SA Footy

My favourite era in the SANFL was definitely the 1980's mainly because i was growing up during this era, and starting to appreciate the game of Aussie rules footy. Also i guess because the SANFL was the number 1 footy comp in the state (ie pre AFL).

Additionally, i loved the 80's because my club, Port, was very successful, demonstrated by it winning 4 premierships (80, 81, 88, 89).

I thought i'd list some of my favourite Port players from the era (in no particular order):

Russell Ebert - inspirational leader, whos courage, skill and goalkicking set him apart from most of the other players in the competition

Bruce Abernethy - I loved the skill of this player as a follower, then as a half back flanker i loved his rebound whilst linking up with other members of the backline

Stephen Curtis - such a courageous player, both as a pocket pocket or centreman, he set up so much play for his teammates

Brian Cunningham - he had such immaculate disposal (on both sides of the body) and was such an inspirational captain in the early 1980's

Greg Phillips - as a CHB was a massive stumbling block for opposition teams. Great defensive skills, but also set up numerous plays with his attacking handball

Greg Anderson - had such a dominant year in 1986. Lond striding wingman who set up many attacking forays. Accurate left foot kick

Craig Bradley - skilful and pacy centreman who would regularly pick up 30 possessions

Well, they're my memories of my favourite players from the 80's.....maybe other people could list who the favourite players in their team were as well....

the 70's for me as I was growing up watching the footy during that era
and 2 premierships in 74 and 76
favourites players
Bagshaw - mr magic, silky skills, so much time with the ball
Flash Graham - spectacular player
Rick Davies - supreme ruckman, often rucking against taller players

and I loved watching Gary Hardeman in his short stint at Sturt in the late 70's

No arguments from me GWW!

Though I would like to add...

Tim Evans - goal machine.

Bomber Clifford - true character of the game. That he was a bloody good footballer is often overlooked. Won three best and fairests during the Ebert/Bradley years, which is no mean feat.

Martin Leslie - tough as they come. Who could forget his battle with Dermie in one memorable State-Of-Origin clash?

Wayne Mahney - So much talent, so little dedication.

George Fiacchi - cheeky little b@stard. Loved it when he would sneak up forward and kick a goal or two. Standout memory is his dive to rush a certain goal through for a behind in the 'Anthony Williams match' against Norwood at the Parade. We won by four points.

John Harvey - solid, underrated player. Left the club just when we were coming good.

Blight - enough said. Sure end of career, but still good.
ZIPZAP Sewer - Tough player over 4 different decades.

Everyone's favourite player of the 80s without doubt:

Grenville!!

MightyEagles wrote:Blight - enough said. Sure end of career, but still good.
ZIPZAP Sewer - Tough player over 4 different decades.

Any Eagles players to add to that list?

Wilbur Wilson, Rudi Mandemaker, Scott Lee, Greg Smith, Jamie Thomas

Mick Redden, Doc Riley & Sheep not to mention the traditional favorites.

John Barruzi - North Adelaide

Bomber Clifford - Port Adelaide

Bill Lokan - North Adelaide

Rodney Robran, Mick Redden, Andrew and Darren Jarman, The Ant and Andy Bennett.

Michael Long, Jeff Saru

Leaping Lindner wrote:Rodney Robran, Mick Redden, Andrew and Darren Jarman, The Ant and Andy Bennett.

You used to bag him every week over his appalling kicking for goal!!!

As a kid I had two players on my wall:

Graham Cornes: I thought he was it and a bit, an out an out champion, his marking he was hard at it as a ruck-rover. One of the great days of my life as a kid was watching the Bays spiflicate the Dogs at Brighton Rd in April 1980 and then meeting Cornesy and getting his autograph. No 12 was on my guernsey, too hot for duffle coats in Darwin!!!

Paul Weston: Buttercup Bakeries captains of the SANFL poster promotion in 1981!!

Other players I loved:

Peter Carey: where do you start with Big Super, an ornament to SA Footy, played on heart and nous for the last five years of his career. Held his own against a younger Mick Redden in both our premiership wins when he couldn't jump. The term legend is bandied about to often in footy however in this case the description fits and is apt.

Stephen Kernahan: BOG in the 19s against centrals that day I was at the Bay. Brought us home the flag in 85, champion player champion bloke. Showed me through teh Carlton rooms as a budding sport scientist in 1996. Watched other nuffs nuffs run past this old Carlton property steward with two bags of balls, cones, grippo etc and they didn't even look at him, the reigning premiership captain runs up to him grabs a bag of balls and helps him carry them out onto the parklands behind Princess Park.

Chris "Bones" McDermott: Tuff as nails played four games with a deprssed fx of the cheekbone still at the bottom of each pack, an inspitration to this teammates. As told to me by an old Glenelg property steward Bert Cugley (GRHS) after one game we had a few stitching jobs Chris as usual let the other go first, got to his turn and no local left, he laid down and got his stitches sans anasthetic, Tuff, Tuff Tuff

Kym Hodgeman: His experience shone through when he came back in 1986, a key ingredient in our 86 win. Arguably our best player when he left in 1980.

Our great era owed a lot to these three blokes: Allan Stringer, Wayne Stringer and Scooter Salisbury. Gave us the startch we needed to win two flags and play in 5 GFs out of 6. If we had Allan in 1990 we would have won - no offence to Nige Mansell - but we missed Allan Stringers attack on the ball and the body after half-time in the 1990 GF.

Our unsung hero in the 80s was Johnny Seebohm, not rated outside our club but the consument team man, played back or forward and never left anything in the tank when he walked off the ground.

I also admired our flair players Hall, Gibbsy, McGuinness, Symonds and Marshall. Symo was always outstanding in the 2nd half as his fitness enabled him to run and run and run carrying the footy, Hally 1986 GF need I say anymore, Marshall when he ever got the footy their was one of two outcomes, another Glenelg player would get it or we would score a goal!! Gibbsy Mr Cool, just kept buttering up in the backlines, a lot of our attacks started with Gibbsy having the first Possession. Only saw him lose his cool once when he threw the ball at Antrobus in the 85 GF. If, by chance, he had killed him it would be justifiable homicide!!!!

God I love the Glenelg Footy Club

Mick Redden, Trevor Clisby and the Jarman brothers.

craig balme - for punching the cr.p out of Tim Evans in the 1984 GF.

Leaping Lindner wrote:Rodney Robran, Mick Redden, Andrew and Darren Jarman, The Ant and Andy Bennett.

Gold!!!!

drebin wrote:

Leaping Lindner wrote:Rodney Robran, Mick Redden, Andrew and Darren Jarman, The Ant and Andy Bennett.

You used to bag him every week over his appalling kicking for goal!!!

Wrong Bennett. This one could kick (apparently)

Chris Pelle, Mick Redden, Matt Campbell, Andrew Jarman & Jason Roe.

My first footy jumper (V design) in '82 had #7 on the back- Chris Pelle
My dufflecoat in 83 had Mick 42 Redden on the back
My first L/S striped jumper had #17 on it- David Robertson & then Andrew Jarman (84 & 85)
My first s/s, which I got for my b'day in 86 (tailor made- Hughes & Loveday??), had #25- Matt Campbell, he then went to the Bad News Bears, John Roberts was then #25, but my fave then was Jason Roe.

I was born in 1981, but can remember very clearly going to the Footy in the 80's. Often they had the reserves on tv and we'd make our way to the game at half time of the reserves via the bakery. Remember Thebbie Oval well and can't wait to return on Sunday week. My favourite players were:

Ian Hanna (had his number 1 on my guernsey)
Andrew Payze
Bruce Lindsay
Lee Robson
Steve Geyer