John Greening

[WakeUpPies]

... yet she was alleged to have had relations with a pie player as well!

selective retention methinks.

I for one do not care about what Collingwood players get up to off the field, I am only a supporter and am not associated with the CFC further than that.

However, Murray obviously cares about all the off-field issues that have occurred over the last 8 years.

 

[Murraj1966]

I for one do not care about what Collingwood players get up to off the field, I am only a supporter and am not associated with the CFC further than that.

However, Murray obviously cares about all the off-field issues that have occurred over the last 8 years.

Well I just feel that people shouldn't comment on alleged actions of others when they have factual skeletons in their own closet!

 

[WakeUpPies]

Well I just feel that people shouldn't comment on alleged actions of others when they have factual skeletons in their own closet!

St. Kilda has more than enough skeletons of their own, I don't see the need to bring up the Swan's.

 

[MarkT2]

Too old too slow, won't make a difference.


just like Presti

Or Max?

 

[Falchoon]

Or Max?

I didn't know he was on your list?

 

[Nardz]

ABORT ABORT ABORT ABORT

A 16 year old 'girl' that cant stop spreading her legs should just be put out the back into a nice field and shot.

if that policy had been implemented throughout our countries history, your existence would probably be under a question mark.

 

[BigCarl]

The Greening incident was 38 years ago (1972) but not surprised it's been brought up. That's typical Collingwood.

If Collingwood supporters are interested in ancient history how about this one;

1965 Preliminary Final Within the first 10 minutes of the 1965 Preliminary Final between Essendon and Collingwood the highly skilled Somerville was knocked unconscious by his far less skilled opponent, the Collingwood half-back flanker Duncan Wright.[2]
At the time, Wright and Somerville were some 90 metres behind the play and were isolated by some 30 metres from all other players, and were much closer to the boundary than they were to the central goal-to-goal line.
Somerville was so badly injured that he was taken off the field on a stretcher and was taken to hospital immediately.[3] Due to the severity of his injuries, he was unable to play in the following week's Grand Final.[4]
Essendon, backed by a now polarized crowd, went on to beat Collingwood 14.21 (105) to 6.6 (42).[5]
Aftermath
There was a public outcry; and the press was outraged:

"Collingwood should give an immediate open clearance to the player responsible for this despicable action. It is a blot on our great game and to the greatest club in the VFL." Former Collingwood champion rover Thorold Merrett, commentating on ABV 2.[6]
​

"Saturday's brutal and cowardly assault on Essendon's John Somerville points out the crying need for stewards in Australian football. There can be no doubt in the minds of any of the 95,386 people at Saturday's game, or in the minds of the umpires, just who was responsible for the attack on Somerville." Mike Throssell, football writer for The Australian.[6]
​

The police (including the homicide squad) made some preliminary enquiries. The match officials, the field umpire Ron Brophy, the two boundary umpires, and the two goal umpires all claim to have seen nothing.
The field umpire, Ron Brophy, was never selected to umpire a VFL match again.[7]
Wright, too, denied everything.[8]
However, many years later, Wright openly admitted that he had indeed felled Somerville, and claimed that his actions had been in response to Somerville's niggling[9] — which (Wright claimed) had started from the moment that the taller, far more skilful Somerville had been swapped over, by Essendon's coach John Coleman, from his selected position on the opposite half-forward flank, to play on Wright.[10]
Wright, was renowned for his hot-headed violence:

Wright, slightly built[11] but with large hands, was never a great player. He was a solid contributor rather than a star. He had pace and tenacity as well as a mean streak about him, but was not a very good kick. His best contribution to a football team was the fear he instilled in opposition players. His reputation was that of someone who could lose control of his temper quite easily on occasion. Once he had a confrontation during a cricket match that resulted in him being in trouble with the game's authorities, and he had also been involved in a huge altercation with the Lord twins, Alistair and Stewart, at Geelong.[12] During the game Wright had taken a mark and saw that one of the twins was headed towards him so he secured the ball under his arm and threw out a right cross. Down went the first one. The second Lord then headed over so Wright simply tucked the ball under his other arm and disposed of him with his left.[13]
—Strevens, (2004), p.151
​

Or for more recent examples try;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Somerville_(Australian_rules_footballer)#cite_note-13

http://www.theage.com.au/news/natio...-accused-killer/2007/06/28/1182624084999.html

http://www.news.com.au/afl-star-dane-swan-joined-savage-attack/story-e6frfkp9-1225767938178

 

[MarkT2]

Dennis Banks says Hello.....

Huh? Are you referring to his retaliation on Rhy-Jones? Not even Rhys-Jones holds that against him.

 

[MarkT2]

I didn't know he was on your list?

He was on yours last year. He's the FB who didn't cost you a flag!

 

[Nardz]

The Greening incident was 38 years ago (1972) but not surprised it's been brought up. That's typical Collingwood.

If Collingwood supporters are interested in ancient history how about this one;

1965 Preliminary Final Within the first 10 minutes of the 1965 Preliminary Final between Essendon and Collingwood the highly skilled Somerville was knocked unconscious by his far less skilled opponent, the Collingwood half-back flanker Duncan Wright.[2]
At the time, Wright and Somerville were some 90 metres behind the play and were isolated by some 30 metres from all other players, and were much closer to the boundary than they were to the central goal-to-goal line.
Somerville was so badly injured that he was taken off the field on a stretcher and was taken to hospital immediately.[3] Due to the severity of his injuries, he was unable to play in the following week's Grand Final.[4]
Essendon, backed by a now polarized crowd, went on to beat Collingwood 14.21 (105) to 6.6 (42).[5]
Aftermath
There was a public outcry; and the press was outraged:

"Collingwood should give an immediate open clearance to the player responsible for this despicable action. It is a blot on our great game and to the greatest club in the VFL." Former Collingwood champion rover Thorold Merrett, commentating on ABV 2.[6]
​

"Saturday's brutal and cowardly assault on Essendon's John Somerville points out the crying need for stewards in Australian football. There can be no doubt in the minds of any of the 95,386 people at Saturday's game, or in the minds of the umpires, just who was responsible for the attack on Somerville." Mike Throssell, football writer for The Australian.[6]
​

The police (including the homicide squad) made some preliminary enquiries. The match officials, the field umpire Ron Brophy, the two boundary umpires, and the two goal umpires all claim to have seen nothing.
The field umpire, Ron Brophy, was never selected to umpire a VFL match again.[7]
Wright, too, denied everything.[8]
However, many years later, Wright openly admitted that he had indeed felled Somerville, and claimed that his actions had been in response to Somerville's niggling[9] — which (Wright claimed) had started from the moment that the taller, far more skilful Somerville had been swapped over, by Essendon's coach John Coleman, from his selected position on the opposite half-forward flank, to play on Wright.[10]
Wright, was renowned for his hot-headed violence:

Wright, slightly built[11] but with large hands, was never a great player. He was a solid contributor rather than a star. He had pace and tenacity as well as a mean streak about him, but was not a very good kick. His best contribution to a football team was the fear he instilled in opposition players. His reputation was that of someone who could lose control of his temper quite easily on occasion. Once he had a confrontation during a cricket match that resulted in him being in trouble with the game's authorities, and he had also been involved in a huge altercation with the Lord twins, Alistair and Stewart, at Geelong.[12] During the game Wright had taken a mark and saw that one of the twins was headed towards him so he secured the ball under his arm and threw out a right cross. Down went the first one. The second Lord then headed over so Wright simply tucked the ball under his other arm and disposed of him with his left.[13]
—Strevens, (2004), p.151
​

Or for more recent examples try;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Somerville_(Australian_rules_footballer)#cite_note-13

http://www.theage.com.au/news/natio...-accused-killer/2007/06/28/1182624084999.html

http://www.news.com.au/afl-star-dane-swan-joined-savage-attack/story-e6frfkp9-1225767938178

ok and now the part where the offender served on the clubs board?

 

[Falchoon]

He was on yours last year. He's the FB who didn't cost you a flag!

Maybe he did, Ball might have got more game time if Maxy didn't last past half time.




Pace wasn't Maxy's issue, nor was kicking straight his strength.


Please play Presti, please play Presti, please play Presti, please play Presti, please play Presti

 

[krusden]

He was on yours last year. He's the FB who didn't cost you a flag!

or the injured player that didn't get taken into a grand final.

 

[Reincarnation]

if that policy had been implemented throughout our countries history, your existence would probably be under a question mark.

No not really. Typical bogan attempt humor retort.

Try again sunshine.

 

[Pies time is NOW]

Never forget the Scum.

 

[krusden]

Never forget the Scum.

oh you found a pretty picture that shows naught.

nothing

nada.

what does it show, except that your fat little fingers can type in something other than "pr0n" in google images?

 

[Reincarnation]

Never forget the Scum.

It's been forgotten.

 

[sobraz]

The Greening incident is so incredibly overrated, it has lost all credibility...

It's as if it is the only act of thuggery that has ever occured on the field, and is constantly brought up although it has no relevance or wieght any longer...

If the Magpies were the only team to never have been involved in an on field incident, and had a clean wrap sheet off it, then by all means, keep bleeting...

But the fact remains, incidents like this happened all the time, and to bring one up as motivation for a win, is really scraping the bottom of the barrell...

Its all about casting the first stone...

 

[Art Corvelay]

But the fact remains, incidents like this happened all the time,

Not that I agree with this been brought up everytime we play the Saints, nor using it as motivation, but when was the last time a players career was effectively ruined by a king hit behind play, or put in a coma for 14 days? It hardly happens all the time.

 

[Pies time is NOW]

this will be one of the first things on my mind if we win as that day never leaves me


though it will never take away what happened I have never been able to have any type of revenge or pay back to happen to vent my anger over that day John Greening had is career taken from him... I remember especially what came out of the mouths of their so called supporters while John was lying there.


To know they will suffer and will keep suffering if we win on Saturday ..will bring happiness to me

 

[Art Corvelay]

*This* is Bay13 worthy? Christ, plenty of other shit threads on the mainboard haven't been moved.

 

[lihei]

John Greening to present Cup to Nick Maxwell - now that would be sweet indeed!

 

[Dr Basil]

The Greening incident was 38 years ago (1972) but not surprised it's been brought up. That's typical Collingwood.

If Collingwood supporters are interested in ancient history how about this one;

1965 Preliminary Final Within the first 10 minutes of the 1965 Preliminary Final between Essendon and Collingwood the highly skilled Somerville was knocked unconscious by his far less skilled opponent, the Collingwood half-back flanker Duncan Wright.[2]
At the time, Wright and Somerville were some 90 metres behind the play and were isolated by some 30 metres from all other players, and were much closer to the boundary than they were to the central goal-to-goal line.
Somerville was so badly injured that he was taken off the field on a stretcher and was taken to hospital immediately.[3] Due to the severity of his injuries, he was unable to play in the following week's Grand Final.[4]
Essendon, backed by a now polarized crowd, went on to beat Collingwood 14.21 (105) to 6.6 (42).[5]
Aftermath
There was a public outcry; and the press was outraged:

"Collingwood should give an immediate open clearance to the player responsible for this despicable action. It is a blot on our great game and to the greatest club in the VFL." Former Collingwood champion rover Thorold Merrett, commentating on ABV 2.[6]

​

"Saturday's brutal and cowardly assault on Essendon's John Somerville points out the crying need for stewards in Australian football. There can be no doubt in the minds of any of the 95,386 people at Saturday's game, or in the minds of the umpires, just who was responsible for the attack on Somerville." Mike Throssell, football writer for The Australian.[6]

​

The police (including the homicide squad) made some preliminary enquiries. The match officials, the field umpire Ron Brophy, the two boundary umpires, and the two goal umpires all claim to have seen nothing.
The field umpire, Ron Brophy, was never selected to umpire a VFL match again.[7]
Wright, too, denied everything.[8]
However, many years later, Wright openly admitted that he had indeed felled Somerville, and claimed that his actions had been in response to Somerville's niggling[9] — which (Wright claimed) had started from the moment that the taller, far more skilful Somerville had been swapped over, by Essendon's coach John Coleman, from his selected position on the opposite half-forward flank, to play on Wright.[10]
Wright, was renowned for his hot-headed violence:

Wright, slightly built[11] but with large hands, was never a great player. He was a solid contributor rather than a star. He had pace and tenacity as well as a mean streak about him, but was not a very good kick. His best contribution to a football team was the fear he instilled in opposition players. His reputation was that of someone who could lose control of his temper quite easily on occasion. Once he had a confrontation during a cricket match that resulted in him being in trouble with the game's authorities, and he had also been involved in a huge altercation with the Lord twins, Alistair and Stewart, at Geelong.[12] During the game Wright had taken a mark and saw that one of the twins was headed towards him so he secured the ball under his arm and threw out a right cross. Down went the first one. The second Lord then headed over so Wright simply tucked the ball under his other arm and disposed of him with his left.[13]
—Strevens, (2004), p.151

​

Or for more recent examples try;


http://www.theage.com.au/news/natio...-accused-killer/2007/06/28/1182624084999.html

http://www.news.com.au/afl-star-dane-swan-joined-savage-attack/story-e6frfkp9-1225767938178

All true, but what you omitted is that Wright never played another game for Collingwood,
where O'Dea went on to be a Life Member with Stk and also was involved in official duties with Stk including on Team selection Board.

To this day Stk or O'dea have never apologised to Greening for the incident. This was confirmed by Greening on SEN during this year.

So... one club got rid of a thug and the other turned him into a hero.

 

[Pies time is NOW]

I was still in primary school in 1967 when I attended the 1967 First Semi Final with my older brother to watch the Pies take on the Cats.

As the Pies were playing Fitzroy in the U 19s 1SF and they were also playing Geelong in the Reserves 1SF my brother and I got the 'G at a very early time, about half way through the first qtr of the U 19s.

We lost that game (as we were to do with all three on that day) and when the Reserves started my brother told me that a player in the Seconds from Tassie had big wraps on him and had been promoted from the U19s half way through the year and was still only 16. The player's name was John Greening.

If my brother said it, it must be true (he was and still is nearly five years olderthan me!) so I watched him and he seemed to be a well balanced player though he didn’t do too much out of the ordinary that day. None the less I remembered the name. I suppose the fact that he was only 16 made a big impression on me

Then came the 1968 season. Tuddy had to serve 4 weeks suspension to start the season after giving Geoff Ainsworth something to go on with in the 1SF in 67. We lost the first four games. Tuddy was back for Round 5 and the other inclusion I remember was John Greening, promoted from the Reserves for his first game.

The night before the club appeared on Ch 7 on their Sports Parade program which had replaced Sunny Side Up. There was a different club on each week and they got the players to do a revue singing songs, acting out comedy sketches etc. (It was where I first heard Peter McKenna sing!)

Came the Saturday - Tuddy inspired the team to a victory, Greening played a slashing game on the HFF and a new star was born.

Greening went on to play 98 consecutive games from that Round 5 Saturday. It quickly became apparent this player was one of rare quality. He was fast as a hare. When he sprinted he was always low to the ground with his characteristic crouching style. He could kick both feet, he was a great overhead mark, he could DROP kick, and most importantly, he along with Barry Price and the Richardsons, could deliver the ball lace up to Peter McKenna.

He also had a bit of grit in him. He wouldn’t take a backward step. He wasn’t Darren Millane but if someone got him, he would find a way to get them back. I remember in the 70 GF he stuck up for Barry Price after Big Nick bowled him over and he took the big oaf on. He wasn’t scared.

He was also friendly to kids. Living in Clifton Hill, we used to see him sometimes on our way home from school and occasionally he would have a quick kick to kick with us in Wright Street.

Collingwood supporters knew we had an exciting talent in our midst. The other fans probably first became aware of him in R4 1969 when we took on Carlton at Princes Park. Bobby Rose was playing John on the wing and also as a ruck rover and he was doing the latter on this day. It was an even first half with us leading by 5 pts but in the third quarter Collingwood produced one of their all time great quarters kicking 12 5 77 to 0 2 2 for the term and going on to crush Carlton on their own dung heap. John Greening and Tuddy starred and Greening kicked 6 goals as a ruck rover.

He started taking some great marks and he took a beauty on the wing in the 2SF against Carlton in front of the MCC members stand.

John Greening was a freak. He sailed through 1970 playing in one of our all time great teams and it was most unlucky not to be a flag team. John was one of the stars again. He was a real dasher and at 19 years old was a team leader already.

By the time we came to 1972 he was well entrenched in the team and was moved to the centre where he starred for us all year. He was leading all the polls and in those days when the numbers you took from each team for VIC selection was limited to 2 per club he missed out on state honours much to the surprise of many experts. To get in though, he had to displace Thompson and/or McKenna so that was the reason why.

During 71 and 72 he had taken many spectacular marks. Two against Essendon in our 30 20 200 VIC Park score stand out in 71. He took some great ones against Richmond and Fitzroy in 72.

In 71 he won the goal of the year with a great effort along the outer flank toward the Sherrin stand where he grabbed it on the wing, bounced it a few times handballed, got it back bounced evaded and goaled. The stand went wild as it always did. (This was the day that Warren Treadrea's dad Gary made his debut for the Pies wearing No. 24) (I have this on video).

Against Geelong in May 1972 he kicked 6 or 7 from the centre (Jerka got 6 that day) as we crushed the Cats 184 to 109 (approx.) with Macca getting an even dozen.

When Thompson and McKenna returned from state duties (the 1972 Carnival in Perth) our next game was against St. Kilda at Moorabbin, a place where we had only won 2 and lost 4.

It was a danger game and we were trying to hold on to 3rd spot. The ball was bounced, Greening got a free and kicked to the goal square. About ten seconds later we looked back to where the ball had come from and someone was down on the ground in a black and white jumper. The Collingwood fans in front of the main scoreboard where I was standing were asking who was the player that was down and we found out it was Greening. I along with others felt sick to my stomach, but at that time we didn’t realise he had been king hit. But the Collingwood players knew and the game became one of the most spiteful I have ever seen. We won 9 13 67 to 4 13 37 after a big tussle, but my family's thoughts were with John.

When we got home my Dad was the most worried and said call the club and ask them how John is which I did. When I called I was told he would be in hospital overnight for observation and he would be OK.

But of course, this was not true. He in fact was in a coma which he did not come out of for properly for 13 days. He had suffered brain damage after being hit from behind by Jim O'Dea of St. Kilda.

O' Dea was not reported.

On club corner on World of Sport the next day when asked how Greening was, Neil Mann the coach said he will be lucky to play this year or if he ever plays again. We were devastated.

Member of the public at the game volunteered information to the police who got involved and eventually the VFL put him up on report and O' Dea got 10 weeks suspension. Luckily St. Kilda lost the PF because if they had won O'Dea would have been able to play.

John didn’t play again until R8 1974. In 1972 he ended up with 14 Brownlow votes from the first 12 games, and there is little doubt that he would have won the Brownlow and the Copeland that year. As it was he came third in the Copeland even though he missed the last 10 or so games.

The injury did result in some permanent brain damage but he was rehabilitated and got his chance with seniors against the reigning premiers Richmond in 1974 when Neil Mann was coaching Victoria against SA in Sydney. This was Greening's game. He starred and was arguably the B.O.G. He took a speccy kicked a couple of goals (including the first one) Billy Picken took the mark of the year in front of the Southern stand and we walloped Richmond by 69 pts.

After that Greening says he lost interest b/c all his efforts went into getting back into the seniors and playing well which he did, to show everyone there was nothing wrong with him. Effectively, although he played a few more games his career ended that day. He left at the end of 1976 a year in which his last game for the Pies was in the Reserves premiership team. The injury had cost him the zing and flair he had. His ball handling was not as sure and he had problems with his eyes.

All in all it was a complete tragedy for Greening, for the fans and for Collingwood. He would have played ordinarily until 1984 approx. but b/c of what O'Dea the mongrel did, he really had his life ruined. His marriage broke up and eventually he went back home to Tassie to live until 2002 when he moved up to the Gold Coast.

I will always remember the champ that he was though, scampering along the Ryder stand wing crouched over the ball bouncing and drop kicking towards goal. He was and in my mind remains a champion of the Collingwood Football Club and one of its all time favourite sons.

 

[Plugger35]

I was still in primary school in 1967 when I attended the 1967 First Semi Final with my older brother to watch the Pies take on the Cats.

As the Pies were playing Fitzroy in the U 19s 1SF and they were also playing Geelong in the Reserves 1SF my brother and I got the 'G at a very early time, about half way through the first qtr of the U 19s.

We lost that game (as we were to do with all three on that day) and when the Reserves started my brother told me that a player in the Seconds from Tassie had big wraps on him and had been promoted from the U19s half way through the year and was still only 16. The player's name was John Greening.

If my brother said it, it must be true (he was and still is nearly five years olderthan me!) so I watched him and he seemed to be a well balanced player though he didn’t do too much out of the ordinary that day. None the less I remembered the name. I suppose the fact that he was only 16 made a big impression on me

Then came the 1968 season. Tuddy had to serve 4 weeks suspension to start the season after giving Geoff Ainsworth something to go on with in the 1SF in 67. We lost the first four games. Tuddy was back for Round 5 and the other inclusion I remember was John Greening, promoted from the Reserves for his first game.

The night before the club appeared on Ch 7 on their Sports Parade program which had replaced Sunny Side Up. There was a different club on each week and they got the players to do a revue singing songs, acting out comedy sketches etc. (It was where I first heard Peter McKenna sing!)

Came the Saturday - Tuddy inspired the team to a victory, Greening played a slashing game on the HFF and a new star was born.

Greening went on to play 98 consecutive games from that Round 5 Saturday. It quickly became apparent this player was one of rare quality. He was fast as a hare. When he sprinted he was always low to the ground with his characteristic crouching style. He could kick both feet, he was a great overhead mark, he could DROP kick, and most importantly, he along with Barry Price and the Richardsons, could deliver the ball lace up to Peter McKenna.

He also had a bit of grit in him. He wouldn’t take a backward step. He wasn’t Darren Millane but if someone got him, he would find a way to get them back. I remember in the 70 GF he stuck up for Barry Price after Big Nick bowled him over and he took the big oaf on. He wasn’t scared.

He was also friendly to kids. Living in Clifton Hill, we used to see him sometimes on our way home from school and occasionally he would have a quick kick to kick with us in Wright Street.

Collingwood supporters knew we had an exciting talent in our midst. The other fans probably first became aware of him in R4 1969 when we took on Carlton at Princes Park. Bobby Rose was playing John on the wing and also as a ruck rover and he was doing the latter on this day. It was an even first half with us leading by 5 pts but in the third quarter Collingwood produced one of their all time great quarters kicking 12 5 77 to 0 2 2 for the term and going on to crush Carlton on their own dung heap. John Greening and Tuddy starred and Greening kicked 6 goals as a ruck rover.

He started taking some great marks and he took a beauty on the wing in the 2SF against Carlton in front of the MCC members stand.

John Greening was a freak. He sailed through 1970 playing in one of our all time great teams and it was most unlucky not to be a flag team. John was one of the stars again. He was a real dasher and at 19 years old was a team leader already.

By the time we came to 1972 he was well entrenched in the team and was moved to the centre where he starred for us all year. He was leading all the polls and in those days when the numbers you took from each team for VIC selection was limited to 2 per club he missed out on state honours much to the surprise of many experts. To get in though, he had to displace Thompson and/or McKenna so that was the reason why.

During 71 and 72 he had taken many spectacular marks. Two against Essendon in our 30 20 200 VIC Park score stand out in 71. He took some great ones against Richmond and Fitzroy in 72.

In 71 he won the goal of the year with a great effort along the outer flank toward the Sherrin stand where he grabbed it on the wing, bounced it a few times handballed, got it back bounced evaded and goaled. The stand went wild as it always did. (This was the day that Warren Treadrea's dad Gary made his debut for the Pies wearing No. 24) (I have this on video).

Against Geelong in May 1972 he kicked 6 or 7 from the centre (Jerka got 6 that day) as we crushed the Cats 184 to 109 (approx.) with Macca getting an even dozen.

When Thompson and McKenna returned from state duties (the 1972 Carnival in Perth) our next game was against St. Kilda at Moorabbin, a place where we had only won 2 and lost 4.

It was a danger game and we were trying to hold on to 3rd spot. The ball was bounced, Greening got a free and kicked to the goal square. About ten seconds later we looked back to where the ball had come from and someone was down on the ground in a black and white jumper. The Collingwood fans in front of the main scoreboard where I was standing were asking who was the player that was down and we found out it was Greening. I along with others felt sick to my stomach, but at that time we didn’t realise he had been king hit. But the Collingwood players knew and the game became one of the most spiteful I have ever seen. We won 9 13 67 to 4 13 37 after a big tussle, but my family's thoughts were with John.

When we got home my Dad was the most worried and said call the club and ask them how John is which I did. When I called I was told he would be in hospital overnight for observation and he would be OK.

But of course, this was not true. He in fact was in a coma which he did not come out of for properly for 13 days. He had suffered brain damage after being hit from behind by Jim O'Dea of St. Kilda.

O' Dea was not reported.

On club corner on World of Sport the next day when asked how Greening was, Neil Mann the coach said he will be lucky to play this year or if he ever plays again. We were devastated.

Member of the public at the game volunteered information to the police who got involved and eventually the VFL put him up on report and O' Dea got 10 weeks suspension. Luckily St. Kilda lost the PF because if they had won O'Dea would have been able to play.

John didn’t play again until R8 1974. In 1972 he ended up with 14 Brownlow votes from the first 12 games, and there is little doubt that he would have won the Brownlow and the Copeland that year. As it was he came third in the Copeland even though he missed the last 10 or so games.

The injury did result in some permanent brain damage but he was rehabilitated and got his chance with seniors against the reigning premiers Richmond in 1974 when Neil Mann was coaching Victoria against SA in Sydney. This was Greening's game. He starred and was arguably the B.O.G. He took a speccy kicked a couple of goals (including the first one) Billy Picken took the mark of the year in front of the Southern stand and we walloped Richmond by 69 pts.

After that Greening says he lost interest b/c all his efforts went into getting back into the seniors and playing well which he did, to show everyone there was nothing wrong with him. Effectively, although he played a few more games his career ended that day. He left at the end of 1976 a year in which his last game for the Pies was in the Reserves premiership team. The injury had cost him the zing and flair he had. His ball handling was not as sure and he had problems with his eyes.

All in all it was a complete tragedy for Greening, for the fans and for Collingwood. He would have played ordinarily until 1984 approx. but b/c of what O'Dea the mongrel did, he really had his life ruined. His marriage broke up and eventually he went back home to Tassie to live until 2002 when he moved up to the Gold Coast.

I will always remember the champ that he was though, scampering along the Ryder stand wing crouched over the ball bouncing and drop kicking towards goal. He was and in my mind remains a champion of the Collingwood Football Club and one of its all time favourite sons.

TLDR

Oh and btw...

 

[The Big League]

TLDR

Oh and btw...

ha ha, then your club went and recruited him a few season later.
What a bunch of pathetic fools.