SANFL Blow-ins 1960-1990: Part 5b – Norwood

 

This article covers those that played their first senior game with Norwood during the period 1976 to 1990. Part 5a covered the new starters from outside of SA’s borders during the seasons 1960ish-1975.

As a reminder, this introduction to the series outlines a few ground rules, some of which can be a little rubbery.

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Norwood’s attraction to footballers from outside South Australia continued during the decade and and half preceding the introduction of the Adelaide Crows into the AFL, an era where player movement across the nation became even more prevalent.

 

 

Greg Parke hailed from suburban Bentleigh which was in the Melbourne zone and attracted attention for Federal League club Bentleigh before joining the Demons in 1967. The trainee policeman spent that year in the Reserves but it was worth the wait as he topped the Dees’ Brownlow voting (11 votes) in his senior debut year of 1968 and collected their Best First Year Player award. Parke also topped Melbourne’s Brownlow polling in 1969 and 1970 and was runner up in the 1969 B&F. A fan favourite with his blond mop, wearing number 26, Parke was noted for his prodigious leap, plucking high mark after high mark from his half-forward spot. In one devastating game he took a club record 24 marks against Essendon in 1970. The best of his seasons was 1972, where he topped the Dees goal tally with 63 majors playing closer to goal than previously. This came after a flirtation with Subiaco during the pre-season. His form dipped in 1973 as did his club’s and Parke was all but a South Adelaide player until he was instead cleared to Footscray in 1974.  Despite his carefree approach to attacking the aerial ball, Parke was rarely injured and racked up 119 games in his six seasons as a Demon. Although he was regarded as an unreliable kick, his tally of 171 goals 157 behinds belies this. At the Bulldogs in 1974, he remained an aerial force, taking more grabs than any of Gary Dempsey, Barry Round or Laurie Sandilands and was the only player to play in every game. A bout of glandular fever in 1975 saw Parke out of the seniors for a month in May. He was dropped late in the season and never returned to the Bulldog firsts.

With Footscray selecting Bill Goggin as its new coach, Parke looked elsewhere after 37 games there and joined his former Melbourne teammates Dillon and Kerley at Norwood in 1976. Coming to the recent SANFL Premiers with big wraps, Parke’s 18 games yielded 32 goals. His best performance was in an NFL Wills Cup game against Carlton, his five goals bagging him a splendid colour TV. This was Parke’s only year at Norwood and in hindsight a little bit more value may have been expected from him, considering that Jim Michalanney and Roger Woodcock both scored 60+ goals in 1976. In 1977, he returned to the VFL for Fitzroy, finishing his career with a 15 game/17 goal season for the Lions. Parke passed away on Grand Final Day 2021.

 

 

 

John Clarke came to Norwood as a fourteen-year-old after having played in the 1973/74 ‘A’ Grade premiership for the Buffaloes in Darwin. He had also represented the NTFL in 1974 and 1976 and the All-Australian Aboriginal team in 1974. Clarke represented the NT at Rugby League as well. He was the younger brother of former West Torrens ruckman and SA basketball player Joe Clarke. After being evacuated to Adelaide post-Cyclone Tracy, Port Adelaide had expressed interest in Clarke (Russell Ebert and Bruce Light had played briefly for the Buffs just before the cyclone hit), but Norwood’s Mike Poulter put Clarke in contact with Norwood Secretary-Manager Wally Miller and the Carmel Court factor tipped the balance in Norwood’s favour. After a season in the premiership-winning Reserves side in 1976, apprentice plumber Clarke made his senior debut in Round 1 of 1977. Playing in 26 matches as a half-back flank, he was widely regarded as the ‘rookie of the year’ and was selected in the Advertiser Team of the Year. He truly was a ‘gun’, fast, evasive and beautiful to watch. The first of his cruel run of knee injuries struck in July 1978, partially tearing a medial ligament in his left knee, ruling Clarke out for the rest of the season (including Norwood’s premiership tilt) after 13 games. This was followed up with a cartilage removal in September.

Returning in 1979, Clarke gave the footy world a taste of his devastating ability when he kicked five goals in half a quarter against Port Adelaide at The Parade, perhaps miffed after being benched for his loose checking against Stephen ‘Bomber’ Clifford. Selection in the State Squad underlined Clarke as one of the SANFL’s most attractive players. Tragically, his left knee succumbed once more after 15 games, requiring yet more surgery. Clarke eventually underwent a reconstruction in 1980 after earlier attempts to return to the field were unsuccessful. He resumed in the Reserves in 1981 and worked his way back into the league side in the last round of 1981. Missing selection for the finals, Clarke finished his ‘what could have been?’ senior career at Norwood prematurely after 58 matches, but he played Reserves until 1983. John Clarke was named in the Darwin Buffaloes Team of the Century Top 40 players.

 

 

 

Brian Adamson had his footy start in the Western Australian Football Association for South Perth. He took out the South Perth B&F in 1974, gaining an invitation to West Perth. Aged almost 23, he went straight into the Cardinals’ side in 1975 at centre half-forward, his slender physique disguising his aerial strength. He was an immaculate shot for goal and slotted 30 goals that year with West Perth, demolishing South Fremantle in the Grand Final. Adamson’s continued good form saw him selected to play for his state against Victoria in 1976 and SA in 1977. West Perth made the finals in both years, with Adamson leading his club’s goalkicking with 47 majors in 1977. His prominent shock of curly hair and his prodigious leaps elevated Adamson into fan-favourite status at Leederville Oval. It was a surprise to many when he attempted a transfer to Norwood in 1978. Norwood had transported his furniture and arranged a home for Adamson before he initially reneged under pressure from West Perth. After playing in the first two rounds for West Perth, Adamson decided that he would indeed like to join Norwood and commenced training at The Parade. The resulting Federal Court case kept Adamson out of footy until Norwood’s Round 15, after the courts brought the legality of the National Football League processes into question and in a landmark decision ultimately ruled in Adamson’s favour.

With the centre half-forward that Norwood had lacked up until that stage, they climbed to second place on the ladder, but well behind the pacesetters Sturt, who had only dropped the one game during the Minor Round. In the Grand Final against Sturt, Adamson’s hefty and accurate contribution of 5.1 contrasted with the Blues’ wastefulness and he was again a premiership player in his first season. Norwood’s 1979 season was up and down, finishing fourth, and Adamson was marred by niggling injuries with his 12 games yielding 31 goals. His Norwood record was 20 games/51 goals. Adamson returned to West Perth in 1980, but apart from 1981’s 19 games/53 goals, he never consistently recaptured his earlier form. In 1982, Adamson was dealt a cowardly blow behind the play against East Fremantle and missed eight weeks. He played a single game in 1984, his final season, finishing his West Perth career with 125 games and 253 goals. Adamson is fondly remembered by Redlegs followers to this day.

 

 

 

David Armour’s time at Geelong included one inglorious event when he was reported for fighting with another Geelong player, Peter ‘Ocker’ Stephens, in a 1973 internal trial. The Geelong local from the St Mary’s club and known from a young age as ‘Rocky’, debuted at Senior level in 1974. He kicked two goals from his first two kicks and four for the match, but he was out of the side two weeks later with injury. In 1975 he played ten Senior games, but finished the season in the Reserves, where he played well in their winning Grand Final. He didn’t kick on in his third Senior season, mustering 7 games. Concluding his VFL time after 19 games and 14 goals, Armour headed to East Perth for the 1977 season under his former coach at Geelong, Polly Farmer, playing mainly as a defender. When Farmer left East Perth at the end of that year, John Wynne suggested that Norwood would welcome Armour in 1978 and he slotted straight into the Redlegs team. This was a very good move all round as Armour stiffened the Red and Blues on-ball brigade, whilst adding flexibility in attack and defence as needed. Armour played 25 games in Norwood’s premiership season, nabbing 21 handy goals. He was just as reliable in his next two seasons, rarely missing a game, always contributing and overcoming a broken cheekbone in 1980. He returned to Geelong after the 1980 Grand Final, finishing with Norwood after 69 games and 42 goals.

 

Geoff Clark played three senior games for Norwood in 1978, kicking one goal. Yes, that Geoff Clark. You can read more about him here https://www.redlegsmuseum.com.au/ON_FIELD/PLAYERS/CLARKGeoffrey.aspx  or here

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-29/geoff-clark-jailed-defrauding-framlingham-indigenous-community/104653462

if you really must.

 

 

 

Steven Hoffman was a Victorian state schoolboy from the north-west town of Pyramid Hill, which was zoned to Carlton. Invited to train at Princes Park, coach Ron Barassi quickly decided that Hoffman lacked the necessary size to make it in the VFL. A zoning re-jig saw Hoffman now tied to South Melbourne, so the Swans scouts liked what they saw and snapped him up. His selection for the Swans in Round 7 of 1969 proved Barassi wrong, as evidenced by Hoffman’s 24 goals from 12 games whilst still a schoolboy at Melbourne High. In 1970 South had its best season in years, making the final four. Hoffman was recalled from the Reserves for the First Semi-Final as roving partner to Bob Skilton, in what was to be Skilts’ only ever finals appearance. The speedy and vigorous youngster was the Swans’ best player, kicking four goals. With Skilton’s retirement from the VFL, Hoffman was South’s first rover through 1978, but team success was rare during that period apart from 1977’s Elimination Final appearance. On the eve of the 1979 season, South shopped Hoffman around and after 149 games and 187 goals, he moved to Footscray, where he played 11 games. In 1980 he became a Redleg, bringing valuable experience to coach Neil Balme’s new club. He played 18 games that season but was not selected in the losing Grand Final side. Injuries restricted him to 9 games in 1981 and he was unable to add any further games in 1982. Returning to his home state, Hoffman coached Mordialloc in the VFA and ran around for Mt Eliza after that. Hoffman was also secretary of the Swans’ Past Players for some time.

 

 

 

Originally from Cobden in Victoria, Jeff Sambell headed to Darwin in 1975 and played footy for Nightcliff. His coach Murray Leeder suggested that Sambell have a crack in Perth, which led to him playing a single game for West Perth in 1978. Moving across to Norwood, the ruck/forward played 4 games in 1980 and another 7 in 1981. Sambell was named at CHF in the NT News Team of the Year in 1980/81 when playing back at Nightcliff, so he certainly got around. He was better suited to his new surroundings when he transferred to Morningside in the QAFL in 1982 playing as a spearhead and helping his side into the Grand Final with five goals in the Second Semi.

 

 

 

Geoff McMillan hailed from Nandaly in Victoria’s Mallee region. He was recruited by Richmond after starring for his local side where he played in the 1974 flag and was 1975 Best and Fairest at both association and club level. He was what now might be termed a ‘swing man’, equally adept in defence or attack due to his strong high marking. Playing the bulk of his Tigers’ career in the Reserves from 1976-79, he showed much promise when tried in the Seniors. The best of his 11 games at the highest level came when he held North Melbourne’s Malcolm Blight to 3 goals playing full-back in 1979. McMillan came to Norwood in 1980 and looked the goods in the pre-season. He was injured in his Redlegs debut against South Adelaide in Round 1, then had a major knee injury when coming back through the Reserves a fortnight later. He did not play again for Norwood after some 1982 Reserves appearances. McMillan played two seasons for West Alice Springs. He passed away in 2001, aged 43.

 

 

 

Neil Balme’s story has been widely told, for example this piece from Malcolm Ashwood and in Anson Cameron’s book , so it won’t be repeated at length here. He was chosen by Norwood ahead of Mike Nunan as Bob Hammond’s coaching replacement for the 1980 season, which came as a surprise to many given the brutal reputation from his playing days at Richmond in the VFL. Balme was cleared by Richmond as a player in the middle of 1980, but his lingering knee injuries were not overcome until 1981. He first lined up for the Redlegs at full-forward against West Torrens in Round 5, contributing little to his side’s first win of the season. Kicking hauls of four, then seven goals in the next two weeks, the playing coach proved his on-field worth until a broken thumb against Port Adelaide in Round 13 halted his season. Returning for the finals, Balme steered his club into the Prelim Final against Glenelg by overcoming West, then South. Balme’s knee failed to hold up in 1982 and he played his final match for the Redlegs in a National League pre-season game against South Fremantle. Although his playing contribution for Norwood was a modest 13 games and 22 goals, his impact on the club was enormous over his eleven seasons in charge. His coaching career at Norwood, the South Australian State of Origin team, Woodville-West Torrens and finally Melbourne in the AFL cast Balme in a new light. Thoughtful, calm, innovative and charming were not words used to describe many involved at footy’s elite coaching levels, let alone the Richmond hard hard man of the 1970s. Success followed those clubs that engaged Balme in a footy management capacity thereafter, namely Collingwood, Geelong and Richmond. It is no coincidence that Balme’s involvement with the Adelaide Crows in 2025 has coincided with their rise up the ladder.

 

 

Trevor Bell was the son of Wangaratta Rovers’ pioneer player Alan Bell. He also played for the Rovers along with elder brother Gary and Trevor’s identical twin Graeme. Trevor made the Rovers Seniors aged 17 and a few years later was best on ground in Ovens and Murray successive premierships in 1977 and 1978 and high in the best in 1979’s flag. He joined Norwood in 1980, but without doing a pre-season, a mid-season injury saw Trevor return home without having played a Senior game. Back at The Parade in 1981, Bell found a regular home in defence in the Redleg Firsts playing 18 games. He only added one more game to that tally in 1982. Bell joined Athelstone in the SAFA under Graeme Dunstan in 1983, winning the Raggies’ Best and Fairest and played there until 1988. An electrician, he remained in Adelaide running his business thereafter.

 

 

 

Richmond recruited Peter Laughlin from Nyah after he had starred in the Swan Hill Football League as a teenager. His cricketing brother Trevor played three Tests for Australia. Starting in the Tigers’ Under 19s in 1975, Peter played at centre half-forward in their narrow flag win over Melbourne, while also playing the occasional Reserves game. He made his Senior debut in 1977, kicking six goals against St Kilda in his second game in Round 22 and kept his place during Richmond’s finals campaign. He was also able to qualify for the Reserves’ winning Grand Final that season. In 1978, he clinched a regular spot in the Seniors’ forward line, scoring 36 goals from his 17 games. He remained ensconced in the twos for most of 1979 and again in 1980, playing only four Senior games. At coach and former teammate Neil Balme’s suggestion, Laughlin joined Norwood during the 1981 season, playing 8 games and snagging 24 goals in an impressive start for the ‘Legs. Used all over the ground in 1982, he did well enough to make the State side in a big loss to WA in Perth. He unfortunately missed the finals through injury, robbing him of a spot in Norwood’s flag. Injuries kept him to only 10 games in 1983.

It was similar in 1984, except that Laughlin was right come finals time, playing as a ruck-rover. One of his 11 games was in Norwood’s historic come-from-fifth premiership over arch-rivals Port Adelaide, changing at full-forward with Michael Aish and finishing high in Norwood’s best players. Back to full fitness in 1985, Laughlin again impressed with his versatility in his 18 games, but he managed only four appearances in 1986, the last of which was in Norwood’s Elimination Final loss to Woodville. His record at The Parade finished at 67 games for 81 goals. His time in football continued with premierships at both Caloundra and Balranald before a season with his home town in 1991.

 

 

 

The links between the Northern Territory and Norwood continued when Paul Motlop commenced at Norwood in 1981. The son of NT legend (in both football and rugby league) ‘Chico’ Motlop, Paul was an emerging centreman/rover for Nightcliff. His older brother Mark would play at Glenelg from 1983 to 1985. After spending most of his first season in the Redleg Reserves, where he won the Best and Fairest, Motlop played in two Senior finals matches in 1981. Returning for the summer season in Darwin, he was named in the NT News Team of the Year for the 1981/82 season. Back at Norwood, Motlop played 9 more Senior games in 1982, his last in red and blue. He continued to play for Nightcliff in the Top End summers and gave the WAFL a crack in 1984 with 2 games at West Perth under coach Dennis Cometti. Motlop played in Nightcliff’s 1985/86 premiership and was a member of the 1988 NT Bicentennial Carnival team, amongst other NT representative honours. Motlop had a long and fruitful coaching career in the NTFL, including eight seasons with the Wanderers, bringing home the 2010/11 flag. He is a player life member of the NTFL having amassed 200 games for Nightcliff.

 

 

 

Forever known for his huge goal against Collingwood at Moorabbin Oval in Round 3 of 1981, Jeff ‘Jinka’ Fehring started his VFL career in 1977, when he was recruited to Geelong from Leitchville (between Echuca and Swan Hill). A giant of a man, 198cm and 106kg, he was unable to establish a regular rucking position with the Cats, playing 19 games across 1977-79. Transferring to St Kilda, he was given more time on the ball and his effectiveness in the ruck improved markedly, but his 1981 season ended when he broke a bone in his hand. When he moved to Norwood in 1982 (despite being wooed by Port Adelaide) after 17 games for the Saints, Fehring led the first ruck tirelessly. On Grand Final day, he had the better of Glenelg’s Peter Carey, helping his side to a decisive victory. Fehring spent almost all of 1983 in the Reserves, playing four senior games in his second and final season. Fehring’s next move was as playing coach of Eaglehawk in the Bendigo League from 1984 and played in Balranald’s 1989 and 1990 flags. Fehring later coached Darwin’s Southern Districts and also the Deniliquin Rovers. Fehring had a wretched time due to the effects of the 2000s drought and passed away in 2008.

 

 

 

Robert Semmens grew up playing for East Launceston and in 1977 was a member of the Tasmanian Schoolboys team which was undefeated in the Jubilee National Football Carnival, beating sides from every state/territory. Semmens was one of Tasmania’s six All-Australians. After playing in the North Tasmanian Football League for his local club, he was recruited to Richmond in 1980. Named on the Senior list, Semmens played in the U19s premiership, and also played a dozen Reserves games that season. In 1981 the solidly built utility was selected for five mid-season Senior games, mostly as an interchange, and played 19 Reserves games. In 1982, Semmens tried his luck at Norwood, as he was unable to leapfrog others such as Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke, promising rover Weightman or Geoff Raines in the star-studded Tigers line-up. At 19 years old when he played his last Richmond game and a full two years younger than the next oldest, perhaps Semmens could have been more patient at Punt Road. Once his clearance arrived in May of 1982, Semmens was installed into the Redlegs midfield, but after five Senior games, he was edged out of the eventual premiership side.

Semmens returned to the VFL in 1983, being one of 10 new Footscray players selected in Round 1. Curiously, he was still tied to Richmond and was offered by them to Footscray as part of an arrangement that would see Royce Hart return to the Tigers as a specialist coach, after Hart was sacked by Footscray. Semmens had to wait until Round 19 for his next Senior game and saw out the season in the top grade. In 1984 he added two Senior appearances. Semmens’ next moved to Williamstown in the VFA from 1985-87 followed by stints with Ascot Vale, Casterton, Cobden, North Gambier (captain-coach in 1991), Coleraine (c-c in 1992/3) and Scotts Creek in 1995. He then settled for many years in Cobden.

 

 

 

Yet another Redleg from the Northern Territory, Rohan Helyar was a schoolboy star in Darwin, representing the NT at Teal Cup level. Helyar grew up next door to his football idol, the legendary John ‘Bubba’ Tye (see part 5a) and across the road from the Motlop family. He moved south and started in Norwood’s U/19s, playing in the Grand Final loss of 1981. He returned to Darwin for their summer football season playing for Nightcliff as a hard as nails fullback and won the club B&F in the 1982/83 season under the coaching of former Carlton and South Adelaide player Bill Bennett. He was also selected in that season’s NT News Team of the Year. His Norwood Senior debut came against Glenelg in 1983, playing five games that season in defence. He nailed down a regular berth in 1984 and took out Norwood’s Most Improved League Player award. Helyar missed playing in the historic 1984 premiership when he broke his arm in the Preliminary Final. His best season was 1985 where he played 28 games (bringing up his 50^th appearance) and was selected for the State side against Western Australia under Neil Balme’s coaching. Losing form in 1986, Helyar only played 4 Senior games, but starred in the Reserves’ flag.

The vigorous defender bounced back in 1987 to regain a regular Senior spot. He was a key member of the NT side in the 1988 Bicentennial Carnival that went undefeated in Division Two alongside such names as Maurice Rioli, Michael Long, Paul Motlop and Michael McLean. Helyar continued to command Norwood’s defence in 1988 but persistent injuries meant that 1989 was his final season at The Parade after notching up 101 League games. He then played locally at Kilburn and later Glandore. He passed away in 2023.

 

 

 

Joe Ah Mat, from the renowned Darwin Buffaloes Ah Mat family, was an All-Australian Schoolboy when representing NT in 1979. Mike Poulter was coaching him at the time and recommended Ah Mat to Norwood and he commenced with the Redleg Under 17s in 1980, also playing in the Under 19s flag that season. He stayed in the Under 19s until 1982 when he was picked for the twos. Biding his time in the Reserves, Ah Mat made a stunning Senior debut on Anzac Day of 1983, kicking five goals against Glenelg at Football Park alongside Neville Roberts. Ah Mat played six Senior games all up for Norwood in 1983, but it was his only season at The Parade.

He returned to the Buffs for the 1983/84 NTFL season, gaining selection in the NT News Team of the Year. Ah Mat decided to ply his trade in the WAFL with Swan Districts in 1984. Mostly as a brilliant dashing wingman, he cemented his position late in the season and playing in the Swans’ premiership win over East Fremantle. He continued with the Black Ducks in 1985-86 before transferring to Claremont for the next two years. After being a regular all season for the Tigers in 1987 , he was dropped to the Reserves during the finals, but won the medal for best on ground in the Reserves Grand Final. Ah Mat was a teammate of Rohan Helyar’s in the NT side in the 1988 Bicentennial Carnival, appearing high in the best players. He returned to Swan Districts in 1990, picking up a career-best six Sandover Medal votes. Ah Mat finished at WAFL level 1991, after 55 games with the Swans and 34 for Claremont.

 

 

 

Glen Vardanega was recruited from North Broken Hill to Norwood in 1983. He played three Senior games that year, the first of which was at VFL Park against Richmond in a loss in the Sterling Cup interstate night series. He struck form late in the 1984 season as the ‘Legs stormed into the finals after an iffy start. Prominent across half-forward as Norwood despatched perennial underachievers Glenelg in the Prelim Final, his ninth club game was in the ‘History Makers’ flag win over Port Adelaide the following week. Vardanega memorably snagged a pair of valuable majors in Norwood’s nine point win. He played half of his Redleg career games in 1985, racking up 19 goals from 21 games, but the next two years were rather barren, with 10 league games across 1986/87. The next two seasons were spent at the Riverina’s Turvey Park club, a good move as he had a major role in his club’s Grand Final win over Coolamon in 1988, as well as figuring prominently in the Riverina FL’s NSW State Championships win in April.

Reappearing late in 1989, Vardanega was a big part of another Turvey Park flag. He made a couple of appearances back at Norwood in 1990, finishing at The Parade after 42 games/30 goals. Returning to Turvey Park in 1991, he resumed his Riverina Rep selection. He was Captain-Coach of the Turvey Bulldogs from 1992-94, enduring the pain of a 1 point Grand Final loss in his first year in charge, followed up by two more losses on the last day of the season in ’93 and ’94. Back to playing only, Vardanega played in Grand Final losses in 1995 and 1998. His son Matthew played at Norwood in 2021/22.

 

 

 

In 1978, Shepparton United goalkicking tyro Des O’Dwyer vaulted into Melbourne’s Senior side without so much as a single Reserves game a month before his 17^th birthday. The Demons ferried O’Dwyer to the city in a taxi on the Friday before the match against St Kilda, after he sat his mid-year English Literature exam that morning.  After scoring a major with his first kick in what was his only Senior appearance that year, O’Dwyer returned home for the 1979 season and injured a knee. He came back to the Dees in 1980 but only played a few games in the lower grades once he was fit. He resumed his Senior career in 1981, playing in the last six games of the season (all losses). O’Dwyer’s final appearance for the Demons came in Round 3 of 1982 against Geelong. All 8 of his Melbourne Senior games were losses. O’Dwyer, who at 21 was now capable of playing key positions at both ends of the ground, made a fresh start at Norwood in 1983. He commenced in the Senior side from the outset, but lost form after a dozen games and 22 goals, seeing out the season in the Reserves. A groin injury put paid to his 1984 season and also hampered him in early 1985. Upon his recovery, he found his way back into Senior ranks which included a 10-goal day out against Sturt.

After playing one more game for Norwood in 1986, for a total of 21 games and 50 goals, O’Dwyer moved to Woodville that same year. This was on the recommendation of James Fantasia and allowed O’Dwyer to play in Woodville’s famous 1986 finals campaign. Under the coaching of Malcolm Blight, then Russell Ebert, he flourished as a key defender for the Warriors, compiling 105 games for them. His final season was under his old coach Neil Balme for the newly-merged Woodville-West Torrens, where he added 17 more games. Des O’Dwyer has been coaching at various levels for the Henley Sharks for many years. He also had long careers with both NAB and Qantas.

 

 

Younger than his brother Neil by nine years, Craig Balme was only a pup when the family moved to Melbourne from Perth in 1969. He played his junior footy with Greensborough, school footy with Ivanhoe Grammar before starting at the Richmond Under 19s in 1979. Robert Semmens was a teammate in the Tigers’ U19 flag in 1980. Playing mainly as a fullback who was quick off the mark and didn’t mind a collision, the younger Balme was a fixture in Richmond’s Reserves side from 1981-83 apart from his three Senior matches early in 1983. He moved to Norwood in 1984, initially living with and working for his brother, playing wherever a big body was needed before settling into fullback. He is best remembered for his pre-match stoush with Port’s Tim Evans during Kim Durant’s rendition of the national anthem during Norwood’s came-from-fifth Grand Final victory, but he had also scored 12 goals in his 21 games that season, a sign of his future versatility and robustness.

Balme anchored the red-and-blue defence for the following three seasons, bringing up his 100^th game at the end of 1987. Balme took on a ruck-forward role in 1988, kicking 38 goals in 30 games for the third-placed ‘Legs. Out with a knee for the entire 1989 season, Balme remained extraordinarily durable after that, continuing to contribute staunch service until 1995. when he called time at The Parade after 254 games and 87 goals. After footy, he settled in Perth, forging a very successful career in property sales and development.

 

 

Stephen McCarthy was a highly regarded rover from Ormond in Melbourne’s inner south-east who captained the Victorian State Under 17s team in 1979. He played in the Dees’ Under 19 premiership side in 1981 but was consigned to Amateur League club Parkdale early in 1982, deemed not yet ready for senior VFL ranks. He quickly set things right and was recalled to Melbourne’s Reserves before his Senior debut against North Melbourne in Round 7. Up against Roo rovers Jim Krakouer and Kym Hodgeman, McCarthy did enough to stay in the Ones for six matches. He added six more Senior games in 1983, but a blow-up with selector Barry Richardson saw his cards marked at the Demons. The Norwood that McCarthy joined in 1984 was full of classy on-ballers like Michael Aish, Garry McIntosh, Keith Thomas and Greg Thomas, so opportunities were scarce. After five games at The Parade, McCarthy moved to West Torrens in 1985 and played 11 games for the Eagles.

 

 

 

Shane McGrath arrived at Norwood in 1985 from Minyip (where he won their B&F in 1983) having also played for Essendon’s U/19s while working at Footscray as a wool-classer. His father Bill McGrath played for South Melbourne in 1958 and was a member of the Victorian Parliament from 1979-1999. Like Stephen McCarthy, McGrath found it hard to gain a regular spot in the Redleg roving roster, playing thirteen Senior games across 1985/86 whilst performing stoutly in the Reserves flags of those years. Returning to Minyip, Shane was a pillar of the Wimmera competition. He coached Minyip in 1987/88 before winning the club and League B&Fs in 1991 and shone in the pivot in three successive flags, the first two under coach Ron Wearmouth.

 

 

 

Ricky ‘Steamboat’ Pearce joined Norwood’s Under 19s in 1983, hailing from Sea Lake in Victoria’s north-west. The big bodied key position player found premiership success that season, kicking five goals in the decider, getting reported as well. He spent the 1984 season in the Reserves at fullback and gained Senior selection in five matches in 1985, kicking a bag of five goals against North at Prospect amongst his eleven goals that season. Playing mainly as a forward in 1986, he commenced in a blaze of goals including a haul of nine goals against Torrens in Round 5, but lost his regular spot in the Senior side as finals approached.  Pearce played 36 games, kicking 47 goals in 1985/86 and played in Reserves flags both years in his two Senior seasons. After playing, Pearce coached in country Victoria, and at local clubs Port Districts, Portland and Rosewater.

 

 

 

The son of sports science pioneer and Perth footballer Frank Pyke, James Pyke had a busy childhood. Born in Perth, his parents moved to Indiana USA just after James’ birth in 1966 before returning in 1972. The family moved to the ACT in the early 1980s where James gained selection as a cricketer at junior and senior level before being selected for the national Under 19 team. Pyke also represented the ACT in the 1984 Teal Cup whilst playing senior footy at Belconnen. He moved to Adelaide in 1985, joining Norwood and playing in the Under 19s flag, finishing runner-up in their B&F. Pyke continued to excel in both sports in 1986, making the SA Sheffield Shield side and winning District Cricket’s Bradman Medal (at West Torrens under David Hookes) whilst making his senior football debut for Norwood. He nailed down a spot in the Redleg lineup as a silky moving winger or half-back who was a pleasure to watch. Footscray drafted Pyke in the 1986 VFL Draft, ahead of players such as Alistair Lynch, Darren Jarman and Greg Whittlesea, but Pyke remained at Norwood. He played 18 games in each of 1986 and 1987 forming a tight defensive unit with Tom Warhurst and Justin Scanlon.

Pyke briefly retired from football in 1988 but returned in 1989 with a career best 27 games, rebuffing Collingwood’s overtures after the Pies had selected him in the 1989 Pre-Season Draft. Stress fractures in his foot kept him to 7 games in 1990, his final season at The Parade, finishing in the red and blue after 70 games and 34 goals. A physiotherapist, Pyke practiced in Adelaide for almost thirty years before moving to Perth to take up the Head of Cricket role at Perth’s Hale School. His younger brother is Don Pyke, dual West Coast Eagles premiership player and former Adelaide Crows coach.

 

 

 

Anthony Melican was a Donald, Vic lad who had finished his schooling at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat in 1985. Moving to the Redlegs in 1987, he was used as a forward/ruckman. He made one appearance in 1987 and two more in 1988 before transferring to Lavington in the Ovens and Murray League.  Melican played for Turvey Park with Glen Vardenega from 1993 to 1995 and coached North Wagga in 1996. Older brother Chris played 90 games for Glenelg.

 

 

 

The winner of the most widely travelled Norwood ‘blow-in’ must go to Stephen Richardson. His junior career started at Swan Districts in WA before his Army employment took him to NSW and Queensland. A move to Victoria saw him play a single game for Essendon in 1983, kicking two goals against Melbourne in Round 20. Upon returning to his home state in 1984, Richardson gained senior selection at his old club from the outset and played in the Swans’ premiership win over East Fremantle alongside Joe Ah Mat. He made the WA State side in 1985 and played every club game in 1986. Richardson leapt at the chance for a change of scenery when approached by Norwood in 1987 and the athletic (and very tanned) utility played every game that season for 28 games and 23 goals. His 1988 pre-season was affected when a passing motorist threw a car jack at him while on Norwood’s training camp. He played 16 games in a more defensive role that year, followed by 11 in 1989 before he returned to Perth and completed the season at Swan Districts. He moved to East Perth for the next three seasons, the best of which was 1991. His final year of senior footy was spent back at Swan Districts. His overall career tally was Essendon 1 game/2 goals, Swan Districts 92/37, East Perth 41/15 and Norwood 55/30. His twin brother Mike played for Swan Districts, Collingwood, Essendon and Brisbane.

 

 

 

Stephen Rowe lived within a Noel Pettingill screwie of Norwood Oval for his first six years, but his family then moved to his father’s native Western Australia, settling in a wheatbelt town called Wagin. After a boisterous time at Narrogin High School, Rowe found his way to South Fremantle where he was captain of their Colts premiership side in 1984. Rowe made the Seniors in 1985, playing alongside the likes of Mark Bairstow, Peter Sumich and John Worsfold. He was in and out of the side for the next two years, playing 27 games. Norwood showed some interest in Rowe after he had visited the club in the pre-season in the hope that the ‘Legs would show some interest, which they did. In his first season for Norwood, 1987, the ebullient and fearless Rowe was outstanding with 42 goals from his 30 games. He backed it up with another 29 games and 35 goals in 1988 and was now a firm fan favourite. A combination of injury and poor form in 1989 restricted him to four Senior games, but he rebounded in 1990, taking out the Club Champion award, making his South Australian debut against WA and being selected in the Advertiser Team Of The Year. Norwood was a regular finals side during Rowe’s early years, losing three Preliminary Finals during 1987-89. Rowe was chosen in the newly-constituted Adelaide Crows squad and played 8 AFL games in 1991 and 10 for the ‘Legs, who finished seventh under new coach Neil Craig. Rowe brought up his century of games for Norwood in 1992, only being required for three late-season games by the Crows.

Rowe started brightly in 1993 for Adelaide, kicking four goals in Round 1 against Richmond, but despite playing fifteen Crows games that season, he wasn’t a part of Adelaide’s finals campaign. Instead, he bolstered Norwood’s September thrust which saw them brush aside Glenelg and then Port Adelaide, before being Norwood’s best player in the Grand Final loss to the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles. A knee injury in 1994 saw Rowe play very little football. The three Crows games in 1995 were Rowe’s last at AFL level, giving him a total of 29 games/24 goals in the tri-colours. Rowe played well with Norwood during his 20 games there in 1995 and he was named vice-captain to Garry McIntosh in 1996, coach Peter Rohde’s first season. Rowe topped off a fine career for Norwood in 1997, winning the Best Team Man in a Redleg premiership season, then retiring after 185 games. After playing, Rowe coached Norwood’s Under 17s, had a stint at Glenelg as assistant coach and was also SA State Chairman of Selectors. He also had a long career in the printing industry, however he is now better known as a long-running outspoken radio personality on FiveAA.

 

 

 

Originally from Moe in Victoria’s Gippsland region, Paul Sheedy ‘accidentally’ joined Darwin’s Banks Football Club in 1986 while on a working holiday, winning their Best and Fairest in the 86/87 season. Perhaps due to Mike Poulter, he was down at Norwood for the 1987 winter and played five games. The tall forward was in and out of the league side in 1988 across his eleven games and finished at the Redlegs after a single pre-season appearance in 1989.

 

 

 

Mark Buckley played his junior footy with St Mark’s College Fawkner. He played in a Blues Under 19s flag in 1979. His older brother Stephen made his Carlton league debut in 1980 and Mark did the same in 1982, after a very good 1981 for both the Under 19s and the Reserves. Mark’s debut went very well, kicking a pair of goals in the Blues 129-point pantsing of Footscray, and he saw out the home and away rounds on the Seniors’ bench, but was left out of Carlton’s successful finals campaign. The tall but lightly framed left footer started 1983 on the ones’ bench against Richmond, making the most of his opportunity after half-time, kicking a career best six goals. This was his best season, scoring 29 goals from 20 games, taking over at centre half-forward when Mark Maclure was injured mid-season. However, he was squeezed out in 1984 due to Maclure’s recovery and the addition of Warren Ralph at Princes Park and he only played three Senior games in the Old Dark Navy Blue across 1984/5. Moving to St Kilda before the June 30, 1985 clearance deadline, Buckley added seven games. Playing only Reserves at Moorabbin in 1986, Buckley was a surprise signing by the Brisbane Bears in 1987 where he played four games. He moved to Norwood in 1988, looking like the sort of player that may have thrived in the SANFL, but could only put together 8 Senior games for 6 goals in 1988 and 1989.

 

 

 

Tony Keenan played with Greensborough in Melbourne as a junior and was sought by Richmond but Collingwood signed him up whilst still at Eltham College. He joined the Magpies’ Under 19s as a 16yo in 1980 and was selected in Victoria’s Teal Cup side. Keenan was Teal Cup captain in 1981 in a side that included Dermott Brereton and Paul Salmon, while playing centre half-back and ruck for Collingwood’s U19s. He was added to the Senior list in 1982, playing U19s and Reserves in the forward line, kicking a couple of bags before making his Senior debut in Round 17. He was selected again in Round 22 in what was a very rare win for the Pies that season. The very mobile big man was up and down between the Reserves and U19s in 1983, still finding the big sticks but not considered for Senior company. Keenan was given his next Senior berth in Round 11 of 1984 but was dropped again, only to injure his knee in the Reserves. He was then transferred to Melbourne as part of the deal that saw Demon ruckman Glenn McLean move to Victoria Park. After two Reserves games for the Dees, knee surgery was required and 1984 was over. Keenan’s misfortune continued in 1985 when he dislocated his shoulder in the pre-season and he was promptly culled from the Melbourne list. He played for Prahran in the VFA that year. In 1986 when at VAFA club Bulleen-Templestowe he made the state side, the All-Australian Amateurs at the carnival in Adelaide and finished equal third in the A Section medal.

After a further season at Bulleen in 1987, Keenan was recruited to Norwood in 1988, winning the Redleg Reserves Best and Fairest and playing three league matches. He added three more Senior games in 1989 before constant knee and shoulder injuries forced his retirement. When interviewed by The Age in 1989, Keenan remarked “I’ve missed as many games with injury in my career as I’ve played and I’ve seen inside a lot of hospitals. I guess I’m the original coodabeen; my memories of 1981 [Teal Cup] are fond but I look back on what could have been and not what was.”

 

 

 

Ross Munns hailed from Beacon, 333k north-east of Perth. He played his first Senior games at West Perth in 1983 and eventually cemented his place in the Seniors in 1986 as a smooth moving back pocket, playing 21 games and gaining 8 votes in the Sandover Medal. He followed this up in 1987 with 18 games and 11 goals, spending more time up the ground. His single season at The Parade followed in 1988, perhaps due to the John Wynne influence. He played 11 league games and also 11 in the Reserves. Returning to WA, Munns was an ambulance driver and now runs a bus company. His son Dean is a former premiership captain of West Perth.

 

 

 

A very good one grab overhead mark, Peter Ryan played for Melbourne’s Reserves from 1985 to 1987, having been recruited from Toollean. He played in Melbourne’s 1987 VFL night premiership win over Essendon.  Joining Norwood in 1988, he made three Escort Cup (pre-season) appearances before returning to Melbourne in 1989 where he played for Prahran in the VFA for three seasons. Back at the Goulburn Valley and known in that area as ‘Goof’, Ryan gained legendary status as a player and coach at Kyabram and has been a financial adviser for more than two decades.

 

 

 

Jarrod Thorpe moved to Tasmania when his father David commenced in the pub game down there after a very successful career with Footscray and Richmond. While playing for Wynyard, Jarrod represented the Apple Isle in the Teal Cup in 1985 and played in Wynyard’s NTFL Grand Final loss to Ulverstone in 1986 under his father’s coaching. He played Reserves for Footscray in 1987 before moving to Norwood in 1988 where he made his debut during the preseason. Versatile and skilful, Thorpe played 17 Senior games that year and followed up with 14 games in 1989. On the move again in 1990, Thorpe played twice for Perth in the WAFL, then was back to Tasmania with North Launceston before assistant coaching stints at Healesville and Maribyrnong Park. In 2010 he was appointed senior coach at the Western Magpies in the QAFL.

 

 

 

John Vandermeer was the West Gippsland Football League’s Best and Fairest in 1987 and was one of the all-time greats for Tooradin-Dalmore, who wore the mighty red and green. His arrival at The Parade in 1988 while furthering his accounting qualifications saw the wiry on-baller play seven games in an injury-hampered season. His 1989 was much more satisfying, making 17 Senior appearances whilst also topping the Norwood Reserves goal-kicking. After retiring, Vandermeer relocated to the UK in 1991 where he forged a long career as a CFO.

 

 

 

Cobram’s James Weeding was a key member of the 1984 Murray Football League undefeated A Grade flag as a 17-year-old, kicking 108 goals from full-forward, including four in the decider. He went to Geelong for the 1985 pre-season, played some Reserves football in defence (notably standing a tubby youngster named Dunstall) but mainly stepped out for St Joseph’s in the local league. He returned to Geelong in 1986, but Billy Brownless was preferred by the Cats and Weeding was back at Joeys. Whilst backpacking in Europe in 1987, Weeding was contacted by St Kilda so he returned for their 1988 preseason in not quite tip-top condition and played out the season in the Saints twos. After a full pre-season in 1989, Weeding started with a torrent of goals in the Reserves, kicking eight against the Brisbane Bears and a couple of bags in the following weeks, but he remained behind the likes of Lockett and Loewe and was placed on the Supplementary list. Norwood came to Weeding with ‘a really good offer’ and he joined the ‘Legs midway through the 1989 season and played five League games. Hawthorn had selected Weeding in the VFL mid-season draft, but he continued at Norwood in 1990 and developed into a very reliable forward, starting with 18 goals in the five pre-season games. During the season proper he had hauls of eight, seven (twice) and six goals on the way to scoring 50 goals as Norwood’s top goal scorer. However, his season ended early with a back injury.

After 26 games and 74 goals at Norwood, Weeding moved to Hawthorn for the 1991 season but again could not break into the Seniors behind Dunstall, Brereton and others. Late in the season he was told by coach Alan Joyce to look elsewhere. With burgeoning business interests in the Melbourne bridalware caper, Weeding played back at Cobram in 1992 and 1993 before hanging up the boots for good. Weeding has run the Kimberley Outback Tour company since 2006.

 

 

 

Michael Hosking had a very brief association with Norwood, playing a single pre-season game in 1990 against West Adelaide. Before this, Hosking had enjoyed a premiership win for Ararat in 1986 and was their Best and Fairest in 1989 as a nippy rover. In 1991 Hosking was best on ground for St Mary’s in the Geelong Football League Grand Final. Returning to Ararat, Hosking played in another Rats flag in 2001 and coached Ararat to runners up in 2002. Upon moving to Sydney, he coached the North Shore Bombers to flags in 2005 and 2007.  Hosking found premiership success with the UTS Bats in 2010 and coached them again in 2011 when promoted to the Premier Division. His involvement with community football in Sydney continued at the Camden Cats.

 

Norwood 1960 – 1990 Blow-Ins Honour Board

 

Coaches – Killigrew (‘59-‘62), Neil Balme (‘80 – ‘90)

Captains – John Wynne (’75 – ’77)

Best & Fairest – Mike Poulter (’70), Ross Dillon (’75), Stephen Rowe (’90)

Top Goalkickers – Stephens (’60) – 50, Brewer (’65) – 96, (’66) – 76, Dillon (’73) – 46, (’75) – 66, Weeding (’90) – 50

Magarey Medals – nil

SANFL League Top Goalkicker – Brewer (’65) – 96

100 Game Players –Vickers (111), Poulter (175), Wynne (193), Dillon (114), Dunstan (129), Kerley (132), C Balme (254), Helyar (101), Rowe (185)

Premiership Coaches – Neil Balme (’82, ‘84)

Premiership Players – Poulter (’75), Dunstan (’75), Dillon (’75), Kerley (’75, ’78), Wynne (’75, ’78), Adamson (’78), Armour (’78), Fehring (’82), Laughlin (’84), Vardanega (’84), C Balme (’84), Rowe (’97)

 

 

Acknowledgements (Parts 5a and 5b)

 

On-line resources

 

Redlegs Museum (http://www.redlegsmuseum.com.au) – this lovingly curated site was of enormous assistance and is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in footy history

Norwood FC (http://norwoodfc.com.au)

St Kilda FC (http://www.saints.com.au)

Sandy Bay Past Players (http://sandybayfcpastplayers.wordpress.com)

Demonwiki (http://demonwiki.org)

Tigerland Archive (http://tigerlandarchive.org)

AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame (http://afltashalloffame.com.au)

Collingwood Forever (http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au)

Collingwood FC (http://www.collingwood.com.au)

Ballarat News (http://timesnewsgroup.com.au/ballarat)

South West Football League (http://swfl.com.au)

Eaton Boomers FC (http://www.eatonboomers.com.au)

South Bunbury FC (http://www.sbfc.com.au)

KB On Reflection (http://kbonreflection.wordpress.com)

NSW Australian Football Heritage Association (http://nswfootballhistory.com.au)

AFL Riverina (https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-1046-0-0-0&sID=13441)

Territory Stories (https://territorystories.nt.gov.au)

AFL Tables (http://afltables.com)

WA Football Hall Of Fame (http://wafootballhalloffame.com.au)

AFL NT Hall Of Fame (http://www.aflnt.com.au/about/hall-of-fame)

Swans On Screen – Griffith Football Club (http://www.swansonscreen.com)

NT News (http://www.ntnews.com.au)

History of the Glenelg Football Club (http://gfchistory.com)

Australian Football (http://australianfootball.com)

Conversations With Cornesy (https://fiveaa.com.au/podcast/conversations-with-cornesy/6e2b7d05-22d9-41a0-b530-bfeccadeeca5)

Ararat Football Netball Club (https://araratfootballnetball.com.au/)

SANFL Football Memories (https://www.sanflfootballmemories.com/)

Cobram Past Players Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/p/Cobram-Past-Players-100064659917605/)

Aboriginal Football : The Indigenous Game Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064571450939)

VFL AFL 20th Century History Photos Videos Memories Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/vflafl20thcenturyphotosvideosmemories)

Westside Football Archive (https://perthfootballhistory.com.au/westside-football)

Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Historical Society Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fitzroybrisbanelionshistoricalsociety)

 

Books and Publications

 

Red And Blue Blooded – Mike Coward

Fabulous Phil – Matt Watson

SANFL Football Budget – various editions

SA Football Year Book – various editions

Football Times Year Book – various editions

Footy World Magazine – various editions

 

Errors, Omissions and Comments.

Please don’t be afraid to let me know of anyone I’ve missed, any factual mistakes or anything else that you can pass on regarding these players by dropping in a comment below.

 

More from Swish Schwerdt can be read Here.

 

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