Riverland Football Chatter

[Dogwatcher]

Did you work out who signed his dress?

Put a Hawks guernsey on him, he could've been called 'Renouf'!

[Baron Greenback]

Na wouldn't have a clue eh.
We'll just say he is Renouf. He got a lot of touches on Saturday!

[silicone skyline]

How funny was it at the start of the West v Norwood game??

The umpire held the ball in the air for like two minutes waiting for the siren to sound.

He looked around, everyone was waiting ... nothing.

Two minutes later umpire still holding the ball in the air ... still nothing, a bloke goes up from the grandstand and checks the time-keepers box, no one in there!

Finally some trooper popped up to the box and sounded the siren.

Yeah that was pretty funny. Almost as funny as the bloke that came up and bought a beer at 5.30pm and thought he'd be a smart arse and fart and he crapped his pants.

Ha! Who was that??

Shane Renfrey.

I don't believe it.

[Baron Greenback]

Would've thought Dale Lellmann might've gotten a gig in the Riverland list too.

[Baron Greenback]

100 Champions

Harold Oliver (Lyrup/Berri) – Captained Lyrup to the first Murray Football Association title in 1909. Generally played in key positions or ruck for Berri and Port Adelaide. Regarded as amongst the best ever footballers in South Australia.
Lloyd Davies (Barmera) – Club’s first UMFA premiership captain in 1922. A classy slick moving inspirational leader and medalist.
Reg Smith (Renmark) – Inspirational small midfielder. Inaugural winner of the Whillas Medal in 1924.
Frank Foreman (Berri) – Strong, skilled and motivated. Dual Whillas Medallist.
Steve Wade (Berri) – Pacy, team lifting midfielder with good disposal. Won two Whillas Medals either side of two seasons with Port Adelaide.
Kon Riedel (Renmark/Waikerie) – Dominant utility. Superb ball skills. Whillas Medallist with a record number of votes while at Waikerie.
Alec Anderson (Waikerie) – Fine utility player with good hands who shone in the 1936 premiership at full back. Whillas Medallist four years earlier.
Walter Hill (Barmera) – Talented ruckman and dual Whillas Medallist.
Ron McKay (Barmera) – Acclaimed classy key position forward or defender. Two time winner of the Whillas Medal.
Ross Lehmann (Waikerie) – High scoring accurate full forward. Represented the state while at North Adelaide.
Bill Harris (Berri) – Wonderful rover with an uncanny ability to read the ball at ruck contests, crumb packs and boot goals. Best afield five times in 26 representative games. Triple Whillas Medallist and best on ground in the 1955 grand final.
Adrian Jolly (Loxton) – Outstanding forward and ruckman, with surprising pace and agility for a big man. An inspiring leader as a captain and a coach. He was the first to win three Whillas Medals.
Fred Proud (Loxton) – Equally dynamic at centre half back or full forward. Captained club and representative teams with distinction. Whillas Medallist.
Joe Westbrook (Loxton) Outstanding lion hearted ruckman, noted for his tapping and long screw punt kicks. Best on ground in two grand finals.
Frosty Kroemer (Loxton) – Robust back pocket. Fearless and uncompromising. Noted for his fierce tackling and attack on the ball.
Bob Proud (Loxton) – Peerless half forward and occasional ruckman. Won two Whillas Medals consecutively after returning from North Adelaide where he was a state player. Captained combined teams a record 20 times. The inspirational left footer was brilliant, elusive with a great mark and disposal.
Stan Burnett (Waikerie) – Strong resolute centre half back and excellent centreman. Dual Whillas Medallist.
Rex McKinnon (Waikerie) – Bullocking centre half back. Used determination and skill to become a shining light in teams starved of success.
Colin Haines (Berri) – Former South Adelaide long kicking full back. Highly rated career was shortened by injury. Premiership mentor 1952/1954.
Jim Milne (Renmark) – Masterful, quick thinking and a slick ball mover. Equally at home in the centre, roving or at half forward. Twice best on ground in a grand final. Regarded as being a talent well ahead of his time.
Rex Geue (Renmark) – Outstanding, clever ball tapping ruckman with safe hands and an ability to score goals.
Ron Williams (Renmark) – Former Norwood premiership player and state representative. Senior coach for four years the strongly built centre half forward.
Paul Giles (Renmark) – Reliable tall ruckman noted for his positioning palming and fine marking.
Spud Murphy (Berri) – Tough and rugged yet a skilful and fair half back with an astute football brain.
George Manning (Barmera-Monash) – Great talent coupled with versatility and a vigorous robust approach were the features of his long and highly regarded career at the lakeside.
Allen Goldfinch (Loxton) – Eminent player in a variety of positions, especially centre. Premiership playing coach and more coaching successes followed after his retirement.
John Henwood (Monash/Barmera-Monash) – During a long career he was always noted for his skill, hardness, endeavour and loyalty on and off the ground.
Ray Fielke (Loxton) – Dashing, energetic centre half back during a long career.
Augie Williams (Berri) – Big man with a solid reputation as a ruckman, key forward and defender. Invariably an early choice for interleague games.
Bob Hage (Renmark) – Among the best of centremen or half back flankers. Courageous with a fluent style and an unerring delivery. Best afield in two grand finals. Winner of the 1963 Whillas Medal.
John Christie (Renmark) – Quality full back who had tenacity and aplomb.
Des Hogan (Barmera/Barmera-Monash) – Solid ruckman or defender who moved well for a big man. Won the Whillas Medal and was the first recipient of the Murray Pioneer Writers’ trophy.
Alby Yeo (Cobdogla/Barmera/Barmera-Monash) – Rugged on baler and centre line player principally. Fearless but fair, he was most often in the thickest of the action. Retired after 21 years in the game.
Bill Baskett (Berri/Loxton) – Nonchalant, highly skilled key position forward. Elusive and possessed a stylish, long, accurate kick.
Bob Fisher (Berri) – Outstanding wingman in over 200 games for the Demons.
Tony Fundak (Monash/Barmera/Barmera-Monash) – Key position forward. League’s leading goal scorer for two seasons after the clubs amalgamated.
Hank Lindner (Renmark) – Volatile characted with a straight ahead style. Mainly a strong, rebounding, consistent defender.
John Croft (Renmark) – Imposing giant ruckman/forward recruited as club coach. Aged 20 he had immediate success. Won the 1962 Whillas Medal.
Bill Pontt (Loxton) – Ruckman/key position forward with strength and class.
Jim Wright (Loxton) – Regarded as the Tigers’ best ever Rover. Fast and fearless. Coordinated with a keen goal sense.
David Lock (Loxton/Loxton North) – Hard hitting solidly built defender. Playing coach of the Panthers in the twilight of a long career.
Malcolm Hill (Barmera-Monash/Berri) – Powerful intelligent ruckman with great hand and foot skills. Had an enormous influence on his team-mates. Playing coach in a golden era at Berri. Valuable contributor in premierships won by Hawthorn and Sturt.
Grant Foley (Berri/Renmark) – Equally at home at centre, on the ball or in the forward lines. The stylish mover exuded class and had wonderful skills. The Whillas Medallist led the UMFL to victory in the 1970 country championships.
Roger Nettle (Berri) – Exemplary player with all the skills. Centre, the forward line and on-ball roles were his specialties. In 1964 he became the youngest ever winner of the Whillas Medal at 17.
Kym Lehmann (Waikerie) – Exciting forward with athleticism, pace, safe hands and long kicking among his attributes. Twice a Whillas Medallist, either side of a league career at North Adelaide.
David Liebich (Waikerie) – An adept pivot man, who played with discipline. Awarded The Murray Pioneer Writers’ Trophy in 1967.
Don Guerin (Waikerie) – Burly former Sturt full back took on a playing coach role, making an impact as a ruckman and key goal scoring forward. Able to put fear in the minds of opponents with his rugged approach.
Robin Greenwood (Berri) – Midfielder with a touch of class and genius. Won the 1968 Murray Pioneer Writers’ Trophy.
Brendon Pelly (Berri) – Outstanding close checking defender, usually on a half back flank. Rarely beaten and excellent all round skills.
Don Logan (Loxton, Loxton North) – Effective knock ruckman with strong hands in marking contests. Whillas Medallist while in Panther colours.
Kerry Hamilton (Loxton) – Classy half forward/centreman. Exceptional poise, ball handling and disposal skills.
Robert Pfeiler (Loxton North) – Naturally gifted with disiciplined displays in the centre.
Rick Schubert (Loxton) – Highly skilled, classy and versatile. Starred in all levels of the game locally and beyond.
Terry Fisher (Berri/Barmera-Monash) – The talented dashing centreman clinched two Whillas Medals early in his career with the Demons. He resurrected his career by changing clubs and completed 280 games.
Joe Hermanson (Barmera-Monash) – Fearless, determined and disciplined centre half back.
Brian Thiele (Berri) – Almost exclusively a penetrating long kicking wingman. Tough and industrious with great dash.
Steve McFarlane (Barmera-Monash) – Extremely gifted and polished midfielder who was a playing coach in a career cut short when he tragically lost his life. Awarded the 1976 Whillas Medal retrospectively.
Brian Wise (Berri) – Excelled on a back flank with courage, tight checking, brilliant rebounding and a miserly attitude towards opponents.
Trevor Gill (Renmark) – Supremely talented, polished and dexterous. A host of club awards came his way during a magnificent 285-game career. Club captaincy, coaching roles and state country representation were added highlights. A triple Whillas Medallist, the super centreman is revered as one of the greats.
Murray Voigt (Loxton) – Bulky, no nonsense, long kicking defender/ruck rover. Won a Murray Pioneer Writers’ Award during his 20-year career with the Tigers.
Rudy van der Biezen (Barmera-Monash) – Natural talent with a high skill level in a variety of smaller man positions. Clever and courageous. Chosen 13 times in the team of the year and always polled well in the medal.
Mike McCallum (Barmera-Monash) – Very reliable defender. Usually across the half back line.
Guy Matulin (Renmark) – Midfielder or on baler known especially for his trademark magnificent long screw punts.
Steve Symonds (Renmark/Berri) – Competent in all positions. With an ideal physique and nous, he was a master in the kick behind the play role. Experienced the highs and lows of a playing coach at both clubs.
Tony Battams (Loxton North) – Talented and at time a simply brilliant wingman. He was confident, courageous and had impeccable disposal. The club’s games record holder with 313.
Lyndon Burns (Barmera-Monash) – Dashing, dynamic rover/wingma. Big possession winner with impeccable disposal. Writers Trophy winner in 1978 and 300-game player.
Peter Barry (Loxton North) – Primarily a hard as nails defender with the added tags of aggressive, uncompromising, tough and consistent. More than 250 games in a long career.
Brian Nielsen (Loxton North) – Dynamic, intelligent and classy rover.
Stephen Proud (Loxton North) – Resolute, hard working team man whose versatility enabled him to play in a variety of positions during a 230-game career.
Tony van der Biezen (Barmera-Monash) – Dashing, skilful rover and forward. Exceptional ball control. Courageous with real feeling for the big occasion. Best afield in the 1984 grand final.
Deane Dunhill (Renmark) – Originally a forward but made his mark as a rebounding defender. Unpretentious with a never say die attitude. Best afield in two club premierships.
Steve Buchecker (Barmera-Monash) – Reliable in key positions. Outstanding worker as a shortish big-hearted ruckman. Veteran of 300 games.
Barry Tyrrell (Barmera-Monash) – Recruited as a playing coach he brought stability, authority, discipline, enthusiasm and a hunger for success. History was made at full forward as the superb athlete with a powerful mark and wonderful disposal bagged a career total of 692 goals during a golden club era. Team of the year six times, RFL season record of 111 goals and coached five flags in a row.
Glenn Millard (Barmera-Monash/Renmark) – Well built, athletic and gifted. A potent force usually positioned at centre half forward or in the ruck. Three times best on ground in grand finals and a Whillas Medallist. Playing coach of Renmark in its 1990 premiership.
Paul Crate (Loxton/Loxton North) – Gifted, silky skilled centreman. Won the Whillas Medal at Loxton. Playing coach of Loxton North.
Mark Pavlich (Loxton North) – Slick and clever. Influential at centre, on ball or at half forward. Chosen four times in the team of the year.
Des Drogemuller (Barmera-Monash) – Robust, slick mover with a vast array of skills. Shone as a centreman or forward. Murray Pioneer Writers’ Award winner.
Wayne Schiller (Waikerie) – Quality key defender, especially as a close checking custodian. Spectacular high marking and long accurate disposal made him a star of his era.
Allan Brand (Berri) – Impressive as a tenacious key defender/forward. Volatility was balanced with the ability to completely dominate a game.
Mark McKecknie (Waikerie) – Effective, unobtrusive half forward/on baler. Powerful long kick with a top on field attitude. Proved to be an outstanding club recruit. Played a leading role in two grand finals.
John Vaninetti (Berri) – Eye catching midfielder. High possession numbers with immaculate disposal. Premiership captain. Murray Pioneer Writers’ Award winner.
Steve Rollins (Loxton) – Highly rated full back. Steadfast, safe hands. Great ability to rebound strongly with accurate disposal. Five-time team of the year member.
Darren Schwarz (Loxton North) – Small courageous rover whose on field deeds provided inspiration to team-mates. Captained premiership teams. Three time B&F winner who played 250 games.
Craig Nutchey (Waikerie) – Half forward flank specialist. Elusive, fast penetrative goal scorer with a remarkable ability to change the course of a game quickly. Played a leading role in many grand final campaigns.
Craig Wooldridge (Loxton North) – Fast and elusive midfielder/forward with exquisite skills. Ever dangerous near goal. 250 games and one of the best ever Panthers. Six time team of the year member and state country representative.
John Persinos (Renmark) – Elite utility player with great ball skills. Cool under pressure and extremely talented. State country team representative. Team of the year six times and a Whillas Medallist.
Matthew Schutz (Loxton) – Courageous wingman with blistering pace. Hard at the body and ball. Best on ground in the 1996 grand final victory. Periods as captain and playing coach. Chosen nine times in the team of the year. Generally regarded as one of the best ever Tigers.
Geoff Robertson (Loxton North) – Class key position forward. Particularly dangerous within goal scoring range. Regularly kicked big bags of majors. Loyal club recruit with league experience. Awarded a Whillas Medal in 1995.
Robert Price (Berri/Barmera-Monash) – Tall agile ruckman/forward with reliable disposal. Strong overhead and dangerous near goal. A Whillas Medallist.
Robbie Bonner (Renmark/Berri) – High marking rebounding defender. Displayed great judgement and played with flair. RFL team of the year seven times.
Craig Griffiths (Waikerie) – Superb utility player. Daring, inspirational leader with splendid skills. Triple Whillas Medallist. Excellent record as an astute playing coach. SA Country representative. Non playing coach of the victorious 2008 zone side in the country carnival.
David Crutchfield (Loxton North) – Tall robust, strong marking centre half back. Premierships aplenty in a golden era, following his appointment as playing coach. Revered by all. Whillas Medallist in 1996.
Steve Liebich (Waikerie) – Star centre half back and rarely beaten. Defensive skills second to none. Exemplary captain during a long career. Inspirational in overcoming serious injury. Joint winner of the Writers’ Trophy.
Mac Grummet (Loxton North) – Key position player, mainly in defence. Knock ruckman with many attributes and a big occasion performer. State country representative three times and two-time All-Australian.
Robert Handley (Renmark/Berri) – Utility player with immense ability and nous. Wide experience at higher levels.
Nathan Tape (Waikerie) – Stellar midfielder with super skills. Capable of brilliantly dominating games. Strong at the contest and a constant concern for any opposition. Dual Pioneer Writers’ Trophy winner. Recruit turned local and 1997 Whillas Medallist.
Brett Exelby (Renmark) – Dedicated, gifted and talented. High caliber midfielder who was team centred and a great pack mark. Whillas Medallist in 2005.
Peter Safralidis (Berri) – Talented, stout hearted half back. Good ball skills and very team orientated. State country representative.
Damien Stevens (Waikerie) – Diminutive rover and crumbing forward with superb skills. Best on ground in the 2007 grand final. State country representative.

[Baron Greenback]

Congrats to Skeletal System and Not Scared on making the 100.

[skeletal system]

Cheers CN, tell us how you really feel about Brian Parsons getting a gig in the indys!

The names you give as other options must have been close only going from what I have heard since being in the region.

Sumner has obvioulsy been a gun in that league and has won games off his own boot in recent years. Mind you it would be a hard job narrowing it down to 38 and 100.

[200 Killer Wasps]

I am in the process of digesting the '38' and from what I can tell initially most have the credentials to be a part of the list. However Chuck is right there is no way Brian Parsons should be in there, I was involved with East Murray for a number of years and I dont think Brian would even make East Murray's best ever team team 1971-2009.

I believe the selectors may have chosen this team on a 'Quota Basis' and had trouble thinking of EM players to put in the team.

Dont get me wrong Brian is a good player but the likes of Fred Zadow and Robbo Winen have been East Murray's most consistent players for over the last 15 years.

[skeletal system]

What about L.Rasheed CN???

I know you are a massive fan!

[Baron Greenback]

I agree 200KW. Brian's a good player, but certainly not worthy on being in the top 38.
Maybe if it was a top 100.
That's just my opinion.
Obviously others disagree...

[Baron Greenback]

What about L.Rasheed CN???

I know you are a massive fan!

Nothing wrong with the old L Rasheed!!
Can seriously play the game when he's switched on. Just gotta get him switched on!

[skeletal system]

(Just gotta get him switched on!)

There lies the issue!!! i haven't seen anyone who has been able to do it.

[Baron Greenback]

T Rivers has been known to get through to him. They're pretty good mates.

[Dogwatcher]

Anyone heard anything about Clarrie Reynolds?

[Bum Crack]

Anyone heard anything about Clarrie Reynolds?

Yeah, he passed away yesterday.

[Dogwatcher]

Wasn't certain. Very sad news. Pretty well known for his exploits on the cricket and football field.
A member of Renmark premiership teams too I think.

[Baron Greenback]

Yep, very sad news.
Condolences to Danyal.

[OXnFOX]

Anyone heard anything about Clarrie Reynolds?

Yeah, he passed away yesterday.

Sincerest condolances to the family. A great man was Clarrie. AWESOME cricketer, champion footballer and champion bloke.

Im still shocked

[OXnFOX]

Did anyone else think Brian Parsons getting named in the 38 Independent Champions was a joke?
He's only played a handful of seasons of A grade, never won a medal, and to be honest is nowhere near the calibre of a plethora of other players who missed out, let alone the blokes who got picked.
Some other suggestions:

Mark Rudiger (Wunkar) - One of the toughest players I've seen in the Independents, played with one arm but still had better skill than most with two.
Greg Scadden (Moorook-Kingston) - I reckon anyone who notches up 400 games should've been a certainty.
Tom Graetz (Moorook-Kingston) - Another Warriors stalwart who definitely should've been selected.
Simon Sumner (United/Paringa) - Duthie Medallist, one of the best players to play Independents in his day.
Others: Simon Hucks (Wunkar), Adrian Abdulla snr (Lyrup), Arrod Westley (Paringa/Lyrup), Steve Rover (East Murray), Nathan Hart (Cobdogla), Ash Smith (Brown's Well).

I'd rather have Richard Parsons in my team.

Rant over.

Agree 100%
Great bloke Pastie (pasty?)

Good player, but not in the best 38 by a long shot.

[200 Killer Wasps]

Firstly let me congratulate the selectors on anointing 38 champions to celebrate 38 years of Riverland Independent Football. Obviously this would not have been an easy task but the general idea of our forum is to discuss matters such as this and to offer our opinions and engage in a healthy debate as to the pro's and con's of the side of the fence that we choose to sit on.

I am assuming that selection was based on a quota for each team and that a minimum of games was requirement had to be satisfied.

The obvious point of conjecture with the selection of this list is the inclusion of Brian Parsons (EM). As good as Brian is, his career is only virtually beginning compared to those selected alongside him. In 12 years time when the 50th anniversary RIFL team is selected and Brian maintains his current standard then his selection at that time may well be warranted. He is out of place in this current group and unfortunately experienced Independent sledgers will be merciless on him this year. In his place I would have chosen Darren Zadow who has been a key position defender and long serving captain for East Murray for the majority of their 15 Independent seasons and he has also been a regular interleague player. He would earn selection under the same criteria as Rod Hill, Charlie Kassulke and John Rowe.

The selection of Malcolm Rowe (BW) ahead of other better performed players is interesting. Malcolm only played 59 games for Brown's Well which included his outstanding 1972 season where he was a premiership player, BW best & fairest and Riverland medal winner. His 1971 and 1973 seasons were good seasons for him but modest in comparison to 1972, his only other season for the Bombers was a one off comeback year in 1985. In his place I would have chosen Rick Schubert who played more games, won 4 Brown's Well best & fairest awards and was the key player for the Bombers when they won 3 premierships in 4 years during the 1980's.

Ron Drewett may be a legend at Lyrup and the name Drewett is synonomous with the Saints/Lions. However I also believe the Healy name is just as revered and for that reason I would have acknowledged the career of Shane Healy. Shane would have to be the games record holder for Lyrup has been a good contributor for RIFL rep teams. He played 20 years of senior footy and was as hard to match up on in his last season as he was in his first. I would compare Shane in his prime with Greg Neindorf as the two most damaging left footers the competition has known.

For a long time Mark Hamann was the only Wunkar player to win a medal. Mark had four good seasons with Wunkar which was highlighted by his 1989 medal success. Despite his achievements I would have selected Mark Rudiger ahead of him. Mark is the Wunkar games record holder and respected highly by both team mates and opponents for the way he played the game and what he has contributed to it.

There are a few players I would term as border line in this list but have no hesitation in leaving them in because of their undoubted ability. There are players that missed out that I believe should have been included but the selectors were limited to 38 players.

Craig Ociepa is a very good player and deserves his spot but I wonder if he was as good as John Pollard from Paringa who was chosen as the centreman for the RIFL 20th anniversary team in 1990. Certainly their best ever centreman Andy Cornish would have been and automatic inclusion but obviously did not meet the criteria for selection.

Obvious others who did not meet criteria Rob Sully, Len Symonds, Deane Dunhill, Peter Khan, Marc Harris, Michael Gutsche, Colin Bald, Stefan Horvath and Brad Horsell.

Bob Stuart from Lyrup who I think once played for Essendon, was not named in the RIFL 20th anniversary team in 1990 however has improved sufficiently in the meantime to be included as one of the 38 legends without adding to his playing record. Malcolm Rowe, Ron Drewett, Kerry Thompson, Doc Gillespie and Mike McCallum and also did not appear in the 1990 team

The non selection of Tom Graetz is the biggest selection mystery (his namecard must have fallen on the floor). When Tom joined Moorook in 1992 they began winning premierships and when they fell away and struggled for numbers Tom took on the coaching role and led from the front and kept his team from folding. Well into his 40's and Tom was still setting the example holding down a key position over opponents half his age.

Other players who must have come very close to selection not already mentioned – Rob Winen, Steve Rover, Neil Johnson, Dave Heinrich, Guy Matulin, Tony McGauchie, David Lynch, Mick Evans, Bob Hunter, Greg Scadden, Lee Scott, Garry Warwick, Rick Spencer, Dean Kerley and Kelvin Lehmann.

There you go – get stuck into that.