Up there in the mid-North of South Australia, up around Orroroo and Jamestown, a few of the cockies have been standing around the fires in the 44 gallon drums, hands cold from the Coopers stout in their hands, talking great South Australian footballers.
They’ve become the Ultimate Wool Team’s secret South Australian selectors, and they’re the first of the regions to do it as exhaustively as possible. They’ve done the research. They’ve thought long and hard and they’ve asked around and they’ve done the checking on blokes like Greg Phillips and Don Lindner.
So much so that they have selected a Firsts and a Seconds. They are both strong side.
See what you think. Should anyone from the ones be elevated? Are their still names missing?
These Croweaters are very keen. I’m just wondering whether someone in the West might take on the same responsibility for the Sandgropers, and also for Victoria and the Riverina. Please contact me by email if you would like to become a secret selector for another region (or a visible selector).
The Ones:
Backs: Shannon Hurn Daryl Wakelin Mick Redden
Half Backs: Corey Enright Greg Phillips David Grenvold
Centre: Barry Stringer Paul Bagshaw Tyson Edwards
Half Forwards: Jay Schulz Len Fitzgerald Stephen Copping
Forwards: Brendon Lade Rick Davies Rodney Maynard
Followers: Shaun Rehn Andrew McKay Bernie Vince
I/C: Marty Mattner, John Mossop, Joe Darling, Ian Hannerford, Bronte Mumford
Coach: Don Lindner
Team Manager: Gillon McLachlan
The Twos:
Backs: Geoff Phelps Danny Hughes Rob Ashby
Half Backs: Wayne Stringer Craig Kelly Shane Wakelin
Centre: Tony Burgan Rick McGowan Neil Stringer
Half Forwards: Graham Ashby Richard Cousins Peter Kitschke
Forwards: Damian Kitschke Chris Paine Lachie Neale
Followers: Dean Ottens Allan Stringer Jack Trengove
I/C: Trevor Sims, Jason McKenzie, Kevin Cousins, Luke Tappscott, Justin Clarke
Coach:
Team Manager:
About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is publisher and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He appears (appeared?) on ABCTV's Offsiders. He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to The Handicapper and has three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
Rick McGowan from Darke Peak is a good inclusion. Very handy centreman for the ‘Dogs I reckon he did/does some assistant coaching in the AFL. Rulebook? Swish?
This came via email:
W.Graham Bagshaw was a farmer for 50 years on YP, played for Sturt from 1950 -54 till he broke his leg, think he would get a game before a lot of other guys in the sides,won mail medal when he was 18
– …… GWB
Just saw this Mickey
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/06/05/4249871.htm
Rick McGowan coached, Sturt and was a assistant coach with the Hawks
I reckon that’s a pretty good job. Great to see the selectors weren’t afraid to make the tough calls re. the twins
Could we possibly sneak Wayne Jackson in as a team manager for the second team? Wayne has a farm at Wilalooka, near Keith which is mainly cattle. Not sure about sheep though?
What about Nigel Fiegert. Off the land from rudall. Shorn a lot of sheep himself as a youngster . Still has an affiliation with the rudall community. Grew up on a sheep and cropping farm. Played more than 20 games for port power and many many games at the magpies.
Was big Deano into wheat/sheep or just wheat? I know he could kick a wheat bag over a silo back in the day..
Chris Prime from Port Neill/Tumby Bay
Latest achievement this year – holds the record for the most goals kicked in South Australian country football history (according to football historian Peter Lines).
1747 goals, including the 13 he kicked against Cougars a few weeks back and add in the 2 he kicked last week that takes him to 1749. Tumby Bay records keeper Steve Milton also notes that this tally does not include the goals Tractor has kicked in his time playing SANFL football (247 with Norwood) or any of the Association games he’s played
Latest tally does not include goals kicked in the last few weeks Tumby Bay football
He has had a big involvement with wool over here and has just been appointed the president of the EP stud merino breeders association
From Richard Halliday
Hi John,
Add to the South Aust list Michael Hunt Mundulla played 500 plus games, in a least 10 A grade premiership while most of the time shearing between 700 and 1000 sheep a week. Also a woolgrower on his property.
Regards
Richard
Chris Tractor Prime is a more than worthy nomination, he could well and truly lead the social festivities after the game as well as kik a few goals