1960-2007
CAPTAINS AND COACHES LUNCH
Saturday May 17, 2007
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AN HISTORIC LUNCHEON
by Don Malcolm
The day finally arrived for this much worked on
Coaches and Captains luncheon.
Many hours of seeking out addresses, phone numbers
and contact points, were spent in an endeavor
to advise as many as possible of the club's intention
to hold various functions during season 2007 to
celebrate 75 years of St.Mary's football.
The weather was not looking too good with an overcast
sky, but the "Malcolm Room" at Ferndale
was warm and inviting and looking good with its
white table cloths, cutlery and place settings,
all neatly and professionally set out.
Slowly but surely, the attendees for this
historical luncheon started to arrive and it
was not long, before tales of years gone by
and past memories were being discussed and the
stories soon took on new dimensions, as kicks
for goals in grand finals became 70 yarders
and the dashes around the wing were reminiscent
of Michael Long on the MCG. Marks were of the
Tony Lockett pack breaking type but all in all
nobody quite let the facts get in the way of
a good story.
Geoff from Geoff's Vantastics again
provided a four course meal and soon the buffet
type meal was being set up.
Evan Evans opened the proceedings with
meanderings through some of the ealier coaches
and exploits and also those of the various coaches
that he had played under. After all who better
to run the proceedings than Evo who participated
in 470 on field games, won many awards,coached
Seniors and Reserves, held the post of Club
Secretary for some time and now is the Flash
Reporter, sponsor and behind the scenes hard
worker.
Then Vaughan Ryan from the current Senior
Coaching panel spoke to the gathering, explaining
his and Jeremy Wright's reasons for taking on
the co-coaching role and how they see the development
over the next many years for St.Mary's. Vaughan
applauded the new role that Michael Learmonth
had taken on as Club President after relinquishing
the senior coaching position at the end of last
season.
Vaughan stressed that their aim is to again
make this great club a football power in the
local community and the VAFA.
Jeremy Wright thanked the club and
player sponsors for their support and that of
the hard working Committee. Captain Garret
Schembri set out the player aims and their
respect for the club, committee and its football
department.
Norm Graetzer spoke on the Gala Ball
and invited all to attend and threw out some
challenges to entice members to make up large
parties and partake of the prizes available.
The lunch got under way and quickly keen interest
was shown in the reserves team and the way in
which they were taking the game up to Box Hill
North to finally run out winner by 64 pts.
The Saints Senior team today ran out winners
over Box Hill North by 68 pts to top off a great
day on and off the field.
A great lunch and well organised by Evan and
the Committee. Congratulations to all, I am
sure that the attendees went away with a great
deal more knowledge on the future development
of St.Mary's AFC and will have reignited their
enthusiasm to see the club further develop in
the future.
Full
List of All Club Captains and Club Coaches
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| Those to attend
the lunch were- Albert Vickery, Evan Evans,
Brian Goullet, Geoff Goullet, Geoff Trenerry,
Max Thomas, Greg Mullins, Graeme Mullinger,
Tony Pettiti , Laurie Innes, Don Malcolm,
Peter Leman, Adrian Wright, Rick Burns,
Peter Murphy, Steve Green, David Malcolm,
Adrian Anderson, Matt Ellis, Adam Ballantyne,
Norm Graetzer, Michael Learmonth, Peter
Watson |
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An extract from
the 1980 Grand Final of the 3/4 time plea
by coach Neil LeLievre to his group of
players was shown and held the group spellbound
even though the video quality (after 27
years) was not as good as hoped. The words,
body language,eyeballing of every player,
the intensity of the message and the compelling
will to win was oozing out of Neil's body.
Even some 27 years later there was no
chance that every one could not feel what
each player must have been going through.
The players
left the huddle and immediately the desire
to win was evident and for about the next
ten minutes players gave everything of
themselves to set up a commanding winning
position and to go on and take their 3
rd history making "A" Grade
flag in row.
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