Jump to content

The Simon Tunbridge Thread

Whispering_Jack
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

Long time fans of the Melbourne Football Club will remember fondly Geoff Tunbridge who was recruited to the club relatively late at age 25 in 1957. A half forward flanker, Tunbridge played in three premiership teams in his 117 games over six seasons as a Demon. He was a colourful character and he was never paid a penny for his services. 

Tunbridge refused on ideological grounds to accept payment from Melbourne Football Club, as he believed that players should play for the love of the game (the only money he did accept was compensation for the cost of petrol, given the long drive between Ballarat and Melbourne - eight pence/year in his Volkswagen). 

Now there's a player in this coming draft who carries the same surname (but apparently not related) who walked out of GWS a couple of weeks ago citing homesickness. He wants to play for Fremantle or West Coast.

I don't raise his name as a prospective Demon but rather to suggest that wherever he ends up his first pay cheque will be closer to that of his namesake than that of a certain player who recently joined the outfit he's just left Tunbridge back in the mix

  • Quote
    •  

    Ah! The glamor of Sydney's west! How quickly it palls!

    And I see G Tunbridge at matches every so often!

  • Quote

    Some fond memories there WJ. Geoff was skinny as a rake but a beautiful kick for goal despite an awkward kicking style IIRC. Played 'starvation corner' to a tee.

  • Quote
    •  
    Some fond memories there WJ. Geoff was skinny as a rake but a beautiful kick for goal despite an awkward kicking style IIRC. Played 'starvation corner' to a tee.

    He did indeed - known as Geoff "Wobbly Punt" Tunbridge as I recall.

    If any current MFC HFF plays in three premierships I am sure we will all celebrate

  • Quote

    Geoff Tunbridge was my year 12 Chemistry teacher back in 2005, he umpired the year 11 vs. year 12 footy match each year. He's now retired but was a cult figure at my school

  • Quote

    • Archived

    This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

      It seems like only yesterday that these two sides faced off against each other in the centre of the continent. It was when Melbourne was experiencing a rare period of success with five wins from its previous six matches including victories over both of last year’s grand finalists.  Well, it wasn’t yesterday but it was early last month and it remains etched clearly in the memory. The Saints were going through a slump and the predicted outcome of their encounter at TIO Traeger Park was a virtual no-brainer. A Melbourne victory and another step closer to a possible rise into finals contention. Something that was unthinkable after opening the season with five straight defeats.

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 5 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Carlton

      I am now certain that the decline in fortunes of the Melbourne Football Club from a premiership power with the potential for more success to come in the future, started when the team ran out for their Round 9 match up against Carlton last year. After knocking over the Cats in a fierce contest the week before, the Demons looked uninterested at the start of play and gave the Blues a six goal start. They recovered to almost snatch victory but lost narrowly with a score of 11.10.76 to 12.5.77. Yesterday, they revisited the scene and provided their fans with a similar display of ineptitude early in the proceedings. Their attitude at the start was poor, given that the game was so winnable. Unsurprisingly, the resulting score was almost identical to that of last year and for the fourth time in succession, the club has lost a game against Carlton despite having more scoring opportunities. 

        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 3 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Carlton

      The Casey Demons smashed the Carlton Reserves off the park at Casey Fields on Sunday to retain a hold on an end of season wild card place. It was a comprehensive 108 point victory in which the home side was dominant and several of its players stood out but, in spite of the positivity of such a display, we need to place an asterisk over the outcome which saw a net 100 point advantage to the combined scores in the two contests between Demons and Blues over the weekend.

        • Thanks
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: St. Kilda

      The Demons come face to face with St. Kilda for the second time this season for their return clash at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 302 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Carlton

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Tuesday, 22nd July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees disappointing loss to Carlton at the MCG.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

        • Thanks
      • 40 replies
      Demonland

    • VOTES: Carlton

      Captain Max Gawn still has a massive lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Christian Petracca, Jake Bowey, Kozzy Pickett & Clayton Oliver. Your votes please; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

        • Thanks
      • 23 replies
      Demonland
    View All