This blog was created to harness the recollections of those who donned the red and/or black.
The long term plan is to use personal anecdotes in a 50-year history of the club.
That's not until 2017, so why start now?
Firstly, you'll forget.
Secondly, you may die and your memory bank is lost forever.
Thirdly, memories differ and cross-referencing helps verify accounts.
I'm continually alarmed at reunions when supposed exploits bear no resemblance to my own recollections. Yeh, yeh, I know what you're thinking.
Folklore and mythology have their place in history, and 'historic' accounts are boring without them, but the 'real' story is often more incredible than what it became in the re-telling.
Enough of my views on historical methodology.
Send in your views, banter with each other, push, pull and stretch the boundaries of credibility and decency in the way of a true 'Trober.
May friendships be rekindled, grudges forgiven and the fun of playing for a great club be remembered.
It was the first game of the 1978 season against West Brunswick at an oval somewhere in Brunswick. The Reds had been disbanded and merged with the Blacks under the coaching of Tony Sheehan.
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing remarkable about the West Brunswick team except for this thin bald ruckman who was about 6 foot 7 with deep sunken eyes. He looked like something out of a zombie movie.
I can't remember much about the game itself but there was this one player on the West Brunswick team who was continually running into the back of packs dropping his knees on the back of fellow Trobers. One of those gutless bullies who seemed to get pleasure from running in late with no other intention than to hurt someone.
I think it was late in the second quarter in the centre of the ground when I went in to help Tony Sheehan who happened to be tackling this particular player. As the tackle was completed and the West Brunswick player was rising to his feet I managed to plant pretty well the perfect short sharp jab to this guys jaw. I had never been in a fight in my life and had maybe only ever thrown three punches in anger but this was a cracker.
I remember, for a second, seeing Tony's jaw just drop in amazement. The West Brunswick player was on the ground and for some reason the umpire was behind me and hadn't seen anything. Then the tall West Brunswick ruckman had a go at me - nothing dangerous but there was a scuffle and some threats made and then play continued.
The player that I hit was carried off with what I gather was a broken jaw. He spent the rest of the game yelling at me through balls of cotton wool about how he was going home to get his gun so he could shoot me - a typical loudmouth gutless prick.
Anyway about ten days later I attended the funeral of Kerry's (my then girlfriend, now my wife of 30 years) grandmother at a funeral parlour in Brunswick. The undertaker just happened to be the West Brunswick ruckman - an occupation truly fitting his looks. I took advantage of the position he was in and winked at him - there was simply nothing he could do.
At the end of the season Kerry and I moved to Canberra and our contact with fellow Trobers became very infrequent. The rare occasion I came into contact with Tony Sheehan in later years inevitably led him to comment on that "perfect punch".
I'm not proud of the fact that I punched someone on a football field (though this guy deserved it) but I am sort of glad that I landed one for my fellow Trobers.
Cheers Craig - I remember one of your poems in an end of year club newsletter - something about "...hand on my gland..." - fond memories.
Harry Veldums
Reds Captain/Coach 1977, Blacks player 1978.
Ah, Harry
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect person to start contributions to this blog.
One year as cap/coach of the Reds and the club decided to combine Reds and Blacks through lack of numbers to turn four teams out each week.
You were one of the best contested markers I ever saw and could bust through any pack. But you kicked like shit.
Look forward to catching up with you in Tassie sometime.
I played a year with La Trobe (1995) after being continually hassled by Ruckus, Cuz and Co (who I lived with) for continuing to play for Old Geelong. Mostly played in the twos, with a couple of games (mostly on the bench) for the ones; and also did a cruciate ligament the last training night of the season!
ReplyDeletePicture this: end of season vote count at Johnny’s pub (somewhere in Collingwood area, ask one of the old guys). I am doing well and end up equal 1st, with Nick (can’t remember his last name). Several of the old guys had money on me, so were very happy with my win, and subsequently lined up beers for me to skull. However, Dougie (I think) had fucked up the count, and I had actually come 2nd, by 1 vote. Whereby the old guys promptly told me I was a prick and wanted their beers back. Whereupon Dougie, feeling very sorry about the whole episode, kept me full of beers before I had to leave to catch a flight to New Zealand for a conference. I remember waking up an hour into the flight, at 35,000 feet, with a hangover to die for (I was sure some little fuck was sticking forks in my head from the seat behind).
Had a fantastic year playing with La Trobe, and never played footy again.
Pootang
I remember playing against Old Geelong at Como Park.
ReplyDeleteI took a mark over my head, which was rare, in front of Mike Perry, a rabid red-head who played CHB for Richmond in their 1967 GF win.
As I went back for my kick, I told him he was past it.
Next tackle, I was over it.
Would like to Craig but its just a blur from all the drugs, smokes and alcohol, failed relationships and exams.
ReplyDeleteMichelle and her Cortina, how did that happen?
I think I may have taken a grab or two.
Tony Sheahan was nice. Harry frightened me. Nels was nice too and it was fun residing at Strode Street watching lighted balloons burning and dripping from the light shade. Ground too big. Why did we go to that training session stoned, Nels?
You may have to remind me of a few things so I can further wax lyrical.
Bluey Robinson
Is there anyone out there? Post some comments you pricks. There's a history in the making and you're letting the chance for a contribution pass by.
ReplyDelete