YALLOURN FOOTBALL CLUB 1945-65
YALLOURN V MOE 1956.
You don’t always have to be a brown coal miner to dredge up a bit of history. Sometimes buried treasure can be discovered in an old newspaper.
In this case, ‘The Argus’ (July 2nd 1956) was a ‘real find’.
‘The Argus’, a popular metropolitan daily of those times, devoted more than two columns (on page: 7) to the LVFL fixture Moe versus Yallourn. The report was filed by a city based scribe named Ron Testro. It appears that Ron had travelled to Moe to witness the clash between the neighbouring clubs. Ron’s review of the game was interesting for two reasons. Firstly, he wrote of the economic and social changes that were taking place in the Latrobe Valley at that time. He advanced the idea that the industrial expansion of the region, coupled with the influx of young male workers would, in time, create a great centre for Australian Rules Football. Secondly, Ron not only listed the players of each team but named many of the officials and club identities who attended the game. Perhaps the equivalent of the “Who’s Who” of local football in those times? While the result will be of interest to the readers of Virtual Yallourn, the recorded names of some of the men in the crowd will stir memories.
Yallourn’s coach in 1956 was former North Melbourne skipper Gerald Marchesi. Gerald had played 92 games and kicked 112 goals for NMFC. He was described as...
“…deceptively fast and one of the key forwards in the League.” (Holmesby & Main)
(Note: Gerald had coached Yallourn in 1955 and had taken the Blues to within a “whisker” of a flag. Sale had won a classic “arm-wrestle” by 10 points.)
The Yallourn line-up at Moe that day in 1956 was:
Backs: Lakeman Fullwood Mc Coll
HB : Brown Bennett Hall
Centre: Bill Jackson Marchesi Kerr
HF: Lee Barry Jackson M. Crane
Forwards: Kitney Vinall Black
Rucks: B. Knight Henderson J. Shaw
19th Taitlow 20th Bertoli
Moe’s captain was ex-Richmond player Jervis Stokes. (Note: Jervis and his brother (Ray) had been recruited to Richmond from Burnie in the post war years. Both were skilled and creative footballers).
The Lions’ team was a talented outfit with such names as Alby Law (Essendon), Len Miller (St Kilda), Peter Bevilacqua (Carlton) and Lester Ross (St Kilda). Readers may remember Pat McIvor who was stationed at Yallourn Police Station for some years. Pat was tough and rugged ruckman for Moe in that season. The game was played in the ‘worst conditions in the league’s history.’ (Ron Testro)
John Hutchinson, who was unavailable for selection because of injury, listened to the radio broadcast of the game at home. John vividly recalls that Alf Walton (3UL’s football commentator) was genuinely concerned for his safety as the gale force winds battered the press box at Moe Racecourse Oval that day. Imagine grey skies, heavy low cloud, driving rain, and a biting wind whipping off Mt Erica. A tough ask for a husky dog sled team, let alone footballers!
Yallourn took advantage of the dry ball and rattled on three early majors. Jack Vinall had two and the Blues’ midfielders were setting up chances.
However, in the second term, the balance swung dramatically as Moe shifted gear. The Lions bulldozed through the mud, gained crucial yardage and found a way to goal. In legal matters ‘possession’ is nine tenths of the law…in wet-weather football it is ‘everything’. The Moe forward line of Donnelly, Cooper and Kennedy clicked as the Yallourn defence laboured in the heavy conditions.
After quarter time, the Blues failed to kick another goal. The Lions ploughed their way to an impressive victory which would set up the club’s bold run to the finals.
Final score: Moe 7.11. (53) defeated Yallourn 3.6.(24)
Goals for Moe: Cooper 3 Donnelly 2 Baxter 1 Bevilacqua 1
Goals for Yallourn: Vinall 2 Kitney 1
Best for Moe: Anderson Cooper Kennedy Coles Donnelly Baxter Bevilacqua Stokes
Best for Yallourn: Shaw Bennett Knight McColl Lee Kitney Marchesi.
Moe’s victory, in such deplorable conditions, indicated that the Lions had character and were ‘on the prowl.’ Moe had not won a game in the 1954 season. However, in a classic ‘rags to riches’ tale, Jervis Stokes led his men to an historic win in the LVFL Grand Final later that year. Moe defeated Traralgon by 7 points in a blockbuster.
On the other hand, Yallourn which had been a dominant force in the CGFL was never to win a flag in the LVFL competition. The years ahead would prove to be frustrating as the Blues searched for that elusive pennant. In LVFL football this was the ‘tale of two cities’.
Finally, in a novel piece of sports journalism, Ron Testro listed the names of some of the Moe and Yallourn supporters who braved the elements that day. They were:
Col Webster, Bob Ramage, George Lynch, Tom Hayes, Joe Tabuteau, Bill Harris, Bruce McKissack, Jack Huxtable, Tom Mackay, Claude Hayes, Gerry Browitt, Jack Wray, ‘Swannee’ O’Brien, Dick Marshall, Toby Williams, Harry Parke, Harry O’ Bern, Ken Wagner and Stan Brownbill.
FOOTNOTES.
Gerald Marchesi was appointed coach of Heyfield in 1957. Heyfield defeated Bairnsdale to win the Gippsland League premiership that year.
Former Yallourn champion and Melbourne captain, Geoff Collins, was a team mate of Gerald’s in the premiership win. Geoff’s brother (Mike) was to coach Yallourn in 1965. Gerald’s appointment as coach of Yallourn was discussed in an earlier story on the Virtual Yallourn website. Gerald died on the 12th June 1990.
In 1956, Bruce Knight won the YFC’s Best and Fairest Trophy. Former North Melbourne ruckman Laurie Shipp, who did not play in that game at Moe, was runner-up. Ron Lee, who was selected on the half forward flank for Yallourn that day, won the Most Serviceable Player award in 1956.
Yallourn’s leading goal kicker in 1956 was Jack Vinall. Yallourn winger W.K. “Bill” Jackson signed with Melbourne FC as a youngster. Bill was to become a hard running, skilled and courageous midfielder for Yallourn in later seasons. In 1956 Yallourn key forward Peter Cook was cleared to Melbourne FC. Barry Spurrier won the YFC Third XVIII Best & Fairest in 1956. Jervis Stokes played 33 games and kicked 32 goals for Richmond. Jervis was named as captain and coach of Moe’s Team of the Decade. Lester Ross won the Trood/Rodda Medal in 1958.In 1961, Lester came third in the SANFL’s Magarey Medal and was a joint winner of ‘SANFL Player of the Season’ in that year also. Peter Bevilacqua won the Trood/Rodda Medal in 1959 when playing with Yarragon. A Moe youngster attracting attention at that time in junior football was John Somerville. John went onto play with Essendon in 1960. (John attended Yallourn Technical School). Max Donnelly won the LVFL Goal- kicking award in 1957 and 1958. In 1956, Noel Alford of Traralgon achieved a rare double. Noel won the LVFL Goal-kicking award with 61 goals and also won the Trood/Rodda Medal polling 18 votes. Noel played 24 games with North Melbourne in 1952-53.
Written by Roger Spaull for Virtual Yallourn ~ December 2012.
For further stories, photographs and memorabilia regarding YFC..click “Search”….type “Football”….press “Enter.”
YALLOURN FOOTBALL CLUB 1945-65
THANK YOU & A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
With the year drawing to an end, it is an opportune time to thank those people who have so generously assisted the project “Stories of Yallourn Football Club 1945-65” which Julie is posting on the Virtual Yallourn website. The project which commenced in August, has gained the interest and support of past players, officials and supporters of YFC.
Thank you to the following people who have provided information, clarified research and validated existing documentation regarding YFC in the years 1945-65:-
Barb Cullen (NMFC), Steve Szabo, John Hutchinson, Jack & Betty Vinall, Kevin Gould, Gordon Cantwell, Kellie Brennan (Tongala FC), Rod Lucas (MGFL), Jack Huxtable, Russell Northe M.L.A, Moe &Morwell Historical Societies, Kevin Mitchell (AFL ~SLU) State Library of Victoria Staff, Rod Lucas (MGFL) David Roche (SGSC), Chelsea (@ Hawthorn FC),Rob Lyford (BHFC), Claire Wood (LCL), Grant & Dawn Cowley, Peter Fanning, Barry & Marion Spurrier, Heather Norden, Kerry de Vent (LCC Band), Peter Hill (Gippsland Times),Brian & Bev McKenzie, Ron Lee, Murray French, Stephen & Lisa Sabbatucci, Lance Standfield (NCFL),Ron Hargreaves (Wedderburn) and Tassie Deacon (Sale FC).
The kindness of Rohan Bounds (President ~Yallourn-Yallourn North Football Club), Colin Hutchinson (AFL Historian/Statistician), Paul Carter (GFL/LVFL/MGFL historian) and Julie Fenwick (Monash University GC) is acknowledged and appreciated. The fact that this project has become a reality is due to the enthusiasm and encouragement of Julie George. Julie’s advice and expertise with website postings, photographs/art work and IT guidance have been invaluable. Julie deserves great credit for the success of this venture.
Further stories of YFC 1945-65 have been prepared and will placed on the website during 2013. Sincere thanks to everyone for your assistance with this project for Virtual Yallourn.
Best wishes and a Happy New Year.
Roger
