There's a full article you can read here

https://www.myheartbeatstrue.com/news/snap-shot-mann-what-a-demons-win-to-celebrate/

I understand as a club with no success over a long period that we haven’t had much to hang our hat on. I also respect Hassa’s and the old timers’ contribution to what our club is. However, I get a little unsettled every September we manage to make when the nostalgia about the great teams of the past goes into overdrive.

While their achievements in what was an amateur sport should be lauded, let’s remember that era is not analogous to now. All the players worked, many smoked, dietary requirements had meat pies as their foundation, and a zone would be only introduced roughly 10 years later. Alas it related to recruiting, and not to defense. A draft was the type of beer you drank after the game.

For sure, respect our history, but don’t obsess over it. I’d rather we focused first and foremost on the 22 on the paddock.

Edited August 24, 20214 yr by Colin B. Flaubert

Buzz kill

Kudos to Clint for keeping his sh*t together during that piece. 😆

And to be fair - he did try to merge us!

(runs and hides for having mentioned the war)

16 hours ago, tiers said:

Kicked the goal from the boundary against the dorks to secure top spot at the end of r.17 in 1964.

Deserving of praise.

Remember that goal so well.Sliding mark which was a tad doubtful

Hassa Mann was my absolute favourite player as a young boy. A true champion and a star of the game . Had his number 29 proudly emblazoned on my duffle coat. Totally devastated when he went back west. Reluctantly, but ultimately happily, I asked my mum to turn the nine upside down to become a six following another hero in the high flying Greg Parke. Great memories.

13 minutes ago, martin said:

Totally devastated when he went back west

Hassa wasn't originally from Western Australia, having grown up in Merbein in the Sunraysia region and being recruited from Rutherglen where he'd been transferred with his work.

He left Melbourne to coach South Fremantle in 1969. Like you martin, I was shattered as Hassa was my hero!

4 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

For sure, respect our history, but don’t obsess over it. I’d rather we focused first and foremost on the 22 on the paddock.

It is fair to assume that our outrageous success in the 50s and 60s led to many years of drought as each new generation assumed the good times would come back especially if we called upon those who had had success.

I think back to when John Beckwith, Dennis Jones and Ron Barassi were installed as coach as much for their nostalgic connection and (except Barassi) less for their demonstrated success. This held us back for years until Northey broke the mould.

Even recruiting Hassa Mann to the club was in the hope that some of his success would rub off. In the end it is the team in each era that can bring success, not memories.