A FANTASTIC DAY
The Magpies versus Demons was a great battle on King’s Birthday. But greater still was the support for MND research. Neale Daniher, family and all that took part in the day were magnificent. The sea of beanies in the MCG stands was a fine sight and yes, there should be a statue honouring Neale outside the famous MCC.
STRAIGHT SHOOTERS
Names such as Gordon Coventry, John Coleman, Peter Hudson and Tony Lockett are legendary in VFL/AFL history. They and a number of their kind through the years were noted for their goalkicking power. They kicked long or short, straight and true. Coventry, the Magpie star, kicked 1299 goals on often muddy rain-soaked fields when by quarter time the ball was heavy like a medicine ball.
Goal kicking in today’s game from set shots is atrocious. It is astounding that so many of the modern era players struggle to deliver from thirty meters out. What are the highly paid kicking coaches doing? The former champions coached themselves.
HAPPY FAMILY
Levi Casboult and family.
I’m happy this family keeps in touch regularly, former Carlton and Gold Coast player Levi Casboult with wife Hayley and four young children. Levi is now playing in the QAFL whilst Hayley is a trained police officer who works for the Queensland Education Department. Hayley attended ACK with distinction in class and sport. She was also of wonderful assistance as a key official for the 2008 and 2009 premiership First XVIII’s. She really liked her time in Kilmore and has a number of college friends in this district.
A MEMORABLE CLASH
Many memorable football and cricket clashes are easily recalled from past times. Just over half a century ago Assumption and Camberwell met for the AGSV title. The Kilmore Free Press reported it as follows:
“Playing with fanatic endeavour in front of a great Main Oval crowd at Kilmore, Assumption reversed a half-time deficit with a storming finish to take out the 1974 AGS title.
“Camberwell, seeking its first premiership since 1941, fought courageously and were worthy opponents throughout a game that was of high standard and full of tension.
“Overnight rain made conditions extremely heavy and both sides were leg weary and tired at the final siren.
“Geoff Delaney, ACK skipper, produced one of the best captain’s games the ground has known. His unwavering concentration and determination provided a fine example for his players. The visitor’s skipper – David Rimington – was magnificent in defeat. He and his deputy, John Talman, were heroic performers as they strove for the elusive glory their footballing contingents have not known for thirty-three years.
“The day was a memorable one for Assumption supporters and goes down in the record books as one of the unforgettable cameos of College sport.
“From near and far came loyal supporters and Old Boys of ACK to watch this Grand Final contest. Many Brothers who have taught here over the years were present, including two former coaches, Br Domnus and Br Stanislaus.
“Jimmy Wright (Br Denis) who played for Assumption in· 1946 must have nostagically recalled similar battles of that bygone era.
“Massed blue-blazered College boys on the scoreboard mound spurred their players on with the famous war cry that has long been the rally call of Assumption sport.
“The game itself was a tough – sometimes brilliant battle, sternly contested all the way with some uncompromising tackling. Camberwell’s quick-moving attackers gave them early ascendency and they went to a clear three goals lead late into the second term.
“But the Blues – great fighters – and in my memory near impossible to defeat in such conditions, gradually fought back and almost inevitably forged to victory.
“Burnett was superb at centre half-forward, and his kicking of the heavy ball was prodigious.
“Vice-captain, McCormack, went goal-less, but how figures can deceive. He was master of the forward line, and repeatedly created play.
“O’Donnell and Nadalin in the ruck, and the unstoppable Height – I could go on and name them all.
“It was a genuine team performance.
“Games such as this -rare in schoolboy sport because of its construction -come once every few years, with two combatants having all to play for. They have a unique quality all their own as if by some abiding symbolism.
“At the end of play the Assumption crowd was of course delighted. The victorious players did the lap of honour before leaving the scene through a human tunnel of back-slapping supporters.
“There was disappointment for Camberwell, who, after their long slog from the foothills, fought courageously but failed to scale the final peak of the AGS game.
“And so a colourful day ended. In the distance the mist was closing in from the encircling hills. A winter’s afternoon of significant moment. Such days in Assumption history are timeless.”
Final scores of the great game were:
Assumption 10 goals 16 bhds.
C’well G.S. 8 goals 4 bhds.
Best players for Assumption were:
Delaney, Burnett, McCormack and O’Donnell.
The ACK team lined up thus:
Backs:
O’Dwyer, Deane, Nadalin.
Half-backs:
Rolfe, Delaney, Quinn.
Centres:
Farrinacci, McKee, McCormick.
Half-forwards:
Serafini, Burnett, Height.
Forwards:
McPoyle, McCormack, O’Kane.
Followers:
O’Donnell, Annetta, Birrell.
19th:
N. Warnett.
20th:
N. Brown.
***
Assumption’s Peter McCormack and Laurie Serafini progressed to fine careers with Collingwood and Fitzroy respectively. Camberwell has yet to defeat ACK across the 66 years of competition. Recently Peninsula Grammar defeated ACK for the first time in 66 years. Former Peninsula student Mick Molloy celebrated the victory on his “Front Bar” segment on Channel 7.
