Thanks 58'er..some good memories there. Thanks everyone for contributing to this thread..bringing back good memories and filling in lots of gaps for me.

15 hours ago, Demons3031 said:

Trying hard to remember the line of back pocket players from early 60's to the present. Anyone like to have a go?
Starting with Beckwith then  Neil Crompton........ 

Beckwith

Crompton

 

The backline was 

(5) Crompton, (37)Massey, (33) Miller

Edited October 27, 20195 yr by Ohio USA - David

2 minutes ago, Ohio USA - David said:

 

The backline was 

(5) Crompton, (37)Massey, (33) Miller

As for John Beckwith. I recall watching him play for Black Rock around 1950 and think he was recruited to Melbourne in 1951.

The Black Rock Jumper was the Essendon jumper only with the red stripe over the right shoulder.He played in the old Federal League at Tulip street ground in Black Rock.

 

Many great names mentioned and they were good Frank Davis in the 60s and John Beckwith in the 50s and both captains of our club.

The one that stands out for me is Alan Johnson a WA recruited in the early 80s and a classy wingman who collected 2 x B&F 's and finished his career playing in the  back pocket till his mid 30s  he spent half of his playing time there.

Read the ball so well that he turned defence into attack and kicked the ball quite a long way. and linked so well.

Remember him saying that Phil krakour was his opposition playing in the forward pocket at the start of the game Alan replied why are you grabbing my jumper aren't l supposed to stop you from getting the pill?  Phil replied I have been told to tag you and not let you out of my sight. 

Played the perfect Back pocket game in the 1988 Elimination Final against WCE.

19 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

Frank Davis

The unforgettable one. Frank Davis. A player who stood his ground. As good as Fowler - even if less physically developed. 

16 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

Loved watching Frank Davis play. Whelan so good too. Did Clint Bizzel play back pocket ??

Yep, and Brett Bailey. 

Under the rev we hard the hardest running half backs in the AFL,  Daniel ward, Paul Wheatley ,Peter  Walsh, wheels.

6 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Yep, and Brett Bailey. 

Forgot to mention Graeme Yeates. Great driver from the backline. 

Nobody's mention Tom Gillies yet.  There is a very good reason for that.

Paul hopgood was a back pocket from memory? 

Ray Smith, one of our better imports from Essendon

Edited October 28, 20195 yr by Demon_spurs

On 10/27/2019 at 4:28 PM, dieter said:

Barry Bourke,  after his Full Forward days. He was the player who fell across Peter Hudson's knee in the third quarter of a game in about 1970 or 71 where Hudson kicked 12 goals or so by half time...

Round 1, 1972. Had 8 to half time. For some reason I was at Moorabbin watching Saints North.

Out of interest, does anyone know what became of John Stephens who kicked a lot of goals for StKilda in 72, but stopped in 73? He also played cricket for Victoria.

Not nearly enough love for Bret Bailey on here for my liking.
Was a big part of our success in the drought breaking ‘87 finals year. 
At his best he was one of those blokes who could stand in the same spot for about five minutes and no one could touch him. Fair to say he had a low centre of gravity. Neat kick, great hands 

3 hours ago, FarNorthernD said:

Not nearly enough love for Bret Bailey on here for my liking.
Was a big part of our success in the drought breaking ‘87 finals year. 
At his best he was one of those blokes who could stand in the same spot for about five minutes and no one could touch him. Fair to say he had a low centre of gravity. Neat kick, great hands 

Plenty of love here. Those were wonderful years and he was a key part. Thx FarND

I seem to remember Graham Pinfold (no.21)  playing back pocket after Johnnie Beckwith. He'd been tried as a rover  to follow Ian Ridley, but never quite made it . I  wonder if he still  goes for  the mighty Dees!