Almanac Footy: ‘A History of Australian Rules Football in Woomera 1948 to 1992’ – Part 9: 1970 – 1971
David ‘Dick’ Turpin is a Brisbane friend of Almanacker Allan Barden. During the late 60s early 70s David spent a few years working in Woomera when it was quite a thriving community.
David has researched and written a history of footy in Woomera from the years 1948 to 1992.
The Footy Almanac will publish David’s extensive history over a number of weeks.
Dick has also completed a history of Woomera water polo.
1970
In 1970 all games reverted to the Newman Oval to give the Arboretum Oval a rest and a chance for regrowth.
O’Donoghue Oval formerly Arboretum Oval
Coaches appointed were Centrals – Ted Pawelski, Koolymilka – Bruce Perkins, Village – Graham Brennan, and Works – Denny Scott.
After 2 rounds Denny Scott was replaced by 1968 premiership coach Fred Wernert.
Village won the lightning carnival held early in the season.
As far as juniors went Tom Lloyd was now playing for Village, John Corcoran crossed from Works to Village and Bob Spooner who did not play at all in 1969 played a few games for Centrals, Leigh Chamberlain joined Works and Peter Beck joined Koolymilka.
In an interleague match Kangaroo Island defeated Woomera 23.21 (138) to 4.7 (31).
The Area and Mail medals were won by Robert ‘Butch’ Leverington. Robert was the son of league president Bill Leverington and the first winner to have spent his whole childhood and all his schooldays in Woomera.
Second was Graham McKenzie of Centrals who had won the medals in 1969 and third was Peter Hardy of Village.
At the end of the minor round, Centrals were undefeated and favoured to win the flag however it was not to be and Village won the grand final by 5 points.
On the Saturday night before the grand final Village had a player’s tea followed by the showing of a couple of sporting movies and then an early night. Several Central’s players however decided to attend a fancy-dress party at the Staff Mess which went on until the early hours of Sunday morning and this probably did not help their cause.
Village were however worthy champions and deserved their win.
Premiership coach Graham Brennan was the fourth premiership coach to have been employed by the PMG, the others being Bill Novak for Village in 1952 and 1954, Don Watson for Works in 1958 and Bill Hooker for Village in 1967.
Points at the end of the minor round were Centrals 24, Village 14, Koolymilka 10, and Works 0.
| Team | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts |
| Centrals | 12 | 0 | 1509 | 677 | 69.03 | 24 | ||
| Village | 7 | 5 | 1492 | 941 | 61.32 | 14 | ||
| Koolymilka | 5 | 7 | 1229 | 1113 | 52.48 | 10 | ||
| Works | 0 | 12 | 534 | 2033 | 20.80 | 0 |
| Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts |
| 1st Semi | Koolymilka | 10 | 23 | 83 | Works | 9 | 8 | 62 |
| 2nd Semi | Centrals | 11 | 19 | 85 | Village | 12 | 11 | 83 |
| Preliminary | Village | 14 | 15 | 99 | Koolymilka | 8 | 16 | 64 |
| Grand | Village | 11 | 11 | 77 | Centrals | 10 | 12 | 72 |
Grand Final: Village defeated Centrals 11.11 (77) to 10.12 (72).
Premiership Coach: Graham Brennan. Premiership Captain: Graham Brennan.
Best in Grand Final: Bob Brandt – Village, Rex Quick – Centrals.
League Best & Fairest – Area & Mail Medals: 1st Robert ‘Butch’ Leverington – Works 15, 2nd Graham McKenzie – Centrals 10, 3rd Peter Hardy – Village 9.
Leading Goalkickers: 1st Gary Hele – Village 43, 2nd Peter Hardy – Village 41, Alex Herewane – Koolymilka 33.
Player Life Membership: Len ‘Ruffy’ Jane (RIP) – Village.
League President: William ‘Bill’ Leverington (RIP). League Secretary: Don Beham.
In 1970 the three Corcoran brothers Frank, John, and Keith all played together for Village, equalling the feat of the three Wagnitz brothers (Wolfgang, Jurgen, and Klaus) who all played together for Works in 1969.
Newman Oval. Courtesy Clark Terry,photographer
1970 WJFL
In 1970 it was decided that each junior team would wear the colours of their sponsor club.
Coaches for the year were Demons – Des Jones, Eagles – John Payne, Magpies – Bob Legg and Roosters Ken Butcher.
The Eagles were minor premiers and went on to win the grand final.
| Team | Played | Wins | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts |
| Eagles | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1337 | 461 | 74.36 | 22 |
| Roosters | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 775 | 986 | 44.00 | 10 |
| Magpies | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 597 | 810 | 42.43 | 8 |
| Demons | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 624 | 992 | 38.61 | 8 |
| Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts |
| 1st Semi | Magpies | 9 | 6 | 60 | Demons | 3 | 5 | 23 |
| 2nd Semi | Eagles | 22 | 9 | 141 | Roosters | 3 | 7 | 25 |
| Preliminary | Roosters | 3 | 4 | 22 | Magpies | 3 | 3 | 21 |
| 1st Grand | Eagles | 14 | 8 | 92 | Roosters | 8 | 7 | 55 |
Grand Final: Eagles defeated Roosters 14.8 (92) to 8.7 (55).
Premiership Coach: John Payne. Premiership Captain: Richard Daly.
Best in Grand Final: Leigh Goodall – Eagles, John Byard – Roosters.
League Best & Fairest: 1st David Gee – Magpies 15, 2nd Richard Daly – Eagles 15,
3rd Greg Whittle – Eagles 14.
Leading Goalkickers: Richard Daly – Eagles 51, Greg Whittle – Eagles 47.
1971
In 1971 Bill Leverington stood down after 8 years as league president. However, you cannot keep a good man down for long and he then became the prime organizer of a mini-league for those boys who were too young or too small to play in the junior league. Bill was ably assisted in coaching the boys by Alan Christie and John Harrison. Enthusiastic help was also given by Tony O’Donoghue, Ron Page, Jim Herde, and Len Jayne and trophies were donated by Werner Wagnitz and the ASCO store.
Games were played at the half-time intervals of senior games. Players used a smaller ball and smaller fields. It appeared to be a forerunner to the AFL Auskick.
All matches were again played on the Newman Oval and some of the coaches appointed were Koolymilka – Bruce Perkins, Village – Graham Brennan, and Works – Vern Cordes.
Village won the lightning carnival held early in the season.
Players up from the junior ranks included Steve Zehender, John Byard, David Worthy, Richard Daly, David Gee, and Greg Gee. Bob Spooner and Bill Harvey moved from Centrals to Koolymilka and Keith Corcoran from Village to Works.
David Gee who won the Best & Fairest in the junior league in 1970, won Koolymilka’s Best & Fairest in his first year of senior football. This was a fine achievement.
The Area & Mail medals were won by Theo Saunders of Koolymilka, with the 1970 winner Butch Leverington of Works running second and Peter Hardy of Village running third.
During the year one round was cancelled due to inclement weather and points at the end of minor round were Village 18, Centrals 12, Koolymilka 10 and Works 4.
Village then created history by being the first team in the history of the WFL to win three premierships in a row. This achievement was a credit to Graham Brennan and his team.
| Team | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts |
| Village | 9 | 2 | 1167 | 904 | 56.35 | 18 | ||
| Centrals | 6 | 5 | 1104 | 967 | 53.30 | 12 | ||
| Koolymilka | 5 | 6 | 1054 | 958 | 52.35 | 10 | ||
| Works | 2 | 9 | 753 | 1247 | 37.65 | 4 |
| Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts |
| 1st Semi | Works | 13 | 12 | 90 | Koolymilka | 9 | 16 | 70 |
| 2nd Semi | Village | 14 | 23 | 107 | Centrals | 4 | 8 | 32 |
| Preliminary | Works | 10 | 14 | 74 | Centrals | 8 | 7 | 55 |
| Grand | Village | 14 | 11 | 95 | Works | 11 | 7 | 73 |
Grand Final: Village defeated Works 14.11 (95) to 11.7 (73).
Premiership Coach: Graham Brennan. Premiership Captain: Graham Brennan.
Best in Grand Final: Gary Hele – Village, Dave Owen – Works.
League Best & Fairest – Area & Mail Medals: 1st Theo Saunders – Koolymilka 19, 2nd Robert ‘Butch’ Leverington – Works 11, 3rd Peter Hardy – Village 9.
Leading Goalkickers: 1st Gary Hele – Village 30.
Player Life Membership: Peter Hardy (RIP) – Village.
League President: Graham Overall. League Secretary: T Montague.
Village Football Club – Premiers 1971 – Graham Brennan Captain/Coach
1971 WJFL
Coaches for 1971 were Demons – Ken Spicer, Eagles – John Payne, Magpies – Bob Spooner, and Roosters – Leo Sexton. Team managers were Len Boots, John Morris, Keith Corcoran, and Peter MacNamara.
The table at the end of the minor round showed the Magpies as minor premiers.
| Team | Played | Wins | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts |
| Magpies | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1858 | 169 | 91.67 | 24 |
| Roosters | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 837 | 748 | 52.80 | 10 |
| Eagles | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 668 | 1032 | 39.29 | 8 |
| Demons | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 196 | 1530 | 11.36 | 0 |
The Magpies continued this form and finished undefeated; the first time this had been achieved in the WJFL. Looking at the percentages I am not sure if the equalisation policy was working.
| Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts |
| 1st Semi | Eagles | 10 | 15 | 75 | Demons | 3 | 4 | 22 |
| 2nd Semi | Magpies | 10 | 6 | 66 | Roosters | 3 | 11 | 29 |
| Preliminary | Roosters | 11 | 13 | 79 | Eagles | 10 | 6 | 66 |
| 1st Grand | Magpies | 14 | 13 | 97 | Roosters | 5 | 3 | 33 |
Grand Final: Magpies defeated Roosters 14.13 (97) to 5.3 (33).
Premiership Coach: Bob Spooner. Premiership Captain: Andy Morris.
Best in Grand Final: P Adams – Magpies, C Williams – Roosters.
League Best & Fairest: 1st Paul Sargeant – Magpies, 2nd Leigh Goodall – Eagles.
Leading Goalkickers: Chris Cullinan – Magpies 79, Andy Horne – Magpies 49.
Previous Episodes can be read 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
About Almanac Admin
Leave a Comment