Almanac Footy History: Norwood Blow-Ins Sneak Preview – Della-Polina, Corrigan and Simeon
Way back in 2015, I had the idea that I would attempt to write a piece about each SANFL club and its interstate recruits from 1960-1990. So far I’ve only managed to (alphabetically) cover Central District, Glenelg and North Adelaide.
Norwood was the next cab off the Parade taxi-rank and I started this late last year. I’ve identified almost sixty Redleg imports and I’m about 2/3rds of the way through (chronologically). There have been four major sources of Norwood blow-ins during this period, namely ex-Victorians with a connection to coach Alan Killigrew, WA recruits associated with Haydn Bunton then John Wynne, players from Darwin (and there’s some good ‘uns) and former Richmonders thanks to Neil Balme. These themes will be elaborated upon in the completed article.
I thought at this point I’d share three players from the early-mid 1960s period, each of which brings some unique Red and Blue colour and insight into those times.
Source: The Standard (Port Adelaide) via Trove
In 1963, Ian Della-Polina moved from Perth to Adelaide to further his Architectural studies and commenced in the flag-winning Norwood Thirds (U/19s) midway through the season. His uncle Bill Rainoldi had played 228 games for West Perth as a rover and represented his state. Della-Polina, also a rover, graduated to the League squad in 1964, playing four games. He initially played in glasses but adapted to contact lenses during the season. He dominated the Seconds competition winning the Seconds Magarey Medal and chased down Centrals’ Trevor Jarman to take out the Messenger Newspapers Second Eighteen Trophy. Consigned to the Redleg Seconds for all of 1965, Della-Polina moved to West Adelaide in 1966, where he played four more league games. After football, he became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation.
Ian Della-Polina practising TM in 1972 (Source: The Port Lincoln Time via Trove)
Kerry Corrigan had featured in three junior premierships for Perth, one as captain, and was recommended to incoming Redlegs coach Haydn Bunton Jr by Bill Wedding in 1965. Corrigan’s Norwood League debut was inauspicious, warming the bench for the duration in a narrow Round 8 win against West Adelaide at home (none of the four reserves from either side were given a run that day). Dropped to the early game the following week, Corrigan badly injured a knee. After an ill-advised reconstruction, the knee gave way again in 1966 during a Seconds match, prompting a return to his home state. Stints at local clubs Bayswater, Cranbrook and Busselton followed before Corrigan resettled in South Australia.
Syd Simeon at Perth 1964 (from Redlegs Museum)
Another ex-Perth player to join Norwood in 1965 was Syd Simeon, a full-forward who had kicked 18 goals from 8 games in 1964, his debut season for the WA Demons. Selected for the League side in the opening round of 1965, Simeon’s two goals against Woodville were not enough to keep his place and he spent the rest of the season in the Seconds. As an onlooker to the final Minor Round game against Centrals at Adelaide Oval, which Norwood narrowly lost, Simeon “confronted” umpire Brian Lees on the ground after the final siren – this was Simeon’s final act as a Norwood player. Charged with assault, he was imprisoned for ten days and suspended by the SANFL for 12 months. He swiftly returned to WA. From 1968-71, he coached Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup in the South West National Football League (as it was then known). He won the SWNFL Best and Fairest in 1969 after winning the League’s Media Award in 1968. Simeon took out the league Top Goalkicker in 1971 with 71 majors, a feat that he repeated in 1972 when he moved to the South Bunbury club. As a publican in WA’s South-West, Simeon’s garrulous personality won him many admirers.
By the way, amongst the numerous references I’ve used to compile my full article (10,000 words and counting), the standout has been the Redlegs Museum site, which I would recommend to everybody who has an interest in SA footy history.
More from Swish Schwerdt can be read Here.
To return to our Footy Almanac 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 things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – click HERE.
About Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt
Saw my first SANFL game in 1967 - Dogs v Peckers. Have only ever seen the Dogs win 1 final in the flesh (1972 1st Semi) Mediocre forward pocket for the AUFC Blacks (1982-89) Life member - Ormond Netball Club -That's me on the right
- More Posts
Thanks Swish – Syd Simeon certainly a interesting name in the legs history
“Many a flower is born to blush unseen”. Have some memories of Norwood in the mid 60’s Bunton era. Can’t say that those 3 figured. Their post footy lives seem more interesting than their on-field exploits.
I see the Bunton iconography on the walls at Swan Districts every week, but he didn’t seem to have the same impact at the Parade. He had good raw material to mould at Bassendean.
Not aware of any SD players that followed him east. Simeon and Corrigan were both Perth Demons (Barry Cable’s club). Della Pollina certainly fits with the West Perth stereotype as the “garlic munchers” – with a strong representation of Italian migrant market gardeners in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Keep up the good work as the Footy Archeologist.
Ta Book, very. I’ll be interested in your views when I finally finish the job.
PB, there is a very faint connection between Swan Dists and Norwood during the era in question – Joe Ah Mat played for the Swans after his stint at Norwood and Stephen Richardson went from the Black Ducks to Norwood and back again (amongst many other moves), but as you point out, none came across with Bunton.
Enjoyed this Swish on a rainy (on and off) day in Perth.