THE 1948 PREMIERSHIP
PART: I ‘THE COACH ~ TED HILL'
This story for Virtual Yallourn is more about the man Ted Hill than the Yallourn Football Club. Ted was the last premiership coach of Yallourn and is one of the most successful and intriguing football coaches in Australian country football in that era.
Ted was born in about 1918. The first documentation that indicated Ted was a footballer of some ability can be found in 1935. At only 16 years of age, Ted played with Coburg (affiliated with the VFA). It seems he was a centre half back and caught the eye of onlookers. Although records conflict on the exact year, Ted was cleared to Collingwood where the legendary Jock McHale was coach. Archives reveal that Ted was well built (13st 6lbs) and tall (6’2”)…a big man in those days of football.
Regular selection eluded Ted and in 1940 he sought a clearance to Fitzroy. ‘Lady Luck’ appeared to have deserted Ted because in his second game with Fitzroy he snapped his wrist and that injury put his football career ‘on hold.’
Reliable sources show that Ted played with the Maroons (Fitzroy) in 1940 but for some unknown reason, he is not mentioned in any VFL records with Fitzroy until 1942. Ted may have enlisted in the services during these years of World War: II. More research may uncover the truth in this matter. In 1943, Ted only played one senior game with Fitzroy. He was still listed with Fitzroy in 1945. VFL records show that his last game of VFL football was against St Kilda and he kicked one goal that day. In all his years at VFL level Ted played just 24 senior games and kicked two goals.
He is said to have been…
“…a courageous back pocket and a good mark.”
‘The Launceston Examiner’ (October 1949) stated that Ted was a member of the 1944 Fitzroy premiership team. It is true that he was at the Fitzroy FC in that year. However, two reliable sources fail to support the newspaper’s claim that he played in the Grand Final. There was ‘a Norm Hillard’ (ex-Hawthorn) who starred in the Grand Final that year, but Ted’s name is not listed on the team sheet or in any the official VFL match results.
In 1946, Ted travelled west and played for West Perth in the WAFL that season. The following year he was appointed coach of the Kalgoorlie Railways Football Club (affiliated in the Goldfields FL). Ted led his team to a premiership. It is reported that Ted was runner-up in the Goldfields FL Best & Fairest Award that season.
A newspaper article about Ted reported that he was a refrigeration engineer by trade. This may explain his travels because he seemed to be ‘a man on the move.’ In 1948, Ted returned to Victoria and was appointed playing coach of Yallourn FC. He took over the reins from Blues’ stalwart Tommy Knight and set about the task of winning a CGFL flag.
Yallourn had a strong list with a perfect blend of experience and youth. This ‘magic formula’ had worked wonders for a line of football coaches and Ted was in ‘the right place at the right time.’ In 1948, the YFC team included such names as Lloyd Brewer, Simon Shaw, Bill Godfrey, Don Benson, Des Madden, Jimmy Shaw, George Botten, Bruce Knight, Alan Jenner, ‘Mossie’ Williams, Jack Taylor and Alan McIntyre. Former Hawthorn rover Charlie Vanderbist was also recruited to Yallourn that season. Former Yallourn star, Mossie Williams, thought highly of Ted as a coach and a leader of men.
Ted's effectiveness as a coach is borne out by the results he achieved in less than twelve months. As history shows, Yallourn 7.11. (53) defeated Morwell 6.3.(39) to win the CGFL flag that day. In a low scoring affair Ted Hill kicked an important goal and was mentioned in the club’s best players.
It must have been a wonderful celebration for the town that evening. In a interview after the victory Ted remarked…
“..it was my second season as a coach. Many said I would be a flop and I was anxious to prove them wrong. I think I did when Yallourn won…. (The Examiner 7th October 1949)
Ted also commented….
“…that the greatest thrill I have had in football was in leading Yallourn to success.”
At the celebratory function, held at the Band Hall on the 6th November, Jack Collins the much heralded and dedicated YFC President paid tribute to Ted as… “a coach and gentleman.”
Ted’s reply may have taken some by shock as he announced that he would be coaching in Tasmania the following year (1949). Ted was certainly a man who ‘never let the grass grow under his feet.’
In January it was announced in the Tasmanian press that …“E.J. Hill had been appointed coach of the Ulverstone FC for the coming season.”
With a new club and another challenge, Ted took ‘the Robins” (Ulverstone FC) into the N-W Union FL Grand Final against Burnie at Devonport that season. Burnie won the flag that year. Reappointed for the next season (1950), Ted turned the tables on Burnie and the Robins’ won the premiership by the narrowest possible margin.
It just so happens that Ted was ‘on the road again.’ It is documented that he coached Wedderburn in the North Central FL to a premiership in 1951. Not a lot is known about Ted’s time in Wedderburn; however, Ken Hargreaves (who was 80 at the time of writing this story) said…
“…that he had played as a teenager for Wedderburn in that Grand Final….You wouldn’t find a better coach than Ted Hill.”
Ken has never forgotten Ted’s ability to turn the fortunes of a game in Wedderburn’s favour with his shrewd tactical moves.
Despite another flag in another town, Ted didn’t stay long. The man with the ‘Midas touch’ was off again and the ‘The Burnie Advocate’ reported in September 1951 that Ted Hill had said…
“… that he will return to Tasmania.”
Like a travelling salesman, Ted ‘delivered the goods” wherever he paused on his remarkable journey. In 1948, Yallourn was the ‘lucky stopping-off place’ for a fascinating gentleman and a remarkable football coach.
FOOTNOTES FOR PART:I
1. Murray French has never forgotten that Ted would sometimes use place kicks in a match situation. Murray’s story appeared on the Virtual Yallourn website in February 2013.
2. As a boy, Mike Collins (later to play with Melbourne and coach YFC) recalls that Ted was a ‘tough player’ for the Blues in that year.
PART: II ‘THE GAME.’
THE 1948 GRAND FINAL - THE BATTLE AT TRAFALGAR
There have been two great battles at Trafalgar. One involving Lord Horatio Nelson in 1805 and the other was when Yallourn claimed victory against Morwell FC in the CGFL Grand Final in 1948.
The 1948 premiership has special significance for Yallourn Football Club as it was the last flag that the club would ever win.
There was a record gate at Trafalgar that day (£478.18s.9d). The game was regarded by many as a spectacle of great worth…
“…the privilege of witnessing the stirring contest…in a dour no quarter, yet fair and sportsmanlike struggle…”
Yallourn FC was coached by former Collingwood and Fitzroy defender Ted Hill. Ted arrived from Kalgoorlie (WA) to coach Yallourn in 1948
(Note: See Ted Hill’s story above).
According to the match report, the YFC team that day was listed as follows...
Ted Hill (Captain & Coach), George Looby, Stan Brown, Pete Harries, Bill Godfrey, Alan McIntyre, Keith Parsons, Morris ‘Mossie’ Williams, Des Madden, Jack Taylor, Bill Shaw, Simon Shaw, Bruce Knight, Bernie Nairn, Charlie Vanderbist, Jimmy Shaw, Allan Jenner, and Joe Kirkup.
The Morwell team was coached by Reg Baker (Collingwood & Richmond 1922-26). Reg was a highly regarded rover in his playing days and had built a significant profile as a non- playing coach in the South Gippsland area.
Note: Reg was appointed assistant coach of Yallourn in 1952. (See Reg’s story in Virtual Yallourn).
Alf Crilly was the skipper of Morwell and other names listed on the Tigers’ team sheet that day included …Nesbit, Welsh, Spriggs, Denier, Flannigan, Baddeley, Lestrange and Metcalfe.
The review of the game (as published in ‘The Morwell Advertiser’ on the 23rd September 1948) gave a comprehensive quarter by quarter analysis of the encounter. Unfortunately the quality of the newspaper print is poor and in a couple of passages the print has deteriorated to the stage where it is impossible to read. However, the descriptive report does allow a good appreciation of the struggle that took place that day. Ted Hill won the toss and kicked to the railway end of the Trafalgar Oval. Bill Shaw opened the Blues’ account and Bill Godfrey goaled soon after.
Morwell went forward frequently …
“… but the Blues defence was impenetrable. A dogged battle developed around the centre seldom passing the half back lines.”
It seems that goals were at a premium as both ‘defences held the line’.
Late in the second term, Bill Godfrey kicked truly from a set shot. In the context of the game, it gave a vital three point advantage to the Blues at the big break.
Note: Yallourn’s Mossie Williams had an absorbing tussle with his direct opponent Neil Denier on the wing that day. Mossie’s recollections of the match are recorded on the Virtual Yallourn website.
The third term was a grim affair. Premierships are often decided in the third quarter and the Tigers and the Blues went ‘head to head’ in order to gain the upper hand. It is hard to determine the tipping point in such a thrilling match. However the balance of the game shifted after Alan McIntyre’s pass to Bill Shaw resulted in a goal. When Ted Hill marked and ‘threaded the eye of a needle’ from a tight angle the Blues lifted again. Charlie Vanderbist and Jack Taylor were prominent for Yallourn as the game developed into a classic ‘arm wrestle’. The steely resolve of the Yallourn back men was the difference as they stood firm and steadfast.
‘The Advertiser’ described the third stanza as…
“….magnificent…only the next twenty five minutes would tell how Yallourn would finish.”
The pace of the game must have been telling that day, as it is written that …
“After three gruelling quarters the public was looking for signs of cracks in the conditions of the teams.”
There was no slackening of intensity as the final quarter ticked down. The pace was frenetic as the pressure built and strong nerves were required as the game hung on a ‘knife edge’.
Yallourn’s ‘little champ’ Jimmy Shaw was irrepressible in the last quarter as he worked over-time to lift the Blues. Charlie Vanderbist and Bill Shaw added behinds which used up valuable seconds of time.
“…with nine minutes to go, Morwell forwards persisted with hot attacks and it seemed as though they would reap some reward.”
The Blues’ backline withstood every challenge. Time and time again the Blues’ defenders stopped the Tigers ‘in their tracks’. Grand Finals are no place for the faint -hearted and those who can ‘hold their composure hold the line’.
As Ron Barassi once said… “there are certain times when you’ve got to be daring”…and with only minutes left on the clock, a chance ‘opened up’ for the Blues and Alan McIntyre sealed the game.
“….Kirkup passed to McIntyre and the clinching goal went to the Blues.”
Yallourn was 14 points ahead and ‘safely home’ as the timekeeper reached for the bell. It was all over except for the cheering! The Blues’ players had triumphed in a titanic struggle against the brave Tigers. YFC had won the 1948 flag!
Alan McInytre’s last goal that day would be etched into YFC history for evermore. Over his long career with YFC, Alan kicked a swag of goals… but none was ever more important than that his ‘major’ at Trafalgar in 1948. Those two small ‘white flags’ secured Yallourn a premiership flag!
The newspaper coverage of the thrilling victory concludes…
“…1948 season found Yallourn premiers with a margin of 14 points, a true reflection of their superiority on the day.”
Quarter by quarter scores:-
Yallourn 2.2 4.5 6.7 7.11 (53)
Morwell 2.1 4.2 6.2 6.3 (39)
Goals for Yallourn: W. Shaw 2; Godfrey 2; McIntyre 2; Hill 1
Goals for Morwell: Spriggs Saunders Welsh Nesbit Metcalfe Davis.
Best for Yallourn: Harries Taylor Looby Brown Jenner Hill J. Shaw Godfrey W. Shaw and Vanderbist
Best for Morwell: Saunders Vinning Davis and Spriggs.
Yallourn’s historic win at Trafalgar in 1948 was largely due to a desperate defence that failed to yield despite the odds. Ted Hill would wholeheartedly agree with Horatio Nelson’s famous line that…
“Desperate affairs require desperate measures.”
FOOTNOTES FOR PART:II~ CHARLIE VANDERBIST
Charlie Vanderbist is a name rarely heard in conversations about the history of YFC; however research shows he was a footballer of some interest and consequence…
1. Charlie Vanderbist was recruited to Yallourn at the beginning of 1948. He was a diminutive but strong and skilled rover. According to VFL records, Charlie was only 166cm (5ft- 5inches). (Note: As a recent comparison...Tony Liberatore Footscray was 164cm).
2. In 1939 Charlie Vanderbist was involved in a serious on-field incident with Melbourne’s famous rover Ron Barassi (Snr). Ron received four weeks from the VFL tribunal for striking Charlie. Younger readers may not be aware that Ron Barassi (Snr) was killed at Tobruk in War War: II.
3. Charlie was the vice-captain of the 1948 YFC premiership team and had been one of the Blues’ most consistent players throughout that season.
4. Charlie started his football in the Parkdale -Mordialloc area in 1938.The following season he played VFL football with Hawthorn in 1939-40 (7 games ~7 goals).
5. Charlie played for Hawthorn against Carlton at Manuka (A.C.T) in 1939.
6. There is evidence to suggest that Charlie Vanderbist also played with the Rochester Football Club in 1940. Charlie’s name is mentioned on the Rochester FNC website.
7. In 1946 Charlie trained at Brighton FC. (VFA).
8. Charlie won the YFC’s ‘Most Unselfish Player’ Award in 1948.
9. After one season at Yallourn FC , Charlie was appointed to the coaching position at Moe FC. Charlie coached Moe for two seasons.
10. Charlie stepped down as Moe’s coach when Bobby Hancock (St Kilda 1946-50) took over the position in 1951.
11. It appears that Charlie was cleared from Moe FC to Warragul FC in 1951. Tracing back through the match reports in that period, Charlie was still playing his ‘strong brand’ for Warragul in 1953.
12. ‘C. Vanderbist’ also took 9/22 in an innings in senior grade cricket in a match between Yallourn RSL and Moe in the 1948-49 season.
13. The Shaw brothers (Simon, Jimmy and Bill) were all selected in the Grand Final team in 1948. Simon suffered a heavy knock and was forced to leave the ground with concussion early in the game.
14. Alan McIntyre played with YFC until the end of 1953. He was appointed to the position of captain and coach of Yallourn North FC in 1954.
15. George Looby was later cleared from YFC to play with Hazelwood FC.
16. Morwell’s best player in the 1948 Grand Final Jack Spriggs was appointed coach of Morwell FC in 1949 and 1950. Jack was cleared to Bairnsdale FC in 1951. Prior to arriving at Morwell Jim was regarded as a brilliant centre man for Prahran (VFA 1946-47).
17. Ted Hill was appointed coach of Ulverstone FC (Tasmania) in 1949 and George Card returned from Geelong FC (1946-48) to coach Yallourn in 1949.
18. YFC celebrated that historic victory in grand style. The story of the club’s wonderful dinner and award function, which was held at the Yallourn Band Room on 6th November 1948, makes interesting reading. The presentation of the CGFL perpetual trophies to the Blues’ President Jack Collins was the undoubted highlight of the evening.
1948 was to be the Blues’ last premiership and it is fitting to bring this project of the Yallourn FC (1945-65) to an end at this point. There are many more stories that could be told about the times and personalities of this truly amazing football club. It is hoped that these stories have illustrated what a very special place YFC was for so many people. Furthermore, it is hoped that these stories have shown why our superb oval was our …‘field of dreams.’
Perhaps any final thoughts about Yallourn are best left to Oliver Wendall Holmes. He once wrote…
“Where we love is home……home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
Written for Virtual Yallourn by Roger Spaull ~ June 2014.
For further stories, photographs and memorabilia regarding YFC…click “Search”…type “Football”…press “Enter.”
Note: This is the last story in the project regarding the Yallourn Football Club (1945-65). A full list of the 33 stories in the series and acknowledgments will be posted by Julie in the near future. It has been a great pleasure to research and write these stories regarding the YFC for the Virtual Yallourn website. Thank you and best wishes to all. Roger. (June 2014).