To the Top
Moderators: Saintsational Administrators, Saintsational Moderators
Re: To the Top
As someone whose history is not with St Kilda, Walsh has said what he has in regards the opinion of St Kilda across the competition.
Goddard, as a former St Kilda player, has said that he and his class left a culture at the Club - Goddard now a follower of Essendon because of the lack of culture at St Kilda.
So have your shots at me.
My background is one of success.
Goddard's comments I dismiss, because his period of time at St Kilda was also a period of failure.
Walsh's comments I agree, noting the reason he gives for now joining St Kilda.
And they are along the same lines as the reason I introduced this subject to this Forum (prior to the appointment of Walsh and him passing his comment as reported).
From MY history, i can compare the St Kilda FC to the Norwood FC, noting the comments of the NFC Coach leading into the SANFL 2022 Grand Final.
Those comments of the NFC Coach are telling (and they could just as easily have been made by any Coach of any other successful sporting Club or organization)
In regards certain of the responses on here, the reason the history of St Kilda FC reeks of never ending failure, its only premiership being in 1966, is that it is reflects its "supporter" base - or certain of them.
Goddard, as a former St Kilda player, has said that he and his class left a culture at the Club - Goddard now a follower of Essendon because of the lack of culture at St Kilda.
So have your shots at me.
My background is one of success.
Goddard's comments I dismiss, because his period of time at St Kilda was also a period of failure.
Walsh's comments I agree, noting the reason he gives for now joining St Kilda.
And they are along the same lines as the reason I introduced this subject to this Forum (prior to the appointment of Walsh and him passing his comment as reported).
From MY history, i can compare the St Kilda FC to the Norwood FC, noting the comments of the NFC Coach leading into the SANFL 2022 Grand Final.
Those comments of the NFC Coach are telling (and they could just as easily have been made by any Coach of any other successful sporting Club or organization)
In regards certain of the responses on here, the reason the history of St Kilda FC reeks of never ending failure, its only premiership being in 1966, is that it is reflects its "supporter" base - or certain of them.
-
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2490
- Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2012 8:54pm
- Has thanked: 140 times
- Been thanked: 546 times
Re: To the Top
YawnKilla wrote: ↑Sat 08 Oct 2022 2:00pm As someone whose history is not with St Kilda, Walsh has said what he has in regards the opinion of St Kilda across the competition.
Goddard, as a former St Kilda player, has said that he and his class left a culture at the Club - Goddard now a follower of Essendon because of the lack of culture at St Kilda.
So have your shots at me.
My background is one of success.
Goddard's comments I dismiss, because his period of time at St Kilda was also a period of failure.
Walsh's comments I agree, noting the reason he gives for now joining St Kilda.
And they are along the same lines as the reason I introduced this subject to this Forum (prior to the appointment of Walsh and him passing his comment as reported).
From MY history, i can compare the St Kilda FC to the Norwood FC, noting the comments of the NFC Coach leading into the SANFL 2022 Grand Final.
Those comments of the NFC Coach are telling (and they could just as easily have been made by any Coach of any other successful sporting Club or organization)
In regards certain of the responses on here, the reason the history of St Kilda FC reeks of never ending failure, its only premiership being in 1966, is that it is reflects its "supporter" base - or certain of them.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
- SaintPav
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 18830
- Joined: Wed 16 Jun 2010 9:24pm
- Location: Alma Road
- Has thanked: 1564 times
- Been thanked: 1958 times
- SydneySainter
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2416
- Joined: Sat 26 May 2007 6:59pm
- Has thanked: 54 times
- Been thanked: 153 times
Re: To the Top
Backing the wrong horses for sake of stability is not the answer - it’s the path of least resistance.Killa wrote: ↑Mon 19 Sep 2022 6:51pm Given all the negativity on this site by "supporters" of St Kilda, can I refer you to the Norwood (SANFL) Website and the pre Grand Final interview with the Coach and the Captain of the Norwood Football Club.
Particularly the comments of the Coach referring to not only the NFC, their history and culture, but to the integrity of the SANFL competition.
Because this is the template for success.
At St Kilda, under the administration and the Football Department, the same values are the drivers toward success.
You review and bench mark this template - continually.
Success is born from stability, that stability embracing culture and culture embracing performance.
It starts from the top (as it does in all aspects of life being personal performance and being workplace performance).
You respect, you embrace and you challenge.
There are 18 Clubs in the competition, and only one Premier Club each year.
So you need not only to embrace but to be consistent in that embrace.
As the Norwood Coach said, it is what you sign on for.
It is what Rattan has signed on for, with the support of the Board and with the resource of the Administration.
For good reason.
We’ve had a decade of this so called stability.
Bad management is bad management
- SaintPav
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 18830
- Joined: Wed 16 Jun 2010 9:24pm
- Location: Alma Road
- Has thanked: 1564 times
- Been thanked: 1958 times
Re: To the Top
Stability leads to instability.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Holder of unacceptable views and other thought crimes.
- shanegrambeau
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 5960
- Joined: Thu 25 Jan 2018 2:15pm
- Has thanked: 327 times
- Been thanked: 710 times
Re: To the Top
It has been stable, stable decline. And it think it has to be a steady as she goes approach.
Compared to 1979 to 1989, we are flying like Dreamliner.
St Kilda haven’t fired a coach mid-season since 2001.
Notwithstanding the Seaford move, I think St Kilda has been a predictable trajectory since then.
A Boy Scout Troop leader rogue coach who turned talented cubs into eager scouts before getting fired for singing too many kumbahyas.
A ruthless pragmatist who stopped the team losing so effectively we almost got a flag, before he moved on to greener pastures.
Then the inevitable decline that happens when an established minor club decides to ‘rebuild’ in an era of AFL “expansion” (draining talent an sending it to Siberia)
ST Kilda’s admin efforts to get us to the junction oval, and at least out of Seaford shows that there is/was serious passion in the ranks.
But the footy staff, and the players just are really a patch quilt and have been for the last decade. It’s journeyman nowadays. And there is no organic growth like what happened twenty years ago.
Compared to 1979 to 1989, we are flying like Dreamliner.
St Kilda haven’t fired a coach mid-season since 2001.
Notwithstanding the Seaford move, I think St Kilda has been a predictable trajectory since then.
A Boy Scout Troop leader rogue coach who turned talented cubs into eager scouts before getting fired for singing too many kumbahyas.
A ruthless pragmatist who stopped the team losing so effectively we almost got a flag, before he moved on to greener pastures.
Then the inevitable decline that happens when an established minor club decides to ‘rebuild’ in an era of AFL “expansion” (draining talent an sending it to Siberia)
ST Kilda’s admin efforts to get us to the junction oval, and at least out of Seaford shows that there is/was serious passion in the ranks.
But the footy staff, and the players just are really a patch quilt and have been for the last decade. It’s journeyman nowadays. And there is no organic growth like what happened twenty years ago.
You're quite brilliant Shane, yeah..terrific!
-
- SS Life Member
- Posts: 2729
- Joined: Sun 25 Apr 2021 9:43pm
- Has thanked: 691 times
- Been thanked: 772 times
Re: To the Top
Good post.shanegrambeau wrote: ↑Sat 08 Oct 2022 6:39pm It has been stable, stable decline. And it think it has to be a steady as she goes approach.
Compared to 1979 to 1989, we are flying like Dreamliner.
St Kilda haven’t fired a coach mid-season since 2001.
Notwithstanding the Seaford move, I think St Kilda has been a predictable trajectory since then.
A Boy Scout Troop leader rogue coach who turned talented cubs into eager scouts before getting fired for singing too many kumbahyas.
A ruthless pragmatist who stopped the team losing so effectively we almost got a flag, before he moved on to greener pastures.
Then the inevitable decline that happens when an established minor club decides to ‘rebuild’ in an era of AFL “expansion” (draining talent an sending it to Siberia)
ST Kilda’s admin efforts to get us to the junction oval, and at least out of Seaford shows that there is/was serious passion in the ranks.
But the footy staff, and the players just are really a patch quilt and have been for the last decade. It’s journeyman nowadays. And there is no organic growth like what happened twenty years ago.
Why did they get rid of the reserves?
Never fully understood that.
Was it just funding?
The step down in standard just seems huge now
The Artist formerly known as Fugazi
-
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2490
- Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2012 8:54pm
- Has thanked: 140 times
- Been thanked: 546 times
Re: To the Top
What's worse than a pompous, self righteous , opinionated croweater ? Nothing !!!Killa wrote: ↑Sat 08 Oct 2022 2:00pm As someone whose history is not with St Kilda, Walsh has said what he has in regards the opinion of St Kilda across the competition.
Goddard, as a former St Kilda player, has said that he and his class left a culture at the Club - Goddard now a follower of Essendon because of the lack of culture at St Kilda.
So have your shots at me.
My background is one of success.
Goddard's comments I dismiss, because his period of time at St Kilda was also a period of failure.
Walsh's comments I agree, noting the reason he gives for now joining St Kilda.
And they are along the same lines as the reason I introduced this subject to this Forum (prior to the appointment of Walsh and him passing his comment as reported).
From MY history, i can compare the St Kilda FC to the Norwood FC, noting the comments of the NFC Coach leading into the SANFL 2022 Grand Final.
Those comments of the NFC Coach are telling (and they could just as easily have been made by any Coach of any other successful sporting Club or organization)
In regards certain of the responses on here, the reason the history of St Kilda FC reeks of never ending failure, its only premiership being in 1966, is that it is reflects its "supporter" base - or certain of them.
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 12052
- Joined: Thu 04 Jul 2019 8:53pm
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 2601 times
-
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2490
- Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2012 8:54pm
- Has thanked: 140 times
- Been thanked: 546 times
- D.B.Cooper
- Club Player
- Posts: 1926
- Joined: Sun 24 Oct 2021 5:50pm
- Has thanked: 726 times
- Been thanked: 672 times
Re: To the Top
Your comments are unsurprising and NOTED.bangaulegend wrote: ↑Sat 08 Oct 2022 9:02pm
What's worse than a pompous, self righteous , opinionated croweater ? Nothing !!!
In fact my spiral notepad is almost full from the usual suspects on this forum, the ones who can’t count past three.
Barrrie Robram could count to three as that is how many Margarey Medals the gifted gladiator won
And in those days the Magarey was worth twice the Brownlow
I recall the first time I saw the North Adelaide monolith, it was 1967 and the granite big man was in his first SANFL season
And this was before the decorated warrior carved out a career that made the combined efforts of Hayden Burton, Bobby Skilton & Dick Reynolds look like they were playing VFA football
It was the towering Steve McQueen crossed with Paul Newman looking athletes first game against SA power club Norwood and although 43 years old at the time, I was there in my capacity as Norwood water boy and club mascot due to my stature at 4ft 10 inch tall
I was responsible for ensuring the opposition change rooms were closed after the match and I entered to undertake this task when I saw Robran exit the shower resembling Michelangelo’s David, only more perfect, tanned and symmetrical (if you understand my meaning)
It was captivating, exhilarating, words could not describe the beauty before me
But that is for another time….mmmmm…..memories
Hoorah South Australia
Last edited by D.B.Cooper on Sun 09 Oct 2022 9:00pm, edited 1 time in total.
There's only one rule in the jungle! When the LYON's hungry, he eats!
- shanegrambeau
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 5960
- Joined: Thu 25 Jan 2018 2:15pm
- Has thanked: 327 times
- Been thanked: 710 times
Re: To the Top
The Siberia I refer to (sorry for being too figurative and out there..expecting others to follow..my bad)..
The Siberia I refer to is the expansion clubs..where the priority for the AFL is to stock GWS and Gold Coast and to a lesser extent, to artificially maintain Sydney with a safety margin.
This means minor clubs like Footscray, North and St Kilda cannot afford to either rebuild from the draft or cherry pick the talent that expansion clubs (and the AFL) have groomed.
So I think the best we can do, is try to stay as competitive as possible, and build the best culture as possible.
Ironically, we can note that Sydney built a strong culture from patch quilt cut-offs in the space between their initial ritzy commercial success and the AFL really going for broke on the national expansion with GWS and GC around the late ‘00s.
We have no home turf, and new supporters so we won’t be benefiting from recruiting (Free-wheelin’) Franklins and Locketts etc.
We need to stay competitive at all costs..and never allow ourselves to slump into ‘rebuild’ again. Just use North and our own mediocrity as an example of what NOT to do.
We need to be wary of AFL career technocrats too…get some crazy passion in. (GT and Sheedy types better than bean counters who are just working to an AFL sterilized remit…congruent with the Saints ‘lowly and irrelevant’ assumed status within the AFL - these types may look no further than their yearly performance review….e.g. re-sign coach tick box, award yourself 10 points, move to next question.
You're quite brilliant Shane, yeah..terrific!
- D.B.Cooper
- Club Player
- Posts: 1926
- Joined: Sun 24 Oct 2021 5:50pm
- Has thanked: 726 times
- Been thanked: 672 times
Re: To the Top
Hoorah South AustraliaScollop wrote: ↑Fri 07 Oct 2022 8:38amD.B.Cooper wrote: ↑Thu 06 Oct 2022 11:18pm The comments by many here are unsurprising and noted
To those on this forum who continue to spew forth rubbish about the all conquering StKilda FC take notice
I remember sitting on the sideline of a cricket match when I was dismissed early watching my opening batting partner Barrie Robran make a grand century
In those days there were no helmets, just a wool cap to protect the scalp from sun and your reflexes to handle the 100 mph thunderbolts
It was a typical 44 degree Adelaide day and the grass was thick ensuring the lean muscular athletic big man had to run most of his century as opposed to striking boundaries
After he left the field and headed to the shower to refresh, I took my opportunity
I went to his kit bag and retrieved his match worn protector still warm & sweaty
I put that protector to my face like a Pan Am aeroplane oxygen mask and I inhaled deeply for several minutes
I still recall than intoxicating manly scent, mmmm
Let’s just say I had a ‘Norwood’ that lasted like a geriatric who swallowed a pack of blue tablets
Hoorah South Australia![]()
![]()
There's only one rule in the jungle! When the LYON's hungry, he eats!
Re: To the Top
And now there is a thread on this site headed “I don’t like what Walsh has said”
Except for 1966, St Kilda is irrelevant
There are a raft of contributing factors over the history of the Club, including that Creditors received a few paltry cents in the $1- in the 1980’s (that arrangement accepted by Creditors at the insistence of Lindsay Fox exclusively)
And other VFL Clubs also struggled to survive, some being relocated and others including Collingwood and Richmond too big to fail
Geelong survived because of their location, exclusively
St Kilda survived due to Fox (and later Gudinski and Ryan - and even Meldrum who bought profile)
When Travis ran to problems and asked for his $100,000- loan back he lost the Presidency
And the sum result going into the new era (AFL with all the “equalisation” Rules and Regulations) is that there is ONE Premiership Cup behind glass, and the photograph of ONE team on the Walls of what is now the home of the Club (noting who in the modern era plays games at their home ground and has that advantage)
We are now in the AFL era - an era where media rights say there has to be a minimum number of competing Clubs
To become relevant you embark on a process
You learn from those who are relevant
And, as with everything, it starts at the top - so the Board
From there you have a start point, a strategy and a goal
Yes, you review and you tweak
But you stay central - the fundamentals remain
And there are templates - including in the SANFL
IF you have been involved in the template you recognise - you know what success feels like and what it smells like
Walsh is correct
The very fact he has come on board is a positive
Except for 1966, St Kilda is irrelevant
There are a raft of contributing factors over the history of the Club, including that Creditors received a few paltry cents in the $1- in the 1980’s (that arrangement accepted by Creditors at the insistence of Lindsay Fox exclusively)
And other VFL Clubs also struggled to survive, some being relocated and others including Collingwood and Richmond too big to fail
Geelong survived because of their location, exclusively
St Kilda survived due to Fox (and later Gudinski and Ryan - and even Meldrum who bought profile)
When Travis ran to problems and asked for his $100,000- loan back he lost the Presidency
And the sum result going into the new era (AFL with all the “equalisation” Rules and Regulations) is that there is ONE Premiership Cup behind glass, and the photograph of ONE team on the Walls of what is now the home of the Club (noting who in the modern era plays games at their home ground and has that advantage)
We are now in the AFL era - an era where media rights say there has to be a minimum number of competing Clubs
To become relevant you embark on a process
You learn from those who are relevant
And, as with everything, it starts at the top - so the Board
From there you have a start point, a strategy and a goal
Yes, you review and you tweak
But you stay central - the fundamentals remain
And there are templates - including in the SANFL
IF you have been involved in the template you recognise - you know what success feels like and what it smells like
Walsh is correct
The very fact he has come on board is a positive
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 6415
- Joined: Fri 18 Sep 2020 6:51am
- Has thanked: 854 times
- Been thanked: 1012 times
Re: To the Top
A 66 year old Walsh said this way back in 2020:Killa wrote: ↑Tue 11 Oct 2022 8:37am And now there is a thread on this site headed “I don’t like what Walsh has said”
Except for 1966, St Kilda is irrelevant
There are a raft of contributing factors over the history of the Club, including that Creditors received a few paltry cents in the $1- in the 1980’s (that arrangement accepted by Creditors at the insistence of Lindsay Fox exclusively)
And other VFL Clubs also struggled to survive, some being relocated and others including Collingwood and Richmond too big to fail
Geelong survived because of their location, exclusively
St Kilda survived due to Fox (and later Gudinski and Ryan - and even Meldrum who bought profile)
When Travis ran to problems and asked for his $100,000- loan back he lost the Presidency
And the sum result going into the new era (AFL with all the “equalisation” Rules and Regulations) is that there is ONE Premiership Cup behind glass, and the photograph of ONE team on the Walls of what is now the home of the Club (noting who in the modern era plays games at their home ground and has that advantage)
We are now in the AFL era - an era where media rights say there has to be a minimum number of competing Clubs
To become relevant you embark on a process
You learn from those who are relevant
And, as with everything, it starts at the top - so the Board
From there you have a start point, a strategy and a goal
Yes, you review and you tweak
But you stay central - the fundamentals remain
And there are templates - including in the SANFL
IF you have been involved in the template you recognise - you know what success feels like and what it smells like
Walsh is correct
The very fact he has come on board is a positive
"I have been contemplating this [retirement] for some time and as one of my old coaches once put it, the moment you start thinking about retirement is the time to finish."
Does the SANFL template drag the tired and retired out of retirement who are on the record as saying they are finished?
What are his employment terms, is he short term consultant, part time or full time employee!
Not much transparency around this appointment?
Re: To the Top
Vortex, fortunately you and those of your irrelevance are restricted to contributing to these sites.
Where you and your ilk are "experts" on everything.
The uneducated telling their fellow uneducated what they do not know.
Where you and your ilk are "experts" on everything.
The uneducated telling their fellow uneducated what they do not know.
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 6415
- Joined: Fri 18 Sep 2020 6:51am
- Has thanked: 854 times
- Been thanked: 1012 times
Re: To the Top
Dangerous views Mr South Australia and thank you for the acknowledgement.
I do however freely and openly admit when I see photos on a wall I see the past and irrelevance not to mention time wasted. But then again I don't own a camera so my views regarding photos on walls are irrelevant.
You are a lot of fun TTT, please post lots more.
Re: To the Top
Vortex, it is my view that if you look at a photograph of self you will see the image of a fornicated moron.
You are really not worth the time of day.
You are a serial recalcitrant, be it vaccination from the impact of COVID to any other issue
You are really not worth the time of day.
You are a serial recalcitrant, be it vaccination from the impact of COVID to any other issue
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 6415
- Joined: Fri 18 Sep 2020 6:51am
- Has thanked: 854 times
- Been thanked: 1012 times
Re: To the Top
TTT have you considered your obsession with photos is effecting your ability to process logical and free thoughts?
Pleeeeeeese, keep posting though, this board is far less interesting without you. I mean that sincerely.
-
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2490
- Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2012 8:54pm
- Has thanked: 140 times
- Been thanked: 546 times
Re: To the Top
FFS Vortex don't encourage him
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 6415
- Joined: Fri 18 Sep 2020 6:51am
- Has thanked: 854 times
- Been thanked: 1012 times
Re: To the Top
I know but here's the thing, I firmly believe one of the many things wrong with this modern world is our inability to engage with every human being irrespective of our differing views or the strength of conviction to one's views.bangaulegend wrote: ↑Tue 11 Oct 2022 10:53amFFS Vortex don't encourage him
Public discourse has eroded along tribal lines which in the modern era is sculpted by governments and corporate media. Sadly many conversations are either stoked or netruelised with word-weapons such as "fake news", "woke", "anti-vaxxer", and "climate denier" just to mention the very few.
TTT not knows his free thoughts were captured long ago nor the artillery of word-wepons subliminally programed into his ageing brain, so I am more inclined to prolong engagement for no other reason than to amuse myself.
I encourage everyone to engage with fellow human beings no matter your differences, if we do this then maybe one day we will stand together in admiration of photos on walls.
-
- SS Hall of Fame
- Posts: 2490
- Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2012 8:54pm
- Has thanked: 140 times
- Been thanked: 546 times
Re: To the Top
No mate you're the expert you know everything "apparently " . Just look at your boring longwinded posts about how successful & educated you are & South Australia is the football capital of the world . I beg to differ & I think you're full off it
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
- asiu
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 10313
- Joined: Thu 08 Apr 2010 8:11pm
- Has thanked: 1327 times
- Been thanked: 932 times
Re: To the Top
I encourage everyone to engage with fellow human beings no matter your differences, if we do this then maybe one day we will stand together ...
![Cool 8-)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Image](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iUpoNBZyaBc/R0zVk-1LCZI/AAAAAAAAAg0/9eeT7D6cnaA/s320/compass-blu-265x220.gif)
.name the ways , thought manipulates the State of Presence away.
.tipara waranta kani nina-tu.
- SaintPav
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 18830
- Joined: Wed 16 Jun 2010 9:24pm
- Location: Alma Road
- Has thanked: 1564 times
- Been thanked: 1958 times
Re: To the Top
You forgot that Russia is a paper tiger and has run out of missiles.
Holder of unacceptable views and other thought crimes.
- D.B.Cooper
- Club Player
- Posts: 1926
- Joined: Sun 24 Oct 2021 5:50pm
- Has thanked: 726 times
- Been thanked: 672 times
Re: To the Top
Regardless of what the faunicated morons of this forum think and spew forth, the only true measurement of success is a photo on the wall
I have a photo on my wall, it is a life sized image of the greatest player to have tamed the chaos of the oval ball….Barrie Robran
It matters little that the photo was taken without the subjects knowledge and taking the candid snap broke restraining orders and laws that today would see a man need to play the mental illness card to avoid incarceration
The year was 1978 and the hulking hero was in his first season of playing coach of the great North Adelaide FC
The innovative lateral thinker had been hampered by knee injuries and had procured three 44 gallon drums which were filled with ice and water for post match recovery
I’d heard of this new science phenomenon and set up my camera in the opposition change rooms at Norwoods home ground to see if we could steal the technology for our own all conquering club
Being 59 years old and 4ft 10, I dressed as a little league player and positioned myself in the rooms post match with camera at the ready
As the strapping sports hunk emerged from the drum I started to take pictures almost causing carpal tunnel syndrome to my wrist, I was snapping so quickly
Most men would find an ice bath somewhat limiting to their manliness due to cold causing shrinkage, but not the robust competitor, I still recall my thoughts of a butchers apprentice making pork sausages
And today that picture continues to adorn my wall as a mark of respect for the sturdy champion and a sign of my own success despite my height, station in life and gargoyle like appearance
Cheers to the great showman….Barrie Robran, the greatest of greats
Cheers Bazza
Hoorah South Australia![🇦🇺](//cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/twitter/twemoji@latest/assets/svg/1f1e6-1f1fa.svg)
I have a photo on my wall, it is a life sized image of the greatest player to have tamed the chaos of the oval ball….Barrie Robran
It matters little that the photo was taken without the subjects knowledge and taking the candid snap broke restraining orders and laws that today would see a man need to play the mental illness card to avoid incarceration
The year was 1978 and the hulking hero was in his first season of playing coach of the great North Adelaide FC
The innovative lateral thinker had been hampered by knee injuries and had procured three 44 gallon drums which were filled with ice and water for post match recovery
I’d heard of this new science phenomenon and set up my camera in the opposition change rooms at Norwoods home ground to see if we could steal the technology for our own all conquering club
Being 59 years old and 4ft 10, I dressed as a little league player and positioned myself in the rooms post match with camera at the ready
As the strapping sports hunk emerged from the drum I started to take pictures almost causing carpal tunnel syndrome to my wrist, I was snapping so quickly
Most men would find an ice bath somewhat limiting to their manliness due to cold causing shrinkage, but not the robust competitor, I still recall my thoughts of a butchers apprentice making pork sausages
And today that picture continues to adorn my wall as a mark of respect for the sturdy champion and a sign of my own success despite my height, station in life and gargoyle like appearance
Cheers to the great showman….Barrie Robran, the greatest of greats
Cheers Bazza
Hoorah South Australia
There's only one rule in the jungle! When the LYON's hungry, he eats!