With an iconic Magpie hovering over the Demons (and we all know what they want to do from there, come springtime!) I thought it might be diverting to reflect on what black-and-whiters have donned the red and blue, and whether it has ended happily.

Peter Moore might be on the plus side of the ledger (though his offspring is doing a good job on that legacy). And Gary Pert at least presided over a premiership organisation.

The others I could think of are variously from somewhat to deeply into the other side of the ledger: Phil Carman, Mark Neeld, Chris Dawes, Heretier Lamumba, Ben Kennedy.

I looked up some others: in the 'Too-long-ago-to-judge' category are the pre-First-World-War Abbott siblings, Les and Clarrie, our 1921-23 captain-coach, Percy Wilson, and Pies four-peat member Billy Libbis, in '33-'35; in the 'Who??' category are Wayne Gordon and John Dellamarta.

Any others? Discuss?

Henry Coles was a useful rover/goalsneak.

He was no shrinking violet as this extract confirms:

In 1977 Coles was twice suspended for two matches, for striking John Pitura of Richmond and Lorenzo Serafini of Fitzroy.^[3]

Coles played his first and only game for Victoria in 1978, against the ACT.^[3] Just nine days later, when Coles was playing his 100th VFL game, against his former club Collingwood, he was reported and in the end suspended for verbally abusing umpire Bill Deller.^[3] The 1978 season ended up being the high point of Coles's career, as he finished the season having played 21 matches and kicking 33 goals, thereby winning Melbourne's leading goalkicker award for the season.^[2]

Coles' career deteriorated from 1978 onwards, playing only four games in 1979 and seven games in his final season of 1980. His VFL career ended in disgrace when he was fined $600 and suspended for a week after getting into a fight with his captain-coach, Carl Ditterich.^[4] He played his last game for Melbourne in round 18 against North Melbourne.

Christian Petracca?

13 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

in the 'Who??' category are Wayne Gordon

I'm surprised you don't remember Wayne, who wore #13. This from Demonwiki:

The fiery winger played in both of Collingwood's 1977 Grand Finals, but was swapped to Melbourne at the end of the next season with John Dellamarta and Phil Carman, in exchange for Ross Brewer and cash.

Once he arrived at Melbourne, Gordon was used in a variety of positions but struggles with a knee injury and Hodgkin's Disease was restricted him three games in his first season. A regular in 1980 and the first half of 1981, a ruptured spleen in the Round 13 match with Footscray kept him out for the rest of the season. Gordon didn't play another senior game, but appeared in the Reserves during 1982 and 1983, before collapsing with a heart issue in the Round 19, 1983 curtain-raiser. Six weeks later he passed away from a heart attack after a game of tennis, aged just 29 years old.

[censored] Collingwood.

9 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Henry Coles was a useful rover/goalsneak.

He was no shrinking violet as this extract confirms:

In 1977 Coles was twice suspended for two matches, for striking John Pitura of Richmond and Lorenzo Serafini of Fitzroy.^[3]

Coles played his first and only game for Victoria in 1978, against the ACT.^[3] Just nine days later, when Coles was playing his 100th VFL game, against his former club Collingwood, he was reported and in the end suspended for verbally abusing umpire Bill Deller.^[3] The 1978 season ended up being the high point of Coles's career, as he finished the season having played 21 matches and kicking 33 goals, thereby winning Melbourne's leading goalkicker award for the season.^[2]

Coles' career deteriorated from 1978 onwards, playing only four games in 1979 and seven games in his final season of 1980. His VFL career ended in disgrace when he was fined $600 and suspended for a week after getting into a fight with his captain-coach, Carl Ditterich.^[4] He played his last game for Melbourne in round 18 against North Melbourne.

I wouldn't say that was

10 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Henry Coles was a useful rover/goalsneak.

He was no shrinking violet as this extract confirms:

In 1977 Coles was twice suspended for two matches, for striking John Pitura of Richmond and Lorenzo Serafini of Fitzroy.^[3]

Coles played his first and only game for Victoria in 1978, against the ACT.^[3] Just nine days later, when Coles was playing his 100th VFL game, against his former club Collingwood, he was reported and in the end suspended for verbally abusing umpire Bill Deller.^[3] The 1978 season ended up being the high point of Coles's career, as he finished the season having played 21 matches and kicking 33 goals, thereby winning Melbourne's leading goalkicker award for the season.^[2]

Coles' career deteriorated from 1978 onwards, playing only four games in 1979 and seven games in his final season of 1980. His VFL career ended in disgrace when he was fined $600 and suspended for a week after getting into a fight with his captain-coach, Carl Ditterich.^[4] He played his last game for Melbourne in round 18 against North Melbourne.

I wouldn't say that was a disgrace, more an act of great courage!

8 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I'm surprised you don't remember Wayne, who wore #13. This from Demonwiki:

The fiery winger played in both of Collingwood's 1977 Grand Finals, but was swapped to Melbourne at the end of the next season with John Dellamarta and Phil Carman, in exchange for Ross Brewer and cash.

Once he arrived at Melbourne, Gordon was used in a variety of positions but struggles with a knee injury and Hodgkin's Disease was restricted him three games in his first season. A regular in 1980 and the first half of 1981, a ruptured spleen in the Round 13 match with Footscray kept him out for the rest of the season. Gordon didn't play another senior game, but appeared in the Reserves during 1982 and 1983, before collapsing with a heart issue in the Round 19, 1983 curtain-raiser. Six weeks later he passed away from a heart attack after a game of tennis, aged just 29 years old.

I was at the opposite end of the ground that day when he collapsed. It was in a reserves game against Fitzroy at the Junction Oval.

8 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I'm surprised you don't remember Wayne, who wore #13. This from Demonwiki:

The fiery winger played in both of Collingwood's 1977 Grand Finals, but was swapped to Melbourne at the end of the next season with John Dellamarta and Phil Carman, in exchange for Ross Brewer and cash.

Once he arrived at Melbourne, Gordon was used in a variety of positions but struggles with a knee injury and Hodgkin's Disease was restricted him three games in his first season. A regular in 1980 and the first half of 1981, a ruptured spleen in the Round 13 match with Footscray kept him out for the rest of the season. Gordon didn't play another senior game, but appeared in the Reserves during 1982 and 1983, before collapsing with a heart issue in the Round 19, 1983 curtain-raiser. Six weeks later he passed away from a heart attack after a game of tennis, aged just 29 years old.

Tough life... 😞

Heritier was good I thought in his 20 or so games. He also sealed that win against GC in Round 1 2015 which was our first Round 1 in like a decade. The crowd sounded like 80k when he kicked that goal. Great memory.

6 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

[censored] Collingwood.

Yep. Particularly after sitting through the '23 qualifying final. Never again...

Gonna have to do some brain-rinsing, then, if he gets the job.

11 minutes ago, praha said:

Heritier was good I thought in his 20 or so games. He also sealed that win against GC in Round 1 2015 which was our first Round 1 in like a decade. The crowd sounded like 80k when he kicked that goal. Great memory.

Just watched on Youtube. 200th game. Some celebration, too!

Happy to move him, ledger-wise.

Edited Tuesday at 08:402 days by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

38 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

With an iconic Magpie hovering over the Demons (and we all know what they want to do from there, come springtime!) I thought it might be diverting to reflect on what black-and-whiters have donned the red and blue, and whether it has ended happily.

Peter Moore might be on the plus side of the ledger (though his offspring is doing a good job on that legacy). And Gary Pert at least presided over a premiership organisation.

The others I could think of are variously from somewhat to deeply into the other side of the ledger: Phil Carman, Mark Neeld, Chris Dawes, Heretier Lamumba, Ben Kennedy.

I looked up some others: in the 'Too-long-ago-to-judge' category are the pre-First-World-War Abbott siblings, Les and Clarrie, our 1921-23 captain-coach, Percy Wilson, and Pies four-peat member Billy Libbis, in '33-'35; in the 'Who??' category are Wayne Gordon and John Dellamarta.

Any others? Discuss?

John Dellamarta was a good friend of mine despite being a lifelong Collingwood supporter. He was a very talented junior CHF, a strong mark and a booming kick. He couldn’t cement a place at Magpies so came to Melbourne as part of the Carmen trade. He played a couple of games with Demons but I don’t think his heart was in it after being let go by the Pies.

54 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

With an iconic Magpie hovering over the Demons (and we all know what they want to do from there, come springtime!) I thought it might be diverting to reflect on what black-and-whiters have donned the red and blue, and whether it has ended happily.

Peter Moore might be on the plus side of the ledger (though his offspring is doing a good job on that legacy). And Gary Pert at least presided over a premiership organisation.

The others I could think of are variously from somewhat to deeply into the other side of the ledger: Phil Carman, Mark Neeld, Chris Dawes, Heretier Lamumba, Ben Kennedy.

I looked up some others: in the 'Too-long-ago-to-judge' category are the pre-First-World-War Abbott siblings, Les and Clarrie, our 1921-23 captain-coach, Percy Wilson, and Pies four-peat member Billy Libbis, in '33-'35; in the 'Who??' category are Wayne Gordon and John Dellamarta.

Any others? Discuss?

Henry Coles and Wayne "Flash" Gordon RIP

1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

Henry Coles was a useful rover/goalsneak.

He was no shrinking violet as this extract confirms:

In 1977 Coles was twice suspended for two matches, for striking John Pitura of Richmond and Lorenzo Serafini of Fitzroy.^[3]

Coles played his first and only game for Victoria in 1978, against the ACT.^[3] Just nine days later, when Coles was playing his 100th VFL game, against his former club Collingwood, he was reported and in the end suspended for verbally abusing umpire Bill Deller.^[3] The 1978 season ended up being the high point of Coles's career, as he finished the season having played 21 matches and kicking 33 goals, thereby winning Melbourne's leading goalkicker award for the season.^[2]

Coles' career deteriorated from 1978 onwards, playing only four games in 1979 and seven games in his final season of 1980. His VFL career ended in disgrace when he was fined $600 and suspended for a week after getting into a fight with his captain-coach, Carl Ditterich.^[4] He played his last game for Melbourne in round 18 against North Melbourne.

And yours truly was Team Manager that year and the above is true.

Really liked Henry and he was a nice guy and at 170 cms pretty brave to take on the 194 cm Captain Coach.

At training one day he offered to show me the difference between VFL players and ammo’s.

I am 175 cms and had a small height advantage. Henry stood with me and Phil Carman about 40 metres away. Phil would kick it to me and no matter where I led or whatever I did, I couldn’t get a fingernail on the ball. Henry just bodied me out of every single contest. Carman was killing himself laughing.

It gave me a new respect for the players as to how brilliant they were.

Edited Tuesday at 09:372 days by Redleg

Fact is, if Buckley comes to us then from day one he will have exactly as many premierships with us as with Collingwood.

He could well be with us for a decade, and by the end of that time Collingwood will be 'the old club he played for that never quite reached success despite every advantage', while Melbourne will be where he won the 2028, 2030 and 2031 premierships.

The story will be that he never really found happiness until he separated himself from that awful club.

This isn't Collingwood 'giving' us something, this is us taking an opportunity to redeem a soul.

24 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

Fact is, if Buckley comes to us then from day one he will have exactly as many premierships with us as with Collingwood.

He could well be with us for a decade, and by the end of that time Collingwood will be 'the old club he played for that never quite reached success despite every advantage', while Melbourne will be where he won the 2028, 2030 and 2031 premierships.

The story will be that he never really found happiness until he separated himself from that awful club.

This isn't Collingwood 'giving' us something, this is us taking an opportunity to redeem a soul.

What happened to '29, Goffy? Don't stint!

A '28-to-'31 four-peat has a particularly relevant ring to it, 100 years on.

If Bucks gets the gig, well I do like fig jam, but on toast with black coffee,

But a couple of strong drinks I will come to terms and hope for the best.

Be very good to get it sorted as soon as possible and to see what other changes might be made in the FD let alone playing group. Go Dees

When the AFL first began fixturing the QB (now KB) game on the Public Holiday Monday in June 2001, the AFL and C’wood agreed that it should be regarded as Melbourne home game, with us to receive the associated gate receipts.

In 2018, when we were becoming more competitive as a team, C’wood reneged on that agreement, and the Home Ground revenue for QB/KB fixture has since rotated between the two Clubs.

So for a time they did give us something of value, but subsequently demanded it back. Bloody ‘indian givers’! Thanks Eddie 🤮!

2 hours ago, Demonstone said:

I'm surprised you don't remember Wayne, who wore #13. This from Demonwiki:

The fiery winger played in both of Collingwood's 1977 Grand Finals, but was swapped to Melbourne at the end of the next season with John Dellamarta and Phil Carman, in exchange for Ross Brewer and cash.

Once he arrived at Melbourne, Gordon was used in a variety of positions but struggles with a knee injury and Hodgkin's Disease was restricted him three games in his first season. A regular in 1980 and the first half of 1981, a ruptured spleen in the Round 13 match with Footscray kept him out for the rest of the season. Gordon didn't play another senior game, but appeared in the Reserves during 1982 and 1983, before collapsing with a heart issue in the Round 19, 1983 curtain-raiser. Six weeks later he passed away from a heart attack after a game of tennis, aged just 29 years old.

I remember Wayne Gordon, came from Reservoir way. Was also a talented basketball player as a junior

7 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

When the AFL first began fixturing the QB (now KB) game on the Public Holiday Monday in June 2001, the AFL and C’wood agreed that it should be regarded as Melbourne home game, with us to receive the associated gate receipts.

In 2018, when we were becoming more competitive as a team, C’wood reneged on that agreement, and the Home Ground revenue for QB/KB fixture has since rotated between the two Clubs.

So for a time they did give us something of value, but subsequently demanded it back. Bloody ‘indian givers’! Thanks Eddie 🤮!

Speaking of...

In his on-line thingy with Jimmy Bartel (so overtly at the 'G - grrrr...) he is adamant that an appointment will be made 'before the grand final'.

I suppose one could say, 'Well, derrr!' But he may also have some 'inside'.

He's much fluffier on the who and the coach and coach/management mix, though.

More of what 'Collingwood' has/n't given us.

2 hours ago, Demonstone said:

I'm surprised you don't remember Wayne, who wore #13. This from Demonwiki:

The fiery winger played in both of Collingwood's 1977 Grand Finals, but was swapped to Melbourne at the end of the next season with John Dellamarta and Phil Carman, in exchange for Ross Brewer and cash.

Once he arrived at Melbourne, Gordon was used in a variety of positions but struggles with a knee injury and Hodgkin's Disease was restricted him three games in his first season. A regular in 1980 and the first half of 1981, a ruptured spleen in the Round 13 match with Footscray kept him out for the rest of the season. Gordon didn't play another senior game, but appeared in the Reserves during 1982 and 1983, before collapsing with a heart issue in the Round 19, 1983 curtain-raiser. Six weeks later he passed away from a heart attack after a game of tennis, aged just 29 years old.

So, I see, did Henry Coles! (as well as #3?)

Crazy how quickly people forget about Ben Kennedy

Jerry Seinfeld's what-the-deal-about spiel about sports fans was that ultimately we support laundry.... we love Howe, then he plays in a Collingwood jumper and we hate him. We get Grundy ... or perhaps Mihocek ... and that fresh new Melbourne jumper means now we love him. Go back many decades ago and Catholic and Protestant schoolboys would throw rocks at each other and marrying someone from the 'other' religion well, you'd think twice .... and I'm talking about here in Australia. This all seems as frivolous. While I love AFL fans booing and hissing at pantomime-like villains I really don't care about Buckley's past clubs. I sure hope the current grumbles are in jest.

BTW is Barassi our last official coach to have actually played for us? It never bothered me that the coaches since came from 'enemy territory'.

Edited Tuesday at 11:062 days by Go Ds

5 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Crazy how quickly people forget about Ben Kennedy

Genuinely looked the part during the first 2/3rds of 2016 before he disappeared off of the face of the Earth.

Never got a look in during 2017 under Goodwin for whatever reason before he was delisted.

9 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Crazy how quickly people forget about Ben Kennedy

Pies have swindled us a bunch over the years. A late first round pick for Chris Dawes. Trading Geelong Clark and taking Lumumba so they could get Varcoe. Howe for Kennedy and change. Relieving them of the Grundy salary so we could embark on the most pointless experiment ever.