Persistence is the story of John Gallus. He did it tough in his younger days and, as a teenager from Drouin, he fought to gain a clearance to Melbourne but when the opportunity finally came, he couldn’t break into the reigning premiership in 1965. He eventually crossed over to Waverley VFA in 1966 and then played in the country before he was finally tempted to try again in 1971 at the age of 25. He made his debut in the opening round and kicked three goals in the team’s massive win against South Melbourne.

This is his story ~

Almanac Footy: John Gallus – The journey through football

 

I remember John Gallus. That is I remember the name and if I'm not wrong, he was a big guy. Much more than that, I cant recall. 

2 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Persistence is the story of John Gallus. He did it tough in his younger days and, as a teenager from Drouin, he fought to gain a clearance to Melbourne but when the opportunity finally came, he couldn’t break into the reigning premiership in 1965. He eventually crossed over to Waverley VFA in 1966 and then played in the country before he was finally tempted to try again in 1971 at the age of 25. He made his debut in the opening round and kicked three goals in the team’s massive win against South Melbourne.

This is his story ~

Almanac Footy: John Gallus – The journey through football

 

Lovely stuff. One small factual horror: Barassi was not captain in 1965: he had been seduced to coach Carlton.

Round 1 1971 was the first time I remember watching the Demons

Johnny Gallus number 5

Should have made the Finals that year

11 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Round 1 1971 was the first time I remember watching the Demons

Johnny Gallus number 5

Should have made the Finals that year

absolutely should have. 71 was my first year going to the games. Ian Ridley Coach.  Huge start to the season. Won 8 out of the first 9. Memory sketchy now but as I recall we did a massive, early,  pre season in Adelaide  which was a new thing back then. But, as it was so much more amateur only the top 20 or so went ...and I think paid for themselves. Once we got injuries we came right back to the field. finsihed with 11 wins for the season and a draw. Strangely that disappointment still hurts after all these years.

3 hours ago, dieter said:

Lovely stuff. One small factual horror: Barassi was not captain in 1965: he had been seduced to coach Carlton.

Actually, there were a few errors in the article eg. in 1966, John Beckwith wasn't Melbourne's coach - Norm Smith was reinstated after being sacked in 1965 (missed one game) and remained coach until the end of 1967. Beckwith replaced him in 1968.

As to that opening game of 1971, it was a massive start to the season and I still can't work out how we missed out in the end. It was a fall from grace only matched by 1965 when we were 8-0 in the year after Barassi left to coach Carlton (I've always maintained that if Barassi had stayed at the club we would have easily made the finals in 1965).

I went to all MCG games and a few away games in the early sixties 

Gallus looked like a natural CHF from memory but like a lot of our big blokes in that era never really took off

After reading that story it’s great credit to him that he did as well as he did

17 hours ago, Old Bear said:

I went to all MCG games and a few away games in the early sixties 

Gallus looked like a natural CHF from memory but like a lot of our big blokes in that era never really took off

After reading that story it’s great credit to him that he did as well as he did

Yes i saw him play a number of games at the  G In 1971 he played 20 games in his first year. a reasonably accurate kick for goal but his strength was his marking.  Played good game time  in the ruck as well. He stood out. Unfortunately  he spent time travelling to training from Drouin and it court up with him. Different set of circumstances those days.