SANFL - Team of the Decade - the 70's

[FattyLumpkin]

Ah, the 70's. Gough decides it's time in' 72. The GG decides "times up" some 3 years later. Footy Park is built (was it a Torrens - North game as Game 1??). Piping Lane with SA boy Johnny Letts wins a Melbourne Cup. Think Big gets 2 in a row a few years later. Side-burns and long hair are "in". As a boy just entering puberty, what better companion than Suzi Quatro and "Can the Can". My personal tastes then went to Alice Cooper, Skyhooks and then punk. Thank god for The Clash etc. Speaking of music - remember Countdown?

But to the footy. The 70's started with me playing alongside Mark & Anthony Williams in primary school. Ended with me playing A1 ammos (the Williams boys did somewhat better!). 1970 was the end of Sturts golden era. North got a couple of flags in a row - almost 3, but beaten by Cornies hanger in the last GF at Adelaide Oval (Carey & Voight also managed a kick or 2). Norwood also managed a flag in the 70's - breaking a long drought. '76 saw the BIG crowd see Rick Davies single-handedly beat the un-beatable Port. '79 saw South make the GF - that day the winner was decided by the coin toss, unfortunately for South it was "heads" and Port kicked with the gale before the rain came. SAFA was created giving us a Sunday filled with footy (SAFA & VFL). Neil Sachse went over to Melbourne with unfortunate results. Russell Ebert virtually owned the Magarey Medal. Enough reminiscing - on with the team.

70's ver 1.01 (Basically taken the first names that popped in the head)

FF: P Carey, DK Phillis, B Norsworthy
HF: P Marker, B Robran, M Graham
C: M Taylor, R Ebert, B Light (or was he 60's?)
HB: R Loveday, P Woite, B Tyrell :D
FB: C Casey, S Palmer, S Morey
1R: ER Davies, P Bagshaw, M Hodgeman

Int: R Pope, M Blight, G Cornes, M Williams, R Voight, M James, J Duckworth, B Winter, G Baynes, R Keddie, M Parker, C Fragomeni, M Faletic, M Nunan, W Slattery, B Mumford & J Brenton ;)

Lets have the changes

Fatty

[Ford Fairlane]

Ah the 70s, so many great memories (Skyhooks rule, Sherbet suck!), so many great footballers. You're truly brave to even try and name a team!

1977 - Port break the 12 year drought.

Just off the top of the head, I'd have Tim Evans, Brian Cunningham and Darrell Cahill in there somewhere. Probably Tony Giles too (ahead of Fragga). And Ivan Eckermann cos he was so damn tough! Bruce Light played thru most of the 70s (retired end of 78).

You can't have Davies and Carey and miss out Neil Button. Those 3 just go together.

Roger Woodcock as a specialist HFF might be a look in.

Robbert Klomp ... caused Port a lot of grief - I oughta know! Ditto Ken Whelan - burned bright if not for long.

Those are a few names that popped into my head.

[FattyLumpkin]

Top Goalkickers in the 70's
1970 D K Phillis Glenelg 107
1971 D K Phillis Glenelg 99
1972 M Coligan Norwood 81
1973 K Whelan Sturt 107
1974 K Whelan Sturt 108
1975 D K Phillis Glenelg 108
1976 D K Phillis Glenelg 98
1977 T Evans Port 87
1978 T Evans Port 90
1979 G Hewitt Woodville 83

Evans should get a spot next decade. Poor old DK - 1 shy in '71, 2 shy in '76.

Robbert Klomp - forgotten about him, as I did MM winner Trevor Grimwood. So many names.....

Fatty

[Ford Fairlane]

Yeah Tim probably did more goal kicking damage in the 80s. Pity about Randall Gerlach's kidney condition too (moreso from his personal than his football view), he was a monster at CHF or FF when he was on.

Just at the other end of the ground, I had more time for Stasinowsky and Kuhlmann as FBs than Palmer ...

You've set yourself a task, but I see from the 60s thread there are many more than capable helpers!

[Adrian Shelton]

Smokey time, R Robran, Mc Sporran, G Hewitt, Burgan, Cassin, Mc Farlane, Von Bertouch, B Stringer, Craig(maybe not a smokey, he's another 2 decade candidate as well) Mobbs, Gallagher(shouldn't be on my smokey list !) Pierson(getting desperate now, think i'll stop)

[Adelaide Hawk]

I am debating the Phillis/Evans full forward role, just as I am tossing up over Greg Phillips and Wayne Phillis at CHB.

On raw ability alone, I'd select Phil Carman, but apart from flashes of sheer brilliance, he didn't perform consistently enough for Norwood.

Special mention to Barrie Robran who, in the period prior to injuring his knee (1970 to mid 1974) played the game as well as anyone is capable of doing. He was truly magnificent, and never allow our friends from over the border to suggest otherwise.

I'll throw this team up for discussion:

F: Peter Carey, Fred Phillis, Brian Cunningham
HF: Peter Marker, Barrie Robran (c), Roger Woodcock
C: Michael Graham, Russell Ebert (vc), Phil Gallagher
HB: Paul Weston, Greg Phillips, Peter Woite
B: Michael Taylor, Colin Casey, Graham Cornes
Ruck: Rick Davies, Malcolm Blight, Ray Huppatz
Res from: Ralph Sewer, Barry Stringer, Wayne Phillis, Terry Von Bertouch, Rodney Pope, Tim Evans, Glynn Hewitt, Neil Sachse, Paul Bagshaw, Neville Roberts, Neil Craig, Darell Cahill.

I'll give it some thought, this was just thrown together.

[Ford Fairlane]

That's another great looking team. re Greg Phillips at CHB, he probably only moved there in 1979 after Peter Woite went to Glenelg. He was an occasional half forward early in his career, and moved to FB to replace Max James during 1977, when Max was shifted onto the ball.

I recall Frank Stemper playing good footy across HB too (HBF at Woodville and Norwood IIRC).

[Adelaide Hawk]

That's another great looking team. re Greg Phillips at CHB, he probably only moved there in 1979 after Peter Woite went to Glenelg. He was an occasional half forward early in his career, and moved to FB to replace Max James during 1977, when Max was shifted onto the ball.

I recall Frank Stemper playing good footy across HB too (HBF at Woodville and Norwood IIRC).

Yes, thanks for that. I couldn't recall when Phillips settled into the CHB role. Maybe I should place Wayne Phillis there. I just have memories of Phillips being impossible to get past in the 1980 GF. I also have memories of Evans at CHB when Gerlach was at FF.

And how could I forget Frankie Stemper? *slaps face* He was a terrific player for Woodville, and for the short time he was with the Redlegs (1980-82) set the Norwood team alight with his clearing dashes through half back and centre.

We had another player at Norwood who could have been anything. His name was John Clarke, but his career was cut short through injury. Jim Thiel was another one who, had he not injured his knee in 1977 could have been a superstar. Knees robbed the game of far too much talent back in those days.

[Ford Fairlane]

Yeah I remember John Clarke - he was built like AFL players today back when no one did weights. Powerful guy, great across the HBF and kicked goals when he went forward.

Jim Thiel had a great season in 1982 at CHB. I reckon he beat just about everyone that year. I remember (I wish I didn't) Norwood beating Port by 112 points at Norwood that year and he flogged Greg Phillips who started at CHF that day (but was back at CHB by the second half).

I'd reckon Woite for 5-6 really good years and a Magarey Medal at CHB would get the nod from me for the 70s team. Phillis tended to play a lot of roles - ruck, CHB, CHF - I seem to recall his best moments being in ruck, but he did play some top games at CHB.

Evans came to Port as a CHB and started out really well there. His first game was against Westies (1975 IIRC) and he took half a dozen marks in the first qtr b4 Ray Hayes "accidentally" stepped on his hand. He fell away over the year and John Cahill moved him to FF after noticing how straight his goalkicking was at training. He played a Datsun Cup game there against Glenelg and kicked 3.4 and his forward days were born. Port tried to tandem he and Gerlach for a couple of years but it never really worked (once they kicked 16 goals between them, Gerlach 11, Evans 5). In the end illness got the better of Randall but he hung on in 1977 (I think he retired at the end of 76, but changed his mind) to play in a premiership - was near impassable in the back pocket.

[birdmanptr]

I would have Ross Dillion at CHF I still remember the 75 GF.Freddy boy had 8 shots at goal 6 points and 2 on the full then super coach kerley took wayne phillis of dillion and he kicked 2 in a minute or close to it cost cost the bays another GF. AND IT STILL HURTS

[FattyLumpkin]

[QUOTE=Adelaide Hawk]I'll throw this team up for discussion:

F: Peter Carey, Fred Phillis, Brian Cunningham
HF: Peter Marker, Barrie Robran (c), Roger Woodcock
C: Michael Graham, Russell Ebert (vc), Phil Gallagher
HB: Paul Weston, Greg Phillips, Peter Woite
B: Michael Taylor, Colin Casey, Graham Cornes
Ruck: Rick Davies, Malcolm Blight, Ray Huppatz
Res from: Ralph Sewer, Barry Stringer, Wayne Phillis, Terry Von Bertouch, Rodney Pope, Tim Evans, Glynn Hewitt, Neil Sachse, Paul Bagshaw, Neville Roberts, Neil Craig, Darell Cahill.
QUOTE]

Good team & much stronger "down the middle". P Weston was a good player & probably a worthy replacement for Buff Tyrell in my original side! When did Huppatz & Blight cross to the VFL? As for Stemper - reckon he only made 1 state team - in someone else lingo - "not worthy of polishing some of this mob's boots".

The back-pocket has plenty of competition. Taylor, Fraggers, Voight, Morey for starters. Up front, I always thought Marker, Woodcock & Gallagher as "seagulls". Was Naley a 70's boy? I'll have to sift through the B&F's again. Interesting that we agree'd on about 10 straight up - obviously a few "standouts" of the era.

[Hollypig]

I would have Ross Dillion at CHF

So what do you propose for Robran ?

[Adrian Shelton]

Frank Stempers sole state appearence wasn't until his last year-1982. Naley started in 79, same as Aish, they'll get their turn in a few days.

[birdmanptr]

So what do you propose for Robran ?
Half foward flank

[Adelaide Hawk]

I would have Ross Dillion at CHF

As a Norwood fan I considered Dillon. His powerful overhead marking made him a magnificent CHF for the Redlegs, but I couldn't seriously select him ahead of Robran. Not in my wildest dreams.

Maybe North fans can help me. I believe Robran played mainly at CHF in this period. Am I correct here?

[Hollypig]

Half foward flank

Just so I'm not left in the dark here, you'd propose to move Barrie Robran to a flank & put Ross Dillon at Centre Half Forward ? Really?

[Adelaide Hawk]

Good team & much stronger "down the middle". P Weston was a good player & probably a worthy replacement for Buff Tyrell in my original side! When did Huppatz & Blight cross to the VFL? As for Stemper - reckon he only made 1 state team - in someone else lingo - "not worthy of polishing some of this mob's boots".

The back-pocket has plenty of competition. Taylor, Fraggers, Voight, Morey for starters. Up front, I always thought Marker, Woodcock & Gallagher as "seagulls". Was Naley a 70's boy? I'll have to sift through the B&F's again. Interesting that we agree'd on about 10 straight up - obviously a few "standouts" of the era.

Huppatz & Blight both went to the VFL in 1974, but like Robran, they did enough in the 70-73 years to be considered. Not sure about the "seagull" tag offered to Marker, Gallagher & Woodcock.

It's true none of these players were known for their application of physical force, but their style of game were such that they were tremendous value to their clubs.

Gallagher had remarkable ball handling skills. As someone who played on him, nobody appreciates it more. You would have him in your sights, go to bump or tackle him, and suddenly he wasn't there. His ability to change direction on a 20 cent piece was incredible. He seemed to have eyes in the back of his head some days as he would back peddle and weave away from tackles. One time I saw him kicking a set shot for goal. He faked the man on the mark who ran to his left, and Gallagher just ran in a straight line and kicked an easy goal. He was a wizard. Only Robran & Ebert had more ability to hoodwink oponents.

As for Woodcock, he booted over 600 goals from HF which makes him a stand out IMHO. His read of the game, ability to shark balls off hands and kick accurately for goal made him a match winner.

Oh, and Mark Naley started with South Adelaide in 1979.

[Ford Fairlane]

Just so I'm not left in the dark here, you'd propose to move Barrie Robran to a flank & put Ross Dillon at Centre Half Forward ? Really?

Stop, you're making me laugh ... :D Sometimes you can read deadpan humour in an email.

I do remember Robran and Ebert playing centre in opposition.

I still like the idea of Light on a wing in the side. Ferocious attack on the ball and body, but he had great skills which are not often mentioned. I'm pretty sure Russell Ebert once said he was one of the most skilled players he'd seen.

Marker was runner up for the Magarey twice wasn't he?

[birdmanptr]

As a Norwood fan I considered Dillon. His powerful overhead marking made him a magnificent CHF for the Redlegs, but I couldn't seriously select him ahead of Robran. Not in my wildest dreams.

Maybe North fans can help me. I believe Robran played mainly at CHF in this period. Am I correct here?

I thought he played as a ruck rover

[birdmanptr]

Just so I'm not left in the dark here, you'd propose to move Barrie Robran to a flank & put Ross Dillon at Centre Half Forward ? Really?
Well i would have dillion ahead of Woodcock and robran half foward chaning on the ball

[birdmanptr]

Stop, you're making me laugh ... :D Sometimes you can read deadpan humour in an email.

I do remember Robran and Ebert playing centre in opposition.

I still like the idea of Light on a wing in the side. Ferocious attack on the ball and body, but he had great skills which are not often mentioned. I'm pretty sure Russell Ebert once said he was one of the most skilled players he'd seen.

Marker was runner up for the Magarey twice wasn't he?
he was once for sure but not sure if it was twice

[Portmagpies]

As well as being a state captain for three years, Marker would have to be a shoe-in.

Great commentator, too.

[Robranisgod]

I thought he played as a ruck rover

Robran would have played 50 percent of his games in the centre, 30% at Centre Half Forward and 20% on the ball. He was best on the ground in all four finals he played in plus the two Champions of Australia matches, in 1971 and 1972. In the 1971 Second Semi he played Centre Half Forward and won the game off his own boot in the last ten minutes, in the Grand Final he played on the Ball for the whole game and was clearly best on ground. In the Champions of Australia match he played Centre Half forward against Hawthorn and was clearly best on the ground. In this match North hit the front at the 21 minute mark of the last quarter, but Hawthorn steadied and overran North. In 1972 he played centre in all three games the second semi, the Grand Final and the Champions of Australia match. That was the match where Jezza stopped and clapped him. North of course won by one point to be Champions of Australia. Robran in 1971-1972 was certainly Champion of Australia. Have a look at some of his opposition in those games, Russell Ebert, John Cahill, Peter Woite, Leigh Matthews, Alex Jesaulenko. They don't get much better than that group, yet Robran was best on ground in all six matches against that calibre of opposition. Those of you not old enough to have witnessed Robran. should just listen to Russell Ebert sing his praises. When a champ like Russell says that Robran was head and shoulders above every one else one should stop and listen.

[McAlmanac]

Yeah I remember John Clarke - he was built like AFL players today back when no one did weights. Powerful guy, great across the HBF and kicked goals when he went forward.I used to know John's brother Gavin - played Reserves for Torrens - and he was even bigger than John. He was a bouncer - stepped into the brawl fracas after the Bora Altintas fight on the Lester Ellis undercard at Memorial Drive.

But I digress. Adelaide Hawk's side is a great starting point.

Peter Marker was never a seagull - he had ridiculous courage, from memory.

I'd concede Roger Woodcock just over Zip Zap.

I'd try and get Baggy in the first 18. Phillips' best footy was probably in the 80's, so maybe some sort of shuffle to slot Bagshaw in the side at the expense of Phillips.

Having tried to cut and paste combinations - it's too hard! Baggy's stuck in the 60's!

F: Peter Carey, Fred Phillis, Brian Cunningham
HF: Peter Marker, Barrie Robran (c), Roger Woodcock
C: Michael Graham, Russell Ebert (vc), Phil Gallagher
HB: Paul Weston,Greg Phillips, Peter Woite
B: Michael Taylor, Colin Casey, Graham Cornes
Ruck: Rick Davies, Malcolm Blight, Ray Huppatz
Res : Ralph Sewer, Terry Von Bertouch, Paul Bagshaw, Neville Roberts.

Coach is tricky. Mike Patterson won a couple of flags, but then the Roosters declined under his stewardship. John Cahill won a couple of flags; Bob Hammond won a couple of flags. Jack Oatey won three. Kerls won one. Noel Teasdale won three wooden spoons at two different clubs - impressive. I'll go for Jack.

[FattyLumpkin]

Like Ford Fairlane - I like Bruce Light on the wing. I'd be tempted to put him there, move Graham to the forward flank, Woodcock to the bench & give Ralph the flick. Much as I love the Peckers - nope, he's just not there.

Be tempted to swap the Von for Bucky as well. Maybe even move D Cahill into the 22 for Bucky?? CHB & Phillips a concern with me as well. Was he a true 70's boy??

I agree on Jack Cahill for coach. I'd also be very tempted to swap the c & vc. Yep, Robran could play a little, but Ebert wasn't too bad either. I know injury robbed us all of Robrans brilliance, but Russell did maintain it over the entire decade.

[Portmagpies]

Some great names in this team, but the balance seems out of whack a little.

[Ford Fairlane]

You get to the dilemma the AA selectors face. Do you try and fit 25 of the best players of the 70s into positions that they may not have played much, or do you find the best players in certain positions and put them in ahead of the stars? I can't remember Peter Woite playing a HBF - if he's not in as CHB then he should probably miss out. And Phillips played one year at CHB in the 70s. Even Weston I recall more as being a centreman and occasional CHB for the Bays. I thought his HBF days really started at Essendon in the 80s. Same with Cornes in a BP. He was almost exclusively a follower in the 70s. I still like Stasinowsky or Kuhlmann for FB. Or even Max James - he had some good years there thru the mid 70s.

[Portmagpies]

I could buy Cornes in a forward pocket, but back pocket? Darrell Cahill could line up across half-back.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I could buy Cornes in a forward pocket, but back pocket? Darrell Cahill could line up across half-back.

It's not a permanent back pocket like today. In the 1970s, ruck-rovers changed in the back pocket, forward pocket and sometimes on the half forward flank. Cornes changed in the beck pocket many times.

[FattyLumpkin]

I think in good 70's tradition, the 2nd ruck would be Carey, Cornes, Cunningham. Cornes & Blighty changing out of the back pocket.

[Ford Fairlane]

John Nicholls once played Wayne Phillis off a HBF to pick up Trevor Sorrell. Needless to say that experiment was not repeated.

[McAlmanac]

How about the ruckmen resting in the back pocket to drift across and take timely marks, with Cornes and Blighty changing in the forward pocket to take big hangers.

Any thoughts on Bohdan Jaworskyj on a half back flank, pushing Peter Woite to centre half back and squeezing out Greg Phillips?

[Gravel]

You get to the dilemma the AA selectors face. Do you try and fit 25 of the best players of the 70s into positions that they may not have played much, or do you find the best players in certain positions and put them in ahead of the stars?
I think the state selectors during the 70's favoured the former.
I like the approach the Fox League teams panel do with the AA side.
3 tall forwards 3 small forwards
3 tall backs 3 small backs
ruckman and 5 midfielders
bench is ruckman, midfielder, forward and back.

[FattyLumpkin]

Taken a bit on board, ignored a bit, then applied a random number generator and fiddled a bit more! Still plenty of debate to come I'm sure (don't forget the 60's side either - it's not etched in stone just yet!).


FF: P Carey, DK Phillis, T von Bertoch
HF: P Marker, B Robran, G Cornes
C: M Graham, R Ebert, P Gallagher
HB: P Weston, P Woite, B Jaworskj
FB: M Taylor, K Kuhlmann, C Casey

1R: E Davies, M Blight, R Huppatz
2R: P Carey, G Cornes, T von Bertoch

Int: P Bagshaw, N Roberts, R Woodcock (& another ruckman ?? N Button or C MacVicar??)

Coach: J Cahill.

Contentious bits: von Bertoch as rover. Could easily be D Cahill or Cunningham or K Hodgeman. Have the followers (ruck-rovers to be historically correct) changing off the forward flank. (note: MacAlmanac - I thought Carey & Davies quite capable of taking the odd mark down forward themselves). Not sure about the bank flankers - Some question about Weston's credentials. Replacements include Rod Pope perhaps. Brought in Kuhlmann to FB (Stazza unlucky) and moved Casey sideways (poor bugger is going to have deal with Darley & Wedding when this mob Vs the 60's!). Reckon Roberts is lucky to make the bench, probably another 20 who could easily go there (Bruce Light, Wayne Phillis etc ) & am toying with throwing another ruckman in the 22 (Button, MacVicar, Milde/Marrett??)

Feel free to pull apart, offer suggestions or post an alternative.

Fatty

[Ford Fairlane]

Looks pretty good (but all these sides have). How about Graham to HFF, Light to a wing and Cornes as the tall utility on the bench? Don't think you need another ruckman.

I'd go for Bucky ahead on Von Bertouch but I'm biased. Maybe Cahill to the HBF instead of Weston (backline looks a little top heavy as did the forward line w/out Graham there)? He was a pretty handy player there before Jack put him on the ball. Brian Colby a chance? He was playing great footy in the early 70s before the achilles injury.

[McAlmanac]

FF: P Carey, DK Phillis, T von Bertoch
HF: P Marker, B Robran, G Cornes
C: M Graham, R Ebert, P Gallagher
HB: P Weston, P Woite, B Jaworskyj
FB: M Taylor, K Kuhlmann, C Casey

1R: E Davies, M Blight, R Huppatz
2R: P Carey, G Cornes, T von Bertoch

Int: P Bagshaw, N Roberts, R Woodcock (& another ruckman ?? N Button or C MacVicar??)

Coach: J Cahill.
I'm not keen on Keith Kuhlmann at full back and Colin Casey in the pocket. I reckon one or the other - Casey for me. I like Von Bertouch ahead of Bucky - just; Bucky on the bench maybe. Neil Button way ahead of Colin MacVicar.

Defenders seem to be light on in the 70's.

[Ford Fairlane]

Sandy Nelson a chance?

[McAlmanac]

Sandy Nelson a chance?Oh my god! How quickly we forget. I'll go Sandy over Bugsy Jaworskyj. Or even put Paul Weston in the back pocket, Casey to full back, lose Kuhlmann.

[FattyLumpkin]

FF: Carey, Phillis, Von Bertoch
HF: Marker, Robran, Cornes
C: Graham, Ebert, Gallagher
HB: Nelson, Woite, Jaworskj
FB: Taylor, Casey, Weston
1R: Davies, Blight, Huppatz
2R: Carey, Cornes, von Bertoch
Int: Button, Woodcock, Bagshaw, Roberts.

I'm still not convinced re the backline. Need to ponder more on the defenders of the era - particularly the early 70's. (eg. Hammond, Loveday, Pope) Nelson was more of a CHB wasn't he? And Weston as a back pocket??? Think FordFairlane identified him as being played way out of possy. How about we lose Weston, Nelson to back pocket, Taylor to HBF & bring in a specialist small BP player (Voight, Fragomeni, Morey) ?? Possibly drop Roberts for Cunningham?

[Ford Fairlane]

I think of all 3 of those HBs as CHBs. But I'm comfortable with Taylor in the BP, that's where I seem to remember him best.

I'd reckon Morey ahead of the other two BPs mentioned.

[smithy]

No room for Brendan Howard, Mick Nunan, Bruce Winter or Robbert Klomp ?

[Portmagpies]

Did Klomp play much footy across half-back in the 70s? Or did that only come about when he crossed to Carlton?

(I'd definitely have him across half-back in any SA Origin Team of the 80s.)

Conditional on Klomp slotting across half-back, how does backline look?

HB: Darrell Cahill, Sandy Nelson, Robbert Klomp
B: Michael Taylor, Colin Casey, Peter Woite

[birdmanptr]

FF: Carey, Phillis, Von Bertoch
HF: Marker, Robran, Cornes
C: Graham, Ebert, Gallagher
HB: Nelson, Woite, Jaworskj
FB: Taylor, Casey, Weston
1R: Davies, Blight, Huppatz
2R: Carey, Cornes, von Bertoch
Int: Button, Woodcock, Bagshaw, Roberts.

I'm still not convinced re the backline. Need to ponder more on the defenders of the era - particularly the early 70's. (eg. Hammond, Loveday, Pope) Nelson was more of a CHB wasn't he? And Weston as a back pocket??? Think FordFairlane identified him as being played way out of possy. How about we lose Weston, Nelson to back pocket, Taylor to HBF & bring in a specialist small BP player (Voight, Fragomeni, Morey) ?? Possibly drop Roberts for Cunningham?
This is going to sound strange as i am a glenelg supporter
but the FF for mine is Tim Evans as he performed better in big games unlike freddy boy who in 1975 GF had 8 shots at goal 6 behinds and 2 on the full

[Port Adelaide 1870]

This is going to sound strange as i am a glenelg supporter
but the FF for mine is Tim Evans as he performed better in big games unlike freddy boy who in 1975 GF had 8 shots at goal 6 behinds and 2 on the full
Nahh thats not strange,,,thats just plain rational... :)

PA1870 ;)

[Ford Fairlane]

Tim did kick 7.2 in the 1977 GF despite being concussed for much of the game.

[Portmagpies]

When he was, ironically, king-hit by Fred Phillis. (My memory's playing funny buggers, but was Phillis wasn't it?)

[Ford Fairlane]

When he was, ironically, king-hit by Fred Phillis. (My memory's playing funny buggers, but was Phillis wasn't it?)

Yeah it was Freddy - played FB most of that year - when Nicholls pulled the Cornes/Copping FF quinella early in the year. When the umpires came in he reeled away holding his head to make it look like Evans had done something too. I think the Sunday Mail reported it as "a clash of heads".

[Portmagpies]

Thanks, FF.

A few years ago I was speaking to Max James at a local club function and from he said, it was definitely no clash of heads.

[Leaping Lindner]

I was at that game and IIRC Nicholls moved Phillis back to full forward in the last 1/4 and he bagged 2 or 3 goals.

EDIT : - Just looked up the scores and Fred is credited with 3 goals. So I reckon he got all those in the last 1/4. It also reminded just how close that game was all day.

[Portmagpies]

We were looking very shaky in those frantic, few final minutes.

God bless the timekeeper.

[Ford Fairlane]

I was at that game and IIRC Nicholls moved Phillis back to full forward in the last 1/4 and he bagged 2 or 3 goals.

EDIT : - Just looked up the scores and Fred is credited with 3 goals. So I reckon he got all those in the last 1/4. It also reminded just how close that game was all day.

Yep. Port went 26 points up early in the last and just relaxed a bit, plus the injuries caught up (Kinnear, D Cahill, Eckermann, Evans were all suffering - Kinnear and Cahill were both off by around 1/4 time, Ivan went on as the only one who could stand up - but Ivan kicked 3 match winning goals on one leg out of a forward pocket) and the Bays kicked 3 late in the quarter. Phillis might've kicked them all, but I remember Bob Paech kicking 1 or 2 near the end too.

[Robranisgod]

I still like Stasinowsky or Kuhlmann for FB. Or even Max James - he had some good years there thru the mid 70s.

I amazed that Bob Hammond isn't an automatic choice for Full Back. He was clearly the best full back in the league for the first four years of the decade. No other player dominated the position for any length of time after that. His game in the 1973 Grand Final stands out as possibly the greatest full back game seen in an SA Grand Final. After Hammond's retirement the state couldn't settle on a full back and tried Kroehn, Casey, James and Sorrell to name a few. If you weren't going to choose Hammond, I would have thought Max James was next followed by Casey. I wouldn't contemplate any others. Once again most Norwood supporters of my era thought that Stazza was there in case a fire broke out. Bruce Winter was a pretty handy full back. Kuhlmann was playing at Westies in the 1970s and was just average. He blossomed for a couple of years from 1980 when he went to Glenelg and actually achieved all Australian status, but by 1982 he had been dropped again.

[Adelaide Hawk]

You've convinced me. Hammond has my vote. He also played some very good games for Norwood in 1974 before concentrating on coaching. He was B.O.G. in his first game against Port Adelaide at the Parade.

[Ford Fairlane]

Fair call on Hammond. Fatty said we should look closely at the defenders from the early 70s - always an issue when their careers straddle decades. Probably him, then James - I tried not to be too parochial, but Max did have some very good years at FB. Max could even go in the BP and triangulate ruck roving with Cornes and Blight - he was first follower in Port's 1977 premiership team and won the state medal v WA as an on baller. Also came 2nd in the 1977 Magarey playing FB and ruck rover.

Stazza and Kuhlman I nominated cos I remember them doing well on Evans often enough. But I didn't follow them closely in other games.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Stassa played some great games at full back for Norwood, but he would have to be rated a step below Hammond, James and Casey.

[FattyLumpkin]

FF: Carey, Phillis, Von Bertoch
HF: Marker, Robran (vc), Cornes
C: Graham, Ebert (c), Gallagher
HB: Klomp, Nelson, Jaworskj
FB: Taylor, Hammond, Woite
1R: Davies, Blight, Huppatz
2R: Carey, Cornes, Von Bertoch
Int: Button, Bagshaw, Woodcock, Roberts
Coach: J Cahill

Hows this lot look?

Fatty

[Robranisgod]

FF: Carey, Phillis, Von Bertoch
HF: Marker, Robran (vc), Cornes
C: Graham, Ebert (c), Gallagher
HB: Klomp, Nelson, Jaworskj
FB: Taylor, Hammond, Woite
1R: Davies, Blight, Huppatz
2R: Carey, Cornes, Von Bertoch
Int: Button, Bagshaw, Woodcock, Roberts
Coach: J Cahill

Hows this lot look?

Fatty
Great side. You've certainly got the captain and vice captain the wrong way around, though. Even EBERT would admit that.

[McAlmanac]

Great side. You've certainly got the captain and vice captain the wrong way around, though. Even EBERT would admit that.Yes, I'm happy with that side and similar sentiments on the captain.

[Portmagpies]

Still not convinced by Jack Cahill as coach though.

Oatey's three flags (1970, 1974, 1976) and one runners-up (1978) tip the scales in his favour, for mine.

[FattyLumpkin]

My vote still goed for Ebert - he had an exceptional decade. Point taken on coach.

Now to try and fix this mess called the 80's!!

Fatty

[Robranisgod]

My vote still goed for Ebert - he had an exceptional decade. Point taken on coach.

Now to try and fix this mess called the 80's!!

Fatty

If your vote still goes for Ebert, you couldn't have seen Robran at his best. Best On The Ground in four finals with Ebert as his opponent. They are the games that count.

[Port Adelaide 1870]

Barry Robran...the best player to have ever played the game.
Ebert his best opponant, and the only player to have won 4 magareys...the likes we will never see again...

PA1870

[Adelaide Hawk]

My vote for leadership is Barrie Robran (captain), Russell Ebert (vice captain). Nothing against Russell, it's just that Robran is the best SANFL player I have ever seen. We can only imagine what he could have achieved had his career not "effectively" ended so abruptly in 1974.

[Port Adelaide 1870]

My vote for leadership is Barrie Robran (captain), Russell Ebert (vice captain). Nothing against Russell, it's just that Robran is the best SANFL player I have ever seen. We can only imagine what he could have achieved had his career not "effectively" ended so abruptly in 1974.

great plaudits..he was the best SANFL/VFL player I ever saw

PA1870

[Asgardian]

Let's see if anyone likes my team, remember, I like good tough teams that'll win flags

FF -- Peter Carey -- Fred Phillis -- Brian Cunningham

HF -- Michael Graham -- Barrie Robran -- Roger Woodcock

C -- Peter Marker -- Russell Ebert -- Bruce Light

HB -- Rodney Pope -- Peter Woite -- Brian Colbey

FB -- Michael Taylor -- Bob Hammond -- Graham Cornes

RUCK -- Peter Darley -- Paul Bagshaw -- Michael Nunan

I/C -- Rick Davies -- Phil Carman -- Ralph Sewer -- John Wynne

Emerg -- Kym Hodgeman -- Colin McVicar -- Barry Stringer -- Geoff Baynes

Coach -- Jack Oatey
Captain -- Paul Bagshaw
V/Captain -- Barrie Robran

[McAlmanac]

I like good tough teams that'll win flags
....
Geoff Baynes
Champagne comedy.

[Asgardian]

He was only an emergency McAlmanac, geez

[Ford Fairlane]

I'd still have Light ahead of Gallagher, but it looks like I'm not going to get that. Captain v V captain argument fair enough, but this is just a question cos I don't know - was Robran a great captain? Great, probably greatest player, no doubt, but he's always struck me as a polite, soft spoken, quiet guy whose actions did the talking - his coaching record wasn't good, so was he a great leader of men? Bit like Gavin Wanganeen at the Power - was our best player for years, but just wasn't a captain (in title only).

[Ford Fairlane]

Also a smokey for the side - John Cahill? Played four years of the 70s, 1970-73 inclusive - captain all of those years (from 1967). Won Port B&F 1970 and 73. Topped Port's goalkicking in his last year (1973) with 59 off a HFF.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'd still have Light ahead of Gallagher, but it looks like I'm not going to get that. Captain v V captain argument fair enough, but this is just a question cos I don't know - was Robran a great captain? Great, probably greatest player, no doubt, but he's always struck me as a polite, soft spoken, quiet guy whose actions did the talking - his coaching record wasn't good, so was he a great leader of men? Bit like Gavin Wanganeen at the Power - was our best player for years, but just wasn't a captain (in title only).

I appreciate your thoughts on the captaincy. I think Robran would have made a great captain, given more oppotunity. A lot of people know him as quietly spoken, but he still possessed a fierce determination he is rarely given credit for. I remember once a Norwood player dared to infringe upon Barrie unfairly. Barrie grabbed the Norwood player and shook him around as if to say, "I'm not going to let you get away with that".

Whereas Barrie is remembered for his grace and skill, he was also endowed with a steel that, because of his brilliance, he rarely needed to produce. One of the earliest phalacies of Robran's career was he was soft. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

There have been other great captains who never said much but just led by example. Paul Bagshaw was one, I imagine Brian Cunningham wouldn't haved been all that verbose as well. Michael Tuck from Hawthorn said nothing, he just let his actions do the talking. Leigh Matthews was another, all he had to do was look at you with those beady eyes and you knew he wanted you to lift.

As for Barrie's coaching, I don't feel he had the players and was really doing North Adelaide a favour by accepting the role. Besides, I don't feel Russell Ebert's coaching reached any great heights either.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Also a smokey for the side - John Cahill? Played four years of the 70s, 1970-73 inclusive - captain all of those years (from 1967). Won Port B&F 1970 and 73. Topped Port's goalkicking in his last year (1973) with 59 off a HFF.

I agree. He would certainly have to be considered, at least on the Interchange.

[Leaping Lindner]

Just looking back over this thread makes you realise what a great comp the SANFL was in the 70's. There is a bit of talent here. Special kudos to Asgardian for mentioning Barry Stringer!
Just to ignite further debate (maybe) I'd make a case for Bob Hammond as the coach. He 'only' coached 2 premierships but in both cases Norwood were the underdogs. Also 1978 must rate as one of the great GF wins of all time.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Just to ignite further debate (maybe) I'd make a case for Bob Hammond as the coach. He 'only' coached 2 premierships but in both cases Norwood were the underdogs. Also 1978 must rate as one of the great GF wins of all time.

I agree Norwood were huge underdogs in 1978, but many Norwood supporters still scratch their heads wondering why Glenelg were regarded by many as such a strong favourite in 1975.

Norwood had won 16 games in a row leading into the finals, including a big win over Glenelg at Glenelg Oval along the way. This meant Norwood were minor premiers for 1975. When we lost the 2nd semi final against Glenelg many Norwood fans were shocked this could happen. We always regarded ourselves able to defeat Glenelg when it mattered.

I recall these guys at work running a book offering 2/1 for a Norwood victory. I asked why such ridiculous odds in a Grand Final, they told me Glenelg were too big, too strong, too talented and would crush Norwood. I couldn't believe it, but I asked for 3/1 ... and they gave them to me!!!

Needless to say I made a tidy profit, as did many other people in the office who knew 2/1 was a good bet. Just because Glenelg booted 49 goals in a game against Central, the press got carried away with how good they were. Not many realised Norwood had the team, and the game plan, to shut Glenelg down in a Grand Final.

To this day Glenelg fans bellyache over a missed premiership, but what they don't realise is Norwood were grossly under-rated that day, and Glenelg paid the price.

The 1978 premiership was an interesting one in that Sturt were the better team all year and up to 3/4 time of the Grand Final. They just couldn't convert on the scoreboard which meant Norwood were still in with a silly chance at the final break.

I have heard Paul Bagshaw say he blasted some of the players because he was worried they were letting it slip and Norwood were coming back. As it turned out he was correct. Norwood came home like a stream train, plus the benefit of a poor decision from Des Foster in the dying stages. But Sturt can only blame themselves for losing that one.

[mickyj]

Ahh the Seventies im still a pretty young 41(cough cough) my earlest memory is watching playing coach Billy barret kick a drop kick goal from centre
I was at thebie the day we had 19 men on the field and norm dare jumped the fence and hid in the crowd and cassin pile drove a player into the ground
Kevin Macsporon at centre was a great player
Aldo Floriana (cant spell lol ) on the wing
how could i forget the guy who carried our rucks Dirk INGliss
great memories when the only team west torrens could beat was woodville back then we didnt want to merge blow me down look at us now lol

You guys who followed port norwood sturt glenelg etc have memories of being up top those of us who followed torrens woodville etc we have better ones cause we went hail rain or shine always hoping to win in my case when i got older in the late seventies and we palyed at home and did win id race home in a 15min walk or run to watch channel 9 footy show if we lost it would take longer lol
lol i feel old
cheers

[FattyLumpkin]

and this one too!!

[twosheds]

Ah, the 70's. Gough decides it's time in' 72. The GG decides "times up" some 3 years later. Footy Park is built (was it a Torrens - North game as Game 1??). Piping Lane with SA boy Johnny Letts wins a Melbourne Cup. Think Big gets 2 in a row a few years later. Side-burns and long hair are "in". As a boy just entering puberty, what better companion than Suzi Quatro and "Can the Can". My personal tastes then went to Alice Cooper, Skyhooks and then punk. Thank god for The Clash etc. Speaking of music - remember Countdown?

But to the footy. The 70's started with me playing alongside Mark & Anthony Williams in primary school. Ended with me playing A1 ammos (the Williams boys did somewhat better!). 1970 was the end of Sturts golden era. North got a couple of flags in a row - almost 3, but beaten by Cornies hanger in the last GF at Adelaide Oval (Carey & Voight also managed a kick or 2). Norwood also managed a flag in the 70's - breaking a long drought. '76 saw the BIG crowd see Rick Davies single-handedly beat the un-beatable Port. '79 saw South make the GF - that day the winner was decided by the coin toss, unfortunately for South it was "heads" and Port kicked with the gale before the rain came. SAFA was created giving us a Sunday filled with footy (SAFA & VFL). Neil Sachse went over to Melbourne with unfortunate results. Russell Ebert virtually owned the Magarey Medal. Enough reminiscing - on with the team.

70's ver 1.01 (Basically taken the first names that popped in the head)

FF: P Carey, DK Phillis, B Norsworthy
HF: P Marker, B Robran, M Graham
C: M Taylor, R Ebert, B Light (or was he 60's?)
HB: R Loveday, P Woite, B Tyrell :D
FB: C Casey, S Palmer, S Morey
1R: ER Davies, P Bagshaw, M Hodgeman

Int: R Pope, M Blight, G Cornes, M Williams, R Voight, M James, J Duckworth, B Winter, G Baynes, R Keddie, M Parker, C Fragomeni, M Faletic, M Nunan, W Slattery, B Mumford & J Brenton ;)

Lets have the changes

Fatty

I assume B (Thumper ) Mumford is in that list for comic relief.