2014 Round 17, Half Time.

3rd July Birthdays.

 

Gary Buckenara 1958.

 PLAYER OF THE DAY. Carl Peterson, born 3rd July 1987.

Never seeming to be able to settle into AFL football, Carl was a rookie for Richmond before returning to WA and then played some games for the Norhtern Bullants after refinding his love for the game at St. Marys in the Northern Territory. 

After going back west again he was introduced to Alistair Clarkson and Hawthorn signed him up. In his 1 season at the club, 2010, he played 17 games and kicked 13 goals, before being delisted at the end of the year.

Source: The Encyclopaedia Of AFL Footballers.

Darrel Baldock – Hall Of  Fame Legend.

How befitting it is for one of the greatest players to grace our great game to be named a legend of Australian Rules football. Darrell was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1996 and elevated to Legend status in 2006. 

Originally from Latrobe in Tasmania, he joined St. Kilda in 1962 and though he was only there 7 years he made an impression that will never be forgotten.  He played 119 games for the club including the 1966 Premiership, as Captain, and kicked 237 goals. 

He was recognised as one of the most balanced, talented and courageous players of his time and at centre half forward controlled the Saint’s forward line.

As well as captaining the club from 1963 to ’68 he was best and Fairest in 1962,’ 63 and ’65 and leading goal kicker from 1962 to ’65. 

 

After playing he moved back to Tasmania but returned to coach St. Kilda from 1987 to 1989.

Source: The Encyclopaedia Of AFL Footballers and AFL Record Season Guide 2013.

THE FIRST GAME.

There were a number of scratch matches played between groups of men from as early as 1858, but they were very informal with no real structure. 

Probably the first ‘formal’ game of this period is renowned to be between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College.  This match took place over 3 Saturdays, the 6th and 21st August and 4th September.  Whilst this arrangement seems strange it was common practice in inter school matches in England.

The game was played in the ‘Richmond Paddock’ believed to be parklands near to where the MCG now stands.  It is hard to say how big the area of play was or how many players represented the schools, however we do know that Thomas Wills was the umpire for the Grammar School and Dr. John Macadam for Scotch College.

We also know that after the 3 days the game ended in a draw, as both teams had scored one goal and it had been decided that a team needed 2 goals to win the game.  Imagine if that was all it took to decide a game now!

Source: More Than A Game and A National Game..

 

3 Generations Of Hirds At Essendon.

Allan Hird was a journey man, starting his career at Hawthorn where he played 14 games for 12 goals from 1938 to ’39.

In 1940 he moved over to Essendon where he only managed 2 goals from his 102 games up to 1945 as he was mainly used as a half back or ruck and occasionally at half forward.

His 102 games were played without a break and he was in the Premiership side of 1942.

After 2 years at St. Kilda (1938-39) where he played 38 games for 5 goals, he returned to Essendon as Captain/Coach of the seconds. After he finished playing he spent many years as a committee man in several roles ending up as President.

Allan Hird Jr. followed his father to the club and was there from 1966 to 1967 but could not emulate his father and only played 4 games.

The football skills seem to have skipped a generation because James Hird, son of Allan Jr, was a champion for the Bombers.

The club got a real steal with him being overlooked until pick 79 in the 1990 National Draft. He played from 1992 to 2007 in 253 games for 343 goals and was the type that could be played in just about any position on the ground.

Some of his personal achievements include, Essendon Premiership player in 1993 and 2000, Norm Smith medal 2000, 5 times All Australian and a Brownlow medal in 1996.

Source: The Encyclopaedia of  AFL Footballers.