150 Years of Australian Rules Football

[baysman]

I posted this on the Snout's site. Would like to get fellow SANFL fans comments.....

Cheers
Baysman


There’s been a running article called “ Our Game “ in the Herald Sun over here, about this whole “ 150 years “campaign. I feel it is greatly flawed. Being a big supporter Australian Rules Football, and I acknowledge the games existence in Victoria since 1858 ( Adelaide 1860 ), the coverage of this campaign has been greatly biased toward Victoria. The two other states where football was hugely popular and successful have been kept in the dark. Now unless this is a celebration of Victorian Football, then the following views are invalid. If not, then I feel that some areas needed to be addressed.

Here’s a good example. Mike Sheehan’s “ Top 50 Footballers “ on the “ 150 years “ website contained some footballers misrepresented. Stephen Kernahan and Malcolm Blight were said to have played for Carlton and North Melbourne. This is only partially correct as they played for Glenelg and Woodville well before their careers in Victoria. This is just one of the many oversights and inaccuracies that accompany the campaign.

Growing up in Adelaide, my father introduced me to the great game we all know and love. I would go every week to see games all around Adelaide. The S.A.N.F.L. ( South Australian National Football League ) was then at it’s peak. We would have capacity crowds watching football legends such as Barrie Robran, Malcolm Blight, Russell Ebert and Graham Cornes. The night of the Magarey Medal ( S.A’s equivalent to the Brownlow Medal ) was always a topic of hot debate. There was no mention of V.F.L football at my school. We knew nothing of teams such as Richmond, Footscray or Collingwood. In fact Port Adelaide were the hugely successful “ Magpies “ and wore Black and White. The only time Victoria was mentioned was in the great tradition of State clashes between W.A. and Victoria.

These were amazing times, and now seem such a long time ago. But due to the A.F.L’s inception in 1990, South Australian Football and it’s once proud league ( unique to Adelaide ) has been reduced to being called “ Local Footy “ and is now nothing more to some as a feeder competition to the highly corporate funded A.F.L. Still the “ true fans “ come out to support the “ The Bays “ the “ Bloods “ or the “ The Roosters “ ( albeit in vastly depleted numbers ).

The same can be of the proud tradition of Western Australia’s football league ( W.A.F.L ). It too has been decimated, if not more so than the S.A.N.F.L. These two leagues have been overlooked by so many media articles and promotions.

In closing I feel the full picture of 150 years of Australian Rules Football has been greatly misrepresented.

[spell_check]

This is by no means supposed to be derogatory to you baysman, because what you have said is aboslutely true, but what you have said has been said many times before. The SANFL aren't really campaigning this thing are they, it's the competition formerly known as (and in a number of ways still is) the VFL that pushes the agenda to further their cause.

[Wedgie]

Reading the Advertiser you'd think that the Power and the Crows have been the only clubs around for 150 years, give me the Victoria media over our crap any day.
Have spent 2 days in Brisbane and got more balanace information and coverage of footy than I do with the Advertiser!
Mind you I still had to put up with 2 Rucci articles!

[Strawb]

Reading the Advertiser you'd think that the Power and the Crows have been the only clubs around for 150 years, give me the Victoria media over our crap any day.
Have spent 2 days in Brisbane and got more balanace information and coverage of footy than I do with the Advertiser!
Mind you I still had to put up with 2 Rucci articles!

he only always seems to get tidbits in the herald sun

[OCT]

Well written Bayman , it may have been written before as stated but its still a very valid arguement. This is part of the reason why I often talk about ideas like State V State premiers and expanding the comp , all too make our comp even better. Some say why bother , be happy how it is but thats just too short sighted and narrow minded. I want our comp to be even better and expand to stick it back up Vics/AFL to prove we are still vibrant and meaningful.

As for Rucci , I rarely read his articles anymore because he doesnt say anything. The most shallow football journalist going around, give us something worth reading. As for that childsih counter he has going re Scott Thomson I say he should grow up because he is now looking like a bigger D...H... than he already is.

[Leaping Lindner]

In yesterday's lift out both Jack Oatey and Fos Williams got mentions (albeit fleeting) in Geoff Poulter's piece on coaches. I must admit I was surprised they were mentioned but it was very good to see.

[Wedgie]

In yesterday's lift out both Jack Oatey and Fos Williams got mentions (albeit fleeting) in Geoff Poulter's piece on coaches. I must admit I was surprised they were mentioned but it was very good to see.

Well there you go, the original whinge is irrelevent as I don't seen any sort of reciprical articles in the Advertiser, the only complaints should be about South Australians with chips on their shoulders who have an inferiority complex and our crap paper media.

[once_were_warriors]

Well as far as I'm concerned AFL = VFL + 2 teams from SA and 2 teams from WA

Recognition of players from other state leagues outside of Victoria by Victorians shouldn't and won't be expected.

[Wedgie]

Well as far as I'm concerned AFL = VFL + 2 teams from SA and 2 teams from WA

Correct, the AFL was never a new competition, just a renamed competition, people who think the AFL was a new competition that started in 1990 are completely ignorant.

Recognition of players from other state leagues outside of Victoria by Victorians shouldn't and won't be expected.

Incorrect, Victorians give our players much more recognition than we ever give their players, Barrie Robran (and rightfully so) was made a Legend of the game, got the Melbourne Sport Book Store and see how many SANFL books there are, try and find a store in Adelaide with a similar amount of Victorian books, dont bother, as it wont happen.
Victorians have much more respect for our players and our game than vice versa yet South Australians are the one's that squeal like shot pigs because of the huge chip so many of us carry around on our shoulder which is what makes us such a laughing stock of the nation.

If people want to sound like KG then they should realise there and then that they have absolutely NO idea and are an embarassment to this state.

[OCT]

Incorrect, Victorians give our players much more recognition than we ever give their players, Barrie Robran (and rightfully so) was made a Legend of the game

Must have been warm in Queensland Wedgie. If you want to pick one player in isolation to support your arguement( Robran) , well what about peter Carey ? Apparantly the "Legends Selectors " ( whatever they are called) had to ask some people in SA about who he was and what is all the fuss about him not being selected. To once gain blanket ALL people with your response about squealing is completely unfair . I think the point is about recognising our great players as well as theirs. Who said South Australians dont recognise their great players , geez most I speak to do , they were great players. What a lot of people forget , you mention ignorant , is that some Vic clubs were going to fall over so they needed propping up , hence one reason for the AFL.

Too often you read " no idea " when someone has a differing view. Rubbish .

I am a South Australian and will say right now that some of our great players have not been recognised and I also will say that there have been many a great Victorian player ( and still is ) I speak for myself and am not making a blanket statement about anybody else.

[Wedgie]

Admittedly Peter Carey was a good umpire, I'd expect him to be inducted soon.
But he's Victorian so that's irrelevent.

[OCT]

Well you are an umpire lover Wedgie , they are wonderful in your eyes so I am not surprised you would have an umpire in before a player !!

I am just recognising that Peter Carey who played for Glenelg was not recognised by Victorians. Mate some Victorians were not that wrapped in Robran , some were surprised that he got in , I even remember it being reported that they were saying Barrie who ? and thats serious.

[drebin]

Well you are an umpire lover Wedgie , they are wonderful in your eyes so I am not surprised you would have an umpire in before a player !!

I am just recognising that Peter Carey who played for Glenelg was not recognised by Victorians. Mate some Victorians were not that wrapped in Robran , some were surprised that he got in , I even remember it being reported that they were saying Barrie who ? and thats serious.

Well that is not factually correct OCT. Robran was inducted in the initial inductions and there were no recognition issues back then due to the high volume inducted. When Robran was elevated to "legend" Status then the likes of Mike Sheehan and John Elliott came out without fact and in total VLF biased ignorance tried to discredit Barrie's credentials and his elevation. To use the same basis of arguement for Robran vs. Peter Carey is a little way off the mark but I see your point. Peter Carey is more than deserving to be a HOF member baed on his great career but people get a little "blurred" because he played so many games (Aust Record) but that alone is not an automatic selection criteria. Carey and Robran and any comparison re induction is not a fair comparison.

My real "beef" with the whole Australain Football (VFL inspired) HOF is that when the initial indutees went in, Ken Farmer was not amongst them!!! Farmer was inducted in the 2nd year and to my mind should have then been elevated to "Legend" status (WE ARE STILL WAITING!)before now as clearly his goal kicking exploits are akin to Bradmans batting records!

[once_were_warriors]

Well as far as I'm concerned AFL = VFL + 2 teams from SA and 2 teams from WA

Correct, the AFL was never a new competition, just a renamed competition, people who think the AFL was a new competition that started in 1990 are completely ignorant.

Recognition of players from other state leagues outside of Victoria by Victorians shouldn't and won't be expected.

Incorrect, Victorians give our players much more recognition than we ever give their players, Barrie Robran (and rightfully so) was made a Legend of the game, got the Melbourne Sport Book Store and see how many SANFL books there are, try and find a store in Adelaide with a similar amount of Victorian books, dont bother, as it wont happen.
Victorians have much more respect for our players and our game than vice versa yet South Australians are the one's that squeal like shot pigs because of the huge chip so many of us carry around on our shoulder which is what makes us such a laughing stock of the nation.

If people want to sound like KG then they should realise there and then that they have absolutely NO idea and are an embarassment to this state.

Geez who ate your last YoYo?

All i was saying is I don't have any expectation that the Vics(general public)would recognise our players as they wouldn't have a clue of who they were other than the usual suspects ( Ebert Aish,Robran) DUE TO NOT GROWING UP WATCHING THE SANFL. Just as I don't know about theirs other than the usual suspects, same as with WA and Tasmania.

Hence I don't and won't have any excpectations of the likes of the Victorian public rating our players with their greats.

[OCT]

.Well that is not factually correct OCT. Robran was inducted in the initial inductions and there were no recognition issues back then due to the high volume inducted. When Robran was elevated to "legend" Status then the likes of Mike Sheehan and John Elliott came out without fact and in total VLF biased ignorance tried to discredit Barrie's credentials and his elevation. To use the same basis of arguement for Robran vs. Peter Carey is a little way off the mark but I see your point. Peter Carey is more than deserving to be a HOF member baed on his great career but people get a little "blurred" because he played so many games (Aust Record) but that alone is not an automatic selection criteria. Carey and Robran and any comparison re induction is not a fair comparison.

My real "beef" with the whole Australain Football (VFL inspired) HOF is that when the initial indutees went in, Ken Farmer was not amongst them!!! Farmer was inducted in the 2nd year and to my mind should have then been elevated to "Legend" status (WE ARE STILL WAITING!)before now as clearly his goal kicking exploits are akin to Bradmans batting records!

Yeah sure , but I think if we are all honest we are talking about the HOF as well. Your point about Farmer is very valid , that is recognition. Unfortunately there are some who are ignorant and don't understand the whole picture . I am certainly not comparing Carey and Robran , just simply stating a previous comment that SA players are not recognised. To say that is not true and if you think that that means you have no idea , well simply you have no idea.

Good points mate.

[drebin]

Yeah sure , but I think if we are all honest we are talking about the HOF as well. Your point about Farmer is very valid , that is recognition. Unfortunately there are some who are ignorant and don't understand the whole picture . I am certainly not comparing Carey and Robran , just simply stating a previous comment that SA players are not recognised. To say that is not true and if you think that that means you have no idea , well simply you have no idea.

Good points mate.

I agree with you 100 percent the recognition issue - we are "paid" scant respect re our (SANFL) contribution to the Australian Football History.

[smithy]

Is Kevin Bartlett in the HOF ?

Without looking i would suggest KB and Super careys careers would be very similar.

Could be an interesting comparison

[Dirko]

Is Kevin Bartlett in the HOF ?

Without looking i would suggest KB and Super careys careers would be very similar.

Could be an interesting comparison

Yep was inducted & made a legend in 2000

FFS

[therisingblues]

If the article was some sort of tribute to Australian Rules Football as a game (not just Victorian Football), then they should pay their dues to the SANFL and WAFL.
I think the difference between what the Victorian papers/media in general usually trot out and what the SA papers/media used to (have to use past tense here, I haven't read an SA paper for 7 years) dish up is that every story I ever read paying tribute to footy in SA was specifically targetting the "SANFL". And if they choose to pay tribute to the SANFL then it makes sense to acknowledge only those players that played in that league.
That's the big difference. The Vic's throw the title of "Australian Football" around as though it is their own term and yet they only apply it to Victorian football or AFL. The only outsiders that get a mention are those that played VFL or expanded VFL (AFL). If this is what they want to do, then for Football's sake call the bloody article "150 Years of Victorian Football", or "150 Years of VFL/AFL".
Hell if I wrote an article called "150 years of SANFL" in 2 years time, and mentioned only Sturt players, and completely excluded records and achievements that players like Shearman, Squire, Nunan etc had for other clubs, then I'd be a laughing stock. "Why not calling your flaming article "109 years of Sturt?" would be the cry.
Why isn't it so obvious that the Vic's have done this for eons yet are too self absorbed to pick up on the hypocrisy?

[smithy]

OK research time.......

If Kevin Bartlett is a LEGEND,,,,,,,and Peter Carey isn't,,,,,,,,SURELY there is a point to be made..

Like I said earlier,, I havent checked the stats,,, but I would suggest that they would've played in a very similar amount of games and premierships at around the same era...