Almanac Footy: Grumpy Old Men – featuring Rocket,Taubo, and Murph

Grumpy Old Men

Featuring Rocket, Taubo & Murph

 

 

 

Does being dropped and miss playing 300 FL games still make Rod Carter grumpy?

Does the 1987 Sydney footy league grand final still make Steven Taubert grumpy?

Does not getting a car for goal of the year still make David Murphy grumpy?

 

These questions and more will be revealed when these Sydney football legends appear on a panel at this year’s annual Ralph Robertson Lunch on Friday 6 October at Magpies Sports Club at 12noon.

 

All three had illustrious careers at the Sydney Swans followed by coaching local clubs in the Sydney football league.

 

After 293 VFL/AFL games with Fitzroy and the Swans and one goal, Rod ‘Rocket’ Carter retired in 1990 and took on coaching Sydney University in 1992 leading the Students to their first senior grade premiership in 1992. Following his retirement from the game he took on the Development Manager’s role with NSW AFL as well as coaching state junior representative teams. His perpetual legacy is the Paul Kelly Cup, the biggest schools-based sporting competition in NSW for boys and girls.

 

‘Taubo’ had an illustrious 123-game career with Richmond, Essendon, and the Swans, including fourth-place in the 1984 Brownlow medal and like his great mate, Rocket, moved to Sydney in 1982, and never left. He was appointed coach of St George in 1987 and led them into the tumultuous grand final against Campbelltown. Following the establishment of his sports store network Taubo took on the ruck coaching role at the Swans in 1999 until 2017band his influence became so profound he became known as the ‘Ruck Whisperer’. His star pupil was former Canadian international rugby player Mike Pyke who under Taubo’s tutelage became a premiership winning ruckman.

 

David Murphy was recruited to the Swans from Turvey Park in 1984, where he been transferred as a bank clerk from his hometown, Finley. He played 156 games for the Swans and booted 92 goals. Representing NSW at the 1988 national carnival in Adelaide. ‘Murph’ was named on the wing in the last-ever genuine All-Australian team based on players from states and Territories. ‘Murph’ became captain-coach of Campbelltown but due to suspension, the first and only one ever in his career, he had to coach the Blues to the flag from the sidelines. However, it was his role as head coach of Riverview college senior XVIII in the Sydney Independent Schools Association that has David has really left a stamp on the game. Over a period of fifteen years he almost single-handedly raised the status of the game in the private schools.

 

Simon Kelly will again be the moderator for the panel discussion.

 

NSW Australian Football Society

 

RALPH ROBERSTON ANNUAL LUNCH

 

Friday 6 October from 11.30am onwards

Magpies Social Club

40 Hampden Street Croydon Park

 

No Charge

 

Food & Beverages from Club Bistro

 

FOOTBALL AWARDS

 

BOOK LAUNCH

 

PANEL DISCUSSION

 

Members & Guests Welcome

 

 

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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.

 

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