Brent Crosswell

[Stig O'Hara]

Rmh,

favbulous stuff

Every now and then, (in between the dailies,) you get stuff like this.

Best club in the world.

 

[Sin City]

Rmh,

favbulous stuff

Every now and then, (in between the dailies,) you get stuff like this.

Best club in the world.

Agreed numbers, very enjoyable talking about former greats of the club.

e

 

[Blue Dawn]

I'd rather not, sorry.

It's not the sort of thing I'd come back here and report anyway.

Fair call - i can respect that.

 

[Blue Dawn]

Brent Tasman Crosswell. Impressive name. He arrived in 1968 as a teenager, both he and Wallsy debuted in the same year. Wouldn't happen these days as 17 year olds are still in the TAC competition. Continued the run of great footballers from Tasmania. Started as an onballer and played most games in the first year. He broke his collarbone [close to the finals] and may have missed a game. If you watch the 68 GF he is still pretty sore. One of the first footballers who looked like a modern footballer. Crozza liked to look good. Pace to burn, fierce at the ball, a great high mark with a slightly awkward kicking style. I sat in the top level of the Olympic Stand for the 70 GF. He put us in front late in the 1970 GF when he sized up the situation and forced Tuddy into a high tackle. Jezza's bouncing ball goal soon after clinched the match. Thinking about it still gives goosebumps. My brother-in-law, newly arrived from Sunderland, was so impressed he was crying. I think Crozza would have won the Norm Smith that day. Illness forced him from the scene [blood infection that made its way into his bones] in 71 [?]. Came back in 1972 and took a great mark at Glenferrie Oval in front of the Art Deco stand. Had a crew cut which made it even more memorable. Missed the 72 GF through injury. Went back in 73 and became a great rebounding defender. Doull, Southby and Crosswell - no wonder we won premierships. I remember a game at Arden Street in 1973. Barassi in his first year as coach of NM. Showed Richmond Carlton's 'weakness' that day. Crosswell V Kekovich. A shake of the hand prior to the game and a promise that both would play the ball. Slamming Sam didn't like how the contest was going and belted Crozza, who was in front, with a round arm. Sitting on the fence, no blood rule in those days, he crossed the boundary close to where I was sitting and I couldn't make out facial features as a result of the blood covering his face. Eventually had to leave the ground because the blood could not be stopped and the ambulance was called. This was just before half time. Wallsy, one of the bravest I've seen, running, with his back to the ball, looking over his shoulder, was following a high ball when he was cleaned up by Phil 'Snake' Baker. A cowardly act that would get you a season these days. Wallsy arrived in the rooms on a stretcher where Crosswell was waiting, in a wheel chair, for the ambulance. I'm told he had to be restrained from trying to enter the oval again. Crosser eventually crossed to NM during the 1975 season. Lots of things happened but that's all history. I happened to be a Carlton u19s hopeful at the same time who, because of lack of opportunities, crossed to NM at the same time. It's a proud recollection that the Footy Record wrote an article entitled 'Grasshoppers' - players who had been cleared to other VFL teams during the season. There was my name in print with the great BT Crosswell. Being involved at Carlton and NM meant rubbing shoulders with a lot of heroes. Up close Crozza was a show-off extroadinaire. At NM he loved getting on the speedball before training and give it to us uncordinated juniors as he pummelled and I missed even second hit. Over 200 games, 4 premierships. What a player. As you can tell the man who wore number 17 at Carlton still excites me today.

Great work mate. Thanks for sharing.

 

[thylacine60]

Brent Tasman Crosswell. Impressive name. He arrived in 1968 as a teenager, both he and Wallsy debuted in the same year. Wouldn't happen these days as 17 year olds are still in the TAC competition. Continued the run of great footballers from Tasmania. Started as an onballer and played most games in the first year. He broke his collarbone [close to the finals] and may have missed a game. If you watch the 68 GF he is still pretty sore. One of the first footballers who looked like a modern footballer. Crozza liked to look good. Pace to burn, fierce at the ball, a great high mark with a slightly awkward kicking style. I sat in the top level of the Olympic Stand for the 70 GF. He put us in front late in the 1970 GF when he sized up the situation and forced Tuddy into a high tackle. Jezza's bouncing ball goal soon after clinched the match. Thinking about it still gives goosebumps. My brother-in-law, newly arrived from Sunderland, was so impressed he was crying. I think Crozza would have won the Norm Smith that day. Illness forced him from the scene [blood infection that made its way into his bones] in 71 [?]. Came back in 1972 and took a great mark at Glenferrie Oval in front of the Art Deco stand. Had a crew cut which made it even more memorable. Missed the 72 GF through injury. Went back in 73 and became a great rebounding defender. Doull, Southby and Crosswell - no wonder we won premierships. I remember a game at Arden Street in 1973. Barassi in his first year as coach of NM. Showed Richmond Carlton's 'weakness' that day. Crosswell V Kekovich. A shake of the hand prior to the game and a promise that both would play the ball. Slamming Sam didn't like how the contest was going and belted Crozza, who was in front, with a round arm. Sitting on the fence, no blood rule in those days, he crossed the boundary close to where I was sitting and I couldn't make out facial features as a result of the blood covering his face. Eventually had to leave the ground because the blood could not be stopped and the ambulance was called. This was just before half time. Wallsy, one of the bravest I've seen, running, with his back to the ball, looking over his shoulder, was following a high ball when he was cleaned up by Phil 'Snake' Baker. A cowardly act that would get you a season these days. Wallsy arrived in the rooms on a stretcher where Crosswell was waiting, in a wheel chair, for the ambulance. I'm told he had to be restrained from trying to enter the oval again. Crosser eventually crossed to NM during the 1975 season. Lots of things happened but that's all history. I happened to be a Carlton u19s hopeful at the same time who, because of lack of opportunities, crossed to NM at the same time. It's a proud recollection that the Footy Record wrote an article entitled 'Grasshoppers' - players who had been cleared to other VFL teams during the season. There was my name in print with the great BT Crosswell. Being involved at Carlton and NM meant rubbing shoulders with a lot of heroes. Up close Crozza was a show-off extroadinaire. At NM he loved getting on the speedball before training and give it to us uncordinated juniors as he pummelled and I missed even second hit. Over 200 games, 4 premierships. What a player. As you can tell the man who wore number 17 at Carlton still excites me today.

This board's lucky to have quality posters like Rmh delivering exciting behind the scenes stuff like this. Just too good.

 

[GoBlues!]

He definitely went to La Trobe Uni. He was in my East Asian history class in 1976. Groucho was a genius also.

Too true rmh. Recently, showed my son some Marx Bros movies - had us both in hysterics. My favorite Groucho line is in Animal Crackers, when he plays Captain Spaulding the African explorer:

"One morning, I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got into my pyjamas, I'll never know."

 

[harmesy 37]

In the Carlton video the AFL have released (Magic Moments - re: the rivalry with Collingwood section) there is some footage of Crosswell in a match vs Collingwood 1971 where he helped Carlton repeat the effort of the 1970 grand final...came back from at least 35 points down again.

It is a shame that Channel 7 have wiped this match in its entirety? i think they have? not sure...but it would be fabulous to see it all of that comeback match.

 

[OldBlueFan]

It's when you read stuff like this that you regret being a little too young to appreciate what you were seeing. I saw Brent play for us, but I was less than 10 at the time and going to the footy with my old man and his mates. It was only looking back later in life that I got to appreciate what an amazing talent he was. Would have been nice to be more aware of it while I was actually witnessing it!

But having said that, Brent's name is one that always crops up when the family is discussing past greats!

 

[AlecDuncan]

Brent Tasman Crosswell. Impressive name.

Great piece RMH!

 

[Robbo's my hero]

Thanks for the feedback. I love Australian Rules football. It's more than a game for me. It's about lifestyle, heroism, bad boys, awe inspiring skill, extreme pleasure and extreme nadir. I think we're going through a stage where the characters, like Crosswell, who provided all the excitement, have been chased out of the game. We pursue the supreme athletic model of the high possession, reduced contest football to the detriment of seeing Crosswell v Kekovich contests. I hope it's a cycle and we'll return to the things I love about football.

 

[Supermercado]

Just found this page through Google. You may be interested in our wiki page on him http://wiki.fcmelbourne.com.au/tiki-index.php?page=Brent+Crosswell - even if it was a tremendously brief career.

Would Tom Kavanagh be the only father/son player ever not to have his father's surname? Northey must have seen something in him because he only played one under 19, and three reserves games before making his debut. Then he played two game in 1989 and got the boot before reappearing with Fitzroy in 1993. No idea what he did in between.

 

[thylacine60]

I found a re-read of this thread was just the tonic for refocussing on the real Blues and our upcoming season. Don't ever take the comments, disclosures and entertaining anecdotes in here for granted. This is one of the best contributions on this site and it's a credit to the older supporters involved. We might wanna wind back on the petty stuff and take a leaf from the gold within and its genius subject matter (yes Groucho as well). Hats off to all involved.

 

[ESKIE]

I found a re-read of this thread was just the tonic for refocussing on the real Blues and our upcoming season. Don't ever take the comments, disclosures and entertaining anecdotes in here for granted. This is one of the best contributions on this site and it's a credit to the older supporters involved. We might wanna wind back on the petty stuff and take a leaf from the gold within and its genius subject matter (yes Groucho as well). Hats off to all involved.

Thanks Thy .. I remember seeing him play as a kid.. now I feel reallt old http://images.google.com.au/imgres?...images?q=old+lady+face&hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?...images?q=old+lady+face&hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1

But yes a great thread and a good read from quality posting

 

[Blues_Man]

Thanks for the feedback. I love Australian Rules football. It's more than a game for me. It's about lifestyle, heroism, bad boys, awe inspiring skill, extreme pleasure and extreme nadir. I think we're going through a stage where the characters, like Crosswell, who provided all the excitement, have been chased out of the game. We pursue the supreme athletic model of the high possession, reduced contest football to the detriment of seeing Crosswell v Kekovich contests. I hope it's a cycle and we'll return to the things I love about football.

Nah ..it's all too sterile now ..the characters that made the game so great back in the 70's 80's & early 90's are all long gone .

Players like Percy Jones, Mark Jackson, Mick Nolan, etc would never get drafted these days..i'm just glad i was around to witness their antics .

The contests between Peter Knights and Vanderhar ..we will never see it again..which is a shame ..but we still have the greatest game on earth ..it's just more evolved these days .

 

[blueswagger]

Long time reader - first time poster!

I have read so many posts here over the years - sometimes agreeing with some and sometimes shaking my head at others!

I love the dedication, enthusiasm and passion that exudes from a Carlton supporter. This thread certainly is a great example of this and is why I felt compelled to write.

I know other clubs supporters will try and say that they are just as much loyal and passionate as we are, however I disagree.

I think it is a combination of rich history, colourful characters and of course a great deal of success that makes supporters who and what they are, other than one certain club, no one can match us in these fields.

Congratulations to the posters on this site that post legitimate, intelligent, well thought threads like this one that make us laugh, remember and of course join together as blue brothers.

Now that I have got my first post in, you might hear a bit more from me...suckers!!

 

[thylacine60]

Long time reader - first time poster!

I have read so many posts here over the years - sometimes agreeing with some and sometimes shaking my head at others!

I love the dedication, enthusiasm and passion that exudes from a Carlton supporter. This thread certainly is a great example of this and is why I felt compelled to write.

I know other clubs supporters will try and say that they are just as much loyal and passionate as we are, however I disagree.

I think it is a combination of rich history, colourful characters and of course a great deal of success that makes supporters who and what they are, other than one certain club, no one can match us in these fields.

Congratulations to the posters on this site that post legitimate, intelligent, well thought threads like this one that make us laugh, remember and of course join together as blue brothers.

Now that I have got my first post in, you might hear a bit more from me...suckers!!

blueswagger, such an arrogant username, respect. Welcome, quality post, abandon all hope and move south asap.

 

[blueswagger]

Well somebody had already taken bluebagger and I love our swagger sooo....I wish about moving south...
Originally an Adelaide boy, I still remember the day Dad called me when living in Darwin telling me the Adelaide Crows had got into the AFL. He also was a mad Carlton supporter. I barracked for Norwood in the SANFL and had the obliguatory "duffle coat"! One side of it was Norwood badges etc and the other Carlton! I can't believe my Mum still has it hanging in the shed in Adelaide! (I last wore it 35 yrs ago!) He thought I would change sides and go for the Crows like himself...I got all excited on the phone and then thought...when the Crows vs. Blues, how am I going to barrack against the Blues? The rest they say, is history and I NEVER let my Dad forget that he is a turncoat!Next time I am down there I am going to pass the blues badges onto my 6 yr old son - he would be abondoned if he barracked for anyone else! "It's history, legends, culture, and fantastic memories of some great times - so keep praying to the southern end of the house for a win, son!"(game day ritual...)

 

[thylacine60]

Well somebody had already taken bluebagger and I love our swagger sooo....I wish about moving south...
Originally an Adelaide boy, I still remember the day Dad called me when living in Darwin telling me the Adelaide Crows had got into the AFL. He also was a mad Carlton supporter. I barracked for Norwood in the SANFL and had the obliguatory "duffle coat"! One side of it was Norwood badges etc and the other Carlton! I can't believe my Mum still has it hanging in the shed in Adelaide! (I last wore it 35 yrs ago!) He thought I would change sides and go for the Crows like himself...I got all excited on the phone and then thought...when the Crows vs. Blues, how am I going to barrack against the Blues? The rest they say, is history and I NEVER let my Dad forget that he is a turncoat!Next time I am down there I am going to pass the blues badges onto my 6 yr old son - he would be abondoned if he barracked for anyone else! "It's history, legends, culture, and fantastic memories of some great times - so keep praying to the southern end of the house for a win, son!"(game day ritual...)

What a fantastic post. Might do a certain bloke in Brisbane good to read it and think about it. Great stuff!

 

[HARKER]

Long time reader - first time poster!

Now that I have got my first post in, you might hear a bit more from me...suckers!!

Great start blueswagger. (I can't use your user name acronym as it may not be polite)

Keep posting and we'll keep sucking.

 

[agro]

Congratulations BlueSwagger - it always beggars belief in my opinion when you see a mad passionate AFL Supporter (parent) whether it be Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and you see them toting around kids who barrack for Bulldogs, Kangaroos, St. Kilda etc.

My theory with my kids was that they could barrack for any team they liked but if they were ever going to go to the football the only team they would be seeing was Carlton, because that was the only game I was going to.

Both my kids barrack for Carlton - (and they are 3rd generation) despite strong influence and all manner of bribery by a Scum supporting father-in-law.

 

[blueswagger]

Same here agro..."Whilst your living under my roof...."
Of course they never had a chance with blues dummies, clothes etc!

 

[blueboy25]

Some great posts in this thread.

I am not old enough to have seen him play but my old man has told me the stories and I have watched the 1970 GF plenty of times.

I actually recall him going on the footy show a few years back and being interviewed by Sam Newman. I found him to be very astute and very witty.

 

[mtk1971]

Brent Crosswell, who although a larrikin on the field, was an incredibly intelligent man. His newspaper articles are well known, but he was also a teacher.....he was my economics teacher in Year 11 at Wesley College in 1988. He was in the early stages of having Minnear's Disease, and would often tell us to keep quiet because of the ringing in his ears during class.

He told plenty of funny stories of his time in footy, but his funniest (and most controversial) was the story about how he used to provide drugs to the Nth Melb footy club.....nothing too sinister, just some 'uppers' to improve their perfomances on the day. He said they used them in the 1975 finals series, but Barassi wouldn't let the players take them on GF Day, because he said it would 'ruin the moment'....he used to make regular trips over to Tassie to pick them up, and in the week of the 1976 GF, went over to get his regular supply (They were given the OK to use them for that game). Crosswell told his economics class that he was given the wrong drugs (he was given horse tranquilisers instead!), and that the players were pretty listless during the game (and didn't help them in trying to win the flag at all!) Barassi cracked it with him after that game, and from then on, he wasn't to supply any more 'uppers' for the players.
This isn't a fantasy story that I've told....there were 25 people in his economics class of 1988 who can back this up!!!

 

[AlecDuncan]

That's just too crazy to be made up. I wonder what else he got up to, and why the feck he hasn't published an autobiography.

 

[Bomba Sheldon]

I do recall that screamer at Glenferrie Oval. From memory he had a crewcut after starting his career with a Beatles-style mop top and long sideys's.


Also you mention his sons - didn't one of his sons play for Fitzroy (Cavanagh ?)

Yes Tom Kavagnah played at Melbourne and then later i think Fitzroy after being recruited from Castlemaine.

The mark you are talikng about i think is Rd 10 in 1972, I downloaded a pic into his inage gallery onto the Blueseum. He is marking over Southby who, is over a crouched Kevin Heath - a great pic.

Outside of Jezza he is a player i would have loved to see play, he was a big time performer who would have won the Norm Smith twice if they were arounnd for the 1970 & 1975 GF's. A lot of the pic's i have put onto the Blueseum site indiacte he was a very special player. An older friend of mine still laments the fact we got rid of him at the start of the 1975 season.