1980's SANFL

[Interceptor]

The late 80's were a pain in the arse. How many times did we finish 3rd under Balmey!

regards,

REB

1981, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989

All painful, but 1988 was the worst finals series for me, with a win in the Qualifying final being the only positive.
It came at a huge cost with Macca doing his knee and Kelly's brain fade as mentioned.
The 2nd Semi was a very dark day for the club and it probably took until the '97 GF to somewhat make up for it.

BTW did anyone see Craig Kelly on a recent episode of 'Open Mike'?
Found it to be worth a watch with time spent on his playing days at Norwood and Collingwood, as well as his other interests.

[Magpiespower]

All painful, but 1988 was the worst finals series for me, with a win in the Qualifying final being the only positive.
It came at a huge cost with Macca doing his knee and Kelly's brain fade as mentioned.

Don't forget the sitter Aish missed late in the last quarter in the prelim that would've drawn you level.

But as for '89, eleven goal belting in round 22 notwithstanding, there was Port, North and daylight...

[robranisgod]

All painful, but 1988 was the worst finals series for me, with a win in the Qualifying final being the only positive.
It came at a huge cost with Macca doing his knee and Kelly's brain fade as mentioned.

Don't forget the sitter Aish missed late in the last quarter in the prelim that would've drawn you level.

But as for '89, eleven goal belting in round 22 notwithstanding, there was Port, North and daylight...

And unfortunately in the Grand Final, it was Port, daylight, more daylight, even more daylight and then North

[JK]

All painful, but 1988 was the worst finals series for me, with a win in the Qualifying final being the only positive.
It came at a huge cost with Macca doing his knee and Kelly's brain fade as mentioned.

Don't forget the sitter Aish missed late in the last quarter in the prelim that would've drawn you level.

But as for '89, eleven goal belting in round 22 notwithstanding, there was Port, North and daylight...

I always thought Norwood were up matching the best sides that year, but they left too much to do, in too little an amount of time and it caught up with us.

Of course, I was only a teenager that many years ago so my memory may have been more shaped by the hope of that year, than reality, but we had started to pick up the odd win against Glenelg, North and Port, 3 teams that were doing us pretty easily since 1987 (and earlier in some cases)

[GWW]

Norwood v Port records would be interesting around 85 to 87, i reckon Port would be one side the Redlegs had the measure of, or at the very least were on level pegging with.

There was one game, i think in 86, which was the early game in a double header (CD and WT played after i think), i think Norwood won by about 15 goals. I can remember a game at Alberton in 85 i think it was, Norwood's runners chopped Port up, i can particularly recall how well Richardson, Payne and McNeil played that day (that is given that my memory serves me correctly and that all players were playing for the Legs in 85)

[JK]

Norwood v Port records would be interesting around 85 to 87, i reckon Port would be one side the Redlegs had the measure of, or at the very least were on level pegging with.

IIRC Norwood had a pretty decent streak over Port back then, stretching from the 84' GF until the final minor round game of 1987, which was a dead rubber as both teams had already secured a birth in the Qualifying final (which the Legs again took the honours in).

Conversely Port then won at the Parade early in 1988, the week Anthony Williams was taken too early, and won every subsequent meeting until the last minor round game of 1989.

[GWW]

I recall won an earlier encounter in 89 that was played at the Parade. Aish kicked a bag that day, but i think most of the other Norwood players were well down on form. I can recall noticing on the replay how much Paul Weston struggled.

How many years did he play at Norwood? Was it just the one? From memory, he went there after his player/coach stint at Torrens.

[JK]

I recall won an earlier encounter in 89 that was played at the Parade. Aish kicked a bag that day, but i think most of the other Norwood players were well down on form. I can recall noticing on the replay how much Paul Weston struggled.

How many years did he play at Norwood? Was it just the one? From memory, he went there after his player/coach stint at Torrens.

I think that sounds about right mate .. I didn't realise we'd beaten you guys in early 89, we really struggled against your mob in 88/89 I'd thought.

We also struggled against the Bays in the mid-80's, winning early in 85' at the Parade and then not again until late in 87' I think .. Similar problems with North after the 85 season, wins were rare for a few years.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Paul Weston.

How many years did he play at Norwood? Was it just the one? From memory, he went there after his player/coach stint at Torrens.

Paul Weston played only the one season for Norwood, 1989. He played 23 games and had a very good year. I recall once Graham Cornes and KG Cunningham had a segment called "Where are they now?" and Paul Weston was the guest. They spoke of his early years at Glenelg, his days at Essendon, and his days as playing coach of West Torrens but no mention of his season at Norwood.

I emailed the show and asked why they never mentioned his season at Norwood in 1989. Cornesy was non-plussed and said, "What are you talking about? Weston never played at Norwood", and dismissed it. A few people rang and assured Cornes that Weston had in fact played for the Redlegs. Cornesy still couldn't believe it, so I sent another email .....

"Weston played 23 games for Norwood in 1989, 4 of them were against Glenelg who was coached by none other than yourself, Graham Cornes. What sort of coach were you? Weston played 4 times against your team and you didn't even realise he was out there!!!!". Cornesy was most embarrased

[Adelaide Hawk]

Norwood v Port records would be interesting around 85 to 87, i reckon Port would be one side the Redlegs had the measure of, or at the very least were on level pegging with.

From 10th Apil 1982 to 12th September 1987, Norwood and Port Adelaide met 20 times, Norwood winning 16 of them, including 10 wins in a row from 7th July 1984 to 5th July 1987.

[GWW]

I didn't realise the extent to which Norwood dominated against Port during that era.

A comparison of Norwood's 82 and 84 teams would be interesting. I'm guessing they would have made a few changes in personnel from the 82 premiership to the one 2 years later.

[GWW]

I recall won an earlier encounter in 89 that was played at the Parade. Aish kicked a bag that day, but i think most of the other Norwood players were well down on form. I can recall noticing on the replay how much Paul Weston struggled.

How many years did he play at Norwood? Was it just the one? From memory, he went there after his player/coach stint at Torrens.

I think that sounds about right mate .. I didn't realise we'd beaten you guys in early 89, we really struggled against your mob in 88/89 I'd thought.

We also struggled against the Bays in the mid-80's, winning early in 85' at the Parade and then not again until late in 87' I think .. Similar problems with North after the 85 season, wins were rare for a few years.

Sorry CP, i think my post may have been a little confusing, with a typo or 2 in there

The game between Norwood and Port down the Parade in 89 was won by Port. I don't recall any other Norwood v Port games that year, was the one that Norwood won late in the year played at Alberton or Footy Park (or perhaps Norwood again..)?

A couple of other memories from 89 that i have (im assumign my memory is correct)
-it was Higgins' first year at Sturt, and with that coaching change Darryl Smith, Popplestone and Schache all moved to Torrens.
-I can recall a Norwood game, I think it was against Torrens, may have been on a Sunday afternoon. I think Matthew Kelly and Pitman both made their debut. From memory, Ivan Muster, despite being more of a medium sized forward was probably the key goalkicker the Redlegs had for quite a period during the season.
- I also have a recollection that 89 was the year that channel 9 took over from ch 10 televising SANFL games, although i think the ABC also continued covering games.

[am Bays]

Nup it was Davies only year as Sturt Coach, 89. Keane got the A at the end of 88 by the "we should be reverting back to the Oatey style faction" davies cam in lead Sturt to teh Spoon and 1990 was Higgins only year as Sturts coach...

[GWW]

Ah ok, i guess i presumed that as they won the spoon in 89, it was Higgins' first year.

[Adelaide Hawk]

A comparison of Norwood's 82 and 84 teams would be interesting. I'm guessing they would have made a few changes in personnel from the 82 premiership to the one 2 years later.

Norwood had 11 players to play in both '82 and '84 teams:
Danny Jenkins, Keith Thomas, Michael Aish, Neville Roberts, Phil Gallagher, Garry McIntosh, Bruce Winter, Duncan Fosdike, Jim Michalanney, Tom Warhurst, Greg Thomas.

Players in the 82 team to miss the 84 team were:
Greg Turbill, Paul Adler, Frank Stemper, Neil Button, Jim Thiel, Jeff Fehring, Wayne Schmaal, Andrew Aish, Rick Neagle. Most of those players were long serving members who had retired.

Players new to the 84 team were:
Neil Hein, Craig Balme, Lester Ross, Peter Laughlin, Justin Scanlon, John Hall, Glen Vardanega, Andrew Jarvis, David Payne.

As you can see, there was a lot of talent at the Parade in that era, which is why Norwood people cannot understand our lack of success over the following few seasons.

[Dogwatcher]

Can someone tell me why I have a recollection of Sturt coach Higgins and an association with helicopters?
I'm not sure if it is a false memory or not...
Was he involved with a chopper company, or possibly photographed with one?????
Strange question, I know.

[baggy8]

Think you've got the right conveyance Dogwatcher, but the wrong man. The coach after Higgins, Triggy, worked for Lloyd Aviation (Helicopters) for a long time. In fact I think he went from there to the Crows.

[GWW]

A comparison of Norwood's 82 and 84 teams would be interesting. I'm guessing they would have made a few changes in personnel from the 82 premiership to the one 2 years later.

Norwood had 11 players to play in both '82 and '84 teams:
Danny Jenkins, Keith Thomas, Michael Aish, Neville Roberts, Phil Gallagher, Garry McIntosh, Bruce Winter, Duncan Fosdike, Jim Michalanney, Tom Warhurst, Greg Thomas.

Players in the 82 team to miss the 84 team were:
Greg Turbill, Paul Adler, Frank Stemper, Neil Button, Jim Thiel, Jeff Fehring, Wayne Schmaal, Andrew Aish, Rick Neagle. Most of those players were long serving members who had retired.

Players new to the 84 team were:
Neil Hein, Craig Balme, Lester Ross, Peter Laughlin, Justin Scanlon, John Hall, Glen Vardanega, Andrew Jarvis, David Payne.

As you can see, there was a lot of talent at the Parade in that era, which is why Norwood people cannot understand our lack of success over the following few seasons.

Certainly a good array of players there. Still 2 flags in a decade is not a bad effort. Its funny how things turn out, the Legs won the one they weren't expected to win (coming from the Elimination), yet in other years when they were more consistent, they didn't manage to snare a flag.

[Magpiespower]

Port won six on the trot against Norwood after the '87 QF loss.

Four in '88 then the first two in '89.

Including a five point win on a Monday night in round 4. Smashed Norwood at Alberton in round 13. Won 17 games in a row until dropping round 21 and 22 against North and Norwood.

Legend has it Jack Cahill tore strips off the players at training after the Norwood loss, reducing one player to tears...

[Magpiespower]

Only regularly started going to the footy as a seven year-old in '82.

So for me, Port v Glenelg has always been the big rivalry.

Certainly appreciate the tradition and history of rivalries between Norwood and Sturt and even West.

But beating the Bays is something else.

Especially in a grand final.

As you can see, there was a lot of talent at the Parade in that era, which is why Norwood people cannot understand our lack of success over the following few seasons.

Brilliant but brittle.

While Norwood was playing "champagne football", Port, Glenelg and North were winning premierships.

Just remember the Legs being handball happy and over-possessing and knowing they would eventually crack under pressure.

'Experts' only begrudgingly rated those Port teams at the time. They weren't considered as skillful as Norwood and North and apparently only won their games through brutality.

Which was a load of crap.

Seems the passing of time has given them the kudos they deserve...