Toast Chris Grant - A Retrospectus

[Lucky Star]

Game #130 – Round 8, 1996 vs Essendon at Whitten Oval (19/5/1996)

One of our best, kicking 2.1 from 10k, 4hb in 67-point loss to the Dons.

Grant started at full forward but spent most of the day shadowing Essendon star James Hird as the Bombres ran amok. In the man's own words:

Q&A. CHRIS GRANT, FOOTSCRAY.
You didn't last long at full-forward today.
They kicked three goals to one, I think, and started to get on a bit of a roll, so I went back there to be a loose man in defence for the last 10 minutes of the first quarter. I spend the rest of the day on (James) Hird. If you're starting to go down, you've really got to swap your players around. Until we start getting on top of teams, we can't really settle the side.
Did you cover a lot more territory today shadowing Hird than you ever have before?
Yeah, probably. He's obviously got the licence to roam wherever he wants and they play through him a hell of a lot ... So he's a very hard player to play on. You've got to be on your mettle. Sure, he probably had my measure in the end, but that was probably indicative of how the team was going, really.
Is he the toughest you've played on?
I'd say he would be, just from the fact they use him so much. Even (Wayne) Carey at North, they have other options with McKernan and guys like that on the forward line.
Where to for the Bulldogs from here?
We're just not playing with enough confidence at the moment, there's something not working. But we go gack to the Whitten Oval next week and we've got Adelaide there. Hopefully, we're a better side there.


Nice work by WEG.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #129 – Round 7, 1996 vs Richmond at MCG (12/5/1996)

11k, 4hb in 51-point loss to the Tigers.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #128 – Round 6, 1996 vs Carlton at MCG (6/6/1996)

One of our best, kicking 1.0 from 10k, 7hb, playing in defence in the 16-point loss to the Blues.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #127 – Round 5, 1996 vs St Kilda at Waverley Park (28/4/1996)

One of our best, with 12k, 10hb in 26-point loss to the Saints.

This game was notable for observing a minute's silence for the death of Saints legend Trevor Barker who'd passed away the previous day.

As the game was played out, the Port Arthur massacre was meanwhile unfolding in Tassie.

 

[BEaston]

Game #127 – Round 5, 1996 vs St Kilda at Waverley Park (28/4/1996)

One of our best, with 12k, 10hb in 26-point loss to the Saints.

This game was notable for observing a minute's silence for the death of Saints legend Trevor Barker who'd passed away the previous day.

As the game was played out, the Port Arthur massacre was meanwhile unfolding in Tassie.

Was at this game and can remember the news of the Port Arthur massacre filtering through the crowd as the game was being played. Was very strange.

Watching the game replay, it's honestly jarring how shite the players skills are compared to modern day. Just completely missing targets in a paddock of space under no pressure whatsoever.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #126 – Round 4, 1996 vs Hawthorn at Whitten Oval (20/4/1996)

Kicked 0.2 from 8k, 9hb in draw with the Hawks.

Turtle was sluggish up forward, and switched with Crofty who provided a spark in the forward line late in the game, but alas.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #125 – Round 3, 1996 vs Fitzroy at Whitten Oval (13/4/1996)

One of our best, kicking 1.3 from 11k, 6hb in 51-point win over the Lions, collecting 2 Brownlow votes.

Coach Alan Joyce had offered his resignation to the Board during the week after two big losses, but told to coach on. Imagine that-- not even able to quit.

Some vids below:






Courtesy of sackofballs

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #124 – Round 2, 1996 vs North Melbourne at MCG (6/4/1996)

One of our best, kicking 1.0 from 10k, 3hb in 131-point loss to the Kangaroos.

Granty was summoned to defence on Wayne Carey after the Roos' captain kicked three early goals.

This game took the Dogs' cumulative losing total from their last 4 games to 354 points. The Herald Sun’s match report scathingly summed it up: “North Melbourne exposed Footscray as an insipid opponent in a demolition unworthy of a pre-season match yesterday at the MCG.”

What happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything??"

#96Roos: Round 2

The Herald Sun’s match report scathingly summed up North Melbourne’s clash with Footscray.

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[PuzzledfromParkville]

One of the only times I have voluntarily left a game early.

Left the ground and walked in the wrong direction. Took me ages to get home

 

[dogwatch]

One of the only times I have voluntarily left a game early.

Left the ground and walked in the wrong direction. Took me ages to get home

Hence the BF name?
Hope you didn't end up in North Melbourne!

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #123 – Round 1, 1996 vs Brisbane at the 'Gabba (30/3/1996)

7k, 3hb in 87-point loss to the Bears to kick the year off.

Granty was the Dogs' best defender at CHB but failed to come out after half time due to a hip injury.

The Bears were led to victory by their "Fab Four" in Dion Scott, Troy Johnson, Trent Barlett and Danny Dickfos.

This Round in 1996: Round 1

Take a trip back to 1996 as the Bears had a big win over the Western Bulldogs in Round 1

www.lions.com.au

 

[Fossie 32]

Game #123 – Round 1, 1996 vs Brisbae at the 'Gabba (30/3/1996)

7k, 3hb in 87-point loss to the Bears to kick the year off.

Granty was the Dogs' best defender at CHB but failed to come out after half time due to a hip injury.

The Bears were led to victory by their "Fab Four" in Dion Scott, Troy Johnson, Trent Barlett and Danny Dickfos.

We had the last laugh as we stole the Tassy Hall of Famer from them

 

[Lucky Star]

We had the last laugh as we stole the Tassy Hall of Famer from them

When showing his weekly highlights on Italian sports shows they would refer to him simply as "Bartletto".

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #122 – Qualifying Final, 1995 vs Geelong at MCG (9/9/1996)

8k, 4hb in 82-point loss to the Cats.

The Bulldogs lost a final to Geelong for the second year in a row, with Turtle moved to full-back by half-time and failing to make much of a difference, along with the rest of his teammates.

An overview of the AFL final series for that year can be viewed below:




Bulldogs in 1995

The Doggies had an interesting year in 1995, finishing 7th with 11 wins, 10 losses and a draw to make back-to-back finals series for only the second time in the clubs' history. However a percentage of 91.5% belies some heavy losses throughout the season, and the space between Footscray and the top 6 was wide.

1995 will also be remembered for the passing of Footscray great Ted "Mr Football" Whitten, and his emotional farewell lap around the MCG prior to that year's State of Origin game:




Turtle '95

Granty played 22 out of 23 games, kicking 38.26 and polling two Brownlow votes.

It was a somewhat frustrating year by his own lofty standards, and when Hawthorn player Mark Graham came to our school for a footy clinic (him teaching, not me) I asked him if he thought Chris Grant would live up to his potential. His response was direct: "Oh yeah. Chris Grant - great player."

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #121 – Round 22, 1995 vs St Kilda at WesternWhitten Oval (2/9/1996)

One of our best, with 11k, 7hb in 54-point loss to the Saints.

Granty was held goalless by Danny Frawley in the St Kilda legend's last game, however ventured further afield to gather marks and kicks.

This game was notable for being the day that the club's home ground was renamed from Western Oval to Whitten Oval after the recently departed EJ.


RIP.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #120 – Round 21, 1995 vs Geelong at Kardinia Park (26/8/1996)

Kicked 3.1 from 8k, 4hb in 5-point win over the Cats.

The Dogs mounted a courageous fightback to win after being 4 goals down at quarter time (aided by a hamstring injury to Gary Ablett). Ben Graham had Turtle's measure early but our man became a key contributor particularly in the final term.

Fly-ass visuals dropped on youtube:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #119 – Round 20, 1995 vs Fremantle at Subiaco (20/8/1996)

Kicked 1.0 from 13k, 6hb in 31-point loss to the Dockers.


Dockers '95.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #118 – Round 19, 1995 vs Melbourne at Western Oval (12/8/1995)

Kicked 1.0 from 11k, 3hb in 20-point win over the Dees.

Check it out!

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #117 – Round 18, 1995 vs Carlton at Princes Park (6/8/1995)

Kicked 1.1 from 3k, 2hb in 25-point loss to the dominant Blues side of '95. Grant's absence in the second half due to a corked thigh left the Bulldogs exposed, despite the Doggies grinding out the game.


The Carlton connection.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #116 – Round 17, 1995 vs Hawthorn at Western Oval (29/7/1995)

Kicked 1.2 from 8k, 4hb in 5-point win over the Hawks.

How the Hawks must have envied the Footscray forward set-up which, thanks to the efforts of Ilija Grgic and centre half- forward Danny Hargraves, was able to endure a relatively quiet afternoon for spearhead Chris Grant, in the Doggies' fifth win on the trot.


Relatively relaxed given the presence of a giant canine.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #115 – Round 16, 1995 vs Sydney at SCG (22/7/1995)

Kicked 3.0 from 12k, 4hb in 55-point win over the Swans.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #114 – Round 15, 1995 vs Fitzroy at Western Oval (9/7/1995)

BOG, kicking 7.3 from 15k, 2hb in 67-point win over the Lions, collecting two Brownlow votes.

This game was a contest for the first few minutes only. Granty spun out of a pack to kick Footscray's first goal, then Doug Hawkins celebrated a goal with his first kick against his old club. Then the Turtle went to work!


Make way for royalty.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #113 – Round 13, 1995 vs Brisbane at Western Oval (1/7/1995)

Kicked 1.3 from 10k, 4hb in 16-point win over the Bears.

Why not check out some CD-ROM action of Granty in action:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #112 – Round 12, 1995 vs Collingwood at Waverley Park (24/6/1995)

Kicked 2.1 from 7k, 5hb in draw with the Magpies.

Granty provided the individual highlight of the day with his goal from the boundary line 13 minutes into the third quarter, Padre Pio style.

The tense final moments can be seen here:

 

[Fossie 32]

Wow great finish to the year [by the team] but went off the rails in 96 - what happened there?