Thinking about ‘all things South Melbourne’ and Peter Bedford there is a website www.redbubble.com where various artists get the chance to make money selling stuff. If you type in Peter Bedford or Australian Football or even “footy enigmas” or just try the artist’s name Chris Rees you will see some great artwork on “1970’s footy enigmas” including Peter Bedford selling the Dummy in perfect baulk pose. There’s also Robbie McGhie, Gary Dempsey (circa Footscray), Robbie Flower, Vinnie Catoggio, Geoff Blethyn, Michael Tuck, Bernie Quinlin (circa Fitzroy), David Dench, Cowboy Neal and even Peter Mckenna in classic goal kicking posture. There’s also a nice representation of the Essendon logo making comment on their recent tragic saga.
I bought a few “enigmas” in sticker form and gave Peter Bedford to a bloke at work who hails from Sin City and naturally enough barracks for Sydney. He’d never heard of Peter Bedford but stuck him on his desk and now Bedford sells everyone the dummy when they walk past.Not sure why Dench is considered a “footy enigma”?
onya
Hello Steve, I only just came across this. Thanks very much 11 years later!
I made a shirt for each of the 12 VFL clubs I grew up with. North Melbourne was the last one; and I was undecided who to choose. I had a short-list of; Cable, Dench, Greig and Nolan. I contacted well-known Roos fan Tim Rogers to recommend which player I should draw, and he was adamant that Dench was the soul of the team and deserved recognition. [dodged a bullet with Cable]. He’s a genuine enigma to me as he was so fair and straight as a player but “In 2008, Dench served 4 months in jail for his minor role in a scheme to defraud Victoria University out of millions of dollars.” – Wikipedia.
G’day Chris,
I had completely forgotten I’d written that piece. Nice to get a response from you.
Michael Tuck and his seven premiership cups adorn a hoodie and a t-shirt my kids wear. A mate has Robbie McGhie on his bar fridge and an Assistant Principal at a Northern suburbs secondary college has Geoff Blethyn on her laptop lid. Your work pops up in all sorts of odd places. It’s a truly remarkable blending of art and local culture. Loved the whole series, even the WAFL and SANFL players.
Not sure if you are responsible for the iconic footy grandstand cushion covers I also have?
Agree on your rationale of selecting Dench as a true enigma. I heard all about the court case as it also roped in a “colourful identity” who drank at my local. Agree you dodged a bullet with Cable.
All the best.
It was Mike Hugo that did the grandstands. What a time to be alive that was.
Sonny Morey was thrilled the day after this year’s Dreamtime Game when I presented him with one of his postcards. Sonny’s sticker adorns the drink bottle I use during my shifts at the MCG.
You are a great man Chris.