Tim Boyle article on footy violence and Jim O’Dea

[mordi]

Tim Boyle writes some decent stuff usually, but I think Jim O’Dea’s reputation is hard done by in this. Probably would do better to focus on his own clubs legendary thug.

https://amp.theage.com.au/sport/afl/her ... 4zwxd.html

[derby Street]

Pity he wasn't able to interview John Somerville from the Bummers.

[Joffa Burns]

I don’t think that is unreasonable, it is what it is with Jim and becomes topical with the Gaff hit.

I was at the match but didn’t see Jim hit Greening.

Greening went from a gun player to the best of Judd crossed with Dangerfield and Ablett senior as the years progressed.

It is fair to say the incident cost Greening a very promising career.

[Enrico_Misso]

I was standing a few rows from the fence on the flank where it happened but didn't see a thing.
Plenty of stories around the incident.
Supposedly they had crossed paths in the carpark and exchanged words.
Some suggestion the main damage was done as his head hit the ground rather than the punch.
Not that those factors excuse O'Dea who clearly deliberately dropped him behind the play.

It was a different era back then but no doubt Jimmy paid and continues to pay a high price for that one crazy moment in an otherwise distinguished 167 game career spanning 14 seasons.

[Trev from the Bush]

I don’t think that is unreasonable, it is what it is with Jim and becomes topical with the Gaff hit.

I was at the match but didn’t see Jim hit Greening.

Greening went from a gun player to the best of Judd crossed with Dangerfield and Ablett senior as the years progressed.

It is fair to say the incident cost Greening a very promising career.

+1 Joffa.

It happened in front of the grandstand yet everybody's eyes where focused on the umpire who was ready to bounce the ball. In the aftermath, only 100,000 Magpie supporters saw it happen. In reality, Jim O'Dea is the only person who could tell the story.

It was a dark day in the Saints history. Like Gaff, I could never acuse Jimmy of being a "dirty" player. Sure, he was tough and survived playing in a tough era. Many, at the time, wanted him driven out of the game. I have fond memories of Jim playing on into 1980, especially round 2 (Jezza's first match as coach) where the Saints drew at the 'G with the Tigers. Jim had done a hammy but limped to the goal square and booted a couple of valuable goals when it counted.

He was a great clubman, Jimmy.

[Trev from the Bush]

PS: - I'd love to know where the trots track was at Waverley! More proof to the theory that people's emphatic recollections of things they swear happened never happened at all.

[saynta]

Such is life.