Demons3031

3 hours ago, hemingway said:

As mentioned there were some great exponents of the drop kick but much fewer with the stab. Very few players tried the stab pass. Billy Goggin was a great stab kick. 

There were a few great Demons who never drop kicked. Brian Roet, Brian Dixon, Geoff Tunbridge, Graeme Wise, Terry Gleeson and Bob Johnson to name a few 

 

You are right about those players Hemingway- but they seem to have been effective-even Brian Dixon's awkward kicks seemed to be well placed. Thinking back, if he hadn't done that mongrel punt in 1964 that was too high for Barassi to mark, the ball might never have spilled the way of Neil Crompton. :)  They were great days weren't that-Geoff Tunbridge-No 23-what a flanker...and Athol Webb at full forward  

We used to sit upstairs in Bay 13 with Dad. A guy with a hessian bag used to sell brown paper bags of peanuts-which people would shell and eat (and leave the mess). The boy yelling "Hot Dogs, Meat Pies" and another selling "Lollies and Potato chips". Dad used to park in Richmond off Punt Rd in one of the side streets-probabaly to save a bit of money. Men would buy or bring bottles of beer (in the days before cans) until Umpire Ron Brophy was hit in the back by a half empty bottle one day. At various grounds, men would bring wooden boxes/crates that used to hold soft drink and the like, to stand on in the outer-especially if you could only get Standing room tickets in the finals. Those were the days!  What was  your favourite spot to sit and watch  Hemingway?

3 hours ago, willmoy said:

Used to kick up on the cutting and if you missed you had to go get it yourself

Was that near the railway line near Alamein Willmoy?

18 hours ago, nosoupforme said:

The best drop kicks consistently  was a centreman who played for Collingwood called Barry Price. He was  very accurate for passing the ball chest height especially to Peter McKenna.

 Bob Skilton  as was Max Papley  grandfather  of young Tom Papley were  great exponents  of the drop kick.  However Tassie Johnson was a terrific  long kick when kicking out.   The drop kick was rarely used in the early 70s it faded away.

 In the early 6o,s If you didn't have the Ron Barassi footy boots  it was hard on your big toe to drop kick a leather footy as a 10 year old.  Don't l know.

On the muddy grounds the drop kick was hard to manage as you would mostly end up with grubber kicks.

Great memories there Nosoupforme. Yes Barry Price, Skilts and Pax Papley-and in another post John Bonney was mentioned. WE were witness to a wonderful era. Yes the type of boot made a difference as did the condition of the ground. It those days it was often muddy!

1 hour ago, Ollie fan said:

I love that grand final footage. I am definitely an old timer and while the skill in the modern game is fantastic, the haphazard kicking back then meant there was a real contest in each position between players, and that was a delight to watch. 
 

As for long goals, I can remember Bryan  Kenneally taking the ball from a centre bounce ruck contest at the G, running four or five steps and kicking a goal with a torpedo.

Great versatile player Bryan Kenneally. Number 22

Yes I remember Paul. Number 20. Played full back. I was reading up on him recently on Demonwiki. I think injury might have cut short his career? Here is the link http://www.demonwiki.org/Paul+Rowlands

Just now, Cranky Franky said:

Thats not quiet right HB. Phil was 178cm & played back pocket while Tassie Bob was the full back @ around 190cm.  Phil played 3 senior games & while he was a great kick he wasn't quiet up to it as a senior player rather than Tassie keeping him out of the team.

Yes he played Back Pocket (no 41?) but because of his kicking skill he often would kick the ball out from full back after a behind. I was lucky to see him in a few  games as in those days we got to the footy early and watched the Reserves before the firsts - a feast of footy on a Saturday! :)

10 minutes ago, Meggs said:

Meggs loves to execute the drop kick and show his kids.   He recalls Paul Goss, Norm Goss’ brother, kicking a drop kick goal from a free or mark about 15m out from goal at the G.  It was really odd at the time as no one did drop kicks in 1976.  Paul only kicked 2 goals in 4 games for the Dees according to Wikipedia and I didn’t see the other goal.

Keep on keeping up the traditions Meggs! Thats a real memory of the Paul Goss kick. A really good VFA player (Port Melbourne like Norm?) but just didn't quite cement a spot at VFL.

9 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

What adds to the interest in this topic is that in today's game, if a player is tackled and then kicks a drop kick to dispose of the ball, it's considered to be an incorrect disposal because it hits the ground before the boot.

I always remember Barry Davis (Essendon and subsequently North) as a wonderful exponent of the art.

Yes Barry Davis-No 32-I agree La Dee. he had the ability to give himself time and space to execute a drop kick from half back-usually to Essendons Ken Fraser at CHF! :)

Didn't notice any Timothy but I haven't yet watched the whole quarter. I do remember Billy Goggin in an earlier final that year-several times taking taps from Polly Farmer on the runat full pace and executing superb stab kicks and hitting Doug Wade on the chest in front of goal.  He was brilliant.

As an an aside, I was talking with someone at Christmas about our old street in Ashburton where we would practice leading and stab kicks and take chest marks running full pelt toward our brick fence- fond memories of marking at the same time as throwing out the front foot to step onto the fence and over into Dad's garden!

4 minutes ago, Hampton 22 said:

Good topic for this time of the year. We could augment it by trying to track the most recent drop kick deployed in a game. I recall Bill Nettlefold gleefully kicking one in what I think was his final game for the Dees in 1982 at the MCG. It was probably in the reserves curtain raiser. 

Good memory there Hampton...wonder what Barassi's reaction would have been if he had done that in the seniors. I reckon RDB was so madly into team discipline and rules he might have dragged him even if he had goaled from full back! :)

Reading both the Norm Smith biography and RDB's biography they both were so maniacal about team rules. Barass used to cop it from Norm for trying to do too much to turn things in a game instead of following directions. I think Norm reportedly told off Neil Crompton for  disobeying rules and following his rover down from the back pocket when he kicked the winning goal in the '64 Grand Final-no doubt Norm also gave him a pat on the back too. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv5jel79vRQ

Some nice drop kicks  from both sides in the early minutes..and some great ruck work from Polly Farmer. Gotta love Ian Cleland's Clelo's) commentating error between the 3-4 minute mark when he stumbled over his words and claimed Gary Young was "fricked" An understandable error when trying to say "free kicked"  too quickly! LOL :)

Yes I remember Phil Rhoden kicking out in the Reserves at Glenferrie oval one day...and Don Williams on the half back flank-what a great  attacking footballer. When our lera years started his career was i sunset time - I remember in one game he was switched into the centre from half back. Am I correct in thinking Ronald Dale B as coach was a prime mover  behind the drop punt replacing the drop kick?

This is probably one for some of us more mature Demons-but what are your memories of players skilled and proficient with drop kicks.? I have wonderful memories of the great Tassie Johnson kicking out from goal and consistently landing them around the centre circle. And the roving Ian Ridley seems to relish the drop kick as well. I have a feeling Trevor Johnson maybe?? Keen to hear others memories. With other clubs, I remember Billy Barrot for Richmond and perhaps Fred Swift at Full back and Geelong CHB named Walker?

35 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

this thread just got all scrambled up

 Wonder if ye olde Chook Fowler (Number12) is unconsciously egging people on to contribute these posts. No more from me..:)

13 hours ago, demonstone said:

Eggs over easy?   Wonder how much you'd have to shell out for him.

I trust we wouldn't be accused of poaching?

3 hours ago, Ohio USA - David said:

Garry Byers, now there's a name for history... I always thought he would be a good solid player... Only five games to his credit and listed for just over a year... I thought he had talent as a ruckman...

Here is a URL which brings back memories of his first game.. Some great players in that team and the Reserves too.

http://demonwiki.org/Round+16+1962

 

Funny you mentioned him Ohio-I was only thinking about him a couple of weeks ago and wondering hy his career was so short..I still have a clear  picture of him  from Footy Replay (In Black and White of course!)  rucking a boundary throw in near the members wing- and he never seemed to play a game after that.

Thanks for the memories Blair-both when playing against us and with us. :)

29 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

i dont feel comfortable losing Hannan. Ive always liked him. Yes, he hasnt been consistent but once simon gets the boot and a real coach comes in then I fully expect Hannan to go ti the next level

I would be keen to keep Hannan too Dr D.

8 hours ago, Farmer said:

They Were great days. I saw Stuart Spencer’s first game in 1950 ,thereafter he was my absolute hero. I recall the Adams/ Healy clash very clearly. We were marginally in front in the last quarter of the 1955 GF when Adams came on as 19th man and headed straight for Healy. Healy had the ball and was bouncing it down the outer side of the centre. Because he was carrying it, every eye was on him. Adams simply crashed into him without any evasive action or attempt to grab him so their heads clashed . All of the 100,000 at the ground saw the incident which was sickening as both players lay motionless on the ground until both were carried off.

Bluey was a marginal player that year, but he became much better than marginal . Spencer left after the winning GF in 1956, because someone offered him a Service  Station in N Tasmania!!!! He later said it was a terrible mistake. . Spencer was undoubtedly the best rover in the VFL , taller than most, with a raking left foot kick . But when he left , Bluey became the second rover, alongside Ian Ridley. 
we were thrashed by Footscray in 1954 GF but thereafter won them all, until and including 1960 , apart from the infamous 1958 blood bath. Then we won again, with a far less superior team in 1964. That was Norm Smith’s greatest coaching triumph .

Baker is bigger than was Adams and his hair is not as red. I hope he makes it, he tries v hard .

Great post Farmer. I enjoyed the memories you share very much. We seem to have had quite a few players who moved on a bit too early.

The days of low player payments meant that an offer of coaching interstate or a country club in Victoria must have been enticing. Hassa Mann was one amongst quite a few. Players also seemed to retire earlier than today too..like at 28-29. Maybe the  medical expertise wasn't there back then to help them play on. 

I remember sitting with Dad in the old Bay 13 on the wing. INnthe early 60's they changed the numbering system and it became Bay 15. We sat upstairs. I remember Dad pointing out the members on the other side wearing their gaberdeen coats and hats.

Boys selling unshelled peanuts from hessian bags ( and boy did they leave a  mess) and men lining up at the bars and toilets. I remember I used to collect all the  beer bottle tops to use as boundary markers for home games of penny footy!

They banned beer bottles after the umpire, Ron Brophy, got hit in the back at a  match one day by a bottle.  Glad  you lived through that era too Farmer and have those wonderful memories.

14 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Cox's contract is apparently backloaded. He'll be on $600k+ next year. Can't see us paying anywhere near that for him

14 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Cox's contract is apparently backloaded. He'll be on $600k+ next year. Can't see us paying anywhere near that for him

Yes you make a good point Moonshadow. I guess I was thinking that if Tom McDonald and maybe Jetta were part of the two way package trade , that might free up some $  in the finances.

Is Mason Cox an option..maybe as part of a two way package deal?

If the Pies are so desperate for a number of reasons, should we be considering Mason Cox? Could not only be a back up option if Max gets injured but free him up during games to go down back or forward where he can be very hard to match up on. Might be able to negotiate a package with some of the other players who are being talked about from both clubs?

30 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Bluey was tough, skilled, keen and had a real go. 

There will be a few others on this site around the same age as me. I was born in 1950 and saw my first game around 1955-56. Dad pointed out Ivor Warne Smith and the Cordner brothers. I think it was a week or two later I wanted to go to the footy again but Dad (Jack) said no- so I decided to drive there myself- not that I had any idea of how to drive let alone how to navigate to the MCG from Ashburton!! Ha Ha !

I only succeeded in rolling Dads car down the driveway and smashing the front headlight on his car--not a Happy Jack!

Despite the harshness of the last 56 years, I lived through the great era and am so grateful for the memories that provided. I would dearly love another premiership or even a great era again-but if it doesn't happen I will always have those great memories to carry with me. :)

37 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I think the late Bluey had a lot more talent and grunt than Oskar has displayed and by the way, he played in 6 premierships. Still, I would be happy to see Oskar do half of that in the coming years.

Yes Bluey had a great career WJ- and didn't seem too damaged by the Des Healey crash. I loved the fact that he could play both wing, with Brian Dixon on the other, as well as roving/forward pocket swapping with Ian Ridley. Those were great days.

12 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Whilst that of course would be great I fear you have demon coloured glasses on

I can still see that Number 6 of Bluey Adams with red hair passing to Barassi or Big Bob Johnson-or a host of  other great players  Old memories die hard. Maybe my memories  of the great Bluey Adams on the wing are colouring my view (and glasses) Roost It :)