Don Williams

[Whispering_Jack 30,074]

I love reading all these great memories of players like Don Williams. Not because of how good they were but because if I can't remember them it means there are people older than me on Demonland.

We might well be older but the richness of those memories is priceless.

Imagine waking up every Saturday morning and knowing that your team was going to win.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

We might well be older but the richness of those memories is priceless.

Imagine waking up every Saturday morning and knowing that your team was going to win.

Yes, I'm at that unfortunate age. Old enough to have attended the 1964 Grand Final but too young then to actually remember it now.

[old dee 23,790]

We might well be older but the richness of those memories is priceless.

Imagine waking up every Saturday morning and knowing that your team was going to win.

That has never left me WJ I remember the feeling well.

Most games I went to the major consideration was the size of victory

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

We might well be older but the richness of those memories is priceless.

Imagine waking up every Saturday morning and knowing that your team was going to win.

I was one of those lucky people. The only doubts I would have on a Saturday morning would be if we were playing Collingwood at Victoria Park or Geelong at Kardinia Park. Yes, even in our golden era we still had trouble beating the cats at the Cattery.

[Guest]

"Height and weight 182 cm 80 kg"

Was he really only 182cm?? I was only 9 in 1964 so I guess all the players were big to me. My recollection of him was of being a real dashing defender. My Mum always said he was "dependable".

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

One of best ever half back flankers"Height and weight 182 cm 80 kg"

Was he really only 182cm?? I was only 9 in 1964 so I guess all the players were big to me. My recollection of him was of being a real dashing defender. My Mum always said he was "dependable".

One of the best half back flankers I've ever seen. And playing on the other flank was the tough, no beg pardons Noel McMahen. You wonder at times how the other teams even scored.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

The "lads" have an interest in athletics and provided the following info. It seems a fellow named J A Winter held the Australian High Jump record from 1948 - 1956. (6ft71/2 or 2.01 metres). One C M Porter took the record in 1956 which was also listed 6 71/2 but 2.02 metre (?).

Anyway, if Don was born in 1935 it is unlikely he held the Australian High Jump record before 1948. (Unless it was some sort of junior or schoolboy record but the lads could find nothing on this)

[DeeVoted 583]

One of best ever half back flankers"Height and weight 182 cm 80 kg"

Was he really only 182cm?? I was only 9 in 1964 so I guess all the players were big to me. My recollection of him was of being a real dashing defender. My Mum always said he was "dependable".

One of the best half back flankers I've ever seen. And playing on the other flank was the tough, no beg pardons Noel McMahen. You wonder at times how the other teams even scored.

D.Williams was one of my favs along with T.Anderson. Williams dash and racking drop kicks from half back, Anderson for his high marking and reliable as they come.

I read a very funny story about McMahen that invloved one Louie 'the lip' Richards. It nearly caused a riot at the MCG.

Edited January 20, 2015 by DeeVoted

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

D.Williams was one of my favs along with T.Anderson. Williams dash and racking drop kicks from half back, Anderson for his high marking and reliable as they come.

I read a very funny story about McMahen that invloved one Louie 'the lip' Richards. It nearly caused a riot at the MCG.

Are you going to tell us about it DeeVoted? We are very curious about this yarn. I think it was Noel McMahen who ironed out Bobby Rose which did not make him very popular with the Collingwood crowd.

[DeeVoted 583]

Are you going to tell us about it DeeVoted? We are very curious about this yarn.

I have the arcticle kicking around here somewhere, rather than pull the house apart, I'll have to rely on my 'not as good as it used to be' memory.

Now this involved Richards, not Bobby Rose. 100% sure on that. Although I do vaguely remember a Rose incident.

You;ll will have to visulise this, so get that imagination going. The article was very well written so I hope I can get close.

If iirc it was written by Harry Beitzel for Inside Football? Apologies if not word for word, but here goes, as I remember it.

The MCG, Melb V Coll, 1956 or 58?? somewhere around there. Back when the 2 biggest clubs were the Dees and the filth.

As usual the ground was packed to the rafters. Home and Away game.

To set the picture, 10 of thousands of feral pies supporters, along with just as many passionate Dee supporters. Both teams hated each other as did the supporters (not much as changed)

Noel McMahen well known for being a tough, ruthless player.Brick walls wouldnt hold him back.

Lou Richards, cheeky, cunning and known to mouth off (whence Louie the Lip), but a bloody good footballer.

Umpire = Harry Bietzel

Its a close game, typical Melb V Coll game of the era. Richards gathers the ball on Melbourne's 1/2 forward line.Richards ducks and weaves around a few Melb players, weaving out of a pack. McMahen spots Richards from half back, his eyes light up. Like a steam train, comes roaring in from the backline, with Lou firmly in his sights. Lou not knowing McMahen has penciled in for the coroner, weaves out, and into the clear.

Suddendly Richards looks up and sees McMahen is about to send him into the next century. So Richards sensing the gravity of it all, throws the ball away and hits the ground, a split second before the McMahen express nails him.

From over the fence its seems to all and sundry, McMahen has just flattened a Collingwood hero, bottles, and heaps of abuse and other obstacles come hurtling over the fence Louie is down for the count. Pies supporters are now going ballistic. Now the crowd doesnt know this, but McMahen , hadnt touched him. and instead of stomping on the now motionless Louie, (being the 'gentleman' than he was) he steps over the corpse, but from a distance it looked he had just run through him.

Spot fires all over the ground start up. players pushing and wrestling, Supporters threathening to jump the fence.Beitzel being the sole umpire (only 1 ump back then) Looks around, looking like an all in brawl is about to breakout. Wonders he next move, so he stands over a montionless Lou Richards, as says.

"For christs sake Louie, GET UP!. He didnt touch you!"

Amongst the noise, a cheeky little voice comes back that could be almost heard all over the ground, says to Harry...

with a cheeky grin ,says "But gee Harry, he didnt miss me by much."

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

I have the arcticle kicking around here somewhere, rather than pull the house apart, I'll have to rely on my 'not as good as it used to be' memory.

Now this involved Richards, not Bobby Rose. 100% sure on that. Although I do vaguely remember a Rose incident.

You;ll will have to visulise this, so get that imagination going. The article was very well written so I hope I can get close.

If iirc it was written by Harry Beitzel for Inside Football? Apologies if not word for word, but here goes, as I remember it.

The MCG, Melb V Coll, 1956 or 58?? somewhere around there. Back when the 2 biggest clubs were the Dees and the filth.

As usual the ground was packed to the rafters. Home and Away game.

To set the picture, 10 of thousands of feral pies supporters, along with just as many passionate Dee supporters. Both teams hated each other as did the supporters (not much as changed)

Noel McMahen well known for being a tough, ruthless player.Brick walls wouldnt hold him back.

Lou Richards, cheeky, cunning and known to mouth off (whence Louie the Lip), but a bloody good footballer.

Umpire = Harry Bietzel

Its a close game, typical Melb V Coll game of the era. Richards gathers the ball on Melbourne's 1/2 forward line.Richards ducks and weaves around a few Melb players, weaving out of a pack. McMahen spots Richards from half back, his eyes light up. Like a steam train, comes roaring in from the backline, with Lou firmly in his sights. Lou not knowing McMahen has penciled in for the coroner, weaves out, and into the clear.

Suddendly Richards looks up and sees McMahen is about to send him into the next century. So Richards sensing the gravity of it all, throws the ball away and hits the ground, a split second before the McMahen express nails him.

From over the fence its seems to all and sundry, McMahen has just flattened a Collingwood hero, bottles, and heaps of abuse and other obstacles come hurtling over the fence Louie is down for the count. Pies supporters are now going ballistic. Now the crowd doesnt know this, but McMahen , hadnt touched him. and instead of stomping on the now motionless Louie, (being the 'gentleman' than he was) he steps over the corpse, but from a distance it looked he had just run through him.

Spot fires all over the ground start up. players pushing and wrestling, Supporters threathening to jump the fence.Beitzel being the sole umpire (only 1 ump back then) Looks around, looking like an all in brawl is about to breakout. Wonders he next move, so he stands over a montionless Lou Richards, as says.

"For christs sake Louie, GET UP!. He didnt touch you!"

Amongst the noise, a cheeky little voice comes back that could be almost heard all over the ground, says to Harry...

with a cheeky grin ,says "But gee Harry, he didnt miss me by much."

Thanks mate. Well told and very funny. Can't remember that one but my memory ain't what it used to be!

[Harrisonrules 273]

I also remember my father making reference to dasher Williams high jump capacity. Not sure what he achieved but certainly a champion high jumper. Of course the football record regularly featured a spectacular mark of his lying horizontal over the pack. Speed, leap, raking drop kicks an excitement machine

[Harrisonrules 273]

D.Williams was one of my favs along with T.Anderson. Williams dash and racking drop kicks from half back, Anderson for his high marking and reliable as they come.

I read a very funny story about McMahen that invloved one Louie 'the lip' Richards. It nearly caused a riot at the MCG.

Tony Anderson had courage in bucket loads. Saw him recently at a game of the dees at the G as part of the coterie group. The poor guy struggled up the stairs for half time refreshment. So many players pay the price for their courage. A true demon champion

[DeeVoted 583]

Are you going to tell us about it DeeVoted? We are very curious about this yarn. I think it was Noel McMahen who ironed out Bobby Rose which did not make him very popular with the Collingwood crowd.

I found the reference to the McMahen / Rose incident. Its not much, but it will be coming up in the 12 good reasons thread.

[iv'a worn smith 1,979]

We might well be older but the richness of those memories is priceless.

Imagine waking up every Saturday morning and knowing that your team was going to win.

Oh yes WJ. Those memories are sweet indeed. Not only waking up on Saturday morning with abounding confidence of yet another win, but that we were to play on Saturday afternoon.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Yes, I'm at that unfortunate age. Old enough to have attended the 1964 Grand Final but too young then to actually remember it now.

likewise, old enough to attend but too young to appreciate it,,, & to remember it. But alas, a dad who was a Blue bagger & a mum with poleo. I didn't get taken to melbourne games.

[dee-luded 2,959]

"Height and weight 182 cm 80 kg"

Was he really only 182cm?? I was only 9 in 1964 so I guess all the players were big to me. My recollection of him was of being a real dashing defender. My Mum always said he was "dependable".

yep, they didn't talk the players UP into failure in those days... they all had level heads

Edited January 21, 2015 by dee-luded