News Vale David Granger

[Janey]

Belts, bumps & brilliance: the mad genius of David Granger...

Absolutely loved watching that. I hadn't started going to footy when David Granger was playing but certainly knew of him, in fact 'Grave Danger' was my nickname in my very first work footy tipping competition.
Apart from just enjoying the footy in those clips, the other thing that struck me was that I had listened to a whole 10-15 minutes of football commentary without wishing they would just shut up. If only we had commentators like that now instead of the (mostly) drivel we get to listen to.

 

[1954]

There are a few different takes on the Caldwell incident, and mine is that there was no retaliation from glenelg players at the time, because no one actually saw it happen.

EG I can clearly recall their coach John Halbert suggesting on one of the Sunday footy shows that no one knew exactly how he was knocked out but there were thoughts it could have been caused by a possible collision with a team mate's knee, (Wrong!)

It wasn't until footage of the actual incident showing D G's involvement, a short right jab to the jaw (which apparently the tv station wasn't aware of before showing it ) that there was a sharp intake of breath from Halbert when he `twigged' what had occurred, which was followed up a day or so later by glenelg making an official complaint about the incident to the sanfl.

As suggested above by jac147 it is definitely possible Granger's hit on Caldwell was in retaliation to glenelg's continued unfair targeting of Bucky Cunningham which was par for the course whenever we played them.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Rucci has suggested in the past that Caldwell was payback for his targeting of Tim Evans in the 1977 grand final after Tim was 'allegedly' king hit behind the play by his first opponent and Caldwell was moved onto him. David did have an elephantine memory of accounts payable.

I'm sure there are posters here who saw what happened in what John Cahill euphemistically called the 'clash of heads' with Fred Phillis.

 

[bomberclifford]

Belts, bumps & brilliance: the mad genius of David Granger...

Some of those free kicks against him were bullshit. The bays players playing for frees in every contest with him was pathetic.

 

[JimmyBC]

Some of those free kicks against him were bullshit. The bays players playing for frees in every contest with him was pathetic.

Old Wrinkles is in these highlights doing some dodgy stuff as well, he could've killed Bucky if he connected.

Mr. Clean Living eh

 

[Portmagpies36]

Some of those free kicks against him were bullshit. The bays players playing for frees in every contest with him was pathetic.

Had to laugh at Cornes and his pathetic attempt to push David Granger in the back and then run off (was a night game at Norwood 1982) Funny how most of the controversy happened against Glenelg, soft pricks.

 

[Byrons Firen]

No hounding of the thug Salisbury or the Phillis brother thugs or the Stringers either. They all committed worse acts than Dave ever did, particularly Salisbury. KG, the dickhead hipocrite Kernihan and others should hang their heads in shame.

Throw Sims in there too.

 

[Port 2004]

Throw Sims in there too.

And Klomp. Smashed Rohan’s cheekbone in a filthy act. Plus he did a number of other vicious acts on the field. But nah let’s just focus on Dave. ******* campaigners. I will never forgive them for it.

 

[Port 2004]

Rucci has suggested in the past that Caldwell was payback for his targeting of Tim Evans in the 1977 grand final after Tim was 'allegedly' king hit behind the play by his first opponent and Caldwell was moved onto him. David did have an elephantine memory of accounts payable.

I'm sure there are posters here who saw what happened in what John Cahill euphemistically called the 'clash of heads' with Fred Phillis.

And the other Phillis brother nearly putting Bucky Cunnighams head onto Brebner Drive. Filthy hipocrites.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Remember the 1984 Qualifying Final where poor harmless Peter Carey was given 2 matches for attempting to strike (missed by a mile) just after Alan Stringer had punched a Centrals player in the back of the head and run off.

The tribunal had to watch that act again and again to watch the Carey effort and could nothing back then because the opposition club had to lodge a report for a video hearing. And the opposition club wasn't Glenelg.

 

[Port 2004]

Remember the 1984 Qualifying Final where poor harmless Peter Carey was given 2 matches for attempting to strike (missed by a mile) just after Alan Stringer had punched a Centrals player in the back of the head and run off.

The tribunal had to watch that act again and again to watch the Carey effort and could nothing back then because the opposition club had to lodge a report for a video hearing. And the opposition club wasn't Glenelg.

Alan Striker. Also known as ‘hit and run’.

 

[PowerCafe]

Remember that Ressies GF.
Bays had Sticks Kernahen and a few others in their side, and the wind blew a gale to the southern end all match.
Down by I reckon around 50 points at "lemons".
Blew them away in the final stanza.
Dave took complete control, marking everything in his vicinity - hangers, contested clunks, one handers, standing upside down on his head (well maybe the last one was a bit of an exaggeration).
Exhilarating stuff.
So glad he was our side all those years
There was a minor round match versus Sturt, where he caught Brendan Howard. Every umpire on the ground sprinted to report him. Luckily, a committed rebuttal from Russell Ebert that it was a fair bump (back in those days at least), plus a 30 second study of the incident from the video replay, was enough to exonerate him unanimously

In that reserves GF, did Dave mark the ball in or near the southern goalsquare and instead of kicking the goal, kicked the ball to a teammate around CHF, who had a shot?

Remember that Ressies GF.
Bays had Sticks Kernahen and a few others in their side, and the wind blew a gale to the southern end all match.
Down by I reckon around 50 points at "lemons".
Blew them away in the final stanza.
Dave took complete control, marking everything in his vicinity - hangers, contested clunks, one handers, standing upside down on his head (well maybe the last one was a bit of an exaggeration).
Exhilarating stuff.
So glad he was our side all those years
There was a minor round match versus Sturt, where he caught Brendan Howard. Every umpire on the ground sprinted to report him. Luckily, a committed rebuttal from Russell Ebert that it was a fair bump (back in those days at least), plus a 30 second study of the incident from the video replay, was enough to exonerate him unanimously

Was it that reserves GF that Dave marked in the goalsquare, or nearby, in the last qtr, and instead of having the shot, passed it off to another Port player?
Place was going nuts.

 

[Magpiespowaz]

That's a great montage, loved the old night football clips and his appearance on the Sunday Footy Show after the 81 grand final where he put the Bays to the sword and put the wind up Cunningham.

Dave was a tough player but there were some rubbish free kicks paid against him because of his reputation.

He was also a well read guy who could talk well and thoughtfully on many topics. He gave his thoughts on Glenelg very clearly.

Great to see two Port Adelaide warriors Granger and Light together in a special moment. Two Port legends taken far too soon.

He really was ahead of his time. Big, strong, tough, mobile, athletic, great pair of hands, high footy IQ. He was like a great white shark out there, just cruising the forward line, sniffing around, ready to go.

Can't bloody like this enough!

Sound like an old campaigner now but footy was so good back then.

Had a boys dinner last night, and we agreed the thing most missing from footy these days is the marking. The beautiful pack marks. Feels like a skill that has almost gone from the game.

+1

Fast, non-stop, all out attack, up and down the ground all day. The game was so exciting. Kamikaze farken. You barely notice stoppages coz everyone just wants to get on with it, players and umpires alike. Umps still sucked. Hell, they might've been worse, lol.

No joke, I watch old games from the 70s & 80s on YouTube more than modern footy these days. Absolutely zero interest in going to home games. The whole "match day experience" is torture.

Absolutely loved watching that. I hadn't started going to footy when David Granger was playing but certainly knew of him, in fact 'Grave Danger' was my nickname in my very first work footy tipping competition.
Apart from just enjoying the footy in those clips, the other thing that struck me was that I had listened to a whole 10-15 minutes of football commentary without wishing they would just shut up. If only we had commentators like that now instead of the (mostly) drivel we get to listen to.

There wasn't any ego or vanity or matey-mate-mate crap back then. They just called the game - and they were genuine. None of this faux emotion s**t.

Ian Day & Peter Marker were a dynamic duo. Daisy could get things wrong (lol) but was a colourful caller. Marker was pretty smooth, polished - but didn't pull any punches. He'd have a crack at players and clubs - and umpires! Probably the lawyer in him, haha.

Bruce McAvaney was a great commentator... much better than what he became.

Some of those free kicks against him were bullshit. The bays players playing for frees in every contest with him was pathetic.

The Marshall free in the Escort Cup granny was most egregious. Dave just pushed the lightweight over. Wannabe Peter Shearer model...

 

[Teal Plums]

Belts, bumps & brilliance: the mad genius of David Granger...

Incredible. Always heard the legend of the great man but to see those highlights gave great perspective. That interview

 

[VineValerian]

Some of those free kicks against him were bullshit. The bays players playing for frees in every contest with him was pathetic.

The style of play was great back then. No slowing down tactics, defensive systems, playing to cause ball-ups, etc.

Love watching the 1977 GF which I have recorded onto a DVD. Fast, non stop, end to end play. Reckon the leg speed of the players and transition of the ball the length of the ground surpasses most of what you see these days.

 

[TimTime]

Watching the highlights of the old port games from late 70’s/ early 80’s reminded me why I grew up loving this club. RIP Dave you were one of my hero’s growing up.

 

[DaveGaunt]

Belts, bumps & brilliance: the mad genius of David Granger...

R.I.P Dave Granger

 

[Corby_says]

My first memory of David was the first time he trained at ALBERTON, his hand and foot skills were as good as any of the PAFC champions that trained that night.
The standout feature of Davids presence on the field was his absolute confidence in his own skills, David only knew one way 100% commitment to the teams success, no fear, no excusses, no appologies, no prisoners.