Rod Owen

[Moods]

I played junior footy with Rod and probably played the same day as a few of the shots in the article ( definitely at least 1) he was f#cken unbelievably good

He was always a very nice guy to me and an absolute gentleman to my parents whenever he saw them for decades later - it was well known locally that Saints f***ed up one of the greatest talents they might have ever had by taking him out of school and unleashing him on the Saints disco - he was way too young and his body responded accordingly - if his dad had not died things might have been very different - I did not know about the abuse and am absolutely devastated for him and really upset to learn it - it certainly puts some of his poor behavior into more perspective- I always blamed the club and his dad’s untimely death

Very well put. Thanks for posting your insights. I agree wholeheartedly

[Enrico_Misso]

Incredibly sad story.

If only we had had strong mentoring figures at the club in those days.

[WellardSaint]

When I lived in Melbourne, I *think* the Herald-Sun had a story on Ian Stewart driving near Sth Melb markets, a cop pulled him over, he was wearing women's clothes? Not sure what the hell happened or if my memory is way off ?

[Furphy]

First thing the club should do is take Albert Briggs life membership off him

Hear, hear!

[magnifisaint]

Oh I see now how karma is having the final say......
And they call them The Saints!

[The_Dud]

The good ol’ days...

[perfectionist]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Second, at some stage in our lives, despite what has happened before, we all have to take responsibility for how we are to live the rest of our lives. For most, it's in our 20s when we strike out on our own to make our own way. Before then, we are afforded time to try various things and discard those that don't fit, sometimes referred to as mistakes. It often coincides with an evaluation about who we really are. We can't change the past but we can influence the future, and that goes for all of the people involved in this story. We can hope that as a society we have moved on from many of the hurdles that were all too common in Rod Owen's life almost 40 years ago. Recent events in Canberra show we still have some way to go in some areas.

Out of every disaster, a little progress is made. Perhaps a young, talented sportsperson reading Rod Owen's story today will be the beneficiary of that progress.

[saynta]

One of the saddest stories I've ever read. Our club should be deeply ashamed of its past treatment of these players (Robbie Muir as well) and scumbags like Ian Stewart should be forced to apologise or not be welcome at our club ever again. What a POS! Waits for his dad to be buried then pounces on him like a piece of meat and throws him to the wolves. I wouldn't blame Rod Owen or his family if they never forgave the Saints. Very few times I'm embarrassed to be a Saints supporter, but this article made me squirm.

Calling Ian Stewart a scumbag is way way over the top ffs.

If the cap fits. Just because he was a brilliant footballer does not make him a good person.

A scumbag is someone who breaks a promise to a dying man about his teenage son and does the opposite of what he says he will do - to the detriment of the young man involved. Basically ruined his life, and when the mother tried to intervene he tells the mother to f*** off! Talk about defending the indefensible.

I think the pedophiles had more to do with ruining Rod's life than Ian Stewart FFS, or didn't you read the article all the way through.

Certainly the drinking culture at the time didn't help.

I am in no way defending the indefensible and I find that comment as offensive as your original comment in relation to Stewart. We should at least hear from Stewart before condemning him on the words of a disgruntled mother who understandably would be feeling some guilt for not protecting her son from perverts and over ambitious football administrators.

So your suggesting that OWEN and his mother made the whole thing up? As well their closest family and friends? You believe what you want to believe.

What utter f****** rubbish. Where did I suggest any of that story was made up FFS.

I never thought that, let alone put that crap into print.

[mcadam05]

Im sharing this link because the main st media have ignored this story and if we can't support one of our own who will?

https://gofund.me/6eff4c18

Disclaimer- I have no connection or setting up of this gofund me page

[Joffa Burns]

Im sharing this link because the main st media have ignored this story and if we can't support one of our own who will?

https://gofund.me/6eff4c18

Disclaimer- I have no connection or setting up of this gofund me page

I have no issues with others donating, but can’t say I agree with a go fund me page for a 50 year old guy who doesn’t have a life threatening physical illness.

But I am a go fund me sucker, I’m on there every week.

I even gave $500 to K Duthie because she had a little kid and had stage 4 cervical cancer, or so was written

Who’s the idiot?

[SaintPav]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Yes, he was no Hart but he was never going to be the main forward in that team but would have made a very good third tall and decoy forward.

He had a good leap and was very skilful but injuries amongst other things slowed him down and ruined his chances.

[The_Dud]

Im sharing this link because the main st media have ignored this story and if we can't support one of our own who will?

https://gofund.me/6eff4c18

Disclaimer- I have no connection or setting up of this gofund me page

I have no issues with others donating, but can’t say I agree with a go fund me page for a 50 year old guy who doesn’t have a life threatening physical illness.

But I am a go fund me sucker, I’m on there every week.

I even gave $500 to K Duthie because she had a little kid and had stage 4 cervical cancer, or so was written

Who’s the idiot?

I think all you did was cover her latest dose of lip-filler!

[sunsaint]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Yes, he was no Hart but he was never going to be the main forward in that team but would have made a very good third tall and decoy forward.
He had a good leap and was very skilful
but injuries amongst other things slowed him down and ruined his chances.

agree with this
Tnny Modra was undersized for a key position forward - but did very well
and in a choice between Owen & Lowe kicking for goal - I know who I would back
not that I remember those two playing at the same time
Sliding door moments - who knows what might have been

[saynta]

Im sharing this link because the main st media have ignored this story and if we can't support one of our own who will?

https://gofund.me/6eff4c18

Disclaimer- I have no connection or setting up of this gofund me page

I have no issues with others donating, but can’t say I agree with a go fund me page for a 50 year old guy who doesn’t have a life threatening physical illness.

But I am a go fund me sucker, I’m on there every week.

I even gave $500 to K Duthie because she had a little kid and had stage 4 cervical cancer, or so was written

Who’s the idiot?

I don't give to beggars and I am selective with go fund me pages, a lot of which are scams. Rod is turning his life around and good luck to him but f*** knows what he would do with 10 grand.

[Joffa Burns]

Im sharing this link because the main st media have ignored this story and if we can't support one of our own who will?

https://gofund.me/6eff4c18

Disclaimer- I have no connection or setting up of this gofund me page

I have no issues with others donating, but can’t say I agree with a go fund me page for a 50 year old guy who doesn’t have a life threatening physical illness.

But I am a go fund me sucker, I’m on there every week.

I even gave $500 to K Duthie because she had a little kid and had stage 4 cervical cancer, or so was written

Who’s the idiot?

I think all you did was cover her latest dose of lip-filler!

I think you misspelled tits

[George27]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Yes, he was no Hart but he was never going to be the main forward in that team but would have made a very good third tall and decoy forward.

He had a good leap and was very skilful but injuries amongst other things slowed him down and ruined his chances.

I agree with SaintPav. When he started I thought he would be a George Young type - and at that stage he looked as if he could be every bit as good as George. There was a huge amount of hype. I and many others had seen him dominate the Little League ( as the article reported , the same kids played each week, so you did get to recognise them ) , so expectations were high and , for just a little while , they were fulfilled before it all started to unravel .

[mcadam05]

How is it Robbie Muir got over a hundred thousand and Rod Owen can bearly get fifteen Hundred , gee White guilt must be a real thing

[HarryM]

Im sharing this link because the main st media have ignored this story and if we can't support one of our own who will?

https://gofund.me/6eff4c18

Disclaimer- I have no connection or setting up of this gofund me page

No thanks, sorry but i wont be donating.

[SuperDuper]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Second, at some stage in our lives, despite what has happened before, we all have to take responsibility for how we are to live the rest of our lives. For most, it's in our 20s when we strike out on our own to make our own way. Before then, we are afforded time to try various things and discard those that don't fit, sometimes referred to as mistakes. It often coincides with an evaluation about who we really are. We can't change the past but we can influence the future, and that goes for all of the people involved in this story. We can hope that as a society we have moved on from many of the hurdles that were all too common in Rod Owen's life almost 40 years ago. Recent events in Canberra show we still have some way to go in some areas.

Out of every disaster, a little progress is made. Perhaps a young, talented sportsperson reading Rod Owen's story today will be the beneficiary of that progress.

total garbage assessment of his potential.

[saynta]

How is it Robbie Muir got over a hundred thousand and Rod Owen can bearly get fifteen Hundred , gee White guilt must be a real thing

[Viking3]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Second, at some stage in our lives, despite what has happened before, we all have to take responsibility for how we are to live the rest of our lives. For most, it's in our 20s when we strike out on our own to make our own way. Before then, we are afforded time to try various things and discard those that don't fit, sometimes referred to as mistakes. It often coincides with an evaluation about who we really are. We can't change the past but we can influence the future, and that goes for all of the people involved in this story. We can hope that as a society we have moved on from many of the hurdles that were all too common in Rod Owen's life almost 40 years ago. Recent events in Canberra show we still have some way to go in some areas.

Out of every disaster, a little progress is made. Perhaps a young, talented sportsperson reading Rod Owen's story today will be the beneficiary of that progress.

Owen 185cm v Harvey 181cm. Just sayin. Oh, and Hart 187cm.

[SaintPav]

Two things. First, Rod Owen was a potential good player but no Royce Hart, as suggested in the article. Owen was too short for a key position in the 80s being the same height as Robert Harvey and too slow to be a flanker being a slow turner and average on the ground. He was not two sided. He could take a contested mark well above his height and could kick 50 metre goals - his two strengths. He was one of those players with talent, who would have been very good in the 50s and 60s but who was passed by in the 80s as players were getting bigger. Remember, our FF (Tony Lockett) and CHF (Stewart Loewe) from the same era, when Owen would have been at his peak, were 6cm and 9cm taller than him respectively.

Yes, he was no Hart but he was never going to be the main forward in that team but would have made a very good third tall and decoy forward.

He had a good leap and was very skilful but injuries amongst other things slowed him down and ruined his chances.

I agree with SaintPav. When he started I thought he would be a George Young type - and at that stage he looked as if he could be every bit as good as George. There was a huge amount of hype. I and many others had seen him dominate the Little League ( as the article reported , the same kids played each week, so you did get to recognise them ) , so expectations were high and , for just a little while , they were fulfilled before it all started to unravel .

Thanks George. He was also wore 27.

From memory, Rod could also blaze away at goal and didn’t always look for the best option but that could have been coached out of his game.

I remember his first game at Arden St. I also remember him playing against Hawthorn at Princess Park which may have been in 83 or 84 when he did an ankle. I remember two young Hawthorn scrubbers behind yelling for him to be shot. I was appalled at the time. Still am.

[The Billings Method]

When I lived in Melbourne, I *think* the Herald-Sun had a story on Ian Stewart driving near Sth Melb markets, a cop pulled him over, he was wearing women's clothes? Not sure what the hell happened or if my memory is way off ?

Spot on, Wellard Saint. One of the reasons for the Barrott trade fiasco, no one ever mentions. Yabbie wanted Ian Servi (his real name) out of the club, because Servi was a cross dressing alcoholic.

[Scollop]

Follow up story by Russell Jackson on abc news website

"Last Friday, almost two months after Owen shared his story, St Kilda's Board approved the removal of Briggs and convicted paedophile Trevor Gravell from the club's life members' list. In 2014, Gravell was convicted of child sex crimes unrelated to the St Kilda Little League team.

The AFL, which didn't join other major sporting bodies in giving a voluntary submission to the Royal Commission into institutional responses to childhood sexual abuse, now confronts a crisis that has affected hundreds of men. Its response so far has been to direct survivors to police, and its own integrity unit has made contact with some survivors."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-05/ ... /100187148

...edit (sorry didn't see the same thing posted in another thread...)

http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php? ... 7#p1906967