side note I also was in there drinking at least two times with the man whose name I don't think you're even allowed to mention on this website - the now infamous CM.

Chad Morgan?

[Oz]

Chris McDermott??

Charles Manson??

[CENTURION]

Cameron Mansell?

[stampy]

who the **** is CM ffs!

[ORDoubleBlues]

who the **** is CM ffs!

I was being slightly sarcastic but let's just say it's mentioned in the post made about four and a half hours before yours.

[CENTURION]

who the **** is CM ffs!

I was being slightly sarcastic but let's just say it's mentioned in the post made about four and a half hours before yours.

in fact, the previous post.