Almanac Footy History – Round 9, 1972 – Collingwood v Geelong: One of John Greening’s greatest games

 

 

 

I recall this match as a magical day. Martin Flanagan formerly of The Age told me a few years ago that John Greening still remembers this match and for a very good reason.

 

 

Collingwood v Geelong
Round 9 1972.

 

There are those who claim John Greening didn’t deserve to be in the Tasmanian Team of the Century as he didn’t play enough VFL football, having played just over 107 games. To them I say how did John Coleman make the VFL Team of the Century?

 

There are those who say John Greening wasn’t really that good. To them I say have a look at Season 1972 and have a look if at nothing else, to his game against Geelong at Victoria Park that year.

 

In mid-May 1972 Collingwood were not traveling all that well. They had had a spasmodic start to the season and just when they thought they were coming good, Bob Rose’s Footscray gave them a four goal beating at of all places, Victoria Park. This was unheard of in my short time to that stage of following the mighty Magpies. It was akin to losing to Fitzroy or North Melbourne. Perish the thought!

 

Collingwood stood at three wins, four losses and one draw to Carlton at Victoria Park in Round 2 of 1972.

 

The star for Collingwood to that stage had been John Greening, along with Len Thompson and Peter McKenna. That trend continued barring injury for the rest of the year.

 

Geelong had had a poor start to the year, the second under Coach Bill McMaster who had been a Cat star in the early 1950s. They were to finish very close to the bottom but still had good players in the team including Hugh Strahan, Phil Stevens, Wayne Closter, Geoff Ainsworth, Bill Ryan, Doug Wade, John Scarlett and the Nankervis brothers.

 

It was a typical overcast but rain free autumn Saturday afternoon at Victoria Park. Great football watching weather even if the temperature hovered around 12-13 degrees. The Collingwood team for the game was:

 

B. Con Britt Ross Dunne Mike Delahunty
HB Denis O’Callaghan Jeff Clifton Alan Atkinson
C Paul Stevens Barry Price Rod Oborne
HF Ian McOrist Robert Dean John Greening
F Graeme Jenkin Peter McKenna Ron Wearmouth

 

Ruck Len Thompson Max Richardson
Rover Wayne Richardson

 

19th man Doug Gott
20th man Henry Coles

 

Looking back at that team I can understand why it was fantastic to follow the Pies in this era as the team was full of exciting players.

 

Barry Price had been selected in the centre for the first time for the year after playing the first seven weeks on the wing. Was this a possible reason why the Pies hadn’t started the year so well under first year coach, Neil Mann?

 

It was thought that as well as Price giving drive from the centre, Greening would provide drive from centre to the half forward line with his roving commission. It was almost the forerunner of the current day rotations when the position Greening played is analysed. He would start on the forward line, then line up in the middle for the ball up, then go roving around through the midfield. In those days he would have been considered as playing on the ball and was filling the role of ruck rover.

 

Also returning for the Pies were Jeff Clifton, Graeme “Jerka” Jenkin and Ronnie Wearmouth for the injured Bob Heard, Warren Treadea’s dad Gary was dropped and Henry Coles was dropped to the bench.

 

The game started with Geelong kicking to the Yarra Falls end and by quarter time the Cats lead by one goal.

 

But the Magpies then exploded in the last three quarters with 9, 9 and 7 goals respectively in each quarter.

 

Peter McKenna booted 12 goals being his second 12 goal haul for the year and he was truly in magnificent kicking form. Wayne Richardson dominated around the packs continually driving the ball up forward with his brother Max. Con Britt was again the leader of the backline in his new found role as back pocket. Len Thompson absolutely decimated Bluey Hampshire in the ruck and provided constant drive not only from the middle, but also with his around the ground play where he displayed great agility and marking skills. Was he really a ruckman or a ruck rover in disguise?

 

The big surprise this day was Graeme Jenkin who played almost exclusively as a forward pocket ruckman. Perhaps this was because he was being nursed coming back from injury. Jerka kicked 5 goals this day, two of them with his customary left foot toed drop kicks which all came off beautifully this day at the Sherrin end of the ground in particular. Earlier in the year, one of Jerka’s left foot drop kicks had almost castrated Alex Jesaulenko as he stood on the mark!

 

All in all, some raking left foot “toeys” from Jerka, a dozen deadly drop punts from Peter McKenna and great snaps from  John Greening were all part of the machine in mass goal production phase.

 

The game turned midway through the second quarter when Collingwood took over around the packs from a Cats team which to that stage had held its own as the quarter time scores testify.

 

Wade, Ryan and Hampshire all missed goals at the start of the second quarter, but Thommo hit his straps, and in a snap of fingers, Collingwood players began lining up for queue tickets to see who would kick the next goal!

 

Barry Price got on top of Geoff Ainsworth in the centre and his kicking along with Wayne and Max Richardson gave McKenna the opportunity to gain confidence and he began to hold every mark that came his way.

 

As a 14 year old watching, it was one of the most exciting days I ever spent at Victoria Park as the football played by our beloved Magpies that day was magical. Jerka almost became a McKenna clone!

 

But the day undeniably belonged to 21 year old John Greening in his fifth season of senior football.

 

As a ruck rover for most of the day, Greening relished his role and collected a massive 35 kicks and 11 handballs in the days when giving off more than 2 or 3 was considered extreme, took 10 marks most of which were contested, and kicked 6 magnificent goals. Greening’s speed, dynamic running, superior marking skills and his sure ball handling on both sides of the body cut the Geelong defence to shreds.

 

John Greening kicked drop kick goals, left foot goals right foot goals, he soared, he ran, he dodged. It was as good as his 7 goal haul ruck roving against Carlton at Princes Park in round 4 1969. This day against Geelong, he also took the mark of the day and kicked the goal of the day which left all Magpie fans wondering if this young champion was the favourite for the Brownlow following several great performances already in the first 9 weeks of the season.

 

It was reported that one of John’s opponents on the day who was on him in the last quarter Phil Stevens, said Greening said to him “Gee it’s a great day for football!”. Stevens telling the story after the game said he put his hands to his face and shook his head. “What could I say?”, he said.

 

Indeed, what more can be said.

 

 

Collingwood v Geelong

3 3 21              4 3 27

12 5 77            8 8 56

21 11 137         12 11 83

28 16 184        16 13 109

 

 

Best: John Greening (best on ground) Peter McKenna, Wayne Richardson, Con Britt, Max Richardson, Len Thompson, Graeme Jenkin.

 

Goals: Peter McKenna 12, John Greening 6, Graeme Jenkin 5, Wayne Richardson 3, Max Richardson, Ian McOrist.

 

Injury:    Mike Delahunty broke his leg this day and missed the rest of the season.

 

 

 

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.

One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE.

Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE.