Review – Collision – A novel by Kelvin Templeton
It was John Harms who first told me, “Did you know Kelvin’s writing a novel?” Kelvin, as in Kelvin Templeton, was writing a novel?
How novel.
Collision, Templeton’s debut effort, opens in 1957. We’re introduced to two-year-old Joshua Shamrock. Unbeknownst to the infant, a tragedy that will impact his life, is about to happen. We fast forward 18 years to 1975 and are re-acquainted with Shamrock. We learn that the onetime junior football champion from the rural town of Forestville, has graduated to the pinnacle of Australian Rules Football, the Victorian Football League (VFL). Despite its lofty status, VFL matches are played in substandard stadia and are watched by crowds that vary in size from miniscule to massive. Diehard supporters are loud, tribal. Players earn a pittance – if they’re paid at all. The competition is unrecognisable to the homogenised, stage-managed, polished to within an inch of its existence national league of the 21st century.
Joshua ‘Clover’ Shamrock is in the midst of his third season of senior VFL football. His team, Footscray, are perennial also-rans of the competition. He works at Barry’s furniture repair store in Windsor and lives nearby, in South Melbourne. We’re privy to his first serious relationship with Faye. He’s an introverted young man and his post-match pleasures are simple – a drink at a local pub or nightclub or perhaps an evening at the Showgrounds watching harness racing.
It’s the midway point of the 1975 season and Footscray, to the surprise of no one, are struggling. Yet another winter of discontent for the ‘Scraggers. Shamrock’s mediocre early season form mirrors that of his team. Suddenly, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. He puts together a month of solid footy. Finally, Shamrock announces himself on the big stage with a match winning performance against the reigning premiers, Richmond. Cue the requisite celebrations – back slapping well-wishers pile into the dingy, claustrophobia inducing change rooms. Rabid pressmen make a beeline to grab the thoughts of the ‘Scrays latest messiah. Coach Fred Williams, struggling to avoid the chop, or worse, the full support of the board is beaming. Hallelujah. A star is born. Onward and upward for the young lad. Ain’t no stopping us now.
Fame can be fleeting and fortunes can change in seconds. Sadly, they do. From the penthouse to the shithouse in the blink of an eye. Shamrock finds himself in a dark place, a fork in the road. So, how will he proceed? What will he do? Who does he turn to?
Don’t expect me to tell you. I’ve set you up, now go and buy the book.
Collision resonated with me in many ways. Templeton takes us on a journey back half a century. It’s 1975, the year of Cairns, Connor and *coups. Khemlani and Kerr. And colour TV. His recall of the charms of the Western Oval, his football home for nigh on a decade will elicit a smile or two from anyone who spent a goodly proportion of our winter weekends at the Kennel (I’m looking at you Messrs’ Davis, Feehan and Gigacz) “rusted turnstiles “, “worn green carpet “ in the change rooms, “cold winds ruffling the feathers on the seagulls”. The good, the bad and the downright deplorable. It was a dive to be sure. But it was OUR dive and we loved it.
Memories of the old “West” come flooding back via references to the Grand Cinema and the Maribyrnong Drive-In (Bedroom Mazurka. Geez, I wonder what the second feature was – Libido?) Pre-season autograph sessions outside Fletcher Jones. Preston Motors. Guests and Pattersons’ furniture stores.
Does Collision slide comfortably into a “football fiction” genre, should such a literary category exist? No, not at all. Sure, the central figure plays Australian Rules at the highest level. But that’s not the full story. The hurdles Shamrock confronts throughout the novel are universal. They are challenges anyone, regardless of vocation or social status, might be asked to negotiate when their hopes and dreams disintegrate in seconds.
Is the central character based on the author? Joshua Shamrock is a talented teenage goalkicker plucked from the obscurity of rural football and charged with the responsibility of curing the Dogs’ long term ails. Sound familiar? I can remember the excitement the Footscray faithful experienced on that dull April day in 1974 when Templeton lit up Victoria Park with an astonishing debut performance. So good, so young. Still, as tempting as it is to answer in the affirmative, I see Shamrock as a combination of a few of Templeton’s Red White and Blue contemporaries of that era. Listing names, I feel, might give away part of the plot.
Prior to Collision I could think of only two examples of sportspeople turning their hand to non-fiction. In 1973 former Dallas Cowboy Peter Gent penned North Dallas Forty. A film adaptation followed at the end of the decade. **Terry Venables, who represented England in football as both player and manager co-wrote five novels in the 1970s with Scottish author Gordon Williams. Three Hazell novels formed the storyline for a number of episodes of the eponymous ITV detective series of the late 70s. But, to categorize Templeton solely as a past sporting great doesn’t do him justice. How many of us possess a resume that includes academic excellence, highly successful businessman and, of course, elite athlete among our accomplishments?
I thoroughly enjoyed Collision and I eagerly await Kelvin Templeton’s next effort. Maybe a sequel? I recommend you take the time and get to know Clover Shamrock. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Collision, a novel by Kelvin Templeton, is available to purchase at most Melbourne books stores or via Wilkinson Publishing via their website.
https://www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au
Read more about Collision HERE.
A big thank you to John Harms and the good people at Wilkinson publishing for sending me a pre-release copy of Collision.
* For the conspiracy theorists who believe Kerr acted with the CIA to overthrow a democratically elected government.
** Venables also managed the Socceroos (1996-1997) narrowly missing out on qualification for the 1998 World Cup Finals in France.
Read more from Mic Rees HERE.
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
As always, good stuff Mic.
Yep even though I didn’t barrack for Footscray I spent a bit of time at the Western Oval, both football and cricket season, during the latter part of last century. The stoney surface in the outer, the donut van at the Geelong Road end, the kids from the Hyde st. Band, Mr. Bodgie, the rancid toilets, with of course Kelvin Templeton, all features of that time.
His debut for you chaps was a bag of 6 at Victoria Park, the same ground he brought up his ton four seasons later. That same year he kicked 15.7 against St. Kilda. Sadly I was at VFL Park, that wet summer night in 1981 when he did his knee in the final term of a night match. He was never the same after that, but found fortune and fame in sporting administration, now it appears the literary world.
I’ll take your advice and ‘do myself a favour’ to obtain a copy.
Good luck to your Bulldogs this season.
Glen!
Nice review, Mic.
Terrific review Mic. I hope people have a chance to read Collision.
Great review Mic!
Glen, Smokie, John and Aldo.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope it encourages you to read Collision. You won’t be disappointed.
MCR
I enjoyed it, and appreciated it. It’s a study of a man dealing with life and its challenges.