Resource The NMFC History thread

[Groucho]

Arden Street Memories:

From the Museum of Victoria collection showing Arden Street when it was used a dog racing track.

View attachment 881748

Is the caller Clem Dimsey? They had the dog track between’57 and ‘62. I definitely saw a game there with the track there. Don’t remember too much about it but seem to recall a player jumping the fence to retrieve a ball from the track

 

[Snake_Baker]

Here you go Grouch, dog track, gasometer, and the old terraces.

I vaguely remember the gasometer, remember the terraces well, but I never saw the track as I was still getting around in my old mans ball bag.

 

[Roogal]

Here you go Grouch, dog track, gasometer, and the old terraces.

I vaguely remember the gasometer, remember the terraces well, but I never saw the track as I was still getting around in my old mans ball bag.

Well thank heavens that you turned out to be a fast swimmer.

 

[kangaroo7]

Is the caller Clem Dimsey? They had the dog track between’57 and ‘62. I definitely saw a game there with the track there. Don’t remember too much about it but seem to recall a player jumping the fence to retrieve a ball from the track

Yes I remember watching several games sitting or standing on the sand of the dog track. Sometimes a few kids would decide to play end-to-end on the track during the game much to the annoyance of spectators.

 

[big_e]

Found these on FB the other day: NMFC vs West Perth

 

[Hojuman]

Found these on FB the other day: NMFC vs West Perth

View attachment 888991View attachment 888992

Great get.

 

[Whippet1]

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2shYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=epMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976,4950969

and here's the match report retrieved from The Age(hope the link works). Bit before my time but I can remember seeing some of these players. There's a lot of big names here which makes me wonder why the early 70's were so poor for North. I note in 1969 we went 8/12 after winning our first four games under Keith McKenzie. Just a quick look at some of the names:

Kekovich - great talent. 75 flag
Dugdale - legend of the club
Gary Farrant - 75 flag
Doug Farrant - (kicked 6 here in what would have been one of his better games for North. Kicked 40:36 in 69. Traded to Perth as part of the Cable deal
Robbe Peterson - 1974 Grand Final player
Goodingham - 1975 flag
Daryl O'Brien - my old tennis doubles partner
Peter Chisnall - 1975 flag
Peter Steward - Big V rep
Pagan - self - explanatory. Nuggety back pocket in his day.
Tom Allison - father of Brett
Laurie Dwyer - Bigfooty legendary contributor(hi Twinkletoes)

And a D. Cometti in the West Perth team. Along with Farmer of course.

 

[big_e]

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2shYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=epMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976,4950969

and here's the match report retrieved from The Age(hope the link works). Bit before my time but I can remember seeing some of these players. There's a lot of big names here which makes me wonder why the early 70's were so poor for North. I note in 1969 we went 8/12 after winning our first four games under Keith McKenzie. Just a quick look at some of the names:

Kekovich - great talent. 75 flag
Dugdale - legend of the club
Gary Farrant - 75 flag
Doug Farrant - (kicked 6 here in what would have been one of his better games for North. Kicked 40:36 in 69. Traded to Perth as part of the Cable deal
Robbe Peterson - 1974 Grand Final player
Goodingham - 1975 flag
Daryl O'Brien - my old tennis doubles partner
Peter Chisnall - 1975 flag
Peter Steward - Big V rep
Pagan - self - explanatory. Nuggety back pocket in his day.
Tom Allison - father of Brett
Laurie Dwyer - Bigfooty legendary contributor(hi Twinkletoes)

And a D. Cometti in the West Perth team. Along with Farmer of course.

Nice find.

 

[Snake_Baker]

If there's an older North team photo than this, then I am yet to see it:

 

[Hojuman]

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2shYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=epMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976,4950969

and here's the match report retrieved from The Age(hope the link works). Bit before my time but I can remember seeing some of these players. There's a lot of big names here which makes me wonder why the early 70's were so poor for North. I note in 1969 we went 8/12 after winning our first four games under Keith McKenzie. Just a quick look at some of the names:

Kekovich - great talent. 75 flag
Dugdale - legend of the club
Gary Farrant - 75 flag
Doug Farrant - (kicked 6 here in what would have been one of his better games for North. Kicked 40:36 in 69. Traded to Perth as part of the Cable deal
Robbe Peterson - 1974 Grand Final player
Goodingham - 1975 flag
Daryl O'Brien - my old tennis doubles partner
Peter Chisnall - 1975 flag
Peter Steward - Big V rep
Pagan - self - explanatory. Nuggety back pocket in his day.
Tom Allison - father of Brett
Laurie Dwyer - Bigfooty legendary contributor(hi Twinkletoes)

And a D. Cometti in the West Perth team. Along with Farmer of course.

Chisnall & G. Farrant both left and Barrassi got them back yeh ?

 

[kangaroo7]

Chisnall & G. Farrant both left and Barrassi got them back yeh ?

Chisnall came back to North in 1974 after crossing to Sandringham without a clearance in 1971. The Farrant brothers went home to Cohuna in 1971 but were coaxed back in 1973 to play under Barassi. Doug Farrant went to WA after 1973 and missed playing with his brother Gary in the 1975 premiership. However he played in two premiership sides for Perth. He was part of the deal to get Cable back in 1974 along with three other players.

 

[Hojuman]

Chisnall came back to North in 1974 after crossing to Sandringham without a clearance in 1971. The Farrant brothers went home to Cohuna in 1971 but were coaxed back in 1973 to play under Barassi. Doug Farrant went to WA after 1973 and missed playing with his brother Gary in the 1975 premiership. However he played in two premiership sides for Perth. He was part of the deal to get Cable back in 1974 along with three other players.

The other three ? My two favs. growing up Micky Dowdle & Redenbach.

 

[kangaroo7]

The other three ? My two favs. growing up Micky Dowdle & Redenbach.

Redenbach, David Pretty and Phil Doherty. Dowdle went to Preston.

 

[jimandphilbadge]

Been meaning to post this for a while. Got this in about 86 or 87. Some of the names on here are Romero, Law, Schimma, Krakouer, Martyn, Larkin. A lot have faded. I'll try and get the high quality camera out this week and get better shots.

 

[kangaroo7]

1949------MINOR PREMIERS! THEN OUT IN STRAIGHT SETS





After the disappointment of 1945, the club had gone through three ordinary seasons finishing 9th, 10th and 8th. Although there was some improvement in 1948 under new coach Wally Carter, former Melbourne player and Age writer Percy Beames believed that North (and Hawthorn) never looked like being real powers in the immediate future. North, he said were capable of occasional inspired passages of high class play but could not carry out a set plan of action. A more damning article appeared in the Sporting Globe in May where writer Hec Delacey asked if North, Hawthorn and StKilda could justify their League membership.

As the club’s 80th year dawned most of the 1948 list was intact. A few were gone, the most important being Kennedy, Lyons, and Murray. Others were destined not to play a senior match in 1949. North went about trying to recruit new players from wherever they could with mixed results. In February it was announced that two of the best Australian Rules players in Sydney would be at North. One of them, Joe Hughes, was a former North resident and seconds player. Neither one would get a game.

The club needed rovers and showed interest in three from the VFA. One of them, Jim “Nipper” Bradford, who started at Collingwood but was now a star with VFA club Camberwell began training with North. Standing at 155cm (5ft) he was one of the smallest ever players but a real terrier. Melbourne rover Ernie O’Rourke also came across. Both obtained clearances before the season began and played the first nine rounds after which they did not get another game. O’Rourke was cleared to Brighton mid season. Bradford went to South Australia the following season and became a star for West Torrens. In June, North got a reliable rover in Harold “Tim” Robb from Footscray. He would play every match from Round 11 onward.

Besides these, other players to make their debut at North in 1949 were Bob Brooker from Mentone, Kevin McMahon (thirds), Les Mogg (Commonwealth Bank Amateurs), Eric Parkes (Yarraville) and Laurie Shipp (Moe). Ruckman Jock Lineen, who had not played with North since 1947, returned from Colac to resume with the club. Former captain “Dally” O’Brien at first elected to stay after considering a country offer. But after Round 1 he requested and was granted a clearance to Nhill. Wally Carter would coach North for his second season. Foote and Dynon were reappointed captain and vice-captain respectively. Bill Findlay returned to the club to coach the Second Eighteen.

In one of North’s final practice matches, former umpire and respected Sporting Globe writer Herb Coombes was present and noted that the team was better disciplined this year in keeping their positions and passing to position as opposed to the “pace crazy” team of last season.

North would have a testing start to the season, having been drawn to play the top five teams of 1948 in Rounds 1–5.




TO BE CONTINUED.

 

[kangaroo7]

1949 (CONT>)


ROUND 1 COLLINGWOOD

The season began badly with a 50 point loss at Victoria Park---not North’s favourite ground. The Magpies had too much system and ran away with the game in the last quarter when North lost their early pace. Inaccurate kicking did not help, but the Collingwood defence was hard to penetrate. Stan Radloff controlled the centre for North, easily beating his opponent. New player Parkes played well in defence as did Foote at centre-half forward, and Lineen showed promise in his first game since 1947. But the forward line was well beaten with Spencer well held by his opponent.
Collingwood 19.13-127 d North Melbourne 10.17-77





ROUND 2 ESSENDON

North improved on their first showing but still went down by 19 points. Once more the match was fast and North worried Essendon with their pace and persistence. But inaccuracy, overuse of handball and silly short passing let them down. Essendon’s new full forward, John Coleman,who had kicked 12 goals on debut in Round 1, was held to 3 by Jock McCorkell in an even battle. Laurie Shipp, wearing contact lenses—the first player to do so-- made his debut for North, and Dynon played for the first time this season.​

Essendon 10.15-75 d North Melbourne 7.14-56

​

ROUND 3 RICHMOND

North’s first success came with an impressive 33 point win over Richmond. Play was affected by a strong north wind, which Richmond wasted in the first quarter. North kicked 6.3 to nil in the second quarter to lead by 32 points at half time. After that it was goal for goal, Richmond tiring badly in the last quarter. Foote was in everything for North with Lineen, McCorkell and Parkes also playing well.

North Melbourne 14.8-92 d Richmond 9.5-59




ROUND 4 FOOTSCRAY

Accuracy won this game for North. There was a strong breeze blowing at the Western Oval and Footscray could only manage 2.5 with it in the first quarter. So dominant was the wind that 15.13 of the combined score of 16.18 was scored at the end it was blowing to. North had 15 scoring shots to Footscray’s 19 but North scored 12 goals to 4. McCorkell again starred for North along with Lineen, Foote, Dynon and L Reeves. So dominant was McCorkell that Footscray captain-coach and full forward Arthur Olliver left him in the last quarter and went into the ruck. After the match Olliver praised the North team, but said they could have a problem in the ruck when they played heavier teams.

North Melbourne 12.3-75 d Footscray 4.15-39



ROUND 5 MELBOURNE

North held on to win a low scoring match at the MCG by 2 points. Pace again was a factor throughout with many thrilling individual incidents. Melbourne dominated in the air, but North countered this with snappy ground and position play. Melbourne’s forward line let them down. North had built up a lead of 15 points by three quarter time, then managed to hold out the fast finishing Demons. A set shot after the bell by Melbourne after a mark was taken twenty five yards out went out of bounds.
North Melbourne 6.12-48 d Melbourne 5.16-46


TO BE CONTINUED.

 

[kangaroo7]

1949 (Cont.)

ROUND 6 HAWTHORN

North had a comfortable twenty two point win over Hawthorn, but with 36 shots to 19 should have won by more. The Arden St wind dominated proceedings again, with each side managing only two goals against it. North scored 5.10 and 6.6 in their turns with it with many easy shots missed, Spencer kicking 5.10. He, along with Foote, McKenzie and Condon were North’s best.
North Melbourne 13.23-101 d Hawthorn 12.7-79

ROUND 7 GEELONG

In a seesawing match, North snatched victory when a goal was kicked after the bell. North started badly, giving away free kicks and playing wildly, leaving Geelong forwards unattended. They settled down in the second quarter but wasted scoring opportunities with bad kicking. Spencer was having an off day being well held. Both teams were guilty of sending the ball forward too quickly. Trailing by 12 points and with the last use of the breeze, North attacked constantly but reduced the deficit slowly until a behind by J Reeves levelled the scores. As the Geelong full back kicked off the bell rang. At one end of the ground players shook hands and started to walk off thinking that the match was a draw. But at the other end play continued as the umpire, players and the roaring crowd had not heard the bell. A Geelong defender’s kick was smothered by Malone and the ball deflected to Spencer who kicked a goal. The umpire signalled the all clear and started to run back to the centre to restart play being chased by shouting Geelong players. The win put North in the top four for the first time of the season.

North Melbourne 8.13-61 d Geelong 8.7-55


This triggered another call for more modern time signals to be installed at grounds. Some clubs by now were using electric bells or sirens, but some were reluctant to use them for fear of a possible power failure. Back in Round 6 1945 North had experimented with a new siren, but the umpire requested at three quarter time time that the bell be used as well. North were loath to part with their old bell. Instead they installed three amplifiers that would carry the bell’s sound to all corners of the ground—100 times louder according to the electrician who connected it. But three weeks later, when North played South at home, the bell was still difficult to hear. North relented and used a siren for the next home match against Collingwood. A supporter later donated a bell he found in a secondhand dealer’s yard. It was three times the weight of the old one and the club kept it in reserve.



ROUND 8 CARLTON

With six wins in a row, North were confident of handling Carlton and setting a club record of seven consecutive wins. But Carlton’s better team discipline won over North’s pace and vigour. North got off to a great start and scored the first four goals, worrying Carlton. But silly mistakes and misplaced vigour which gave Carlton charity goals when they were struggling contributed to the defeat. Foote, although named in the side, could not take his place, which also didn’t help. Jeeves played a fine game and Lineen was on top in the ruck. North dropped from fourth to sixth.

Carlton 14.13-97 d North Melbourne 10.7-67



ROUND 9 ST KILDA

North returned to the winners list with a win over bottom team StKilda, who were yet to win a match. North were clearly the superior team, but it was not an overly impressive performance, StKilda’s mistakes helping North greatly. The two rovers Bradford and O’Rourke were relegated to the bench for this game and Hedley was promoted to first rover. Foote with his toe injury missed another week. McCorkell, Radloff and Spencer were North’s best. Spencer and Condon each kicked four goals. The win put North back in the top four.

North Melbourne 11.12-78 d StKilda 7.7-49



ROUND 10 SOUTH MELBOURNE


In their best performance of the season so far, North had an 88 point win over South Melbourne with brisk handball and precision passing. Winning in nearly every position and with Radloff controlling the centre and Foote and Dynon breaking through almost at will, North’s forward line had plenty of chances. Had they kicked straighter North would have won by well over 100 points.

North Melbourne 18.25-133 d South Melbourne 6.9-45


North’s two rovers Bradford and O’Rourke had both been dropped from the team to play South. Their form had dropped off badly and O’Rourke’s pace had found him out at times. That same week North had obtained Robb, a good rover from Footscray, and Brooker, a ruckman from Mentone, beating Melbourne and Richmond for his services. O’Rourke was cleared to Brighton.

 

[Bend_It_Like_Brown]

One of my favourite pics!!!

 

[kangaroo7]

1949 (CONT.)



ROUND 11 FITZROY

Facing their biggest test since Carlton, North won a close, rugged game at Fitzroy. It was Third v Fourth and the loss put Fitzroy out of the top four and left North equal 2nd with Carlton, who had a much better percentage. With Hedley injured, Robb got his chance after just one Reserves game and played well kicking three goals. But Dynon and Foote won the game for North. Dynon was everywhere in the last quarter to frustrate Fitzroy’s attempted comeback at the end.
North Melbourne 12.9-81 d Fitzroy 10.12-72



ROUND 12 COLLINGWOOD

In what was described as one of their greatest wins in the club’s history, North got their revenge over top team Collingwood for their Round 1 loss. They beat Collingwood for pace and in the ruck. Ted Larsen, a ruckman who had been studying at University and playing in a varsity team, returned to the club for his first match of the year, although he was not needed and was on the bench all day. Les Mogg made his debut coming on for McKenzie in the last quarter. Condon lined up for his 100th match. Foote won the toss and chose to kick against the wind, a tactic he would often use. On this day it worked as North restricted Collingwood to just one goal in the first quarter and three for the rest of the game. A shot in the first quarter by Lou Richards was adjudged by the goal umpire to have been touched, and a stone was thrown from the crowd. North kept Collingwood in check for the rest of the game to win a low scoring match. The result left Carlton, Collingwood and North on top of the ladder all equal on points.
North Melbourne 8.6-54 d Collingwood 4.13-37


ROUND 13 ESSENDON

North went into this game missing several players. Jeeves, McKenzie and Malone and Francis were all injured. Foote and Lineen were in the State team to play in Sydney. In contrast Essendon had three players, including Reynolds come back in. Baglin, recently tranferred from Fooscray after just one match, came into the side for North, and Ted Larsen came in after spending the previous week as an unused reserve. Prior to this he had not played VFL since 1948. McCorkell lined up for his 100th match. Ruckman Colin Thornton, named as an emergency, came into the side for his first game of the season. Essendon, the only team to have won so far at Arden St this year, proved too good. They would prove to be North’s stumbling block this year and next year. Radloff tried hard in the centre and McCorkell held Coleman to two goals, but North’s forwards were beaten.
Essendon 8.22-70 d North Melbourne 6.13-49



ROUND 14 RICHMOND

North made seven changes to the team, welcoming back McKenzie, Malone, Francis, Hedley and Parkes from injury as well as Foote and Lineen from State duties in N.S.W. This week McCorkell and Dynon had to represent the state in S.A. Ryan was named at full-back. North had a solid 41 point win at Punt Rd. Richmond could score only one goal in the first, third and last quarters, North not allowing them to settle down and Ryan keeping Jack Dyer quiet at full-forward. Yet “The Age” sports writer Percy Beames was not convinced that North were a top side. Their brilliant play was spasmodic and the victory rested on two scoring bursts in the first and third quarters. North lacked physical strength and had to initiate their breaks after first forcing the ball from the air to the ground. This would work against them if they made the finals.

North Melbourne 17.11-113 d Richmond 8.24-72


ROUND 15 FOOTSCRAY

Wanting to consolidate its place in the four, the club lost Radloff, McKenzie and Dynon (injured in Adelaide) to injury. McCorkell came back in and Robb, on the bench last week, was named at half forward. North had first use of the wind and kicked 3.8. Footscray kicked seven goals in the second quarter to lead by twelve points at half-time. In the second half North scored four goals to one, holding Footscray in the last quarter to just one goal when they had the wind, Foote playing as a loose man in defence. The win kept North as joint leaders with Carlton and Collingwood.
North Melbourne 8.14-62 d Footscray 8.11-59

To Be Continued.

 

[Hojuman]

Malcolm Blight told a very interesting story that l never knew on the wireless this morning.

1975. North had lost first 4 games after being beaten grand finalists in '74. There was some perceived rumblings about coach Ron Barrassi. Players were called into a room post training. Just players, Barrassi and club president Allen Aylett. Aylett said that this bloke is our coach for the next 5 - 10 years. Anybody who wants out, stand up, I'll write you a cheque and you can leave now. No-one did.

Famously went on and won our first flag.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Malcolm Blight told a very interesting that l never knew on the wireless this morning.

1975. North had lost first 4 games after being beaten grand finalists in '74. There was some perceived rumblings about coach Ron Barrassi. Players were called into a room post training. Just players, Barrassi and club president Allen Aylett. Aylett said that this bloke is our coach for the next 5 - 10 years. Anybody who wants out, stand up, I'll write you a cheque and you can leave now. No-one did.

Famously went on and won our first flag.

Old school leadership.

Devastatingly effective.

We could do with some now.

 

[Hojuman]

Old school leadership.

Devastatingly effective.

We could do with some now.

Blighty went on to say that set his philosophy and coaching mantra going forward.

 

[jimandphilbadge]

Been cleaning the garage this morning and this fell out of a box. Will keep and donate when Arden Street opens a cafe

 

[Hojuman]

Been cleaning the garage this morning and this fell out of a box. Will keep and donate when Arden Street opens a cafe
View attachment 931202

Parents still live in North l am pretty sure.

 

[jimandphilbadge]

Parents still live in North l am pretty sure.

Was the row in front of his dad at the AGM for the infamous Arden St Cafe episode. Clearly a passionate North man