‘THE GRAND OLD FOOTBALL WARRIOR……’

Pat Flynn’s mind occasionally drifts back to those early childhood holidays at his grandparents’ farm…..

…….Being perched beside his old ‘Pa’, who’s negotiating the horse and gig along a dusty, pot-holed road, on the way to collect the groceries and mail at the Wilby store.

…….Or wandering around the paddocks, with him – and a couple of dogs for company – as they search for a few rabbits…..

Great old fellah, he recalls…Thought the world of his grandkids.

But heck, thinks Pat, who’s as nostalgic as they come……Why didn’t I pick his brain and get him to expand on his footy career ?……..

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In this Grand Final Week, when Journos delve into the past to flush out romantic tales of premiership heroes of yesteryear, they’ll be struggling to find one to rival that of Pat’s illustrious grandad……..

James Edward Flynn was born in 1872, a year after his parents had sailed across the seas from Ireland, in search of a new life.

His football journey was eventful, to say the least. He started with Devenish, also stripped with Canterbury, had 5 games with Richmond (VFA) in 1895 and 1 with Collingwood (1896).

Jim found his way to Geelong, partly because of his close friendship with Henry ‘Tracker’ Young, a champion of the ‘Pivotians’, who was also an outstanding cyclist, boxer and rower.

‘Tracker’s’ fitness was renowned. It was said that, on a match day, he would run 30 kilometres along the beach to the ground, ruck non-stop for four quarters, then run the 30km return trip home.

Flynn became part of his rucking brigade once he gained inclusion in the senior side for the third round, in the VFL’s inaugural season of 1897.

But he was slow to mature. Despite showing obvious skill, his first five seasons with Geelong yielded 70 uneventful games. After appearing in another two – the opening rounds of 1902 – he faded into obscurity.

His arrival at Carlton was principally due to the recruiting prowess of the entrepreneurial, controversial, Jack Worrall, who had been installed as the Club’s Secretary/Manager in 1903.

Worrall appeals as an early-20th century version of Norm Smith-Ron Barassi-Alistair Clarkson rolled into one. He became Aussie Rules’ first true coach. As an integral part of his role, he had stipulated he must be handed full responsibility for all aspects of the team’s performance.

Thus, his determination to lift the flagging fortunes of the Blues saw him scouring the country for football talent……..

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To digress on the fascinating Worrall, it’s worth retracing his remarkable sporting background. A nuggety rover who captained Fitzroy in its early and pre-VFL days, he was ‘Champion of the Colony’ on three occasions and was regarded as one of the three best footballers in the nation. In summer he turned his hand to cricket.

He made 11 Test appearances for Australia and played 65 games for Victoria, as a right-hand opening batsman ‘whose belligerent driving could tear an attack apart.’ In one District match for Carlton, he belted 412 not out.

Having been a key figure in forming the Victorian Football League, his appointment at Carlton promised to revitalise the staid old Navy Blues, who had finished no higher than second bottom in the previous five years.

As coach, he pulled out his old footy gear and worked as hard as his players, demanding unflinching courage, and imposing stern disciplinary measures. His message to them summed it up: “Boys: Booze and Linament don’t mix.”

Despite his recruitment of an exciting mix of young players, he’d been particularly eager to gain the services of the 32 year-old Jim Flynn, feeling he could tap into the veteran’s hidden potential .

Decades later, in his role as a journalist with the ‘Australasian’ Worrall discussed the greatest captains who had played the game. He said of Flynn:

“Carlton was finding its feet when Flynn joined the ranks. It was the Club’s salvation. He was the ideal captain. He fitted into the team like a glove, and had the confidence of everybody – players, Committee and supporters alike.”

“He did not prove a great captain straight away. Yet when he did come into his own, he was unsurpassed. His judgement was remarkable, he could play anywhere and he helped everybody.”

“He was a natural centre half back, a splendid centreman with a 50-yard kick on either foot, was a good runner, a great follower and a dangerous forward, as he could both mark and kick. He was an inspiration to the men under him and had the knack of pulling the side together when required…….”

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Carlton jumped from sixth to third in Jim’s first season, their maiden finals appearance. Their steady improvement continued in 1904, when they reached the Grand Final, only to be outpointed by arch rivals, Fitzroy.

Jim had made such an impression that he’d been appointed vice-captain to his old Geelong team-mate Joe McShane. Then, when McShane stepped down at the end of the season, Flynn was his popular successor.

Although he stood only 179cm, he and Fred ‘Pompey’ Elliott led the ruck division and were supreme. Despite Flynn always yielding height in the ruck, he usually found a way to counter opponents. With a good spring and sure hands, he was said to be able to shark the tap by feigning to jump for the ball and then intercepting.

Carlton had by now gathered what coach Worrall regarded as his ‘Dream Team’ and finished minor premiers in 1906, to set up a semi-Final contest against Collingwood. They prevailed by 12 points, with Flynn outstanding in a best-afield performance.

Then they went on to boot 15.4 to Fitzroy’s 6.9 to take out their first-ever premiership.

The Blues continued their strong form in 1907 but, after a convincing 29-point win Round 8 win over St.Kilda at the Junction Oval, they were rocked when Flynn announced that he was retiring to take over the running of the Hotel at St.James.

He was loudly cheered, however, when he offered his services if the club happened to need him for the Finals.

True to his word, he returned to the fray, and performed with distinction. The ‘Argus’ scribe noted of the team that had just earned the right to play off for another pennant: ‘It is a great gain to them to have Flynn leading and playing for them in the finals.’

The Grand Final proved an enthralling contest. The Blues emerged with a five-point victory over South Melbourne. George Topping kicked three match-winning goals, Flynn was imperious at centre half back and George Bruce was a will o’ the wisp on a wing.

Flynn was justifiably proud of his team’s efforts, and said after the game: “Yes, we won, but there wasn’t much in it. They kept us going right to the end, didn’t they ? The real secret of our success is our manager, Jack Worrall. He’s a grand judge of a game and the youngsters worship him; they’d do anything for him……..”

Carlton’s Annual Meeting paid tribute to their dual premiership skipper: “The Club will suffer a great loss in the retirement from the game, of Mr.J.Flynn. His position will be most difficult to fill. It is not too much to say that his exceptional skill as a leader, combined with his rare ability as a footballer, was a great factor in the success of the side…..”

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So the curtain finally appeared to have been drawn on the career of the old warrior. He returned to operating his Hotel and prepared to spend the rest of his playing days with St.James.

But Worrall was keen to have him ‘up his sleeve’, and asked if Jim would remain on standby in case an emergency occurred later in the season..

Sure enough, that situation arose on the eve of the Finals. Carlton were well-entrenched in top spot – three games clear of Essendon, when Worrall announced that Flynn would be slotted into Carlton’s Round 18 line-up.

He showed no signs of rustiness in that game – against University- and starred on a back flank in the Semi-Final win over St.Kilda. His vast experience was a telling asset in the nail-biting Grand Final, in which the Blues triumphed by nine points.

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  A capacity crowd packs into the MCG to watch the 1908 Grand Final. Officials stand guard, as the fence is broken down by eager fans.

Again, the old champ was farewelled with much pomp, as he ‘rode off into the sunset’ to his life in the bush. He’d been one of 11 players who had shared in the hat-trick of Carlton flags……..

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Alas, two years later (1910) the distress signal was again sent out from Princes Park. On the eve of their first Final, three players – Alex (Bongo) Lang, Douglas Fraser and Doug Gillespie, were left out of the side. Accusations swirled that the trio had taken bribes to play ‘dead’ in the loss to bottom side St.Kilda the previous week.

So, in a sensational development, Carlton captain-coach ‘Pompey’ Elliott, his old rucking co-hort, prevailed upon Flynn to return in this time of crisis.

He was rising 40 years of age, and did his best, but poor kicking cost the Blues dearly. South Melbourne won 10.5 (65) to 6.17 (53) in Jim Flynn’s 77th – and final – game for Carlton………

His parting gesture to the Blues was to take a 20 year-old St.James team-mate, Gordon Green, down to the Club. “This lad will make it,” Jim assured officials.

Green proved him correct. He went on to play in Carlton’s 1914 and ‘15 premiership teams, represented Victoria and captained the Club on his return from the Great War.

Jim, his wife Ellen and their kids, Edward, Mary, Jim, Alicia, Jack and Anastasia, moved onto a farming property ‘Glenview’, near Wilby. He continued to play locally, then in retirement, took up a favourite spot on the fence at home games, where he would offer encouragement and advice to the Wilby players………

‘THE KNEEBONE’S OF BROOKFIELD…..’

“He had a reputation as a boaster…… He claimed that he could jump higher and further than nearly anyone else, achieve the highest score in rifle-shooting…. and referred to his run-making ability in cricket…”

“He was ready to throw anyone into the river if he was out clean-bowled when, he said, it was obvious to any fair-minded person that it was a no-ball…..”
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That was one rival’s assessment of Eugene Kneebone, who made a lasting impact on the sporting life of Wangaratta and District.

Born in 1864, he was to become renowned as an athlete, strongman, wrestler, cricketer, administrator and co-founder of a formidable sporting dynasty.

Raised in the rich tobacco-growing area of Bowman’s Forest, he had scant interest in school, but developed a passion for cricket from one of his teachers – Mr. Walters – who preached that one of the fundamentals of success was hard work.

Young Eugene was certainly used to plenty of that. His labours on the family farm conditioned his body for the athletic achievements that lay ahead.

He was skilled at many sports, and was convinced of his obvious potential when he travelled to Melbourne to take on a Scottish policeman called McHardy, in a weight-lifting match.

After winning the first two trials, Kneebone took the 50 pounds prize-money and went home.

Fired by this success, he broke two world hammer-throw records in 1891, which were additional to the record he held for shot-putting in 1899.

The next year he competed in the Caledonian Games on the MCG, where he came up against Scotsman Donald Dinnie, who was to become his chief protagonist for many years. Kneebone won the match, and also regained the world record for the 56 pound hammer.

In his late-twenties, Eugene began a wandering life, competing in a myriad of strange places and, at one stage travelling with Wirth’s Circus.

His contests with other strong-men from Europe and beyond attracted huge exposure and, at the height of his powers he was labelled the ‘Strongest Man in the World.’

‘The World’s Strongest Man’

Kneebone and his old foe, Dinnie, once met at the Wangaratta Showgrounds, in front of a large, parochial crowd:

“The contest began at 2.30 pm on a glorious autumn afternoon……..” said the Chronicle scribe.   “Dinnie looked a powerful specimen. Kneebone was smaller in height, but remarkably well-built and poised, large-limbed and muscular. Dinnie held his own, but went on to lose the match…..”
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Eugene Kneebone married, and settled in Gippsland, after a spell on the goldfields of Kalgoorlie, where he had made his fortune.

His unique competitive streak was emphasised in a report of a cricket match between Mirboo – of whom he was captain ( and their outstanding player) – and Dumbalk, led by a gentleman named Billy Hughes:

“There was a time-limit set on the game , to enable players to get home for milking. Dumbalk batted first, but Mirboo were creeping up on their total, when Billy Hughes signified that time was up. Eugene claimed that, as the sun was still shining, there was time for 7 or 8 more overs.”

“A great dispute followed and Eugene – with bat in hand – chased Billy around a big blue-gum stump….”
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After 20 years in Gippsland, Eugene returned to his roots with his growing brood, and settled on the property, ‘Brookfield’ (between Wangaratta and Myrtleford). He began to stamp the Kneebone legend in local cricket.

The Tobacco-Grower

He and the boys carved out a quaint cricket ground in the paddock in front of the family home and the lads began to reveal their talent under the watchful eye of a demanding ‘old man’.

There were 16 kids in the family. The boys, five of whom represented Wangaratta at Country Week, helped form a tough, unyielding team.

Bill, Hughie, Harry, Sam, Jim, Ken, Dennis and Eugene Jnr all had their qualities and played their particular roles, as did sons-in-law Jim and Bernie Morris, Phil South and Bill Swan.

The girls, Nell, Ida, Estelle, Mary, Anne, Belle, Fay and Irene, joined their mother as the chief supporters of the Kneebone tribe.

Among their duties was the preparation of afternoon-tea. “We’d have lamingtons, pavlovas, scones and cream cakes…..we would fill the opposition up so they wouldn’t do any good,” Nell joked many years later.

“Because there were eight boys and eight girls, Mum decided each brother would have a sister for a ‘slave’, to wash their clothes and clean their shoes.”

‘Kneebone’s’ originally competed in the Ovens and King competition and entertained VCA team Prahran in challenge matches for many years. Enlisting the help of a couple of Nicoll’s and Fisher’s, they defeated Prahran 132 to 113 during the Christmas break of 1924. Old Eugene, aged 60, captured 3/11 with his flighted slowies.

Eugene Kneebone and his sons, who formed the nucleus of the Brookfield Cricket Club.

They transferred to the Wangaratta & District Cricket Association in 1922/23, but changed their name to Brookfield the following year.

They were a most formidable – and certainly one of the ultra-competitive – teams in the competition until the onset of World War II.

Taking on Brookfield on their own ‘dung-hill’ was no easy task. Nor was facing old Eugene, who was still sending down his spinners with guile, well into his sixties.

But the boys knew his fading eyesight was beginning to affect his batting when he issued an edict to one of sons: “Bill, trim the branches off that tree will you. I can’t pick up the ball too well.”

Visiting teams recalled the family patriarch, long after his retirement from the field of play, sitting on the verandah overlooking the ground, shouting encouragement and advice to his team.

Eugene took over as President of the Association in 1929, and held the reins throughout the thirties. It was a period which saw the competition become more structured and the standard improve markedly.

But it was also an era of strong personalities and Eugene, with his volatile temperament, attracted more than his fair share of critics.
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Brookfield won their first WDCA premiership in 1927/28. Their second followed in 1932/33.

The latter was a triumph, as their opponents, Footballers, had a handy lead after the first innings and needed only 73 to wrap up the game. But they crumbled in the face of some fearsome bowling from Harry Kneebone, who took 6/19.

They could have won a third flag in 1936/37, when they met East Wangaratta in the Final. East’s side contained Clem and Clyde Fisher, cousins of the Kneebone’s , and tough old nuts in their own right.

It was a low-scoring affair, with Brookfield gaining the ascendancy, thanks to Ken Kneebone’s 8/35.

East Wang fought back, and needed just nine runs to win, with one wicket in hand.
Brookfield then walked off the ground. East Wangaratta protested and the resultant Tribunal declared the game ‘No-Result’.

Debate often raged over who was the quickest of the Kneebone clan. Harry and Hughie had their supporters, but some opted for Ken, whose rhythmic run-up was ‘poetry in motion’. Ken played against the Englishmen at Benalla in 1937.

Ken Kneebone – The Quickest of the Clan.

His 4/63 included the wickets of Maurice Leyland, Hedley Verity, Bob Wyatt and Laurie Fishlock. . He was on a hat-trick at one stage, which prompted his proud dad to testify that the lad: “…could bowl for a week……”

With his boys playing a central role at Country Week, Eugene took on the role of Team Manager during the thirties, and was generally sought out by the media for a quote on all things cricket.

On more than one occasion, when discussion turned to his own family, he said, with confidence, that: “he’d back the Kneebones against any other family in Australia. And, if he had to, he said: “I’d get out there and help them myself……..”
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Thirty-two years after Ken Kneebone bowled against the M.C.C, his son Robin was selected to play for a Victorian Country XI against the West Indies at Wangaratta, in 1968/69.

An accurate left-arm swing bowler, who played a handful of games with District club Fitzroy, Robin was one of a number of old Eugene’s grandchildren and great-grandkids who filtered through the WDCA ranks.

The ‘Grand Old Man’ of cricket died in 1953, aged 89.. The WDCA’s Under-16 teams now compete for the ‘Eugene Kneebone Shield’………

. Eugene Kneebone (Left ,Back Row) Manager of Wangaratta’s 1934 Country Week team, which contained several of his sons.

‘THE BIG-MAN WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE…’

The talent-scouts were in a tizz when John Waldron arrived in town in that summer of 1951.

Burly of physique, and standing roughly 6’3”, the boy from Thornbury seemed a ready-made acquisition for the two Ovens and Murray clubs who were vying for his services.

Would he sign with the dual premiers, Wangaratta; chock-full of talent and rated the best outfit in country Victoria ?

And, accordingly, take the opportunity to play under the coaching of Mac Holten, the wizard from Collingwood, who had transformed a handy side into a ‘Machine’ which had perfected the newly- minted play-on game.

The alternative didn’t appear too exciting. Wangaratta Rovers had failed to register a win in their debut O & M season, and were a fledgling club in all respects. They were still battling to come to terms with the professionalism of major league football.

To the delight of the Hawks Waldron decided to throw in his lot with them.

It was a major coup for the club. They were craving senior leaders – players who would lend expertise to a motley collection of youngsters…………..
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John Waldron had won the 1949 B & F and made his name with Thornbury’s CYMS football team. The club was notable for producing a host of VFL players, such as Billy Stephen (Fitzroy), Joe Kelly (Carlton), Frank Donnellan (Hawthorn), Charlie Cameron (North Melbourne), Bill Sneazwell (Collingwood), and Jim Cleary (South Melbourne).

It was a tough, uncompromising competition, and when the big fellah decided to accept a teaching appointment at Wangaratta High School, he was amply prepared for anything that O & M footy could throw at him.

His strong work in the ruck was one of the reasons given for the Rovers’ vastly improved performances, as they snared nine wins, to finish fifth. They had ticked off a number of milestones, zoomed up the ladder, and filled their supporters with hope.

The engaging personality of the ginger-haired Waldron won him a host of friends, and made him a key figure in driving the culture of the playing group. Such was the esteem in which he was held, he was appointed a Player’s Rep to the Committee after his first season at the Club.

The Hawks hung around the middle reaches of the ladder in the succeeding three seasons, but there’s no doubt that Waldron’s finest year in Brown and Gold came in 1953.

He won selection for the Ovens and Murray’s representative clash with Bendigo League, which was the focal point of the town of Echuca’s centenary celebrations. The success of the match was to prove the catalyst for the introduction of the Country Championship Carnival the following year.

The two country football giants, turned on a classic. O & M, with a star-studded line-up, found themselves seven goals down mid-way through the third quarter ( 10.7 to 3.8 ). The O & M, rejuvenated by a couple of positional changes initiated by coach Mac Holten, stormed back into the contest.

They snatched the lead, but with four minutes remaining, Bendigo replied. In the dying seconds, a knock from Waldron found Rutherglen star and future Stawell Gift winner John Hayes, who thumped the ball forward. The elusive pill bobbled around in the pocket and Timmy Lowe’s snap-shot beat the siren by just seconds, to give the O & M victory by two points – 11.13 to 11.11.

Waldron took out the Hawks’ Best and Fairest in 1953, and also polled ten votes in the Morris Medal. He was now accepted as one of the League’s stars.

He faced the unenviable task of squaring-off against a swarthy high-leaping ruckman, early in 1954, when the O & M met a touring East Perth combination at Albury. The youngster, touted as a player of ‘great promise’ gave Waldron – and a handful of other players who were thrown into the centre square – a decent hiding.

They called him ‘Pol’. And in the 15 or so years that followed, Graeme Farmer was to build a reputation as possibly the finest ruckman to have played the game.

Later that season, John Waldron was a prominent figure in the Ovens and Murray’s win in the first-ever Country Championships at Ballarat.

Having recorded an easy win over Goulburn Valley in their semi-final clash on the Saturday, the Yellow and Black lined up against Bendigo at Eastern Oval, two days later.

A boisterous crowd of 4,000 braved the cold and biting wind to watch the Final. The gusts were so strong that, at many boundary throw-ins, the ball would be carried out of bounds before reaching the waiting ruckmen.

They were impossible conditions for big men, and ruined the match as a spectacle. Bendigo were playing far better football and, had it not been for their shocking inaccuracy, they’d have had the game wrapped up by half-time.
At lemon-time they led 6.20 to 5.8, but soon after, Waldron fell heavily and was taken from the ground. There was a silver lining though, as elusive ‘Dolly’ Aked, who replaced him, had an immediate influence. He booted two quick goals and O & M sparked to life.

They hung on to win by eight points – 11.11 to 8.21…………..
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Waldron’s injury kept him out of action for several weeks, but he finished his final season at the Cricket Ground in fine style. He had played 66 games and kicked 50 goals in his four years. The announcement that he had accepted a school-teaching transfer to Mildura was accepted with regret by all in the Hawk camp.

He was quickly snapped up by Mildura, a power club of that era, who had appeared in the five preceding Grand Finals.

A premiership in 1955 was his reward, but the following season he was in the camp of arch rivals, Mildura Imperials, as captain-coach.

Imps had taken out just three flags in their 29-year involvement in the Sunraysia League, but with the big man at the helm they powered to successive titles.

Waldron was a ‘natural’ as coach, led by example and was tremendously popular with the players. But, rising 35, and wishing to focus on his profession, he handed over the reins at the end of the 1959 season, after four years in charge.

Despite not expecting to be involved in football when he  transferred to Swan Hill, he was coaxed into taking on the job as  coach of the locals. Premierships followed in 1960 and ’61.

 

He played in both seasons, and was one of the stars of the 1960 Grand Final. After the return of ruckman Neville Martin from Geelong, he named himself on the bench for the ’61 decider. Keen to give valuable time and finals experience to the younger players, he sat out the entire game, as the ‘Swans’ won in a canter.

John and Eyrl then moved their growing family (kids Bruce, Ian, Jane and Alison) to St.Arnaud, where he was Principal of the local High School.

The final ten years of a dedicated career in Education were spent at Bell Park High, in Geelong, where he was Principal from 1975 -‘84.

Waldron maintained a keen interest in his old football clubs and was a regular returnee for re-unions. His last visit to Wangaratta was for the funeral of his great mate Bill O’Callaghan, with whom he played football and taught during the fifties.

.John Waldron passed away a fortnight ago, in Geelong, aged 94……

‘A PASSION FOR THE SPORT OF KINGS…’

You notice an extra pep in his step around this time of year……….. the Spring Carnival’s on, with its prestigious Group 1 classics………the big fields, dotted with International raiders , their connections pursuing the big money on offer……….every aspect of the Racing Game tantalises him….…..

It just came naturally, this passion for horses.

He can remember it as a kid. His mum would spread the ‘Sun’ Form Guide across the kitchen table of a Saturday morning, comb through the fields and scribble down a few 5 bob bets, which his Dad would dutifully plonk on.….just before the first race.

Then she’d twiddle the dials on the radio , and the dulcet tones of Joe Brown or Bert Bryant would permeate the air-waves throughout the afternoon……..

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He loved all sports, but when the opportunity presented itself to be an apprentice jockey, he was over the moon. After all, school didn’t excite him  that much and he’d already been floating around Jimmy Hoysted’s stables for a year or so.

Yes, it was tough yakka, but he was ‘Living the Dream’, he’d say……. He’d be up early, mucking out stables, riding trackwork, doing odd jobs…..and soaking up all the horse-talk on those foggy, chilly winter mornings.

Soon, Jimmy started to entrust him with a few race rides. The adrenalin rush, which came when he piloted a precious piece of horse-flesh out of a wide barrier, guided it to a handy spot on the fence and engaged in a gripping battle for the line, still gives him goose-bumps.

A few handy wins came, too, but on the horizon was the inevitable battle with rising weight, which he knew he wouldn’t surmount. It was to ultimately seal his fate as a hoop.

After three years, his career was over……

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His uncle had been a crafty footy legend of the thirties…. won the VFL’s goal-kicking one year, and finished with roughly 700-odd ‘snags’..…was even named full forward in his club’s Team of the Century.

So there were some handy genes there. Naturally, when the young bloke started moving through the ranks, they type-cast him as a spearhead, despite the fact that he stood just a touch over 5’6”.

He certainly possessed a good pair of hands. If he got himself in the front position he was rarely out-marked. And with a handy turn of pace, it enabled him to get on the end of some of those sizzling passes that came from mid-field.

They labelled him a ‘decoy’ in one Grand Final preview. And he played the role to perfection, as his side clinched a dramatic flag win. Someone claimed he was possibly the smallest full forward to play in an O & M flag.

Ability aside, though, his greatest attribute was his personality. They regarded him as one of those fellahs who helped mould the character of the club. You know the type…..happy-go-lucky…universally popular…..never a bad word about anyone.

His only beef – and he kept it to himself – was that the selectors wouldn’t give him a crack on a wing, or a back flank, where he believed he was more suited. He was sure he’d be better able to portray his skills there, than continually having to contend with taller, physically stronger brutes up forward.

But sport, to him, was about having fun. Train hard, yes, but don’t let it stop you from enjoying yourself. His team-mates recalled the year, he started inviting a few of them around after training of a Thursday night.

Newly-betrothed , and full of conviviality, he suggested bringing along two or three ‘Long Necks’ to these ‘ Unofficial Team Meetings’, which could sometimes stretch past midnight. “Great for fostering team spirit,” he’d joke….. And, by the way, park your car in a discreet spot, just in case the coach, or the selectors get wind of these gatherings…….

He’d been more than a handy player at the Club for nearly a decade, but eventually decided it was time to head out to the ‘bush’ for a kick. The youngsters, in particular, who looked up to him, were sorry to see him go, but he thought it’d help him rekindle his enthusiasm for the game.

Of course he relished the laid-back atmosphere out there, and became one of the stars of the comp; stretching his career by another half a dozen years……

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Footy, though, was just one string to his bow. He proved more than adept at Basketball, Tennis or Cricket – a true sporting all-rounder.

If you caught him in a weak moment, he could be coaxed into describing the proudest moment of his sporting life……

It was a cricket semi-final, and his team found itself in the precarious situation of being nine wickets down, and starting the final day still close to 120 runs in arrears. The match was expected to be decided within minutes….

He strode purposefully to the wicket with the number 11 batsman. Slowly they began to erode the deficit and, as the afternoon wore on, the impossible turned into the improbable……..then the target began to loom on the horizon…….

With dusk beginning to shroud the oval – and after close to four and a half hours- they hit the winning runs, amidst scenes of euphoria……

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That’s just another of his trove of sporting memories, but his racing highlights could fill a book.

Someone suggested that he missed his calling………. he could have been a panellist on RSN 927….nattering away like Michael Felgate, or a couple of the experts that he grew up listening to – Jack Elliott and Rollo Roylance, on ‘Three-Way-Turf Talk.’

These days you might find him helping out one of his mates at the stables ….. or chauffeuring a jockey to a country meeting.

That’s where he’ll be in his element . He likes the look of horses; is enthralled by the atmosphere and theatre of the race-course; is addicted to the culture, romance and danger of the racing game.

Old codgers and elegant, besuited gentlemen, tap him on the shoulder and seek his learned opinion on what might be a chance in the next……..

And when the horses jump, he’ll imagine for a moment that he’s back in the days of his youth……..perched on the outsider; seeking an opening to push through the tightly-bunched field; just pondering when to make his move……..

FAMILIAR FACES AMONG A.C.K CRICKET GREATS…..

A rare night out for me usually entails a Pot and Parmie at the Pino, with Moira and a few of the kids.……

So it’s with some trepidation tonight, that we’re treading this elaborate staircase, adorned with marble balustrades and plush carpet. We’re headed for Crown’s swanky Palladium Ballroom – long-time venue of the Brownlow Medal-count and former home of the Logies.

It’s akin to a second-rate bush nag being thrust into a Group One Classic at Flemington.

The occasion is Assumption’s 125th Gala Dinner, at which they’ll be inducting several of the famous Kilmore College’s high-achieving alumni to their Hall of Excellence.

Another feature of the night – and of particular interest to me – is the unveiling of their ‘Cricketers of the Century’.

In the meantime, we’re downing canapés and pre-dinner drinks and watching celebrated Old Boy Billy Brownless natter to arriving guests on the blue carpet…….

There are in excess of 600 guests expected, and, as we cast around, we spot a few of the school’s illustrious sporting products……You never forget that craggy face…. It’s the inimitable ‘Crackers’ Keenan….there’s ‘St.Francis’ Bourke, the ex-Richmond legend………we notice former Collingwood defender Peter McCormack……….. Shane Crawford is buzzing around, as usual. ‘Crawf’ joined footy’s elite at this very venue when he snared the Brownlow in 1999…………..

One super-veteran, decked out in a light sports coat and shuffling around with the aid of a ‘walker’, button-holes us. He must be well into his nineties and almost takes a tumble as he leans forward. Surely he’ll struggle to see out the evening……

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The function is every bit as classy as anticipated…….Good meal, impressive speakers…….. And we’re among chatty, warm company……… When it comes around to inducting the eight people who have achieved excellence in various walks of life, it’s humbling to gain an insight to the journeys that they have undertaken.

A standing ovation is reserved for the final nominee – Neale Daniher – whose four-year campaign to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease has warmed the hearts of the nation…….

Shortly after, another ‘notable’ is introduced to the crowd, and it’s obvious, from their reaction, that he’s held in the highest regard. He’s somewhat of an institution at Assumption.

His name is Ray Carroll……………..

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Still boasting a full head of hair and wearing dark glasses ( obviously  his eyesight isn’t too flash these days), he belies his 81 years. It’s acknowledged that he’s the most successful cricket/football coach in the history of Australian college sport.

Amazingly, he spent 53 years at Assumption, devoting himself to the betterment of kids’ education, both in the classroom and on the sporting field.

Ray grew up in the tiny Western District town of Hexham, situated about 14km from Mortlake; son of a stay-at-home mum and a rough-hewn but kindly dad, who was a shearer and occasional tent-boxer.

From an early age his twin passions were cricket and footy. He played Country Week cricket; trained with, and followed the fortunes of Mortlake’s formidable Hampden League side, but had his eye on a career as a Teacher.

His first job, though, was as a cadet surveyor. When an opportunity bobbed up to attend Teacher’s College, he grabbed it with both hands.

I like the story he tells of graduating, at the age of 21:

“Out of the blue I was told there was a vacancy at Kilmore. I’d never heard of Assumption. When I arrived for an interview, Brother Sylvester, who was the principal, said: ‘I suppose you can teach…… and I hear you like football and cricket…..You can start on Monday.’ “

“On the first morning, Br.Sylvester told me I was in charge of a class of 65. I mentioned that I didn’t have any text books. He handed me a strap and a cane and said: ‘The boys’ll have books….Just keep one page in front of ‘em…..’ ”

The Carroll philosophy in life has been to “always treat people the way you’d like to be treated, and treat them with respect.”

He took charge of Assumption’s First XI team in 1967, and became the First 18 coach in the mid-70’s – the first lay person to accede to the role.

He was a mentor, and a second dad to a lot of kids, especially those who struggled with the transition from the open spaces of, say, life on a Riverina farm, to boarding school at Kilmore.

When he began coaching the First XI he was not much older than many of the boys, but down through the years, coached their sons – and in a handful of cases – grandsons.

Apparently the Carroll coaching methods never changed. He felt no need to tweak them, as they still proved stunningly successful, but time marches on, and he finally, reluctantly, stepped away in 2011.

He’s an icon of Assumption, and it’s obvious that he has maintained contact with most of his old pupils. They all seem eager to renew acquaintances………

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One of the countless sportsmen who came under Ray Carroll’s influence was Jon Henry. The boy from Kamarah, situated between Moombooldool and Ardlethan in the central Riverina, once kicked 201 goals in a season for Assumption.

He captained both the First XI and First 18, and recalls his coach being big on loyalty. “He preached playing for the school and sticking together. Ray’s a lovely fellah, and was ultra-competitive. I really think cricket was his first love, though.”

“ But on the footy-front, I remember we clashed with Melbourne High at the Junction Oval one day. They had about 16 Thirds-listed Melbourne players in their side, and Ray emphasised how important it was to gain the upper-hand. He had us really fired up. We came out and knocked them off. It was one of the best wins we had in my time there…….”

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I run into Peter Tossol, who’s reminded of his boarding days at Kilmore: “We were having an impromptu game of cricket in the dorm late one night,” he recalls. “ I’ve grabbed the bat and shaped up as Simon O’Donnell begins to steam in down the corridor to bowl to me.”

“I said: ‘Righto, O’Donnell, bring in on.’ Just then the door opens and one of the Brothers is there, arms folded, with a stern look on his face. He grabbed the bat and gave me a couple of whacks across the backside. Simon also copped a couple, for good measure.”

Toss says he used to bowl first change in the First XI, whilst O’Donnell would wreak havoc with the new ball. “He was positively fearsome at times. Simon had both openers out hit wicket one day, trying to get out of the road. He did all the damage. When I came on all I had to do was mop up. What a player he was as a school-kid……”

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I’m predicting ‘Toss’ and ‘Henners’ to to be walk-up starts in this team of ‘Cricketers of the Century’. And there’s no doubt that Simon O’Donnell, Assumption’s greatest cricketing export, will be named skipper.

So it transpires.

O’Donnell, Test cricketer, veteran of 87 one-day internationals and a star of Australia’s 1987 World Cup victory, gets the captaincy nod.

His deputy is Peter Ryan, a talented right-hand batsman of the late sixties and seventies. He played 84 games of District cricket with Fitzroy, and moved to Queensland in 1971, where he appeared in a couple of Sheffield Shield games.

The team is announced, to much acclaim:

SIMON O’DONNELL (c). ( Class of 1980)

PETER RYAN (v.c). (1969)

NEALE DANIHER. (1978)

PETER CRIMMINS (1965)

RAY POWER. (1982)

NILDO MUNARI. (1957)

STEVE GEMMILL. (1987)

JASON SMITH. (1990)

PETER TOSSOL. (1980)

JON HENRY. (1988)

JAMIE SHEAHAN. (2008)

JARROD TRAVAGLIA. (1998)

DAVID JOSS. (1932)

JOHN BAHEN. (1962)

TALLAN WRIGHT. (2010)

DES PURDON. (1942)

The experts claim that it’s a ‘ripper’ side. I’m familiar with the bulk of the names, and naturally, it was great to see Wangaratta ‘imports’ Tossol and Henry being called to the stage, along with former Rovers footballer Jamie Sheahan.

Jamie Sheahan, with a ‘Hanger-on’.

Six members of the team played League football and several progressed to Premier cricket throughout Australia and to English County cricket. Four of them still play, including 48 year-old Steve Gemmill, who, after five years at North Melbourne, returned home to Cobram to carve out a fine career.

Again, the charismatic Daniher received a huge reception. It was said  of the talented left-hander, that a berth as a Shield or international player, awaited him. Fate decreed that his future lay in football.

Similar tales such as this, continued to unfold ….It was my type of night  ………….