spirit of norm smith

You have two children and have to name a favourite. Too hard.

Some might remember a bloke called Robin White in the mid 80s. Came from South Adelaide, fairly unheralded but was as tough as nails. Peter Walsh like. He tagged. He tackled. But like many, he came for about 20-30 games then was gone.

Another who played a year then went back to the bush. The VFL era was where players came and went to VFL, SANFL, the bush of the VFA. It depended on job opportunities, family and money available. Totally different to today’s professional footballers.

Ok so really it’s just Carl Ditterich and Crackers Keenan who played with the Dees, went to another (VFL/AFL) club and returned. No one else in the past 40 years. Still will hope that the Dees reach out to Jesse Hogan to see if there is any interest in a return one day.

There is occasionally (rare) the romantic footy story of a player returning to their original club. Paul Salmon is the best example that I recall. For the Dees, I can only recall Carl Ditterich as an example although he will be remembered as a Saints man. Ironically he was a “return” at the Saints and the Dees. He played with Melbourne from 1973-75 and then as player/coach 1979&80. I am still thinking that one day perhaps Jesse Hogan could return but history shows it is a 0.01% chance of happening for any club or player.

White was superb and retired too early imo. One of the very Demon best ruckman ever only just behind Stynes. Could have been a handy key forward. Woey was great and had an amazing 2000. But he joined the filth so went down in many eyes as a Demon.

Warren Dean was a key to our 1987 night grand final win and the finals campaign in 1987. A classy forward. A classy wingman. So cruel again that he was debilitated by a knee injury. Huge talent.

Yes apology to those who just missed out - Jack Trengove, Scott Thompson and Craig Turley.

I was feeling nostalgic and thought I’d reminisce about our best players from interstate ie. outside Victoria (excl Ireland). There have been disappointments from Tilbrook to Toumpas/Morton. But some absolute guns have moved to the Dees and had great careers. My list is: 1- Alan Johnson 2- Todd Viney 3- Brad Green 4- Russell Robertson 5- Steven Febey 6- Jeff Farmer 7-Steven Stretch 8-Danny Hughes 9-Shane Woewodin 10-Nev Jetta 11- Andy Lovell 12-Andrew Obst 13-Earl Spalding 14-Jared Rivers 15-Aaron Davey 16-Ray Biffin 17-Alan Jakovich 18- Warren Dean 19-Matthew Whelan 20- Colin Garland 21- Jeremy Howe 22- Jesse Hogan 23- Bernie Vince 24- Mark Jamar 25- Anthony Ingerson 26- Liam Jurrah 27- Brad Miller 28- Darren Bennett 29- Peter Vardy 30- Nathan Brown Special mention time Peter Walsh. Loved his attack on the footy. His heart was the size of a lion. I didn’t include Jack Viney as he came through the Vic metro schools system. Also Jeffy Garlett was from the Blues.

Jennings doesn’t even talk about pathways or how players on the list are maintaining match fitness and learning the team dynamics.

1994 was another year that “could have been”. We had a great forward line. Lyon Schwarz Lovell Pike Jakovich Charles Neita at CHB. Stynes in the ruck. Tingay in the wing. Mids Viney Obst G.Lovett Tingay Dyson Matt Febey Steve Febey Our defence was pretty good too with Wight, Brett Lovett, Hoppy, Yeats and Prymke as a first year player. Why we didn’t win it? 1- we finished 7th. After. 5-0 start, we ended 12-10 2- Had to beat the Eagles at home in the preliminary final. They were powerful, at home and rested after a weeks break.

Davey was exciting and like a sports car. Febey was reliable, like a Camry type footballer. Davey gets my vote.

I was very disappointed when Dom Barry left. I was understanding why he left as a young bloke but he had the skills and pace to make it. Could he still return? Depending on his motivation and will. It would be quite a story.

John Tossol

Absolute gun. Heart of a lion. Remember his 1988 and 1989 seasons and finals. After playing on the wing, he moved to back pocket in his 30s. Stood up as a reliable but attacking defender.

Grgic. Wasted talent. Never had the intensity. Nicho. Serviceable plodder Lamaro. Skilled left footer. Like me, couldn’t get the footy Gardiner. See Lamaro McDonald. Good result. Had a good amateur background and stepped up. ✅ ROBBO. ✅✅✅ though we delisted then thought again. Winterton, Otoole and Gehling. Made up numbers. But at least they can say they got drafted. We’re always speculating at picks 40+

Start in August and play for 4 months. Until the end of November. That means 17 possible weekends. Obviously have to have a top 8 so it only leaves 13 matches - plus round 1 - meaning 14 match season + finals. It might be that all games are lockouts including the grand final. Can you imagine fever temperature testing everyone before the GF.

Of course the great Connolly and Cam Schwab (dirty duo) were at play as they started the “better to lose” mentality. Ridiculous times that killed careers and reputations. Bailey never had a chance.

Forgot the great (self proclaimed) Heritier Lamumba. Started in fire and justified his trade in season 1 but his concussion at the start of season 2 ended his career. His arrogance towards others didn’t help.

Agree. What characters the Dees had over the years. Jacko. Crackers. Carman. Ditterich. Crosswell. Big Carl made everyone walk taller on the field. There was no easy kicks in the 70s and he put the fear into every opposition. Dees should have held the course with Carl. Definitely in my recycled best 22.

In the recycled team , Alan Jarrett should at least be ahead of Chris Dawes. I hope people remember Dawes as another “golden” acquisition that turned into aluminium sheeting.

Thanks Bucket. A great compilation. Great memories. Players like Brett Lovett, Mark Jackson, Ricky Jackson and Guy Rigoni all were juniors at other clubs and discarded.

Great additions. What memories. Mark “Jacko” Jackson was sensational. Powell. Loved his 2000 prelim v North. Marcus Seecamp also to be remembered. I thought Craig Turley played a fantastic first 12-13 games. Would have been close to winning the B&F. Only played the one year and battled on in the last half of that 95 year. Ended up retiring through injury. Came to us when he was 30-31 so was over it by the time he arrived. Sad to see chopper Lovell swapped out. Chopper was a great servant through the late 80s/90s under Northey/Balme.

Agree. Many of our indigenous stars came and went too soon. Loved their excitement and cannot wait for Pickett and Bedford to show their amazing pace and skills.

Ed Langdon 77. Really. !!?!?! behind anb, hunt and kk. It’s ridiculous