A coffee with … Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood

 

Malcolm and Neil Balme

 

A coffee with …

 

Malcolm Ashwood

 

At 61 years old, Malcolm Ashwood has passionately followed sports for most of his life and has written the best-selling book The Definitive Rulebook, a collection of articles about the careers and lives of individual sportspeople (the book is now part of the Melbourne Cricket Club Library).  Malcolm was once described by former league coach Alan Killigrew (to triple Brownlow winner Bobby Skilton – no less) as having the ‘best footy brain’ he’d ever coached.

 

It was just the playing side that was the problem!

 

Malcolm admits to having ‘more knowledge than sporting ability,’ although he once scored an undefeated 178 in cricket. He is a life member of the Payneham Cricket Club and Adelaide University Football Club. He has been married to Emma since 1992, and they have two children, Daniel and Sam, all of whose support has been instrumental in Malcolm’s successes.

 

 

How did you develop such a passion for sports?

 

I certainly wasn’t pushed whatsoever into sport, but from a very young age, I was enthralled by it—I could watch anything for hours with cricket, footy, and hockey being my main interests. (I had a mouth guard on order, but I insisted on playing and had a front tooth knocked out by a Burnside Primary School teammate accidentally. Andrew Buttery was probably more upset than I was). Mum, in particular, wasn’t too happy.

 

 

Tell us a bit about your early days growing up in Adelaide.

 

I went to Burnside Primary School and scored for Kensington CC at Parkinson Oval. (I followed Tim May) and went to Norwood High.

 

 

Malcolm with Ken Cunningham

 

 

Where does this love for talkback radio come from?

 

I was Ken Cunningham’s fourth caller on his first night on the radio
( KG has a book where he wrote down and kept a record of his first night. Knowing KG and his personality, he probably expected it to be his last, so I may be the first caller to get the famous G’day champ. I think I was 12 or 13. I just thought of it as talking on the phone to someone about something I loved and not about how many were listening.

 

 

What is your favourite talkback moment?

 

I may have rung 5AA when Port was bombing in finals using a high-pitched voice as Anna Kournikova out in straight sets. I reckon if Tim Ginever had been able to get hold of me, he would have killed me.

 

 

What is it about sporting clubs as communities that draws you to them?

 

I think it’s the different number of people you meet, different jobs, beliefs, upbringing, the whole box and dice, and then socialise – share victories and defeats. I always loved the social side of it, always heavily involved.

 

You have a strong sense of service to others; where do you think that comes from?

 

I think it comes from my parents, in particular, my late mum Margaret. My dad Ray was very good mates with the late Jim Palm ( father of ex Norwood, West Perth and Richmond – David ), and so the Palm and Ashwood families spent a fair bit of time together.  Andrew, was the youngest of the Palms, there was  David, Jenny and Michael with their mum Lorraine. Andrew had some intellectual disabilities and it’s fair to say he adored my mum so I watched mum with Andrew and it was very much treat anyone how you wished to be treated because of the involvement with the Palms that side of life was just normal to me,  and then that’s flowed on to hopefully helping Rick Neagle with Dignity for Disability. Neags said one day you just get it, which I appreciated.

 

 

You are a life member of the Payneham Cricket Club and Adelaide University Football Clubs; how did you first get involved?

 

Touch of irony re Payneham wise. I wanted to play for Kensington, but Barry Jarman announced in the club rooms one night at the club I wasn’t good enough to play for the Browns despite never playing a game. While that was Barry’s manner it was poorly done and while I was hardly a world beater I reckon I was a tad better than some of the turf guys but didn’t go to a college so I went out to Payneham in 81-82 still involved now on the committee – more so as the old bugger who only gets heavily involved if needed. Adelaide Uni FC: Mick Weatherald (Tim’s father) played cricket at Payneham, also coached Adelaide Uni FC who got Geoff Wilson and me to go to Adelaide Uni in 1984. Again, I am still involved, and my primary role is chasing up past players to be members and involved in organising past player events.

 

You’ve had two significant mentors, Marty Bradshaw and Chocka Bloch (who are sadly no longer with us); tell us about their stories and your association with them.

 

Marty captained the fourths at Payneham and ran the Newsagency on the corner of Glynburn and Magill Rd. He was a brilliant captain to play under. I didn’t drive back then, so Marty used to give me a lift home from the club Thursday nights even when I wasn’t playing in the same side and we would discuss anything. I will always massively appreciate his advice and wisdom, and I was privileged to be asked to give the eulogy on behalf of Payneham CC at his funeral. I arrived at Adelaide University FC in 1984 and quickly developed a close relationship with Chocka and became his right-hand man for 33 years. We did a lot of things together for both Uni FC and SAAFL (Amateur league ). In general Chocka valued my opinion, always listened, we would discuss things intricately and come to a decision. People would be horrified at how many decisions we made regarding Adelaide Uni FC together. To be asked by the Bloch family to organise the great man’s funeral was a huge responsibility but an enormous privilege.

 

 

You’ve got a passion for storytelling; where does that come from?

 

While forthright regarding my opinion, I’ve always listened and quickly realised that everyone has a story to tell.

 

 

You’ve profiled many South Australian sportsmen, a number whose stories are lesser known. What draws you to tell their stories?

 

I think it comes from being treated with mutual respect and valuing my opinion – Ben Jefferies at Norwood, I think, is a good example while I would always discuss the game in general and his own game, I reckon that I was concerned re him as a person hopefully resonated as well. I also think that I didn’t bullshit was appreciated – Brady Dawe likewise.

 

 

What was the catalyst for you to start writing?

 

Definitely, John Harms. I interviewed JTH at an Ad Uni Past Players lunch in Melbourne. Harmsy asked me to write the match report for the Western Bulldogs v Adelaide game. For the Footy Almanac site. I enjoyed the feedback, and as my personality, I’m in either 100 per cent or not at all, so I sent my articles out to all and sundry – I did that for both AFL Crows and Norwood in the SANFL for quite a while, but there are match reports in abundance so it evolved in to interviewing players and writing not only about their careers but life in general- Where Harmsy was vital was I really struggle grammar wise I think I’m partly dyslexic but JTH and the editors at the Footy Almanac were incredibly supportive emphasising that it was the story which counted not the grammar – Luke Reynolds and Dave Brown, in particular, helped me enormously editing. Which was always a mammoth job. Col Ritchie, Swish Schwerdt, and others also helped big time.

 

 

What pleasure do you get from writing?

 

Definitely the end product, the appreciation from the person I’ve interviewed, and then the feedback—I enjoy the interview process and the result, not so much the writing.

 

 

What has  The Footy Almanac community meant to you over the years?

 

I reckon it’s the balance and integrity; it’s not the one-eyed crap you get on Facebook. It’s the thinking person’s sports outlet.

 

 

Malcolm with Matty Panos

 

You love the SANFL. What’s the best moment in all these years of watching it?

 

Every Norwood premiership right from a 12-year-old in 1975 the whole way through. Kieran McGuinness to spot me in the crowd in 2014 to call me down to the fence and hug and thank me meant the world to me then in 2022, I said to this guy ( I regret not finding out his name ), I reckon some of the Norwood players will make a beeline for me can you take some photos? And he said love to.  Jack Heard, who I originally had regarding Auskick when he was in grade two and then coached in SAPSASA for East Adelaide with Tim Weatherald ( we did win the championship), his embrace, and the words between us I will never forget, and there were plenty of other Norwood players as well. The goal by the King – Matty Panos, to put us in front was huge in 22, as were the celebrations with the Panos family that night. Nowadays  the benefit of being a non-drinker is very clear.

 

You must have an archive of resources at home; where do you source most of your information?

 

Actually, very little, yes. I google on the Internet, but it’s mainly through memory. The book I have used the most is Pete Lines’s country footy book

(South Australian Country Football Digest).

 

 

Can you tell us a little about your working life?

 

Bit of everything- my first job out of school was Rowlands Sheet Metalworks. I’ve also worked in Aged care at the Payneham Plant Wholesalers- Woodlands Sports Centre. I ran my own garden business ( until the body started to pack up) and then the Shoppies Union – Peter Malinauskas was a fantastic boss and someone I respect enormously, kicking goals nowadays as Premier.

 

 

What authors do you read?

 

Mainly sport but also – JK Rowling.

 

 

What is the writing process for you?

 

Interview the person, make notes, and go from there.

 

 

What would you recommend on streaming?

 

I do a podcast with Pete Mathew’s – Sportscast Media SA – Game On
While it’s a general sports show, we interview a past player or legend each week, which now takes up a fair bit of time and has taken over personally from writing. It is gradually increasing listener numbers. We certainly need to try and get more sponsors on board—obviously, any company or individual would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

What social media are you on?

 

Facebook can’t deny I spend too much time on it – but I also use it to promote my book. I must admit I don’t understand or do – Twitter or Instagram etc it’s not my strength in life

 

 

Favourite food?

 

Beef Schnitzel- Meat pie

 

Favourite drink?

 

Nowadays – Coke. It was beer until I was finally honest and stopped bullshitting and that I had a problem that was over eleven years ago.

 

 

Best Pub?

 

Payneham Tavern is currently being renovated – I enjoy the Cathedral ( sponsors of Adelaide Uni FC ) I like The Queens Head probably nowadays it’s more who I’m with being a non-drinker.

 

 

What is your favourite sports show on radio?

 

I flick a bit – it depends on who is on at the time – if forced, probably regularly.
David Wildy and Malcolm Blight – Rowey and Timmy G – The Rush Hour have their moments- still enjoy – KG and Cornsey on a Saturday morning and still ring semi-regularly.

 

 

What song do you currently have on repeat?

 

Varies continuously could be an artist – song – I’m old school in general, probably the 1980s music.

 

 

Who is your best writing teammate? (e.g. mentor)

 

John Harms for his encouragement- you can tell a story – you’ve got a gift getting personal information out of the individual; that’s what counts, not grammar ( something I massively appreciate)

 

 

What type of pet do you have? (and name)

We have three cats – Marny – Marty and Susan

 

 

One word to describe your life at the moment?

 

Busy (particularly Thursday and Friday we baby sit Olly who is nearly 3, while it’s full on he’s awesome and Emma is his favourite person in the world)

 

 

The key to a happy life?

 

Go with the flow – relax ( not my strength). I’m a worrier and take things too personally.

 

 

Five guests for a dinner party, who would you ask?

 

Ian Chappell and John Wynne (my first cricket and footy heroes )
Something different: I idolised Phil Carman as a player but don’t know him. This would be an opportunity- Females can’t go past Elle McPherson
If you are going to have one female, you need two – Olivia Newton-John could sing – very attractive and seemed like a lovely person as well.

 

 

Any regrets

Bazz, when you were doing community radio and had me on as a semi-regular and then offered me the chance to run the sports show when you were leaving, I was a fool and didn’t see the whole picture and the potential from it.

 

 

Malcolm with best mate Marc Robinson

 

 

You can read more from Barry Nicholls Here

 

 

 

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