SA Footy

Back in 1982 Rick Neagle was one of my favourite players. IIRC he bagged six goals in the Grand Final that year to help the Legs defeat Glenelg. I can't remember much about Neagle after that though. What ever became of Neagle and is he Norwood's answer to Teddy Hopkins?

When did he play his last game? How many matches did he play for the Redlegs? Did he play the majority of his footy at a lower level due to work commitments?

GO SPELLY!

regards,

REB

IIRC Reb, he played in 83' (and was quality again) then skipped 84' perhaps due to his physio studies, and then maybe returned for a season or 2 after that.

Was the Club physio recently (and may still be?) and there have been murmurings that he might offer to assist the club via the board someday, so Im guessing he's still a pretty staunch Legs man.

Just out of interest, and again IIRC, we looked shot in the last quarter of the 82' 2nd Semi after the wharfies had erased a 3 goal 3/4 time deficit .. We were pretty much running on the spot until Neags nailed one of his trademark rippers from near the boundary to put us back in front, and somehow we lifted and finished with a head of steam to book a berth in the Granny.

We were blessed to have dome deadeye dicks around goal back in those days .. Anytime Thomas, Aish x 2, Roberts, Gallagher, Michelaaney or Turbill got a look at goal you were always pretty confident they'd nail it.

Can't answer your question but Rick's a top bloke ... he's part of my wife's PhysioTheRapist network.

Strong advocate of Dignity4Disabled through his son.

Come to think of it I don't recall ever seeing him sober though ...

Rick played 66 games, 84 goals from 1982 to 1987. Played his first game versus West Adelaide at Norwood Oval, 2nd June 1982, and his final game versus Glenelg at Glenelg Oval, 15th August 1987. His early retirement was due to pressure of phsiotherapy studies, just like players such as Andrew Aish and James Pyke.

Rick has served on the club board, and has also tried his hand in politics, sitting in the most recent state election.

Adelaide Hawk wrote:Rick played 66 games, 84 goals from 1982 to 1987. Played his first game versus West Adelaide at Norwood Oval, 2nd June 1982, and his final game versus Glenelg at Glenelg Oval, 15th August 1987. His early retirement was due to pressure of phsiotherapy studies, just like players such as Andrew Aish and James Pyke.

Rick has served on the club board, and has also tried his hand in politics, sitting in the most recent state election.

So here we have the real answer as to why Norwood underperformed in the latter years of the Balme era. Our players all retired because they were too smart. Little wonder clubs like the Yabs and the Swampies didn't have the same issues.

regards,

REB

It's funny. I was at school with Rick (he was a year below me) and at school I always thought "he was a good player" and next thing I knew he was starring at League level for Norwood. Then of course next came that magnificent Grand Final performance. Just shows you that you can't read too much into school form.

Leaping Lindner wrote:It's funny. I was at school with Rick (he was a year below me) and at school I always thought "he was a good player" and next thing I knew he was starring at League level for Norwood. Then of course next came that magnificent Grand Final performance. Just shows you that you can't read too much into school form.

Rick's great mate from SPSC was Tim Paech from Sturt.

Yes, school footy is full of schoolboy stars who never kicked on, and smokies who you never rated actually reaching league football. At my school we had a guy who I never even realised played football. He was more noted for his academic achievements. Apparently he never played footy at school, even during lunch breaks, but played a little for Broadview. His name is John Riley, and it came as a shock to me when Sturt's Ray Wilson told me the John Riley who played for North Adelaide was the same John Riley who went to Adelaide High

Rik E Boy wrote:

Adelaide Hawk wrote:Rick played 66 games, 84 goals from 1982 to 1987. Played his first game versus West Adelaide at Norwood Oval, 2nd June 1982, and his final game versus Glenelg at Glenelg Oval, 15th August 1987. His early retirement was due to pressure of phsiotherapy studies, just like players such as Andrew Aish and James Pyke.
Rick has served on the club board, and has also tried his hand in politics, sitting in the most recent state election.

So here we have the real answer as to why Norwood underperformed in the latter years of the Balme era. Our players all retired because they were too smart. Little wonder clubs like the Yabs and the Swampies didn't have the same issues.
regards,
REB

Just as Medical studies took Peter Oatey's priority, and John Lill valued his Cricket career to much to risk has injuring his hands badly.
A major hand injury wouldn't have helped Peter's later career as a Neurosurgeon, either.
Footy has always been easier to devote yourself too if you don't have much to lose if you get injured badly.
A notable exception was Tony Clarkson who kept on playing for Sturt during his medical studies and even when he was in specialist training.
[Being one of the bigger blokes in SANFL at the time probably helped.]

Rik E Boy wrote:... So here we have the real answer as to why Norwood underperformed in the latter years of the Balme era. Our players all retired because they were too smart ...

regards,

REB

Ugo Colasante in that boat too REB?