Almanac Footy (Book): 1963 and all that – the retelling of a football legend.

 

So it is 63 years since 1963 when South Australia beat Victoria on the MCG.

 

It was the first win over the Big V there since 1926.

 

Like the moon landing, it is one of those events where people still recall where they were when they heard (mostly on the wireless).

 

Because even after all this time, the game holds a memory for so many people, I have taken a bit of a deep dive into it for this new book.

 

Click on the link for details of the book, Give them a Pep Talk and go to the Races Here.

 

The title comes from Jack Dyer’s infamous advice he gave Victorian coach Bob Davis – such was the disrespect for the Croweaters.

 

Both teams were stacked with honoured names – Barassi, Skilton, Motley, Kernahan, Baldock, Farmer … John Halbert has written the foreword.

 

This was the crowd that met the returning players at the old Adelaide airport. Lindsay Head said when he saw the crowd, he thought that the Beatles had arrived.

 

The story wasn’t as straightforward as I originally thought, and required researching the decade before the game to find its origin.

 

There was a conversation between Fos Williams and Neil Kerley after being flogged by Victoria in 1958 that set the wheels in motion.

 

After that came the construction of a side that first had to overcome Tasmania and Western Australia.

 

Another significant players-only conversation took place on the ground moments before the first bounce.

 

Thanks to those who gave me their memories and to the SANFL History Centre for access to its archives.

 

A celebration dinner was held at the Old South Australian Hotel.

 

There was also a souvenir pennant that the players were given.

 

For a bit of fun, we have reproduced a limited number of these pennants for sale along with the book.

 

There is also a video about the game on the website.

 

www.sportswords.com.au

 

I hope you enjoy the recall of this famous match and its aftermath, and thank you for your support in these niche endeavours.

 

Michael

 

 

To read more by Michael Sexton as well as reviews of his books click Here.

 

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

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