Jump to content

Great Article on Harold Ball on the ABC website

pitmaster
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 
7 hours ago, pitmaster said:

Interesting piece from the public broadcaster on a dual flag hero, and much more.

Harold Ball had a short but impressive football career before he died in WWII

Merbein has proved to be a great recruiting ground for the club. In addition to Harold Ball and Hassa Mann, the late Colin Sylvia also came from Merbein.

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1

    Good piece and it's always terrific to see one of our war hero-Demon champions receive due recognition.

    The only quibble I have with this piece is that it seems to tip toe around the circumstances of his death. Other accounts have suggested Harold and his mates were in effect executed - or rather murdered by being bayoneted - on a beach after being confronted by Japanese soldiers. 

    Actually, a second quibble is that the photo with Wilfred Smallhorn is not commented on, but at a guess I reckon Wilfred is actually "Chicken" Smallhorn, a rover who played 150 games with Fitzroy and who was a media commentator when football was first on telly in the 50s and early 60s. Chicken's record would have been worth a mention. He'd also have roved against my avatar!

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
     

    Great story, and such finds/posts are one of the pleasures (usually!) that is @Demonland.

    It is also a story, however, that makes one say, '[censored] war'.

    And those pictures; 21, going on 31...

  • Quote

    3 hours ago, Percy Beames said:

    Good piece and it's always terrific to see one of our war hero-Demon champions receive due recognition.

    The only quibble I have with this piece is that it seems to tip toe around the circumstances of his death. Other accounts have suggested Harold and his mates were in effect executed - or rather murdered by being bayoneted - on a beach after being confronted by Japanese soldiers. 

    Actually, a second quibble is that the photo with Wilfred Smallhorn is not commented on, but at a guess I reckon Wilfred is actually "Chicken" Smallhorn, a rover who played 150 games with Fitzroy and who was a media commentator when football was first on telly in the 50s and early 60s. Chicken's record would have been worth a mention. He'd also have roved against my avatar!

     

    Also won a Brownlow Medal, the same Chicken Smallhorn.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    3 hours ago, Percy Beames said:

    Good piece and it's always terrific to see one of our war hero-Demon champions receive due recognition.

    The only quibble I have with this piece is that it seems to tip toe around the circumstances of his death. Other accounts have suggested Harold and his mates were in effect executed - or rather murdered by being bayoneted - on a beach after being confronted by Japanese soldiers. 

    Actually, a second quibble is that the photo with Wilfred Smallhorn is not commented on, but at a guess I reckon Wilfred is actually "Chicken" Smallhorn, a rover who played 150 games with Fitzroy and who was a media commentator when football was first on telly in the 50s and early 60s. Chicken's record would have been worth a mention. He'd also have roved against my avatar!

     

    Unmistakably 'Chicken', for those whose black-and-whites (TVs!) were tuned to the original Friday night footy!

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • GAMEDAY: St. Kilda

      It's Game Day and the Demons have traveled to Alice Springs to take on the Saints and they have a massive opportunity to build on the momentum of two big wins in a row and keep their finals hopes well and truly alive.

        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 679 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: St. Kilda

      The Demons head to the Red Centre to face St Kilda in Alice Springs, aiming for a third straight win to keep their push for a Top 8 spot alive. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 466 replies
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 12

      Round 12 kicks off with the Brisbane hosting Essendon at the Gabba as the Lions aim to solidify their top-two position against an injury-hit Bombers side seeking to maintain momentum after a win over Richmond. On Friday night it's a blockbuster at the G as the Magpies look to extend their top of the table winning streak while the Hawks strive to bounce back from a couple of recent defeats and stay in contention for the Top 4. On Saturday the Suns, buoyed by 3 wins on the trot, face the Dockers in a clash crucial for both teams' aspirations this season. The Suns want to solidify their Top 4 standing whilst the Dockers will be desperate to break into the 8.

      • 248 replies
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

      The media has performed a complete reversal in its coverage of the Melbourne Football Club over the past month and a half. Having endured intense criticism from all quarters in the press, which continually identified new avenues for scrutiny of every aspect, both on and off the field, and prematurely speculated about the departures of coaches, players, officials, and various employees from a club that lost its first five matches and appeared out of finals contention, the narrative has suddenly shifted to one of unbridled optimism.  The Demons have won five of their last six matches, positioning themselves just one game (and a considerable amount of percentage) outside the top eight at the halfway mark of the season. They still trail the primary contenders and remain far from assured of a finals berth.

        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 12 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Sydney

      A few weeks ago, I visited a fellow Melbourne Football Club supporter in hospital, and our conversation inevitably shifted from his health diagnosis to the well-being of our football team. Like him, Melbourne had faced challenges in recent months, but an intervention - in his case, surgery, and in the team's case, a change in game style - had brought about much improvement.  The team's professionals had altered its game style from a pedestrian and slow-moving approach, which yielded an average of merely 60 points for five winless games, to a faster and more direct style. This shift led to three consecutive wins and a strong competitive effort in the fourth game, albeit with a tired finish against Hawthorn, a strong premiership contender.  As we discussed our team's recent health improvement, I shared my observations on the changes within the team, including the refreshed style, the introduction of new young talent, such as rising stars Caleb Windsor, Harvey Langford, and Xavier Lindsay, and the rebranding of Kozzy Pickett from a small forward to a midfield machine who can still get among the goals. I also highlighted the dominance of captain Max Gawn in the ruck and the resurgence in form in a big way of midfield superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. 

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 9 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Sydney

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 26th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a crushing victory by the Demons over the Swans at the G. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 51 replies
      Demonland
    View All