2014 Round 1, Third Quarter

15th March Birthdays.

Mark Bayes 1967, Jason Blake 1981, Jude Bolton 1980, Blake Cracella 1977,
Bradd Dalziell 1987, Shane O'Bree 1979, Lewis 'Lou' Richards 1923.

PLAYER OF THE DAY. Sean Wight, born 15th March 1964.

Sean Wight, real name John, was the first of a number of players that have been brought to Australia from Ireland; though he was actually born in Scotland.

He played 150 games for Melbourne from 1985 to 95 and kicked 63 goals.  Like a lot of his countrymen he was fearless at the contest and did things that weren't normally done because he hadn't been taught not to.

Very athletic in his early years, he had nine operations during his career and this had an effect on his play towards the end of his time at the club.

Source: The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.


Interchange

The interchange bench has been used since 1930, but at that time it was only one player who replaced a player removed from the field who could not return.  A second player was added to the bench in 1946, but the replacement rules remained the same. 

 It was not until 1978 that ‘free’ interchange, or rotation, was introduced. In 1994 the number was extended to three and then became four in 1998.

Of course since 2011 we have had a 'substitute' , which again, when used, replaces a player on the field that cannot play any further part in the game.

Source: A National Game and More than a game.


Drew Banfield.

Selected in the 1992 draft, Drew Banfield started his time at the West Coast Eagles the year after they won their first premiership, and he was the only player to play in both of the next two.

From 1993 to 2006 Drew notched up 265 games and scored 76 goals.  He also played in the premiership teams of 1994 and 2006, won the club best and fairest in 1996 and represented WA twice.

His best football was played in the midfield, though he did have a few games in the backline during 2002.

Like a lot of footballers he had his share of injuries that interrupted his career, but what a way to finish up, with a premiership medallion around your neck!

Source: The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.


ROUND 1. 1897.

On the 8th May 1897 the first round of competition in the newly formed VFL was played.  There were only 8 teams in the breakaway group and the results of the matches were:

Collingwood   5.11.41 - St Kilda      2.4.16
South Melb.    3.9.27 - Melbourne  6.8.44
Geelong           3.6.24 - Essendon    7.5.47
Fitzroy            6.13.49 - Carlton      2.4.16

Source: Wikipedia


SANDOVER MEDAL.

The best and fairest award in Western Australia is named after Alfred Sandover MBE who was a hardware merchant and donor of the award.

From 1921 when it was first awarded up until 1929 the umpires only awarded 1 vote per game so in the case of a tie a count back was impossible.  When this happened the WAFL presidents cast a deciding vote to find a winner.

In 1930 the voting system was changed to a 3,2,1 system as in most states, but in 1985 the system was changed again and now goes from 5 to 1.

It was also in 1985 that they have been handing out multiple medals when there was a tie and issued retrospective medals to previous joint winners in 1997.

Source: Wikipedia