Friday 18 July – Reunion Lunch at All Nations Hotel
The weekend got off to a bad start –arriving at the All Nations at 1150 hours only to fine it was closed! A few heavy whacks on the window remedied that issue. A skinny latte cappuccino was offered as I waited for the first of our guests to arrive. Not to be disappointed Cracka soon turned up and the chat was underway.
As per 1974 the reserves arrived early and the firsts wandered in at will. Claggy slipped in after a healthy walk from his digs in East Melbourne brandishing copies of team photos, historic excerpts from the Dog’s Eye and his prized #41 1974 membership card. The premiership photos doubled as place mats for both days as he even had them laminated. Fantastic work Dennis with two Ns!
Frenchy arrived a day earlier than expected as he was supposed to be in Sydney running world golf. He was excited about catching up with Chimpy (as we all were) but alas Chimpy FTRd (Failed to Report). Other FTRs were Curls, Tommy, Noddy and Leo.
Magic, Keats and Esky arrived at the same time as Pecky and Coons. It was obvious from the start that Coons was still harboring grudges from being given the arse from the ’74 Grand Final team. As Maurie had not yet arrived and Wally wasn’t coming to this lunch, I pleaded it wasn’t my fault - I wanted him in and it was the other selectors that gave him the flick! Made no difference, he was shitty and it carried over until the next day!
Maurie then arrived, as did Della and fellow ’65 classmate, Teddy Johnson. Sometime later Pig arrived with Kingy who was complete with “bag down leg and catheter in situ” – a great effort from Kingy who had just had a prostate op, hence the medical trappings!
After several pre-lunch drinks we were hastened into the dining room for a great meal complete with an abundance of ales and fine wines (both red and white).
A few had to leave early so we squared up with Treasurer Keats. All balanced and a fitting tip was left for the waiting staff who also just happened to be fairly good on the eye!
Into the snug-bar for a few more drinks before the next contingent departed at around 1830 hours.
Only two remained – yep, you got it; Cracka and Gav. After annoying and offering unsolicited advice to two young Yarra Valley Old Boys players re “how to run a successful VAFA Club” it was decided (by them I suspect), to call it a day at 2000 hours. Eight hours on the red and a jolly good day was had by all! See you tomorrow Cracka!
Saturday 19 July - Reunion and Past Players Lunch at Marcellin
Up early and on to the 1037 train from Kensington to Parliament and then a quick 20 minute bus trip on the 905 to The Bloke. The driver didn’t know “The Bloke” but he did know the “Manningham Club” which is where he suspected I wanted to go. No point in asking him if he knew where the Booby Bar was? By now I’m getting really excited; it’s 1130 and the ressies are about to start. I then sprint past Dan Murphy’s (thought that was in Chapel Street Prahran) and through the gate (hole in the fence) and into the college. Three hundred metres later I broke out into a cold sweat. No one told me that the street leading up to St. Marcellin’s statue was called “Sylvester” Drive. I can assure you it won’t be so titled next time I go, as Della, Teddy Johnson and I will guarantee there is an appropriate name change to something like Maurie Boulevard or Wally Way!
Having negotiated that hurdle it was into the Functions Room where plenty of willing helpers were setting up for the 160+ luncheon guests. Not me, I was a man on a mission as I set about depositing Claggy’s place mats and Dog’s Eyes at each of our 40 plus seats.
Late scratching for the reunion, bloody Cracka – crook back from a previous injury? Late Inclusion was brother Paul White who had not even bothered to tell me he was coming until I got a call during Friday’s lunch. Another late and welcome inclusion was Frank Aloisio (19th man in that great ’74 Eagles side and big brother of Lima, Cos and Little Joe).
The hordes began rolling up. We knew we were in for one of Wally’s great speeches when he lobbed in a jacket and tie with Ms. Vicki as his chaperone. Lynne was an apology as she is recovering from surgery following an accident in a pub car park some years ago.
I then noticed Paul Mahon arrive with an older bloke and a young lad. The older bloke turned out to be Chimpy who, although not enjoying the best of health, looked terrific. He got himself a Crownie and proceeded to venture outside and watch the twos. Hot on his tail was the “fun police” Borts who informed him that even legends aren’t allowed to drink outside at VAFA venues. Boy how times have changed!
Dorrie and Noddy turned up with Angie Robbie. It was great to see her after all these years and she looked a picture. As you know Pete Robbie was a founding father of the Eagles and he was mentioned quite a few times during the lunch. Vale Pumpa!
Next to arrive was Judith Toohey, the sole representative of the Toohey clan at the lunch. Stretch was an integral part of the Eagles side and after breaking his leg against OMs at Fawkner Park in our 1974 Premiership year, didn’t play again.
Curls and Sue Briffa closely followed by Maurie, Bev and Julie O’Sullivan arrived en-masse. They all looked great and were soon settling in for a very comfortable afternoon. Esky, Magic and Keats slipped in as did Leo , Pecky and Peter White. Who will ever forget Whitey taking off his jumper and threatening to take on the world? Pity was he was as white as a sheet and weighed 9 stone ringing wet!
Coons and Frenchy arrived as did John Oscar Gregory who still bore that magic grin not seen at Eagle land for a long time. Paul Holmes represented the Holmes conclave as did Frank Aloisio with his “family”.
Della lobbed and didn’t mention ‘Sylvester Drive’ so he must not have parked in that vicinity! Lethal Leigh Denning, Damien, Tommy, Bernie and Jeff came in with Billy Gartner. Then it was Mick Wilson and Frankie Gaylard with Gav Walsh and son hot in toe. Somewhere in that cluster another older looking gent appeared. Who was it? Bugger me it was Paul “The Ant” Gooley. He looked great even if a little distinguished.
Fresh from his Post Office in the bush was Dave Wood. He still had that youthful face but someone (not me) stated; “Geez, Woody’s been in a good paddock!” Dave we sure miss Jack at the Eagles.
Three of the original Eagles, Paul White, Tony Dalton and Timothy Naughton had made themselves at home and once Pig and Kingy had arrived our crew was in place and now it was time for lunch.
Not like the old days of a pie from the tent at Greythorn Park, we were treated to a sumptuous buffet of roast meats, vegies and salads, tasty desserts and cheese platters. President Tim Money commenced official proceedings by screening some photos of the ‘74 Premiership team before Mick Howard took over the reins and talked to Wally, Maurie and I about the season that saw us win and proceed to B Grade.
The Grand Final that year was overshadowed by the violent and spiteful Preliminary final against Parkside, who took brutality to another level. Wally covered this game beautifully whilst Maurie and I quipped in with a few stories of Cliffy’s toe to toe with the thugs in question and I remembered Gordon Holmes needing protection in the rooms well after the game finished. I only learnt today that a 16 year old Paul Holmes was given the car keys and instructed by Gordon to drive his mum home. Apparently he successfully negotiated the journey even though he had no idea of how to drive!
The pity I guess about that day was, when we were supposed to be on top of the world having negotiated yet another step towards A Grade, we were in fear of our safety as glass was being broken on the outside walls of the change rooms.
The Grand Final against Haileybury was a genuine Amateur tussle between two talented sides that made the footy the number one objective. What made this year even greater was that in the last home and away game we played CBC St. Kilda and lost quite easily. We had to front them again the next week in the first semi and we not only reversed the result, we won by 12 goals.
The Grand final saw us take on top of the table Old Haileybury. Dreadful kicking in the first half saw us trailing 3-15 to 6-4. An improved third quarter saw us snag 6-7 to their 2-3. It was one of those games where we always looked like winning everywhere but on the scoreboard; however we held out to win by 1-11!
Chimpy, Milas, Noddy, Greggers, Lima and Cliffy were our better players whilst Noddy with 4 goals plenty was our leading scorer. Leigh Denning a 17 year old still at school had a fine start to his club career by playing well in his first Amateur finals campaign.
Certainly not disgraced that year was our Reserves team who made it to the Grand Final only to lose to CBC St. Kilda by 9 points. Better players in that game were Ant, Coons, the late Dr. Mark Rischen, Pig, Dave Carrucan and Shuffler Price; whilst Pecky notched four goals to cap off a great year in the goal square.
It was also a year where we welcomed plenty of young players who went on to become club champions and stalwarts. These included Tony and Frank Aloisio, Dr. Peter MacDonald, Tony Reghenzani, Neil Fitt, Steve Frazer, Franz Tursi, Paul Walsh, Paul Cullinan, Bernie O’Connor and Leigh Denning. Greg Shaw won the seniors Best & Fairest whilst Bernie O’Connor took out the honours in the reserves.
It was also time to pay a debt of gratitude and remember fondly those players and officials who have since passed away. Peter Robbie had already been mentioned but in recent times we have also lost Peter Toohey and John Gartner. It was only when arranging this function that I learnt that Mark Rischen passed away some 27 years ago as a 31 year old medico on the southern NSW coast. These all played prominent roles in our ‘74 quest and we certainly remember them as first class blokes and great Marcellin people. Requiescat in pace!
Wally is always going to be remembered as the coach that took us from F Grade to A Grade in 6 years, whilst Maurie will be remembered as a great leader of men and certainly a terrific inspirational captain who despite a less than classical kicking style assures me that despite this handicap he still kicked very straight! Who am I to dispute this? Thanks Wal and Maurie from all involved in 1974, you both are Eagle legends.
Speaking of legends it was then time for President Tim to announce that another form of honour has been promulgated by the committee, the status of Club Legend. The person selected must firstly be a Life Member of the club and have completed at least 15 years of outstanding service, either on or off the field. It came as no surprise that our first Club Legend is Tim Naughton who has given almost 50 years of tireless and devoted service to our club. On behalf of everyone Tim, congratulations on a fine and well deserved honour from all at Marcellin. I suspect that another couple of Club Legends of the future may well have been breaking bread with us at this very lunch?
Following the ‘74 memory lane trip, Tim introduced three former Marcellin students who are making headlines for themselves in the AFL, one in the media, Andy Maher and two on the field, Essendon’s David Zaharakis and first year Bulldog’s player Marcus Bontempelli. Andy was his usual gregarious self with his much celebrated yarn of the year he kicked 99 goals in the under 19s. (I think he may have even told Sir Viv Richards of this feat during a lull in proceedings of last year’s big bash?) It was suggested after 20 minutes of excuses that maybe Marcus’s goal of the year could be loaned to Andy to put us all out of our misery. Andy was fantastic and the two young lads were and are a credit to their families, AFL clubs and the school. Their poise and demeanour suggests they were also recipients of an excellent Marcellin education. A breath of fresh air in an era when unfortunately the only things highlighted are the wrong doings of a few rather that the excellent stories of such lads as David and Marcus. Well done boys, it was an honour to share the “stools” with you both on this day of celebration. Keep up the good work Andy you’ll go a long way!
After lunch President Tim addressed us about the fiscal plight of our great club. I know many of us are now in a position to help out to ensure we get things right off the field and then the on field successes will follow. All I ask is that each and every one of us who had a fantastic time with the Eagles now dip into our pockets and give generously. Whilst the Brian Wrights and the Tim Naughtons of the club made sure we had a club envied by most in the Amateurs all we really ever did was hopefully pay our subs and fill the club coffers via the bar.
Only you know how much you can afford. You can’t measure the enjoyment we got from Marcellin in monetary terms but I reckon a healthy donation from us all will see the club prosper and commence a new era. If we went without one pot per week we could give that sacrificed drop to the Eagles via a $250 Eagles Membership. Yep, that’s $5.00 per week.
As we didn’t make the grand Final in 1975 we will not be having a reunion as such next year. We will however be celebrating the 1985 Premiership. Our next gathering of numbers will be in 2016 when we celebrate that great victory over Old Caulfield Grammarians at Victoria Park in 1976. Until then, see you occasionally at the All Nations for a Friday lunch.
Gav White – Go Eagles!
Last Modified on 04/08/2014 14:59