Hawthorn Reserves/Box Hill historical stats thread

[stemline]

1970:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Geel	13.18	96	14.14	98	Lost	-2
2 v  Melb	15.13	103	12.15	87	Won	16
3 v  Coll	17.17	119	18.12	120	Lost	-1
4 v  Ess	14.17	101	19.15	129	Lost	-28
5 v  Foots	8.12	60	7.9	51	Won	9
6 v  Rich	12.14	86	7.15	57	Won	29
7 v  St K	5.10	40	10.9	69	Lost	-29
8 v  Sth	16.10	106	9.6	60	Won	46
9 v  Carl	17.9	111	12.14	86	Won	25
10 v  Nth	9.18	72	6.16	52	Won	20
11 v  Fitz	9.10	64	6.9	45	Won	19
12 v  Geel	16.12	108	11.12	78	Won	30
13 v  Melb	7.10	52	14.12	96	Lost	-44
14 v  Coll	18.16	124	10.9	69	Won	55
15 v  Ess	15.10	100	13.16	94	Won	6
16 v  Foots	11.11	77	12.7	79	Lost	-2
17 v  Rich	15.14	104	13.15	93	Won	11
18 v  St K	14.14	98	5.10	40	Won	58
19 v  Sth	13.11	89	7.8	50	Won	39
20 v  Carl	17.19	121	9.17	71	Won	50
21 v  Nth	21.12	138	11.12	78	Won	60
22 v  Fitz	18.10	118	9.10	64	Won	54
1SF v Nth	8.13	61	9.14	68	Lost	-7

16 wins and 6 losses put the Hawks Reserves in 3rd position at the end of the H/A season, which was now 22 games long. Losing a couple of games by 2 points and another by 1 point, cost the Hawks outright 1st place. That came home to roost when the 4th placed Roos knocked off the Hawks by 7 points, thus consigning the Ressies to a 4th place finish.

Goalkickers:

Moncrieff, Michael	44		
Jolley, Steven		37	
Ferguson, Neil		25	
Fisher, John A.		19	
Grummisch, Charlie	18		
Rice, Leon		18	
Bye, J			17
Douge, Brian		11	
Gay, Terry		11	
Morton, Lance		11	
Murphy, Glenn		11	
Smith, Geoff		11	
Simpson, G		9	
Stubbs, Ron		9	
Kennedy, Andrew		8	
Blood, Michael		6	
Angus, Geoff		5	
Miller, J		5	
Chiron, Gene		4	
Hook, J			4
Matthews, Leigh		4	
Stevenson, Bruce	4		
Djordevic, J		3	
Hazlett, W		3	
Shinners, Brian		2	
Wilson, Ray		2	
Chilton, Peter		1	
Cole, E			1
Francis, Michael	1		
Hawken, Les		1	
Johnson, Ted		1	
Meagher, Des		1	
Tipping, Lindsay	1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Douge, Brian		8		
Fisher, John A.		7	4	
Jolley, Steven		7	1	
Ferguson, Neil		6	2	
Francis, Michael	6	1		
Moncrieff, Michael	6			
Morton, Lance		6	1	
Rice, Leon		6	1	
Stevenson, Bruce	6			
Beck, Ken		5	3	
Blood, Michael		4		
Kennedy, Andrew		4		
Moore, Kelvin		4		
Bremner, Ian		3	1	
Chilton, Peter		3	1	
Lewis, John		3		
Murphy, Glenn		3		
Shinners, Brian		3		
Smith, Geoff		3	2	
Tipping, Lindsay	3	1		
Bye, J			2	
Chiron, Gene		2	1	
Cole, E			2	
Gay, Terry		2	1	
Grummisch, Charlie	2	1		
Hook, J			2	
Matthews, Leigh		2	2	
Stubbs, Ron		2		
Growcott, Ross		1		
Hazlett, W		1		
Johnson, Ted		1		
Miller, J		1		
Porter, Michael		1		
Wilson, Ray		1

Michael Moncrieff played out the 1970 season in the Reserves. Gladys was a full forward, who also played the occasional season for Hawthorn in defence. His 1970 Reserves season included three bags of 6 and a couple of 5. He made his debut in round 2 of 1971, but didn't play for the seniors again until round 12. He ended up playing 9 games that season, missing the finals. In 1972 he was given a couple of chances in the absence of Peter Hudson, but didn't grab them until late in the season, when in the last 5 matches he booted 32 goals, including a haul of 10 against Essendon in round 20. It was enough to take out the Most Improved Player Award for 1972. He settled into the full forward post from then on, playing in the 1976 Premiership side, until Peter Hudson's return to football saw Gladys move to defence, where he played the 1977 season. Upon Huddo's retirement he shifted back to the forward line as the Hawks took out the 1978 Flag. He played through to the 1983 season, a knee injury ending his season with 41 goals after 9 games. He went to St Kilda in 1984, but the injury stopped him playing a game there. In the end he retired with 224 games to his name and 629 goals. He won the Hawthorn goalkicking 5 times, with a best effort of 97 in 1976. He played in the 1976 and 1977 Night Premierships and is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Footy Club.

Steven Jolley was a tall half-forward from Dromana who had a good year up forward for the Hawks Ressies. He was rewarded with senior games in round 13 and 14, but failed to impress, not getting another chance at Hawthorn.

Rover John A. Fisher had arrived at Hawthorn in 1968 at age 27. He'd had progressively better Reserves seasons, unfortunately co-inciding with his senior football getting worse. 1970 was his best and last season for the Hawks Reserves, finishing up BOG 4 times. He played 26 senior games, and was a member of the 1968 Night Premiership side.

 

[stemline]

1971:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Ess	13.9	87	20.22	142	Lost	-55
2 v  Fitz	17.16	118	17.9	111	Won	7
3 v  Geel	9.11	65	16.8	104	Lost	-39
4 v  St K	15.12	102	8.10	58	Won	44
5 v  Sth	15.13	103	11.5	71	Won	32
6 v  Foots	19.11	125	14.7	91	Won	34
7 v  Rich	18.7	115	13.15	93	Won	22
8 v  Nth	14.14	98	13.13	91	Won	7
9 v  Carl	7.12	54	11.17	83	Lost	-29
10 v  Coll	14.18	102	10.12	72	Won	30
11 v  Melb	13.8	86	8.11	59	Won	27
12 v  Ess	17.7	109	7.7	49	Won	60
13 v  Fitz	10.7	67	10.8	68	Lost	-1
14 v  Geel	23.7	145	8.12	60	Won	85
15 v  St K	18.13	121	11.13	79	Won	42
16 v  Sth	11.11	77	6.8	44	Won	33
17 v  Foots	7.11	53	16.14	110	Lost	-57
18 v  Rich	6.11	47	19.9	123	Lost	-76
19 v  Nth	17.15	117	10.9	69	Won	48
20 v  Carl	12.12	84	4.18	42	Won	42
21 v  Coll	16.21	117	4.21	45	Won	72
22 v  Melb	11.13	79	10.11	71	Won	8
1SF v Carl	9.16	70	15.12	102	Lost	-32

Once again 16 wins and 6 losses resulted in a 3rd place finish for the Hawks Reserves, and once again they lost the 1st Semi Final to the side that finished below them, resulting in a final placing of 4th. It was the 3rd time in 4 years, the side had lost the 1st Semi Final.

Goalkickers:

Tuck, Michael		62	
Matthews, Kelvin	38		
Smith, Geoff		28	
Douge, Brian		21	
Booth, Graham		15	
Fitzgerald, Terry	15		
Tipping, Lindsay	13		
Shinners, Brian		12	
Belbin, B		11	
Briggs, B		11	
Porter, Michael		11	
Hoult, P		9	
Moncrieff, Michael	9		
Angus, Geoff		6	
Blood, Michael		5	
Wilson, Ray		5	
Aitken, R		4	
Dehnert, M		4	
Chiron, Gene		3	
Kennedy, Andrew		3	
Maynard, R		3	
Brummelen, P		2	
Chilton, Peter		2	
Guy, G			2
Halbert, W		2	
Jolley, Steven		2	
McLeod, R		2	
Rice, Leon		2	
Scully, C		2	
Becker, R		1	
Fitzgerald, D		1	
Grummisch, Charlie	1		
Kerr, I			1
Milner, Lou		1	
Stewart, E		1	
Wenn, D			1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Smith, Geoff		12	1	
Matthews, Kelvin	10	2		
Tuck, Michael		10	1	
Tipping, Lindsay	9			
Wilson, Ray		8	4	
Douge, Brian		7	3	
Rice, Leon		6	1	
Chiron, Gene		5	1	
Moncrieff, Michael	5	1		
Chilton, Peter		4	1	
Fitzgerald, Terry	4	1		
Angus, Geoff		3	1	
Beck, Ken		3	1	
Booth, Graham		3		
Briggs, B		3	1	
Shinners, Brian		3	1	
Dehnert, M		2		
Francis, Michael	2			
Grummisch, Charlie	2			
Kennedy, Andrew		2	1	
Lewis, John		2		
Porter, Michael		2	1	
Aitken, R		1		
Belbin, B		1		
Blood, Michael		1		
Guy, G			1	
Hook, J			1	
Hoult, P		1	1	
Johnson, Ross		1		
Meagher, Des		1		
Milner, Lou		1		
Scully, C		1		
Stevenson, Bruce	1			
Stubbs, Ron		1

Michael Tuck was a skinny full forward. Well, he started out that way, his 62 goals for the Ressies was the second best Hawks total on record to that point after Garry Young's 63 in 1958. Tucky's haul included two bags of 8 and another of 7, and he got his name in the best players 10 times, but couldn't break into the senior side on its way to the Flag. His 1972 season began brightly in the Reserves, kicking 24 goals in the first 4 matches and getting his name in the bests in 6 of the first 7 games, before enough was enough and the Hawks gave him a shot in the ones. He kicked 3 goals on debut, but was dropped after one more game. He wasn't given another run until after a BOG 5-goal performance for the Ressies in round 13, but after 3 senior games he played out the year in the Reserves. Tucky wouldn't truly hit his straps until 1974, winning the Most Improved Player Award that season, as the most famous following division of all-time was finally complete as Scott, Tuck, Matthews. In 1975 he won the Most Serviceable Award, and in 1976 and 1977 the Most Consistent Player Award. In 1979 and 1981 he won the Best Team Player Award, in 1984 and 1985 he won the Most Courageous Player Award, and in 1986 he won the Best Clubman Award. He finished up playing a League Record 426 games, most of them as a true ruck-rover, along the way booting 320 goals. He played in 39 finals, 11 Grand Finals, and a ridiculously good 7 Premierships for the mighty Hawks, 4 of those as captain. He earned State Representation 11 times, and was named All Australian 3 times. He played in 5 Night Premierships for the Hawks. He never won a Best and Fairest Award, but came runner-up a staggering 7 times. He is an official Legend, Hall of Famer and Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Kelvin Matthews, Leigh's younger brother, arrived at the club in 1971. Like Tuck, he wouldn't debut until the following year despite a superb season for the Ressies. A half-forward, he also took until 1974 to hit his straps, winning the Most Serviceable Player Award. He played in the losing Grand Final of 1975 and the winning one in 1976. After being overlooked for selection during the middle of the 1978 season, he left the club to play for Geelong. In all, he played 97 games for Hawthorn, kicking 99 goals.

Centreman Geoff Angus had been at the club for 5 seasons. After a solid season for the seniors in 1968, he'd been regularly in and out of the side for the next few seasons, although he did play in the Night Premierships of 1968 and 1969. In 1971 he had an interesting battle to take his place in the Premiership side. He was dropped for round 2, and responded with a 3-goal game to be named 2nd best on ground, earning a recall. He played the next 14 games before copping an ankle injury, returning via the Ressies with a BOG in round 20 and another strong game in round 21. He was recalled to the seniors for the final H/A match, kicking 3 goals and being named in the bests. However come Semi Final time he had hurt his ankle again at training and was omitted. Luckily for him he recovered in time for the Grand Final, and was included in the Premiership winning side, the only final he ever played. Only two other players, Jack Cunningham and Norm Goss Jnr, have played 1 final for a Hawthorn Flag. Angus finished up at the end of 1973 having played 73 games.

 

[WaxHawk]

Thanks for doing these Stemline.
It is all before my time thus far and I'm always interested in reading more about the greats and not so greats in Hawthorns history.

 

[stemline]

My pleasure mate.

We've slowed down a fraction as other things have gotten in the way and also I'm at a stage where the stats aren't completely compiled, so I'm having to gather it all together as I go.

 

[Thaihawk]

Still very interesting reading, stem. Amazing how many of the players couldn't make the ton in the early days. We all know that changed in the successful days. I wonder if the lack of continued good results had a bearing.

Have a feeling we are returning to some more glory days at the moment.

Continue the good work.

 

[stemline]

1972 Premiers!!

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Melb	14.19	103	12.7	79	Won	24
2 v  Nth	21.15	141	11.10	76	Won	65
3 v  Geel	13.16	94	14.6	90	Won	4
4 v  Fitz	25.21	171	5.8	38	Won	133
5 v  Foots	10.15	75	17.12	114	Lost	-39
6 v  Coll	28.20	188	5.10	40	Won	148
7 v  Sth	20.22	142	13.12	90	Won	52
8 v  Rich	15.20	110	8.9	57	Won	53
9 v  Ess	12.13	85	10.7	67	Won	18
10 v  Carl	20.21	141	6.9	45	Won	96
11 v  St K	13.11	89	6.11	47	Won	42
12 v  Melb	17.17	119	12.11	83	Won	36
13 v  Nth	20.14	134	11.14	80	Won	54
14 v  Fitz	16.14	110	7.9	51	Won	59
15 v  Geel	23.16	154	16.13	109	Won	45
16 v  Foots	19.13	127	9.3	57	Won	70
17 v  Coll	15.20	110	17.4	106	Won	4
18 v  Sth	19.10	124	16.12	108	Won	16
19 v  Rich	20.10	130	16.9	105	Won	25
20 v  Ess	11.9	75	11.9	75	Drawn	0
21 v  Carl	11.18	84	13.11	89	Lost	-5
22 v  St K	19.18	132	16.10	106	Won	26
2SF v Melb	8.14	62	14.10	94	Lost	-32
PF v Carl	15.11	101	9.14	68	Won	33
GF v Melb	13.10	88	12.12	84	Won	4

A change of coach from Maurie Considine to Roy Simmonds produced instant results as the Hawks Reserves stormed to the top of the heap in 1972.

19 wins and a draw saw the Hawks finish 2 and a half games clear on top, as the VFL moved to a top-5 at last. The side equalled their highest ever score in round 4, setting a new GWM in the process. Not satisfied with that effort, they blasted a new high score two weeks later, again setting a new record GWM.

Come finals time the Ressies slipped up, losing the chance to move straight to the Grand Final when Melbourne kicked 8 goals to 2 after half-time to win easily. The Hawks rebounded well, taking out Carlton in the Prelim Final with captain Ken Beck dominating the hit outs.

The Hawks Ressies was named as follows for the Grand Final against Melbourne:
B: B.Shinners M.Moncrieff R.Stubbs
HB: M.Dehnert R.Johnson M.Tuck
C: B.Douge K.Matthews P.Welsh
HF: M.Porter G.McCarthy A.Goad
F: G.Angus W.Bevan R.Wilson
Foll: K.Beck (c) G.Chiron
Rv: G.Smith
Int: G.Sheehan A.Scott
Em: D.Fitzgerald T.Fitzgerald L.Milner R.McLeod

The Grand Final was a close affair, with the Hawks edging clear early and holding a slight lead at the first two breaks. Beck again was again dominant in the ruck and in the air. With Goad busy across the half forward line the Hawks pulled out to a 14-point lead at 3qtr time. Melbourne rallied in the last quarter to challenge, but the Hawks held strong, and wound down the dying minutes to win by just 4 points, delivering Hawthorn their third Reserves Grade Premiership.

Reserves Grand Final:						
HAWTHORN		5.3	9.5	12.7	13.10	(88)
MELBOURNE		3.1	8.4	9.11	12.12	(84)
Goals:  W.Bevan 4,  A.Goad 2,  M.Porter 2,  G.Smith 2,  G.Angus 1,  T.Fitzgerald 1,  K.Matthews 1.					
Best:  K.Beck,  A.Goad,  M.Porter,  G.Angus,  G.Wilson,  M.Moncrieff,  K.Matthews.

The U19s won their first Premiership too, doing it the hard way after losing the Qualifying Final to Collingwood and having to then beat Richmond, Collingwood and then North in the Grand Final.

Goalkickers:

Bevan, Wayne		57
Tuck, Michael		37
Angus, Geoff		27
Goad, Alan		23
Douge, Brian		22
Sheehan, Greg		22
Porter, Michael		21
Wilson, Ray		21
Fitzgerald, D		19
Matthews, Kelvin	18
Smith, Geoff		18
Welsh, Peter		18
Grummisch, Charlie	16	
Fitzgerald, Terry	12
Chiron, Gene		11
Scrimshaw, Ian		11
McCarthy, Gerald	9	
Moncrieff, Michael	9	
Scott, Andrew		8
Shinners, Brian		8
Beattie, Ron		5
Keddie, E		5
McLeod, R		5
Stevenson, Bruce	4	
Zemski, Michael		4
Davies, Mike		2
Aitken, Robert		1
Jones, Bernie		1
Keddie, Bob		1
Maynard, R		1
Rowlings, Barry		1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Wilson, Ray		13	5	
Angus, Geoff		12	1	
Bevan, Wayne		10	1	
Tuck, Michael		10	1	
Douge, Brian		9		
Moncrieff, Michael	9			
Porter, Michael		9	5	
Smith, Geoff		7	2	
Grummisch, Charlie	6	1		
Scott, Andrew		6		
Stevenson, Bruce	6			
Matthews, Kelvin	5	1	
Goad, Alan		4		
Hendrie, John		4	2	
Welsh, Peter		4		
Beck, Ken		3	2	
Chiron, Gene		3		
Fitzgerald, D		3		
McCarthy, Gerald	3			
Shinners, Brian		3	2	
Stubbs, Ron		3	1	
Day, Robert		2		
Scrimshaw, Ian		2		
Sheehan, Greg		2	1	
Beattie, Ron		1		
Dehnert, Mike		1		
Fitzgerald, Terry	1		
Johnson, Ross		1		
Keddie, E		1		
Rowlings, Barry		1

Wayne Bevan was a tall forward who enjoyed an outstanding season for the Hawks Reserves. 57 goals and named in the best players 10 times. His debut for the Hawks senior side would not come until the following season, when he played 15 games and booted 36 goals. He would only add 5 more games and a goal in the next two seasons.

Ray Wilson and Michael Porter had both played in the 1971 Premiership, but both spent significant time in the Reserves in 1972. Wilson played 9 senior games, but also managed to be named in the best players for the Ressies an impressive 13 times, including 5 times the Hawks' BOG. Porter was also named the Hawks' BOG 5 times.

Arriving at the club in 1972 was half forward Alan Goad. Some good Reserves form earned him a senior debut in round 18, and he played the last five senior games of the season before returning to the Ressies for the finals. He played seniors to the end of 1982, playing 132 games and kicking 128 goals. He played a couple more seasons of Reserves footy, finishing up at the end of 1984 and handing on his number 19 to some fat kid from Queensland. Goad had a steller season in 1976, playing in the 1976 Premiership, winning the Most Improved Player Award that year, and also playing in the Night Premiership that season. He also won the Gardiner Medal as the Best and Fairest in the Reserves Competition in 1978, and won the Best Clubman Award in 1980. He's a Life Member of the Hawthorn Footy Club.

Peter Welsh was a back pocket who began his Hawthorn career in 1972. He wouldn't debut for the seniors until 1973, but played 79 games through to the end of 1978. Despite playing during a pretty successful period, he only managed the one Grand Final, the losing one of 1975. He won the Most Improved Player Award that year, and the Best Clubman Award in 1976, and played in the Night Premiership of 1977.

Bernie Jones was yet another to play Reserves in 1972 but not debut until the following season. An athletic ruckman, he established himself in the seniors in 1974, played both the losing Grand Final of 1975 and the winning one of 1976, before falling out of favour midway through 1977. He moved to Essendon for the 1978 season, realised the error of his ways and was most graciously accepted back into the Hawthorn fold in 1979. He only managed 8 more games however.

John Hendrie began his career at Hawthorn playing in the seniors from the start of 1972. He was dropped a couple of times during the season and responded both times with great games for the Reserves. On both occasions he was named Hawthorn's BOG in the Ressies before being recalled. He won the Best First Year Player Award, and went on to play in the 1976 and 1978 Premierships, nominally voted Hawthorn's best player in the 1976 triumph, dominating up forward but kicking 2.8. He played in the 1976 and 1977 Night Premierships, and won the Best Clubman Award in 1981, retiring after 197 games and 254 goals as a wonderfully skilful forward.

Centreman Robert Day was a South Australian import who had a short but succesful career at Hawthorn. Arriving for the 1971 season, he played every game bar round 1, including the 1971 Premiership decider. He managed 15 more games in 1972 before returning home to SA.

Barry Rowlings made a few appearances for the Hawks Reserves of 1972, as a 22 year-old, kicking a goal in round 3 and getting in the best players in round 5. He then disappears from the scene until returning to Hawthorn in 1975, debuting for the seniors in round 4. Dropped for the next two games, he responded with a BOG performance and played the next 77 games in a row for the Hawks, including the 1975 and 1976 Grand Finals, taking him through to mid 1978 when he fell our of favour and missed the '78 Flag. Unhappy, he left the club and joined Richmond, winning their Best and Fairest in his first year there and playing in their 1980 Premiership, the first of only 2 Hawks to play in a Premiership for Hawthorn and then another club (D.Jarman the other). Midfielder Rowlings was awarded Hawthorn's Best First Year Player Award in 1975, the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1976, and played in the 1976 and 1977 Night Premierships.

 

[mrcurly]

Great read! Here is a little more on some of these players.

Peter Welsh was a quality footballer, a solid, nuggety, impact player with plenty of pace. He played pretty well everywhere - back pocket, centre, forward. After leaving the Hawks he followed a similar path to Rowlings moving across to Richmond, he played in their winning GF side in 1980 and became quite a goalsneak averaging a goal a game with the Tigers. In 81 he kicked 22 goals in 14 games and played in Richmonds losing GF side. Along with Rowlings, Welsh IMO was the worst transfer loss (since 1970) to another club, equivalent to losing Kennedy to the Swans.

Kelvin Matthews was a talented HFF, Lethal without the pace, quite a ball magnet, he used to have a terrible case of the goal kicking yips (unlike his brother). He finally improved his accuracy in 77' kicking 8 goals in one match, unfortunately succumbed to a leg injury late that season which reduced an already slowish player to pedestrian pace, left for Geelong soon after.

Alan Goad was a really creative HF/on ball player with a great ability to flick out damaging (Mitchell like) handballs, really good at breaking the lines, and accurate around the goals. He was not overly quick, but did have the ability to create space and run to all the right places - of the current crop Bruest reminds me a little of him.

 

[stemline]

Great stuff mate. Love to hear some more about any of them.

 

[stemline]

1973:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Nth	17.9	111	10.12	72	Won	39
2 v  Melb	10.17	77	17.16	118	Lost	-41
3 v  Ess	13.9	87	13.14	92	Lost	-5
4 v  Carl	17.16	118	13.15	93	Won	25
5 v  Foots	15.11	101	17.22	124	Lost	-23
6 v  Fitz	16.15	111	20.17	137	Lost	-26
7 v  Geel	19.15	129	17.20	122	Won	7
8 v  Rich	11.13	79	19.22	136	Lost	-57
9 v  St K	8.10	58	12.13	85	Lost	-27
10 v  Coll	13.15	93	14.21	105	Lost	-12
11 v  Sth	21.14	140	11.13	79	Won	61
12 v  Nth	12.21	93	11.3	69	Won	24
13 v  Melb	18.10	118	13.13	91	Won	27
14 v  Carl	18.10	118	10.12	72	Won	46
15 v  Ess	6.8	44	16.17	113	Lost	-69
16 v  Foots	9.9	63	10.15	75	Lost	-12
17 v  Fitz	12.14	86	13.15	93	Lost	-7
18 v  Geel	10.13	73	14.18	102	Lost	-29
19 v  Rich	15.13	103	21.15	141	Lost	-38
20 v  St K	16.10	106	15.7	97	Won	9
21 v  Coll	18.14	122	10.13	73	Won	49
22 v  Sth	24.16	160	12.9	81	Won	79

10 wins and 12 losses had the Hawks Ressies finishing 6th, missing the top 5 by a couple of wins.

Goalkickers:

Milner, Lou		33
Beattie, Ron		30
Aitken, Robert		24
Bevan, Wayne		21
Judd, Colin		21
Matthews, Kelvin	18	
Oliver, Peter		18
Angus, Geoff		15
Welsh, Peter		12
Goad, Alan		11
Ablett, Geoff		10
Howell, Peter		10
Mitchell, Ronald	10
Grummisch, Charlie	9	
Steel, Kelvin		8
Zemski, Michael		8
Lynn, Gerry		7
McCarthy, Gerald	7	
Castles, S		5
Donaldson, Russell	5	
Goodman, R		5
Scott, Andrew		5
Tuck, Michael		5
Scrimshaw, Ian		4
Beale, R		3
Chiron, Gene		3
Hoult, Kevin		3
Jones, Bernie		3
Pell, Allan		2
McKay, Ken		1
Rimmington, Ian		1
Taylor, G		1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Zemski, Michael		11	4	
Ablett, Geoff		9	1	
Judd, Colin		9		
Aitken, Robert		6	1	
Milner, Lou		6		
Angus, Geoff		5	2	
Matthews, Kelvin	5			
Petch, Len		5	1	
Welsh, Peter		5	2	
Beattie, Ron		4	1	
Chiron, Gene		4		
Goad, Alan		4		
Tuck, Michael		4	2	
Jones, Bernie		3	2	
McCarthy, Gerald	3			
Oliver, Peter		3	1	
Reinmuth, Paul		3		
Bevan, Wayne		2	2	
Donaldson, Russell	2			
Grummisch, Charlie	2	2		
Lynn, Gerry		2		
Mitchell, Ronald	2		
Stevenson, Bruce	2	1		
Beale, R		1		
Bussell, Norman		1		
Douge, Brian		1		
Gendre, Paul		1		
Hoult, Kevin		1		
Howell, Peter		1		
Rice, Leon		1		
Scott, Andrew		1		
Steel, Kelvin		1

Lou Milner was a half forward from Packenham, who'd been at the club for a couple of seasons, and was an emergency for the 1972 Reserves Premiership side. He booted 33 goals for the Reserves in 1973, but it wasn't until a 5-goal BOG in round 2 of 1974 that a senior debut was awarded. Dropped after a goalless game, he spent the rest of 1974 in the Ressies, winning the goalkicking there again with 39. He fronted up for the first game of 1975, kicking 5 goals in the Reserves, but would not be seen at the club again.

Geoff Ablett got himself into the best players of the Reserves in 4 of the first 6 rounds, and was promoted for a senior berth in round 7. He played 7 games in his debut season, and performed well for the Reserves when dropped. A super-speedy wingman, he would become a regular winner of the Grand Final half-time sprint (when not playing in the Grand Final, that is). The first of the famous Ablett clan to play at Hawthorn, he played in the 1976 and 1978 Premierships and the 1976 and 1977 Night Premierships. He won the Most Serviceable Award in 1977 and the Most Consistent Player Award in 1981. He left Hawthorn at the end of 1982 after 202 games and 135 goals, to play a couple of seasons at Richmond and one at St Kilda. He is a Life Member of the Hawks.

Michael Zemski was in his second year at the Hawks, and began it in the seniors, playing the first 4 games before being dropped. He performed consistently well for the Ressies, in the best players 11 times, 4 as Hawthorn's BOG. The midfielder was recalled for round 21 only, and managed just two senior games the following season before leaving the club.

Norm Bussell played the last of his 113 senior games in 1973. He'd been a star CHB for the Hawks, winning the 1968 Best First Year Player Award and playing in the 1971 Premiership as well as the Night Flag of 1969.

 

[mrcurly]

Lou Milner was held in high regard around the club, and having watched him play most of his ressies games i could see why. He had freakish marking ability - when he had his confidence up! and that was his main problem, if he fluffed a kick for goal (which he often would) he would lose confidence in his own ability. A frustratingly talented player that could have achieved much more.

I recall Michael Tuck saying he was taken aside by Kennedy in his early playing days (probably after he was dropped..), and told to perservere as he had all the attributes required to succeed at senior level, he referred to he and one other player in the seconds definitely having the goods - the other one was Lou Milner.

Ron Beattie was a good mover, very sure footed and slick ball handling tall KPP (would be like GOLD around the club now..) listed as kicking quite a few ressie goals up forward - though i thought he was far better at full back. Did break into the seniors in '74 (in the backline from memory) then just sunk without a trace after stringing quite a few consecutive games together (injury?).

Kelvin Steel was a hard running Tim Clarke style player, not overly skilled but a great competitor with plenty of toe. Unlucky enough to be matched up against Keith Grieg in a prelim against North in one his first senior games, hardly touched the ball - but did manage to quell the dominance of one of the greatest players of the 70's. Pretty sure that was the game played in a muddy quagmire ('74?), where Kelvin Matthews could have snatched a draw with a set shot in the dying seconds, but sprayed the shot for a point. Had apparently been half blinded a muddy poke in the eye.

Ian Scrimshaw was a HFF with a piercing drop punt, fairly lightly built but capable of taking a solid grab, kicked enough goals to eventually force his way into the seniors. I think he also drifted across to Richmond in the mid 70s, seemed to be the natural path for any player that wasn't getting enough opportunity at Hawthorn!

Mick Zemski was one of very few players to actually play the game while wearing glasses, Blethyn was another that was getting around in the 70's. Wouldn't happen now, apart from being deemed an OHS issue, the tagger would probably launch them into the crowd within minutes of the game starting. Anyhow, Zemski was a pretty decent rover, had speed to burn though his kicking left a lot to be desired. I think every part of his body worked at 100miles an hour, so controlled kicking was impossible for him. i recall him playing a game at Arden St (another sardine can shaped oval) against North ressies, bottled up deep in the forward pocket he threw the ball on his boot and kicked a torpedo which would not have risen more than a metre off the ground, went through the goals like a tracer bullet - an absolute fluke. Half the team ran across to celebrate with him, most of them were laughing and he looked rather embarrassed.. quite a funny moment.

Bernie Jones was probably most famous for his inside out goal against Carlton. He had marked the ball in a forward pocket on the boundary line at the grandstand end at Princes Park, went back and kicked a mongrel flat punt (kicking was not his forte) that wobbled around in the breeze and was marked in the opposite forward pocket a metre inside the boundary by a Carlton defender. To everybodies surprise (and bemusement) the goal umpire then signalled a goal, it had blown through and then back out into the field of play - bizzarre. That goal contibuted to a win in a frenetic and tight game in '75, one of the greatest contests of the season, we were saved in the end by back pocket Brian Douge coming off the bench (remember that?) and kicking the winning goal.

Paul Reinmuth was a tough cookie, a utility/HF better than reserve standard (IMO) that probably came to Hawthorn at a time when many quality players were not going to make the grade. He headed back to the Apple isle after limited success, playing a bit of state rep footy against the Vics when we still had an interstate comp.

Charlie Grummisch - One of my favourite players of the time. A freakish mark, and an accurate left foot kick, WAY above reserve standard just could not get a regular senior gig. When he did string some games together in the 1's he broke down with injuries, gave the game away in his early 20's, sad waste of a brilliant talent.

I'm not sure how the catch cry came about, but way back in the 70's, whenever the Hawks were not going too well, there would always be some wag in the crowd screaming out 'bring on Charlie'. Maybe its before my time, but the only Charlie on the list was Grummisch so i presumed he must have come on and kicked a few goals to get us over the line at some point. That cry seemed to pop up even into the 80's.. wierd.

 

[stemline]

Superb stuff mate, love it.

 

[stemline]

1974:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Rich	10.11	71	10.14	74	Lost	-3
2 v  Coll	9.10	64	8.8	56	Won	8
3 v  Sth	17.14	116	12.22	94	Won	22
4 v  Ess	14.14	98	10.11	71	Won	27
5 v  Foots	11.15	81	19.11	125	Lost	-44
6 v  Fitz	9.21	75	14.18	102	Lost	-27
7 v  Carl	10.9	69	18.18	126	Lost	-57
8 v  Melb	16.9	105	16.11	107	Lost	-2
9 v  St K	18.11	119	14.12	96	Won	23
10 v  Geel	15.18	108	12.11	83	Won	25
11 v  Nth	19.20	134	12.13	85	Won	49
12 v  Rich	13.22	100	13.7	85	Won	15
13 v  Coll	11.14	80	15.15	105	Lost	-25
14 v  Ess	16.12	108	25.15	165	Lost	-57
15 v  Sth	19.11	125	11.15	81	Won	44
16 v  Foots	6.13	49	15.18	108	Lost	-59
17 v  Fitz	10.21	81	12.15	87	Lost	-6
18 v  Carl	14.17	101	9.14	68	Won	33
19 v  Melb	13.9	87	15.17	107	Lost	-20
20 v  St K	13.13	91	7.13	55	Won	36
21 v  Geel	19.10	124	17.14	116	Won	8
22 v  Nth	18.6	114	23.18	156	Lost	-42

11 wins and 11 losses and a finish of 7th place for the Hawks Reserves in 1974.

Goalkickers:

Milner, Lou		39
Bevan, Wayne		38
Grummisch, Charlie	21	
Scrimshaw, Ian		21
Zemski, Michael		20
Goad, Alan		14
Jones, Peter		13
Rose, Peter		13
Zivillica, Tory		12
Oliver, Peter		11
Stevenson, Bruce	10	
Reinmuth, Paul		9
Steel, Kelvin		9
Hawken, Les		8
Welsh, Peter		8
Wilkinson, Robert	8
McCarthy, Gerald	6
Corcoran, D		5
Donaldson, Russell	4	
Lynn, Gerry		4
Parkin, David		3
Polkinghorne, David	3	
Aitken, Robert		2
Beattie, Ron		2
Birch, M		2
Bremner, Ian		2
Castles, S		2
De Wolde, Alle		2
Halbert, Gary		2
Jones, Bernie		2
Judd, Colin		2
Mitchell, Ronald	2
Cruwys, Brian		1

Best Players:

Players			In best	Our BOG
Zemski, Michael		15	2	
Bevan, Wayne		8	2	
Milner, Lou		7	3	
Stevenson, Bruce	7	4		
Donaldson, Russell	5	2		
Goad, Alan		5		
Hawken, Les		5	1	
Lynn, Gerry		5	1	
Welsh, Peter		5		
Scrimshaw, Ian		4	1	
Steel, Kelvin		4	1	
Bremner, Ian		3	1	
Reinmuth, Paul		3	1	
Zivillica, Tory		3		
Beattie, Ron		2		
De Wolde, Alle		2		
Grummisch, Charlie	2			
Jones, Bernie		2		
McCarthy, Gerald	2		
Oliver, Peter		2	1	
Parkin, David		2	1	
Petch, Len		2		
Rose, Peter		2		
Corcoran, D		1		
Fusinato, F		1		
Jones, Peter		1		
Judd, Colin		1		
Polkinghorne, David	1	1		
Wilkinson, Robert	1

There wasn't a lot of new talent bursting into the Hawk Reserves this season, depsite the Hawks being on the verge of multiple flags. All but 4 of the 1976 Premierhsip team was already on the books in 1973.

One of the four, David Polkinghorne, joined the club in 1974. An ungainly but effective half-back, he found form at the right time, debuting in 1975 but being in and out of the side right up to the 1976 finals series. He would play 164 games for the Hawks, including the 1976 and 1978 Flags. He received the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1979, as well as the Best Clubman Award in 1979 and 1983. He erned State Representation 6 times and is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Robert Wilkinson has an interesting/forgettable history at Hawthorn. With no standout performances in the Reserves, he was given a senior berth in round 6, replacing Wayne Bevan in the forward line. A tall forward who could also go back, he kicked a goal on debut, but none the next week and was dropped, playing out the year in the Reserves. He played all of the following year in the Ressies for no senior matches. There's no sign of him being at the club in 1976, but he was back in 1977, again playing in the Reserves. Wilkinson toiled away for a couple more years before he finally got another game in round 7 of 1979 - a full 5 years after his last senior game. In the end he managed 17 games and 9 goals for the Hawks.

 

[stemline]

1975:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Nth	17.10	112	15.12	102	Won	10
2 v  St K	11.20	86	18.8	116	Lost	-30
3 v  Rich	8.16	64	16.7	103	Lost	-39
4 v  Sth	15.13	103	15.14	104	Lost	-1
5 v  Melb	26.16	172	12.9	81	Won	91
6 v  Carl	19.15	129	18.11	119	Won	10
7 v  Fitz	17.29	131	11.14	80	Won	51
8 v  Geel	7.12	54	16.13	109	Lost	-55
9 v  Foots	12.22	94	14.8	92	Won	2
10 v  Coll	18.17	125	14.11	95	Won	30
11 v  Ess	14.10	94	17.19	121	Lost	-27
12 v  Nth	18.15	123	15.9	99	Won	24
13 v  St K	17.20	122	14.14	98	Won	24
14 v  Sth	11.16	82	13.9	87	Lost	-5
15 v  Rich	10.12	72	12.9	81	Lost	-9
16 v  Melb	8.12	60	20.10	130	Lost	-70
17 v  Carl	11.14	80	9.7	61	Won	19
18 v  Fitz	13.15	93	10.18	78	Won	15
19 v  Geel	9.14	68	15.11	101	Lost	-33
20 v  Foots	9.13	67	12.19	91	Lost	-24
21 v  Coll	16.15	111	5.11	41	Won	70
22 v  Ess	18.13	121	10.12	72	Won	49
EF v Melb	21.18	144	12.13	85	Won	59
SF1 v Ess	16.17	113	9.14	68	Won	45
PF v Rich	10.22	82	14.16	100	Lost	-18

12 wins and 10 losses put the Hawks Reserves at 4th after the H/A season. A big win over Melbourne in the Elimination Final was followed by another convincing win in the 1st Semi over Essendon. The Hawks then ran into Richmond in the Prelim but fell short, despite more scoring shots, by 3 goals and finishing the season in 3rd place.

Goalkickers:

Grummisch, Charlie	48	
Murphy, Shane		37
Howard, Peter		24
Bennett, Peter		21
Cooke, Michael		21
Foster, Gamie		19
Goad, Alan		18
Cooke, Robert		17
Scrimshaw, Ian		16
Halbert, Gary		15
Bevan, Wayne		12
Lynn, Gerry		11
Meagher, Des		9
Rowlings, Barry		8
Curnow, Roger		7
Paton, Ian		6
Douge, Brian		5
Milner, Lou		5
Cook, Brian		4
Douge, Michael		4
Steel, Kelvin		4
Wilkinson, Robert	4	
Harrison, Glenn		3
Jeffries, P		3
Jones, Bernie		3
Pepe, Lou		3
Ablett, Geoff		2
Crimmins, Peter		2
DiPierdomenico, Robert	2	
Jones, Peter		2
Moncrieff, Michael	2	
Polkinghorne, David	2	
Reints, Harry		2
Rice, Leon		2
Beattie, Ron		1
Caddy, J		1
Harper, Steven		1
Judd, Colin		1
Landy, Mark		1
O'Halloran, David	1	
Petch, Len		1
Stanistreet, B		1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Goad, Alan		9	4	
Grummisch, Charlie	8	4		
Murphy, Shane		8	1	
Douge, Brian		6		
Halbert, Gary		6	1	
Polkinghorne, David	6			
Steel, Kelvin		6		
Bennett, Peter		5	1	
Bevan, Wayne		5	1	
Howard, Peter		5		
Lynn, Gerry		5	2	
Meagher, Des		5		
O'Halloran, David	5			
Paton, Ian		5	1	
Petch, Len		5		
Rowlings, Barry		5	1	
Wilkinson, Robert	5	1		
Cook, Brian		4	2	
Foster, Gamie		4	1	
Rice, Leon		4		
Scrimshaw, Ian		4	1	
Cooke, Michael		3		
Douge, Michael		3	1	
Cooke, Robert		2		
Curnow, Roger		2		
De Wolde, Alle		2		
DiPierdomenico, Robert	2			
Jones, Bernie		2		
McCarthy, Gerald	2			
Ablett, Geoff		1	1	
Alexeff, Michael	1			
Crimmins, Peter		1		
Donaldson, Russell	1			
Harrison, Glenn		1	1	
Heath, Kevin		1		
Jeffries, P		1		
Milner, Lou		1		
Mitchell, Ronald	1	1		
Pepe, Lou		1		
Trott, Stuart		1		
Wright, ?		1

Shane Murphy was a half forward flanker who had a great knack for finding the goals at Reserves level, booting 168 goals in the 4 seasons from 1975 to 1978 (37, 45, 40 & 46). However his senior career over that period only amounted to 14 games and 15 goals. His form was good at the right end of 1975, as he debuted in round 22 and held his spot through to the Grand Final.

Two other forwards made their mark late in 1975, brothers Michael and Robert Cooke. In his first Reserves match in round 21, Michael booted 6 goals and followed it up with another 6 in round 22, while Robert kicked 3 in that game also. When Michael booted another 7 in the Reserve's first final (Robert kicked 6), he was added to the injury-weakened senior side the following week - the 2nd Semi Final. He kicked 4 goals on debut, to earn a fairytale place in the Grand Final. Unfortunately it wasn't a happy ending as his solitary stat was a free kick against. It would be his last senior game. Robert would never play senior footy.

Charlie Grummisch had been at the club since 1970, roughly half his time spent in the Reserves. In his last season at Hawthorn, 1975, he played the entire season there, sharing the forward line with the above-named blokes but still booting a handy 48 sausage rolls. Predominantly a CHF, his senior career amounted to 50 games and 63 goals.

Gerry Lynn was a little rover from Warragul. He'd been at the club since 1973, and had debuted for the ones in 1974, playing 2 games. In 1975 he would only manage one game, in round 20. Depsite his Reserves form not regularly capturing the Hawthorn selectors attention, it must have caught someone's as he came runner-up in the 1975 Gardiner Medal.

Lou Pepe enjoys a bit of notoriety for a bloke with no senior games. A cop and a hard-man, he played the 1975 and 1976 seasons in the Hawks Reserves before forging a footy career at Prahran in the VFA.

Ian Paton arrived at the club from Tasmania in 1975. At 193cm he was a workhorse ruckman who would go on to play 155 games for Hawthorn, debuting in round 7, 1976, after a string of good Reserves games. 'The General' won the Most Improved Player Award in 1977 and went on to be a member of the 1978 and 1983 Premiership sides. He won the Most Courageous Player Award in 1983 and is a Life Member of Hawthorn.

Stuart Trott was a rover who had crossed to Hawthorn after 159 games at St Kilda. Trott played for the Saints in the 1971 Grand Final and was absolutely poleaxed in that match by Lethal, so it might have been an awkward first training session. Trott played 41 games for the Hawks, including the 1975 Grand Final, and was also a member of the 1977 Night Premiership.

David O'Halloran began his career at Hawthorn in 1975. 'Rubber' was a strong half back who at 185cm could play tall. He woudn't play senior footy in 1975 but debuted in round 1 of 1976, winning the Best First Year Player Award that season. The next match he missed was the 1978 Grand Final, desperately unlucky to be injured in the 2nd Semi, but opening the door for the bloke below. O'Halloran played 160 games for Hawthorn, including the 1978 and 1983 Premierships. He also played in the 1976 and 1977 Night Premierships, and was named All Australian in 1982. His last game was the 1985 Grand Final, which was his only game of that year. He is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Footy Club.

In 1975 Robert DiPierdomenico played his first games for the Hawks Reserves. He snuck into the best players in rounds 14 and 16, and somewhat mysteriously was given a senior game in round 18, sitting on the bench all day as the Hawks lost to Fitzroy. Bertie wouldn't play a senior game again until 1978, playing all but 3 of the H/A games that season before getting dropped for the 2nd Semi Final. A BOG for the Ressies put him back in contention and when O'Halloran was injured, Dipper's oportunity arose. Of course it's common knowledge now, he played a ripping game in the Grand Final, blanketing North dangerman Arnold Breidis and being named the Hawks best player on the day. Retrospective Normies, come on! Dipper played plenty of awesome footy for the Hawks, showing insane heart in games like the 1989 Grand Final, and was Hawthorn's first ever (non retrospective) Brownlow Medalist. Making his home on the wing, he played 240 games, kicking 130 goals. He played in 24 finals (born for it), 8 Grand Finals, winning 5 Premierships. He won the Best Team Player Award in 1984, the Most Determined Player Award in 1984, 1987 and 1989, and the Most Courageous Player in 1987 and 1989. He was a member of the 1985, 1986 and 1988 Night Premiership sides, All Australian in 1984, 1986 and 1987, and was reported 9 times and suspended for 18 matches. He is a Hawthorn Hall of Fame and Life Member, and was named on the wing in Hawthorn's Team of the Century and Ulitmate Premiership Team.

Peter Crimmins played a handful of Reserves games at the end of 1975 in an effort to make the senior side for its tilt at the 1975 flag. History shows it wasn't to be. He was named in the best players in round 20, kicking 2 goals - an astonishing effort for a bloke who had missed the bulk of the season for chemotherapy on a cancer that had now invaded his lungs. The Hawthorn Captain, Crimmo had played the last of his 176 senior games; the little champion having booted 231 goals whilst forming half of the greatest roving combination the game has ever seen.

 

[stemline]

1976:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  St K	12.23	95	18.10	118	Lost	-23
2 v  Nth	14.14	98	18.20	128	Lost	-30
3 v  Coll	17.22	124	30.21	201	Lost	-77
4 v  Foots	15.13	103	8.15	63	Won	40
5 v  Ess	16.22	118	8.17	65	Won	53
6 v  Carl	15.14	104	17.11	113	Lost	-9
7 v  Melb	18.15	123	16.18	114	Won	9
8 v  Sth	15.13	103	10.12	72	Won	31
9 v  Fitz	20.16	136	12.10	82	Won	54
10 v  Rich	25.20	170	11.13	79	Won	91
11 v  Geel	20.10	130	9.14	68	Won	62
12 v  St K	27.17	179	10.8	68	Won	111
13 v  Nth	9.13	67	11.18	84	Lost	-17
14 v  Foots	12.8	80	20.17	137	Lost	-57
15 v  Coll	16.14	110	14.17	101	Won	9
16 v  Ess	17.13	115	16.11	107	Won	8
17 v  Carl	10.12	72	13.24	102	Lost	-30
18 v  Melb	13.18	96	10.15	75	Won	21
19 v  Sth	13.14	92	7.14	56	Won	36
20 v  Fitz	22.17	149	11.13	79	Won	70
21 v  Rich	8.14	62	10.18	78	Lost	-16
22 v  Geel	19.19	133	15.11	101	Won	32
QF v Nth	13.12	90	20.8	128	Lost	-38
1SF v Ess	9.13	67	8.15	63	Won	4
PF v Nth	12.11	83	18.10	118	Lost	-35

The Hawks Reserves of 1976 got off to a shaky start, losing their first 3 matches. However, somewhere between rounds 5 and 6, two of those losses were over-turned and credited as wins to Hawthorn. So whilst the results after 6 weeks would appear to be 2 wins and 4 losses, the round 6 ladder shows the Hawks as 4 and 2. Hence at the end of the H/A season, the Hawks finished 2nd with a 16 win season despite only winning 14 games. Hopefully the 1976 Footy Records will end up on-line soon as they may have an explanation. None of the online archived newspapers do. At any rate, the Hawks lost the Qualifying Final to North, bounced back to snatch the 1st Semi against Essendon by just 4 points, but fell again to North in the Prelim Final, to finish the season in 3rd place.

Goalkickers:

Murphy, Shane		45	
Spark, Graeme		34	
Scott, Mark		31	
Scrimshaw, Ian		29	
Cooke, Michael		25	
Fletcher, Don		21	
Halbert, Garry		21	
Murnane, Peter		18	
Walter, Richard		14	
Bennett, Peter		11	
Cooke, Robert		9	
Matthews, Kelvin	9		
Pepe, Lou		9	
Francis, B		8	
Steel, Kelvin		8	
Trott, Stuart		8	
Cook, Brian		7	
Eade, Rodney		7	
Douge, Michael		6	
Meagher, Des		6	
De Wolde, Alle		5	
Douge, Brian		5	
Lynn, Gerry		5	
McCarthy, Gerard	5		
Vick, M			5
Paton, Ian		4	
Petch, Len		4	
Curtain, Russell	3	
Harper, Steven		3	
Welsh, Peter		3	
Caddy, J		2	
Hartley, Don		2	
Ingleton, Graham	2		
Jones, Bernie		2	
Polkinghorne, Robert	2		
Robergs, Robert		2	
Alexeff, Michael	1		
DiPierdomenico, Robert	1		
Emery, Steve		1	
Goad, Alan		1	
Harrison, Glenn		1	
Polkinghorne, David	1		
Rice, Leon		1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Bennett, Peter		9	1	
Murnane, Peter		9	1	
Douge, Brian		8	2	
Paton, Ian		8	1	
De Wolde, Alle		7	2	
Trott, Stuart		7		
Spark, Graeme		6	1	
Pepe, Lou		5	1	
Polkinghorne, David	5	1		
Rice, Leon		5	1	
Scott, Mark		5		
Scrimshaw, Ian		5	1	
Steel, Kelvin		5	1	
DiPierdomenico, Robert	4	1		
Fletcher, Don		4	1	
Lynn, Gerry		4		
Petch, Len		4	2	
Walter, Richard		4	2	
Cook, Brian		3		
Halbert, Garry		3		
Harrison, Glenn		3	1	
Matthews, Kelvin	3	1		
Meagher, Des		3		
Murphy, Shane		3		
Brasier, John		2		
Cooke, Michael		2		
Cooke, Robert		2	1	
Douge, Michael		2		
Vick, M			2	
Welsh, Peter		2	1	
Alexeff, Michael	1			
Caddy, J		1		
Eade, Rodney		1	1	
Francis, B		1		
Goad, Alan		1		
Jones, Bernie		1		
McCarthy, Gerard	1			
Neal			1	1
Robergs, Robert		1

Mark Scott's football career was quite a remarkable story. A 196cm full forward, he would become something of a Reserves legend. He still holds the record for the most career goals in the Reserves with 655 from 168 games for Hawthorn, Fitzroy and St Kilda. Scott also played 78 senior games for 175 goals, 16 Under 19s games for 82 goals and 11 night games for 23 goals. An overall total of 273 games for 935 goals! For the Hawks Ressies, he kicked 31 in 1976, 78 in 1977, 93 in 1978, 49 in 1979 and had 29 by mid-1980 before being shunted off to St Kilda as part of the exchange for Russell Greene. Scott's senior Hawthorn career consisted of one game in 1978 (3 goals on debut) and 2 games early in 1980 which netted another 5 goals.

Graeme Spark was a half-forward whose 8-goal game for the Ressies in round 6 earned him a senior debut the following week. He kicked 2 goals on debut, and 1 the following week, but wouldn't get another chance at senior level for Hawthorn and left the club at the end of the year.

Peter Bennett was a back pocket type who showed good form early in the season and was given a senior debut in round 12. He played seven senior games that year, getting dropped twice but responding to be in the best players in his last 6 Reserves games of the season. He played one more season for a return of 6 more senior games.

Rover Peter Murnane arrived at Hawthorn in 1976, beginning the season in the senior side but unable to hold his place there after 3 rounds. He was in and out of the ones a couple of times, dropped again after round 12. He gradually built form in the Ressies through the second half of the season, and was a somewhat sensational inclusion in the Grand Final side after not playing senior football for 13 weeks. He was included in the Premiership side with Leon Rice at the expense of Des Meagher and Alle de Wolde. Although he also played in the 1978 Premiership, Murnane didn't become a regular senior player until 1979, going on to play 80 games and kick 56 goals, winning the Best Clubman award in 1977.

Rodney Eade came over from Tassie for the 1976 season. A lightly-built wingman, 'Rocket' didn't set the world alight in his Reserves performances, with one BOG in round 8 his only appearance in the best players. However a 3-goal game in round 16 must have been what the selectors were looking for and he played the rest of the season, including the winning Grand Final, in the senior side. In fact he rarely played Reserves footy again, finishing up with Hawthorn at the end of 1987 with 229 games and 4 Premierships. He won the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1978, and earned State Representation 6 times. He played in the 1977 and 1986 Night Premiership sides, is a Life Member of Hawthorn and was named as an emergency in the Hawks Ultimate Premiership Team.

Richard Walter was a versatile tall, capable of playing forward or back. He didn't debut until round 1 the following season, and only played 5 games that year. In 1978 he played 4 games early on, was dropped, and responded with a string of sensational reserves performances to regain his place for another 3 games, before being dropped again for round 16. He toiled away in the Ressies until a good game in round 22 saw him a surprise selection for the Hawks senior side in its finals campaign. He held his place and played in the 1978 Premiership.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Great work, stemline.

Good reading while we wait for another Box Hill game to roll around.

 

[stemline]

1977:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Nth	17.21	123	14.11	95	Won	28
2 v  Rich	15.13	103	23.25	163	Lost	-60
3 v  Geel	14.21	105	9.15	69	Won	36
4 v  Carl	20.19	139	14.7	91	Won	48
5 v  Fitz	16.22	118	10.5	65	Won	53
6 v  St K	19.11	125	22.11	143	Lost	-18
7 v  Foots	15.17	107	15.21	111	Lost	-4
8 v  Sth	18.17	125	15.11	101	Won	24
9 v  Coll	13.20	98	21.15	141	Lost	-43
10 v  Melb	15.12	102	19.11	125	Lost	-23
11 v  Ess	16.22	118	13.8	86	Won	32
12 v  Nth	13.10	88	9.7	61	Won	27
13 v  Rich	DNP					
14 v  Carl	12.13	85	14.11	95	Lost	-10
15 v  Geel	10.20	80	23.16	154	Lost	-74
16 v  Fitz	13.12	90	17.8	110	Lost	-20
17 v  St K	13.14	92	10.14	74	Won	18
18 v  Foots	12.15	87	13.22	100	Lost	-13
19 v  Sth	13.23	101	12.15	87	Won	14
20 v  Coll	12.16	88	18.19	127	Lost	-39
21 v  Melb	15.9	99	11.18	84	Won	15
22 v  Ess	16.12	108	18.14	122	Lost	-14

10 wins and 11 losses meant the Hawks Reserves finished 2 wins outside the 5 in 6th place. Due to consecutive weeks of heavy rainfall, all round 13 Reserves matches were cancelled 'by decision of the Victorian Football League Adverse Weather Committee.'

Goalkickers:

Scott, Mark		78	
Murphy, Shane		40	
DiPierdomenico, Robert	21		
McFaull, Brendan	19		
Trott, Stuart		15	
Murnane, Peter		14	
Bassed, Stephen		12	
Fletcher, Don		11	
Jones, Bernie		11	
Lee, Warren		10	
Ablett, Kevin		8	
Bennett, Peter		8	
Steel, Kelvin		8	
Dunn, Ian		7	
Cooke, Michael		5	
Davidson, Mark		5	
Murray, Jeff		4	
Petch, Len		4	
Polkinghorne, Robert	4		
Curnow, Roger		3	
Peers, Robert		3	
Walter, Richard		3	
De Wolde, Alle		2	
Falvey, Peter		2	
James			2
Fleming, D		1	
Foster, Dale		1	
Hanna, Tim		1	
McCarthy, Gerald	1		
McCarthy, Michael	1		
Rice, Leon		1	
Welsh, Peter James	1		
Wilkinson, Robert	1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Petch, Len		16	4	
Scott, Mark		10		
DiPierdomenico, Robert	8	1		
Murnane, Peter		8	1	
Bennett, Peter		7	1	
Fletcher, Don		7	1	
McCarthy, Michael	6	2		
Murphy, Shane		6	1	
Steel, Kelvin		5	1	
Ablett, Kevin		4		
Bassed, Stephen		4		
Lee, Warren		4		
McCarthy, Gerald	4	4		
Trott, Stuart		4		
Walter, Richard		4		
Emery, Steve		3	2	
Murray, Jeff		3		
Wilkinson, Robert	3	1		
McFaull, Brendan	2			
Polkinghorne, Robert	2			
Rice, Leon		2	1	
Curnow, Roger		1		
De Wolde, Alle		1		
Falvey, Peter		1	1	
Jones, Bernie		1		
Paton, Ian		1		
Peers, Robert		1

Mark Scott's 78 goals won him the Reserve League Goalkicking, and included two hauls of 7 and four of 6. His mate up forward in Murphy had a bag of 6 and two of 5 in his 40 goals for the season.

Brendan McFaull played most of the 1977 season at CHF for the Ressies, kicking 19 goals. He fronted up again in the forward line the following season, kicking a very respectable 44 goals, in a season where most of the ball was directed to Mark Scott who kicked 93. Despite that, he still couldn't break into the senior side. A shift to defence in 1979 did the trick and after a great opening game of the season, he was rewarded with senior selection, playing rounds 2 and 3. Dropped, he responded by being named in the best players for the next two Ressie's games but then disappeared from the scene.

Kevin Ablett won the Best First Year Player in 1977, playing 15 senior games including the finals series. In all he played 32 senior games over 4 seasons. He also played in the 1977 Night Premiership side.

1977 was Len Petch's last season at Hawthorn. A shortish follower, he had played 23 senior games over 5 seasons, 14 of those in 1976. In 1977 he managed just the one senior guernsey, in round 8, but was named in the best players for the Reserves an unprecendented 16 times.

Michael McCarthy was a tall who could play forward, but was probably more comfortable at CHB. He wouldn't make his senior debut until round 2 of 1978, but enjoyed a solid debut season, playing in the 1978 Premiership. He was then in and out of the side for a few years and missed all of the 1982 season to injury, before finding some form again at the right time to grab a place in the 1983 Premiership side. He played through to the end of 1986, narrowly missing the winning Grand Final that year, but playing in the '86 Night Premiership.

 

[stemline]

1978:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Melb	14.15	99	9.16	70	Won	29
2 v  Sth	25.10	160	12.17	89	Won	71
3 v  Nth	13.12	90	16.17	113	Lost	-23
4 v  Coll	15.17	107	17.23	125	Lost	-18
5 v  Fitz	21.10	136	16.13	109	Won	27
6 v  Carl	19.10	124	27.15	177	Lost	-53
7 v  Foots	14.17	101	16.18	114	Lost	-13
8 v  Rich	14.12	96	13.12	90	Won	6
9 v  St K	19.24	138	11.8	74	Won	64
10 v  Geel	17.8	110	12.16	88	Won	22
11 v  Ess	16.14	110	13.17	95	Won	15
12 v  Melb	20.23	143	11.10	76	Won	67
13 v  Sth	15.18	108	15.11	101	Won	7
14 v  Coll	21.14	140	15.3	93	Won	47
15 v  Nth	12.15	87	9.7	61	Won	26
16 v  Fitz	14.15	99	15.14	104	Lost	-5
17 v  Carl	20.7	127	22.16	148	Lost	-21
18 v  Foots	11.11	77	19.10	124	Lost	-47
19 v  Rich	11.8	74	9.18	72	Won	2
20 v  St K	14.18	102	10.15	75	Won	27
21 v  Geel	17.10	112	17.11	113	Lost	-1
22 v  Ess	23.12	150	7.13	55	Won	95
QF v Geel	18.14	122	14.12	96	Won	26
2SF v Nth	6.6	42	20.17	137	Lost	-95
PF v Rich	13.9	87	11.14	80	Won	7
GF v Nth	11.13	79	17.29	131	Lost	-52

With 14 wins and 8 losses, the Hawks Reserves ended the H/A season in 3rd, 3 full wins behind Geelong in 2nd, and no less than 5 wins off top placed North. The Hawks managed to pull off an upset in the Qualifying Final, winning by 26 points over Geelong, but got pounded by North the next week to the tune of 95 points. The side rebounded to account for Richmond in the Prelim, but when it came to the Grand Final against the all conquering North Melbourne Reserves, the Hawks were never in the hunt, with the Roos doing us a favour by kicking inaccurately and accounting for the Hawks by just the 52 points. Best for the Hawks in the Grand Final loss were Alan Goad, Brendan McFaull, Shane Murphy, Mark Scott, Robert Polkinghorne and Tony King.

Goalkickers:

Scott, Mark		93
McFaull, Brendan	44	
Murphy, Shane		44
Halbert, Gary		40
Wilton, Nick		28
Goad, Alan		26
Russo, Peter		22
Matthews, Kelvin	14	
Welsh, Peter James	13	
Rice, Leon		12
Lee, Warren		10
Dunn, Ian		8
Walter, Richard		7
Murray, Jeff		6
Ayres, Gary		5
Keddie, R		5
Polkinghorne, Robert	5	
Turner, Mark		5
King, Tony		4
Ablett, Kevin		3
Mew, Chris		3
Murnane, Peter		3
Burne, Nick		2
Paton, Ian		2
Brasier, John		1
DiPierdomenico, Robert	1	
Gray, Ross		1
McCarthy, Michael	1	
Moore, Terry		1
Morrison, R		1
Peers, Robert		1
Rowlings, Barry		1
Wilkinson, Robert	1

Best Players:

Players			In best	Our BOG
Burne, Nick		12	1	
McFaull, Brendan	11	3	
Goad, Alan		10	2	
Halbert, Gary		10	2	
Murphy, Shane		9	1	
Welsh, Peter James	9	3		
Wilton, Nick		9		
Walter, Richard		8	2	
Emery, Steve		7		
King, Tony		6	2	
Rice, Leon		6		
Russo, Peter		6	1	
Scott, Mark		6	1	
Ayres, Gary		4		
Matthews, Kelvin	4	2		
Murray, Jeff		4	1	
DiPierdomenico, Robert	3	2		
Kennedy, John		3		
McCarthy, Michael	3	1		
Murnane, Peter		3		
Paton, Ian		3	1	
Ablett, Kevin		2		
Dunn, Ian		2		
Polkinghorne, Robert	2			
Turner, Mark		2		
Keddie, R		1		
Lee, Warren		1		
Masilia, P		1	1	
Mew, Chris		1		
Moncrieff, Michael	1			
Moore, Terry		1

After missing the second half of 1977 to injury, 1976 Premiership player Alan Goad played the entire 1978 season in the Reserves. Although not rewarded with a senior game, his good form was rewarded with a Gardiner Medal for the Best and Fairest player in the Reserves competition.

Mark Scott's 93 goals was a record season for the Hawks Reserves that still stands today. Included in his 93 was a haul of 12 in round 5, followed up by another 8 in round 6. He needed 9 in the Grand Final to make the ton, but had to settle for a couple. Not surprisingly, he won the Reserves league goalkicking again in 1978.

The Hawks had some rare talent join the ranks in 1978. Mark Turner was a talented player who just couldn't put it together for some reason. Allan Jeans commented that when he began coaching Hawthorn, Turner was singled out to him as a player he needed to get the most out of. Not even Jeans could do it and Turner dwindled into a Reserves player. He did debut in 1979, holding his place in the seniors for the last 9 matches, and won the Most Improved Player Award that season. He played roughly half the senior games in 1980 and 1981, and then just 3 in 1982 and 2 in 1983.

Peter Russo had a fairly instant impact at the Hawks, playing great footy for the Ressies early in the season, kicking goals and getting in the best players for a solid stretch, culminating in a near best on ground in round 14 that earned him a senior debut the following week. He grabbed the chance, and played the rest of the year, including the Premiership, in the seniors. He was in and out of the side the following season, but entrenched himself in the ones from 1980 onwards, winning the Most Courageous Player Award in 1980 and the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1981. He missed the 1983 Premiership due to an ACL injury, but returned to play in the 1984 and 1985 losing Grand Finals and the Premiership of 1986. He played in the 1987 losing Grand Final and was an emergency for the 1988 side. He also played in the Night Premiership side of 1985, and finished up playing 162 games and 102 goals for the Hawks. He is a Life Member of Hawthorn.

Gary Ayres arrived at Hawthorn in 1978. Famously described by Jeans as a "good driver in heavy traffic," Ayres would play 269 senior games for the club and play in 5 Premierships as a tough back pocket. Like a few other defenders, he played some of his early footy in attack, and actually kicked 3 goals on debut in round 18 of 1978. After just one more game he was dropped and managed only 20 games in the following 3 years, before emerging as a regular senior player in 1982, winning the Most Improved Player Award. He won the Most Determined and Most Serviceable Awards in 1985, the Hawks' Best and Fairest Award in 1986, the Best Clubman Award in 1987 and the Most Consistent Player Award in 1988. He was All Australian in 1983, 1986 and 1988, and played in 5 Night Premierships. He won the Norm Smith Medal for BOG in the Grand Finals of both 1986 and 1988. He captained the Hawks in 1992 and 1993, and is a Hawthorn Hall of Fame member and Life Member, and was named in the back pocket in the Hawthorn Team of the Century and Ultimate Premiership Team.

Nick-named 'BP' early on in his career (the quiet achiever) Chris Mew, would eventually hold down CHB in 5 Premiership sides. He served a two-year apprenticehip in the Reserves, yet another who spent some time up forward before settling into defence. Debuting in round 9 of 1980, he played 8 games that year before becoming a permanent fixture in the Hawthorn backline, winning the Most Consistent Player Award in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1987. He played in 8 Grand Finals, 5 of them Premierships. He also played in 3 Night Premierships, and was All Australian in 1984. He played 230 games, and is a Life Member and Hall of Fame member of the Hawks. He was named at CHB in the Hawks' Team of the Century and Ultimate Premiership Team.

Son of Kanga, Roo Kennedy joined the Hawks in 1978. John Kennedy Jnr finished the Ressies season strongly, being named in the best players 4 of 5 weeks late in the year. He began 1979 in good touch, and after being named in the best players in rounds 4 and 5, he was awarded a senior berth in round 6, holding his place for the remainder of the season (and his career pretty much), winning the Best First Year Player Award, and followed it up by winning the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1980. He played in all the Grand Finals from 1983 to 1989 except for 1984, which he missed with a broken leg, playing in 4 Premiership sides. Some consolation in 1984, he won the Most Improved Player Award despite having played almost every game for the past 3 season. He missed the first 17 seniors games of 1988 with an irregular heartbeat problem, returning with good performances in the Reserves to claim a spot in the senior side in time for the finals and Premiership that year. He won the Most Determined Player Award in 1986, and the Best Team Player in 1987 and 1990. He played in the Night Premiership sides of 1985 and 1986. Playing 241 games and depsite playing a large portion of his career at half back kicked 210 goals. He is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club, and was named on the interchange in the Hawks' Ultimate Premiership Team.

Gary Halbert had been around for a little while, perhaps mrcurly can tell us a bit about him. He never played a senior match, but did play for the seniors in a night match.

Similarly Nick Burne - Can't find much about him, he never played a senior game despite a sensational 1978 season in the Reserves (12 times in the best players). However he turned up on Don Scott's ticket when Scotty (almost) challenged the board in 2004. Apparently he'd become an accountant.

 

[stemline]

I think this thread is dead for the moment unfortunately. I can't get the code to work in new posts.

 

[mrcurly]

This will be chronologically all over the shop and is of course only my opinion, i take no responsibility for the accuracy of these comments, it is most likely completely wrong.

Robert Cooke - Champion footballer with all the skills. Athletic build, plenty of height, brilliant mark, great kick. Should have been selected for that Nth final.... what happened to him? I thought the M was a typo on the GF team sheet.

Michael Cooke - I would be taking a close look at the milkman if Robert was his brother. Two totally different physiques, he was built like a woodchopper - a solid, strong marking FF with a very accurate torp kick, rarely missed a set shot for goal. Definitely spoilt by the delivery - mostly from his brother....
Played a great game in his first final. Nth put him right under the blowtorch in the GF, often double teaming. That team had a great defence, and to be honest the remainder of our forward line was not potent enough to provide another option, a pretty tough task for a second gamer getting crunched by multiple defenders. Added to that one of them was Dench, one of the greatest fullbacks of the era.

Graeme Spark - This guy was a freak goalkicking talent. I was fortunate enough to see that 8 goal ressie game - he was kicking them from absolutely everywhere, could find the goals with a blindfold on. A real shame to see him drift away from the club. Shane Murphy ditto, very similar players in many respects.

Gary Halbert was a very quick, lightly built rover. Even though his kicking was not great he was a real terrier at ground level, he probably wouldn't have been too far off senior selection in most clubs of that era, in much the same vein as Mark Scott. Too good to be playing ressies, just not up to the jump to senior level. Mark Scott was picked up by Fitzroy, probably after he put their reserve team to the sword single handed - 12 or 13 goals from memory.

Tony King - Not a bad mover off half back flank, mid size defender with sharp foot skills. I believe he was part of the trade to get Russell Greene across from StK. I recall an interview in the 70s where he pretty much stated his main reason for wanting to play VFL football was the opportunites it would create further down the track from a business perspective. Fair enough!

Peter Bennet - Another good player. Lightly built ruck rover/hf, seemed to not be able to run out 4 quarters terribly well, something the conditioning coaches would probably fix now. Seemed to fit into the side well when he was given a run at senior level. Had all the skills, was a reliable goalkicker, just didn't possess much leg speed - and seemed to slow to a walk in the second half. Would start well then drift out of games. Crossed to Essendon with David Sullivan?

Don Fletcher, Richard Walter and Dipper - All used to hang out together around Kew in their teens. Fletcher was a promising rover, played some senior football (one excellent game against Nth at Arden St) then disappeared. Wally made it in to a premiership team off the bench, funny to think he made it to that level when his uncoordinated kicking style often resulted in worm burning mongrels.. and Dipper - a superstar hardman fortunate he was playing in that era surrounded by champions, his skills were often underestimated by the opposition. I wonder whether he would have adapted to the current style of AFL. Probably, but wouldnt be as good a player without the physicality and aggression.

Luciano (Lou) Pepe - Good size ruckman with deceptive speed across the ground, very much Martello lite, not a great mark but a good physical presence.

Glenn Harrison - I thought this guy was a fine footballer, a stocky CHB (CHF in a pinch), listed at 83kgs... looked like a lot more. Played some excellent football with the Hawk reserves, both forward and back, at a consistently solid standard, but struggled to break into the senior side. There seemed to be a policy of retaining Martello in the firsts at all costs, regardless of his total lack of form/confidence/ability to mark. When Harrison eventually made it to the firsts he played some really close checking defensive football, a particularly good aerial spoiler across the backline - pretty sure he was badly injured and it was goodnight nurse to his senior career.. at 21.

 

[mrcurly]

Gamie Foster - Saw him play one of his first games against Fitzroy reserves at the Junction oval where he kicked four or five goals and really looked the goods as a smallish full forward. Moved really well, good mark and dead straight kick.
No idea what happened to him, or in fact whether he was really Jamie Foster.. seemed to disappear without a trace.

 

[mrcurly]

Ian Paton - After watching his early games in the ressies you would be hard pressed to imagine him playing senior football. He came across as a very raw player with little or no footy smarts, really had to cover your eyes when the ball went near him. I remember him playing against Carlton ressies hidden away in a back pocket on the resting ruckman (Wow Jones? from memory), the ball came bouncing into the forward line completely favouring Paton, Wow grabbed him and waited for him to fumble, Paton obliged by spinning 180 degrees and dropping it in the goal square - Jones just rag dolled him and toe poked it through... you could hear the collective groan from the crowd at the ineptitude of it all. Roll forward a few years and he was a solid contributor to the golden era of premierships.

 

[mrcurly]

Nick Burne - cannot remember him for the life of me. Looks like an Old Xavier boy that went back and played with the amateurs - some reference to him playing in the '88 Adelaide bicentenial carnival for the Australian amateurs. Interesting list of players in those teams on Wikipedia, many of them were ex Hawks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Adelaide_Bicentennial_Carnival

 

[mianfei]

Things got ugly around this time (if they weren't already). No wins, one draw, 19 losses, 12th place. The Hawks Ressie's score in round 17 of 2.6 18 was a new low and remains their equal lowest recorded to this day.

Spoiler alert - this was the first of five consecutive wooden spoons for the Hawks Reserves.

Stemline,

might you do a thread about Hawthorn’s Under 19s?? I have long noted that Hawthorn’s Under-19s struggled severely long after the senior teams finally began to improve in the middle 1950s, not making the finals until 1969. I have often imagined Hawthorn’s early Under 19 teams must have been as bad as the 1945 and 1946 Reserves teams were, though an old table of Under-19 wooden spooners which only goes back to 1954 shows that between 1954 and 1968 Hawthorn’s Under 19s were not that terrible, only being wooden spooners in 1954 (the first year with data) and 1958.

 

[stemline]

Peter Bennet - Another good player. Lightly built ruck rover/hf, seemed to not be able to run out 4 quarters terribly well, something the conditioning coaches would probably fix now. Seemed to fit into the side well when he was given a run at senior level. Had all the skills, was a reliable goalkicker, just didn't possess much leg speed - and seemed to slow to a walk in the second half. Would start well then drift out of games. Crossed to Essendon with David Sullivan?

Terrific stuff above, mate. David Sullivan was mid-80s - are you sure you're not describing James Bennett here?

 

[stemline]

And I still can't get the code posting to work on the new boards. Simply will not format properly. I've asked for help in several threads but got nothing that works. Any mods here want to take up the challenge and get it sorted so I can keep this thread going?