Willetton SHS versus Applecross SHS
Thursday, June 23rd,
1983
Craig Wright had been dropped from our previous
winning team, due to injury, to be replaced by Blackie and Spencer Underwood.
Phil Holman, another one of our dying species, the West Perth supporter, was
also put into the team, making the reserves list rather lengthy.
We arrived at Willetton very
confident, although this dimmed by the size of the opposition; their full
forward was over six foot, and, worse of all, he had weight to match.
As expected, Danny, Scott, Blackie [David Black] and I were named reserves, although surprisingly I was given the privilege of
being placed 19th.
Danny was allowed the ultimate
privilege, however, when Mr Kirby named the Love
Thy Neighbour fan boundary umpire. I took on my traditional role of goal
umpire at the far end, where the ground dipped just past the goals and was
replaced by uncleared bush and scrubs. Blackie and Scott stayed near Mr Kirby
and predictably were put on ahead of Danny and myself.
During the first half, however,
Willetton’s superior teamwork enabled them to take an early ascendency and they
proved too much for our players. In typical style, Hellmo, Ramsay and all the
well-renowned players, were refusing to pass and continually trying to be too
classy and selfish. Although this worked against the lesser opposition of All
Saints, it was always coming unstuck against Willetton.
As every goal was kicked, I was faced
with the problem of having to quickly signal and then run behind to locate the
ball in the paddock of trees and scrub, while everyone waited impatiently.
Luckily, I found it quickly on all occasions.
At half-time, Willetton led 6.5 to
our 5.1, and the players were met with a verbal dressing down by our redheaded
coach, Mr Kirby, one that they thoroughly deserved. Mr Kirby stressed the
importance of teamwork and unselfish play.
During the third-term, we fought back
courageously. Each player used more teamwork and we did well to gain a slight
lead at the interval.
Danny and I were worried at the three-quarter
time break, thinking we might not even get to play. I was more lucky than
Danny, however, and Mr Kirby changed me with Doug on the wing. I didn’t do much
in the last quarter, but play generally was straight through the centre. At
last, we released our true spirit and increased our lead to win comfortably,
14.8 to 8.7. Willetton scored only two goals after half-time, the same fate
which befell All Saints a week earlier.
It was a great feeling on the way
home, with Applecross defeating Willetton so comfortably in the brilliant
last-half recovery. It meant we would play Gosnells on the following Monday, to
see which school would become champions of the East Fremantle district.
To celebrate our great victory, Mr
Kirby let Ramma stop at Southlands Deli, to buy some bottles of Coke for us.
Wayne and Blackie went off with him and soon the Cokes were back and shared
around triumphantly. Roy, the Spoon, had more than his fair share of guzzles.
It was just my luck that as we were
going over the speed bump, I was the one drinking. It went all over me and up
my nose. Everyone laughed and I didn’t mind as it was just good to have that
winning feeling.
The ride home was brilliant, the
great winning feeling upon us. Wayne, Scott, Blackie and myself got off along
Riseley Street. Scott and Wayne went off, while Blackie and I walked towards
Garden City. We talked about the great game and the contrasts between that and
our weekly massacres with Applecross Juniors.
At Garden City, we each went our
separate ways. I walked home along Davenport Road, in the fading light,
thinking about our brilliant victory, while Blackie took the bus back to
Applecross, obviously thinking the same thoughts.
|
Thursday, 23 June 1983 |
Played at: |
Willn. |
|
|
Applecross
SHS |
5.1 |
14.8 |
92 |
|
Willetton
SHS |
6.5 |
8.7 |
55 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other results:
Gosnells defeated Cecil Andrews.
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