Carl Ditterich on The Front Bar

[hemingway 7,630]

20 minutes ago, dieter said:

He was 17. I was at LUNa Park that afternoon, just down the road from the JUnction Oval where he destroyed Melbourne that afternoon.

I remember he and his St Kilda team mates made Barassi and his Demon team mates look very slow like they were running in quicksand. There was also the realisation from everyone present at the ground that we had seen something very special. 

[Edgey 6]

I remember when big Carl was playing there would be a plume of smoke coming from the 3/4 time huddle. It was Carl smoking.

[Superunknown 4,223]

I thought the beer burping was quite funny.

[In Harmes Way 7,823]

Great interview. What a character.

The reverence shown to Robbie brought a tear to the eye.

[Deemania since 56 6,715]

2 hours ago, In Harmes Way said:

Great interview. What a character.

The reverence shown to Robbie brought a tear to the eye.

The Brownlow Medal, and Robbie Flower, Gary Hardeman, Greg Wells ... all robbed. 

[Deemania since 56 6,715]

2 hours ago, Edgey said:

I remember when big Carl was playing there would be a plume of smoke coming from the 3/4 time huddle. It was Carl smoking.

Crackers used to light up, as well. 

[Guest]

Ditta was my Social Studies and English teacher when I was a teenager in Swan Hill in the early 90's.
He was a bit of a loose unit in the best possible way, and that's why I always liked him as a teacher as I was a bit mercurial myself as a kid. I was also very introverted and having him around gave me a bit of belief in some ways. 
I always liked his sense of humor and laid back demeanor, but he luckily didn't live up to my initial expectations. I thought as an ex football coach with a reputation as a knuckleman that he'd be all fire, brimstone and wall paper peeling sprays should we play up. From memory, he never raised his voice once with us and he probably didn't have to.
Strangely enough, we rarely talked about footy even though he knew I barracked for Melbourne. The only memory I have of us talking about the Demons was when he disparaged my belief that we could have gone further in 1994 (he said we went over undermanned for the Prelim against the Eagles). 
Great memories. 

Edited March 26, 2021 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Grr-owl 1,245]

23 hours ago, dieter said:

Excuse me, he's like me, a Kraut!

Yeah, and I’m sure he loves to wear lederhosen, just like you....

And well done on replying to me without mentioning how awful western culture is... ?

[dieter 3,325]

1 minute ago, Grr-owl said:

Yeah, and I’m sure he loves to wear lederhosen, just like you....

And well done on replying to me without mentioning how awful western culture is... ?

My pleasure, young man.

[Dame Gaga 2,453]

On 3/25/2021 at 8:37 PM, dieter said:

Excuse me, he's like me, a Kraut!

My clearest memory of watching Big Carl was when I was sitting in the old Southern Grandstand of the MCG on the wooden bench seats, and two old(er) ladies (opposition supporters) yelled out " you German Ditterich! You German!" after he had whacked a player on the ear or somewhere. It was so funny, as though that was the worst insult they could think of. I'm sorry, but I think I burst out laughing.

(Don't mention the war!) ? 

[Deemania since 56 6,715]

20 hours ago, hemingway said:

I remember he and his St Kilda team mates made Barassi and his Demon team mates look very slow like they were running in quicksand. There was also the realisation from everyone present at the ground that we had seen something very special. 

Loved the Junction Oval. Played tennis there, as well. Remember the game, it was a Demon nightmare. Carl was absolutely unique and boy, could he jump. Old time footy personified. 

[Whispering_Jack 30,575]

Only disappointment about the interview was that there was no mention of his team manager back in those last days at the club.

[dieter 3,325]

10 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

My clearest memory of watching Big Carl was when I was sitting in the old Southern Grandstand of the MCG on the wooden bench seats, and two old(er) ladies (opposition supporters) yelled out " you German Ditterich! You German!" after he had whacked a player on the ear or somewhere. It was so funny, as though that was the worst insult they could think of. I'm sorry, but I think I burst out laughing.

(Don't mention the war!) ? 

I assure you being German in the 1950's and 1960s was not much fun. We arrived in North Sunshine in JUly 1956 - my grandmother and auntie lived there - and my dear mum sent me to the local Catholic school which was full of Ukrainians, Polllacks, Italians, Dutch and Maltese kids in brand new Lederhosen. 

[Maldonboy38 6,405]

The brother-in-law of a friend played 50 games with the Dees, and I got to go in the rooms prior to a game versus Essendon while Carl was coach. We won by about 5 goals (I think) and sung "bye bye Bombers" to the cricket chant popular at the time "Come on Aussie come on, come on"!

It is a long time ago now, but I remember him as a well spoken, excellent coach who the players adored. He surprised me with how calm, articulate and teacher-like he was. It felt like he left all the biffo and "bigger than life" stuff until he was out on the field. But he was VERY physically intimidating and everyone walked taller while he was on the ground. 

[dieter 3,325]

2 hours ago, Maldonboy38 said:

The brother-in-law of a friend played 50 games with the Dees, and I got to go in the rooms prior to a game versus Essendon while Carl was coach. We won by about 5 goals (I think) and sung "bye bye Bombers" to the cricket chant popular at the time "Come on Aussie come on, come on"!

It is a long time ago now, but I remember him as a well spoken, excellent coach who the players adored. He surprised me with how calm, articulate and teacher-like he was. It felt like he left all the biffo and "bigger than life" stuff until he was out on the field. But he was VERY physically intimidating and everyone walked taller while he was on the ground. 

I understand he was a Phys Ed Teacher. I saw him pushing a shopping trolley through the aisles of Coles New World Glenferrie Road, Malvern in about 1976/77...

Edited March 27, 2021 by dieter

[Deemania since 56 6,715]

12 minutes ago, dieter said:

I understand he was a Phys Ed Teacher. I saw him pushing a shoppimh trolley through the aisles of Coles New World Glenferrie Road, Malvern in about 1976/77...

Yes, he was a Phys Ed teacher (and obviously moved to a less phyisical and demanding role in teaching - the Humanities - later in life. This is an example of his flexibility and talent. I recall him entering the Swan Hill Tech staff room prior to appointment for the next year (I was on staff at that time prior to a requested transfer closer to the Melbourne zone). Whilst at Swan Hill, I think that Big Carl coached a local team very competitively in the Murray Valley League ( Woorinen FC, I think it was from memory), keeping his boot studs muddied by the attractions of Aussie Rules. As you know, Dieter, the Malvern area was my old hunting ground and home; it was quite amazing how many footy identities appeared in stores and retreated into the carparks in the Glenny Road shopping precinct, as well. Thanks for the memories.....

Edited March 27, 2021 by Deemania since 56

[dieter 3,325]

27 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Yes, he was a Phys Ed teacher (and obviously moved to a less phyisical and demanding role in teaching - the Humanities - later in life. This is an example of his flexibility and talent. I recall him entering the Swan Hill Tech staff room prior to appointment for the next year (I was on staff at that time prior to a requested transfer closer to the Melbourne zone). Whilst at Swan Hill, I think that Big Carl coached a local team very competitively in the Murray Valley League ( Woorinen FC, I think it was from memory), keeping his boot studs muddied by the attractions of Aussie Rules. As you know, Dieter, the Malvern area was my old hunting ground and home; it was quite amazing how many footy identities appeared in stores and retreated into the carparks in the Glenny Road shopping precinct, as well. Thanks for the memories.....

I played cricket at Central Park: Ewing.  I played in the same side as Ray Baxter, ex BUlldog Centre Half Forward who Brian Roet took apart in just about his first game. ( I've probably mentioned this before: this is the main problem with LOng Tern Relationships - you just keep hearing and re-hearing the same stories.)

[Deemania since 56 6,715]

15 minutes ago, dieter said:

I played cricket at Central Park: Ewing.  I played in the same side as Ray Baxter, ex BUlldog Centre Half Forward who Brian Roet took apart in just about his first game. ( I've probably mentioned this before: this is the main problem with LOng Tern Relationships - you just keep hearing and re-hearing the same stories.)

I remember, Dieter, that you played for Ewing Memorial at Central Park. That's why I answered your post. I spent hours there as it was close to home, practising my drop kicks and stab passes, and running with the  Harriers at least four times per week, and taking in the glasshouse and fountain on my bike. We -  at the tennis club I played for - used to love beating Ewing in our seasonal competition tournaments but I played cricketand footy for Chaddy with my mates, not at Central Park despite it being so close to home down Burke Road. As an adult, I took my young kids to Hedgely Dene gardens for picnics nearby, catching yabbies with them, feeding the ducks, etc.

Great days are made of these..........they all grew up being Demons supporters and fanatics, at that!

[dieter 3,325]

4 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

I remember, Dieter, that you played for Ewing Memorial at Central Park. That's why I answered your post. I spent hours there as it was close to home, practising my drop kicks and stab passes, and running with the  Harriers at least four times per week, and taking in the glasshouse and fountain on my bike. We -  at the tennis club I played for - used to love beating Ewing in our seasonal competition tournaments but I played cricketand footy for Chaddy with my mates, not at Central Park despite it being so close to home down Burke Road. As an adult, I took my young kids to Hedgely Dene gardens for picnics nearby, catching yabbies with them, feeding the ducks, etc.

Great days are made of these..........they all grew up being Demons supporters and fanatics, at that!

Funny the way life pans out: you now live in Adelaide and as soon as is possible we would like to move to the area between Victor Harbour and Goolwa. I work in the wine business - am semi-retired - and have been to McLaren Vale at least sixty times since 1985. 

[Dame Gaga 2,453]

11 hours ago, dieter said:

I assure you being German in the 1950's and 1960s was not much fun. We arrived in North Sunshine in JUly 1956 - my grandmother and auntie lived there - and my dear mum sent me to the local Catholic school which was full of Ukrainians, Polllacks, Italians, Dutch and Maltese kids in brand new Lederhosen. 

Both my parents lived through the war in Europe but they never taught their children to be prejudiced. I hope you don't think I laughed at the old ladies because of the racial overtones, it's just that it was so unexpected. I was new to going to the footy and had only ever heard supporters abuse players by swearing etc (Collingwood and Essendon fans were the worse) so I was surprised to hear two little old ladies who were knitting at the breaks come out with what they said. From memory they were Saints fans so they probably held a grudge.

I know first hand how cruel school children can be, so I'm sorry if I offended you.

[dieter 3,325]

31 minutes ago, Dame Gaga said:

Both my parents lived through the war in Europe but they never taught their children to be prejudiced. I hope you don't think I laughed at the old ladies because of the racial overtones, it's just that it was so unexpected. I was new to going to the footy and had only ever heard supporters abuse players by swearing etc (Collingwood and Essendon fans were the worse) so I was surprised to hear two little old ladies who were knitting at the breaks come out with what they said. From memory they were Saints fans so they probably held a grudge.

I know first hand how cruel school children can be, so I'm sorry if I offended you.

No, not at all: I was not offended, believe me. I was simply pointing out - hopefully in a humorous way - the tragi-comic drama of growing up German in the Western Suburbs. Where are your folks from? I'm a keen student of history and I'm well aware of the trauma and shock and suffering which war brings. All the best.