Maggie Greg
Cancelled
- Jan 24, 2002
- 955
- 1,174
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
This was the orginal article on John Greening I wrote over 10 years ago.
Hope some newer fans can enjoy it. I have also include below the general article I wrote about Greening and a game against Geelong in 1972 when he got 46 possessions.
Cheers.
Round 14 July 8 1972
St. Kilda v Collingwood
A Day that Will Live in Infamy
On the Friday evening of 7 July 1972, I was watching the Kevin Dennis Football Show hosted by Mike Williamson on Channel 7 where they previewed the games for the following day. It always used to go to air at 7 o’clock but this year (in its last year) it had been moved to the 10.30 pm timeslot).
As the Collingwood game against St. Kilda at Moorabbin came up for discussion, I remember looking at the St. Kilda line up and thinking, “We can beat this mob”. I was concerned as the Saints had had the wood over us in the last three games and were vying with the Magpies for a spot in the Five. It was a big game.
The preview by Bluey Adams then turned to the Collingwood side which was strengthened by the recent inclusions of Len Thompson and Peter McKenna from state duties. Adams said the Magpie defence would be crucial to the outcome of the game as would the Magpie centre line and on ball players. He also mentioned Collingwood’s big star in the centre for 1972, John Greening who was leading all the awards, would also be crucial to the outcome. That was like saying Nathan Buckley will have an influence on the game.
John Greening had been having a stellar season and at that stage of the year (after 13 rounds) John had 14 Brownlow votes and was surely going to be the Magpies’ next Brownlow Medallist.
Our family had this year moved to the south eastern suburbs just 5 minutes from Moorabbin, a ground I had never been to before. But the three of us (Dad, older brother and I) were ready to go to the big game.
We positioned ourselves under the main scoreboard on the outer wing and waited for the game to commence.
From the opening bounce, John Greening got a free kick and booted the ball deep into the forward line at the Nepean Highway end. As the players fought for the ball, I heard someone yell, who is that on the ground?
We turned and saw the crumpled figure of a Magpie lying face down on the turf in front of the player’s race. Jostling started between the players as trainers rushed frantically to the fallen figure.
Someone yelled, “It might be John Greening” and my stomach turned. It was John Greening. One St.Kilda player came over for a look gave him a prod with his foot as if Greening was a dead dog. After some minutes during which time Greening had not moved a muscle, he was taken off on a stretcher and up the race.
Everyone was upset and the Collingwood fans in the outer were momentarily hushed. Our thoughts were that John would have concussion and miss the next week and be back the week after.
No one had seen who had felled John behind the play or the circumstances behind it. But the hush turned to loud and angry screams as the Collingwood crowd turned on any St. Kilda player within earshot.
As soon as John was taken off the game recommenced with some of the most vicious football I have ever had the misfortune to view. There was sniping, elbows fighting and scuffles that littered the next three quarters. As a result it was a very low scoring game not helped by the fact that it was a windy day. Player were constantly looking over their shoulders and who could blame them
It was a battle of defences with McKenna being held quite comfortably by Cowboy Neale up to three quarter time.
Collingwood’s backline was superb. They were ably led by Ted Potter at centre half back on Barry Breen, Ross Dunne in the back pocket on the resting ruckman, and Con Britt in the other back pocket on the resting rover. Britt was starring in the back pocket in 1972 after earlier in the year asking for a clearance to the VFA as he thought his race was run.
At three quarter time it was 4.11.35 to 3.12.30 with the Pies holding a slender lead going toward the South road end in the last quarter.
In this quarter the Magpies took control of the game kicking 5 goals (all McKenna) to St. Kilda one goal and running out winners by 30 points. Len Thompson dominated Carl Ditterich in the ruck, with 21 kicks, 15 marks, 12 hit outs and 4 handballs. The other inspiration was from Wayne Richardson the Collingwood captain.
We left happy knowing the Pies were in the five again and also hoping Greening would only miss one week.
When we got home my Dad told me to ring Collingwood and I asked why. He said he was concerned with the fact the John Greening had not moved at all from the time he was felled to the time he went up the player’s race. I did ring the club and to my astonishment someone answered. I asked if John Greening was OK and they said yes he was fine and only in hospital under observation.
My Dad felt relieved. Seeing my Dad was concerned though made me worried.
The next day on World of Sport we heard that Greening was still in hospital. OK we thought, must be a heavier concussion and he wont play next week.
Neil Mann the Collingwood coach came on club corner and when asked whether Greening would play next week, answered, “not only don’t we know if he will play again this season but he may not play again at all”. Mann revealed that the Collingwood doctors had actually feared for John’s life. One of the Collingwood club doctors stayed in hospital the entire Saturday night to be by John’s bedside. Allan Jeans fidgeted nervously in the chair next to Mann.
Mann also said though he didn’t see what happened he knew who was Greening’s opponent at the time, though eh didn’t mention his name. We all know now it was Jim O’Dea.
Neil Mann went on to say John Greening was a true sportsman and did not deserve that type of treatment. “He is a complete ball player. There is serious doubt that John will ever be able to play football again.”
I couldn’t speak after hearing this and we all got very upset. We couldn’t believe it.
During the course of the day news report came through on the radio that there may be a police investigation into what happened and that the AFL may launch their own inquiry seeing as no on was reported on the day.
On the Monday morning in The Age, Peter McKenna who was a guest columnist for the game for the day wrote:-
“What a rotten, dirty, filthy bit of business that was at Moorabbin on Saturday. Poor John Greening just didn’t know who, or what, hit him. There he was passing the ball into the forward line one moment, the next he was lying on the ground motionless.
“King hit. Unconscious. Awfully still.
“I doubt if anybody actually saw the incident. But everybody knows who did it. We know who did it.
“There were some pretty jumpy players on that field after poor John was taken off on the stretcher, and it reflected in the standard of play, and the standard of the fighting.
The big message cam from Neil Mann at quarter time. We were all still hopping mad. He said there will be no retaliation. We will get back at them where it hurts the most, on the scoreboard.”.
McKenna concluded his article by stating, “I’m sure most people will understand if in the circumstances, I don’t say too much about the opposition.”. No Peter , we didn’t.
The reports on Monday morning said John Greening was semi-conscious in the Alfred Hospital after being flattened in the first minute of the game at Moorabbin. A hospital spokesman said Greening was pretty much in the same condition he was when admitted on Saturday.
John’s then wife Ruth (John was 21 Ruth was 20) who was in Tasmania at the time rushed to be by John’s bedside.
Tom Sherrin the Collingwood president said the club was more concerned about Greening’s health rather than seeking to punish anyone.
Collingwood officials said Greening was struck from behind just below the ear and the blow occurred well behind the ball. Greening slumped to the ground face first, his fall unbroken as he was unconscious before he hit the ground. He lay motionless.
By the Tuesday following the game, Collingwood officials were saying justice must be done.
On that Tuesday, John was finally taken off the seriously ill list. Collingwood were calling for witnesses. General Manger of Collingwood Peter Lucas said the Premier should instigate a police investigation into the incident.
John drifted into and out of a coma for a fortnight after the incident. When eventually released he had to undergo extensive physical rehabilitation to learn how to walk and talk again as well as all the other things we all take for granted.
It was not until the start of 1974 that he was well enough to start football training again with his sole aim to prove that he was alright. He was affected by people saying he had brain damage (which he did suffer) and wanted to prove them wrong.
He played in a Reserves game at Victoria Park early in May 1974 against Geelong where he starred and where the crowd gave him a standing ovation as he left the ground.
The following week, with Neil Mann coaching Victoria, and the Magpie side due to play the reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG, Greening was selected for his comeback game.
What a game it was. He took a speccy mark, kicked two goals, gathered twenty odd kicks and was at the foot of the pack when Billy Picken took the winning mark of the year. Greening was arguably the best player on the ground.
Years later he said after that game where he had achieved what he wanted to (showing everyone one he was OK), he lost interest. He suffered soft tissue injuries, had problems with eye sight and his coordination and speed were never the same again.
He had played 98 out of a possible 99 after his debut for the Pies in Round 5 1968 to that fateful Saturday in 1972. He then played only 8 further games to 1976 the year in which he played in the Reserves Grand Final team which won the premiership.
In 1977 he left the VFL and played in a premiership with Port Melbourne. He then went on to play for Chelsea on the Peninsula, then back to Tasmania. He is now a bookmaker on the Gold Coast.
The perpetrator of the despicable act Jim O’Dea, was hauled before the tribunal and suspended for 10 games. But he came back and played until 1980, became Reserves coach for St. Kilda, a board member and was a nominee for the St. Kilda Hall of Fame in 2003.
In other words he was honoured by St. Kilda. It tells us a lot about that so called club.
If anyone ever feels any sympathy for St. Kilda then you don’t barrack for Collingwood.
For the record
St. Kilda v Collingwood
2 5 17 2 5 17
3 8 26 3 8 26
3 12 30 4 11 35
4 13 37 9 13 67
Goalkickers: McKenna 7, Atkinson, Thompson.
Best players: Thompson, Britt, Potter, Dunne, Clifton, Wayne Richardson, Max Richardson, Atkinson, McKenna
Hope some newer fans can enjoy it. I have also include below the general article I wrote about Greening and a game against Geelong in 1972 when he got 46 possessions.
Cheers.
Round 14 July 8 1972
St. Kilda v Collingwood
A Day that Will Live in Infamy
On the Friday evening of 7 July 1972, I was watching the Kevin Dennis Football Show hosted by Mike Williamson on Channel 7 where they previewed the games for the following day. It always used to go to air at 7 o’clock but this year (in its last year) it had been moved to the 10.30 pm timeslot).
As the Collingwood game against St. Kilda at Moorabbin came up for discussion, I remember looking at the St. Kilda line up and thinking, “We can beat this mob”. I was concerned as the Saints had had the wood over us in the last three games and were vying with the Magpies for a spot in the Five. It was a big game.
The preview by Bluey Adams then turned to the Collingwood side which was strengthened by the recent inclusions of Len Thompson and Peter McKenna from state duties. Adams said the Magpie defence would be crucial to the outcome of the game as would the Magpie centre line and on ball players. He also mentioned Collingwood’s big star in the centre for 1972, John Greening who was leading all the awards, would also be crucial to the outcome. That was like saying Nathan Buckley will have an influence on the game.
John Greening had been having a stellar season and at that stage of the year (after 13 rounds) John had 14 Brownlow votes and was surely going to be the Magpies’ next Brownlow Medallist.
Our family had this year moved to the south eastern suburbs just 5 minutes from Moorabbin, a ground I had never been to before. But the three of us (Dad, older brother and I) were ready to go to the big game.
We positioned ourselves under the main scoreboard on the outer wing and waited for the game to commence.
From the opening bounce, John Greening got a free kick and booted the ball deep into the forward line at the Nepean Highway end. As the players fought for the ball, I heard someone yell, who is that on the ground?
We turned and saw the crumpled figure of a Magpie lying face down on the turf in front of the player’s race. Jostling started between the players as trainers rushed frantically to the fallen figure.
Someone yelled, “It might be John Greening” and my stomach turned. It was John Greening. One St.Kilda player came over for a look gave him a prod with his foot as if Greening was a dead dog. After some minutes during which time Greening had not moved a muscle, he was taken off on a stretcher and up the race.
Everyone was upset and the Collingwood fans in the outer were momentarily hushed. Our thoughts were that John would have concussion and miss the next week and be back the week after.
No one had seen who had felled John behind the play or the circumstances behind it. But the hush turned to loud and angry screams as the Collingwood crowd turned on any St. Kilda player within earshot.
As soon as John was taken off the game recommenced with some of the most vicious football I have ever had the misfortune to view. There was sniping, elbows fighting and scuffles that littered the next three quarters. As a result it was a very low scoring game not helped by the fact that it was a windy day. Player were constantly looking over their shoulders and who could blame them
It was a battle of defences with McKenna being held quite comfortably by Cowboy Neale up to three quarter time.
Collingwood’s backline was superb. They were ably led by Ted Potter at centre half back on Barry Breen, Ross Dunne in the back pocket on the resting ruckman, and Con Britt in the other back pocket on the resting rover. Britt was starring in the back pocket in 1972 after earlier in the year asking for a clearance to the VFA as he thought his race was run.
At three quarter time it was 4.11.35 to 3.12.30 with the Pies holding a slender lead going toward the South road end in the last quarter.
In this quarter the Magpies took control of the game kicking 5 goals (all McKenna) to St. Kilda one goal and running out winners by 30 points. Len Thompson dominated Carl Ditterich in the ruck, with 21 kicks, 15 marks, 12 hit outs and 4 handballs. The other inspiration was from Wayne Richardson the Collingwood captain.
We left happy knowing the Pies were in the five again and also hoping Greening would only miss one week.
When we got home my Dad told me to ring Collingwood and I asked why. He said he was concerned with the fact the John Greening had not moved at all from the time he was felled to the time he went up the player’s race. I did ring the club and to my astonishment someone answered. I asked if John Greening was OK and they said yes he was fine and only in hospital under observation.
My Dad felt relieved. Seeing my Dad was concerned though made me worried.
The next day on World of Sport we heard that Greening was still in hospital. OK we thought, must be a heavier concussion and he wont play next week.
Neil Mann the Collingwood coach came on club corner and when asked whether Greening would play next week, answered, “not only don’t we know if he will play again this season but he may not play again at all”. Mann revealed that the Collingwood doctors had actually feared for John’s life. One of the Collingwood club doctors stayed in hospital the entire Saturday night to be by John’s bedside. Allan Jeans fidgeted nervously in the chair next to Mann.
Mann also said though he didn’t see what happened he knew who was Greening’s opponent at the time, though eh didn’t mention his name. We all know now it was Jim O’Dea.
Neil Mann went on to say John Greening was a true sportsman and did not deserve that type of treatment. “He is a complete ball player. There is serious doubt that John will ever be able to play football again.”
I couldn’t speak after hearing this and we all got very upset. We couldn’t believe it.
During the course of the day news report came through on the radio that there may be a police investigation into what happened and that the AFL may launch their own inquiry seeing as no on was reported on the day.
On the Monday morning in The Age, Peter McKenna who was a guest columnist for the game for the day wrote:-
“What a rotten, dirty, filthy bit of business that was at Moorabbin on Saturday. Poor John Greening just didn’t know who, or what, hit him. There he was passing the ball into the forward line one moment, the next he was lying on the ground motionless.
“King hit. Unconscious. Awfully still.
“I doubt if anybody actually saw the incident. But everybody knows who did it. We know who did it.
“There were some pretty jumpy players on that field after poor John was taken off on the stretcher, and it reflected in the standard of play, and the standard of the fighting.
The big message cam from Neil Mann at quarter time. We were all still hopping mad. He said there will be no retaliation. We will get back at them where it hurts the most, on the scoreboard.”.
McKenna concluded his article by stating, “I’m sure most people will understand if in the circumstances, I don’t say too much about the opposition.”. No Peter , we didn’t.
The reports on Monday morning said John Greening was semi-conscious in the Alfred Hospital after being flattened in the first minute of the game at Moorabbin. A hospital spokesman said Greening was pretty much in the same condition he was when admitted on Saturday.
John’s then wife Ruth (John was 21 Ruth was 20) who was in Tasmania at the time rushed to be by John’s bedside.
Tom Sherrin the Collingwood president said the club was more concerned about Greening’s health rather than seeking to punish anyone.
Collingwood officials said Greening was struck from behind just below the ear and the blow occurred well behind the ball. Greening slumped to the ground face first, his fall unbroken as he was unconscious before he hit the ground. He lay motionless.
By the Tuesday following the game, Collingwood officials were saying justice must be done.
On that Tuesday, John was finally taken off the seriously ill list. Collingwood were calling for witnesses. General Manger of Collingwood Peter Lucas said the Premier should instigate a police investigation into the incident.
John drifted into and out of a coma for a fortnight after the incident. When eventually released he had to undergo extensive physical rehabilitation to learn how to walk and talk again as well as all the other things we all take for granted.
It was not until the start of 1974 that he was well enough to start football training again with his sole aim to prove that he was alright. He was affected by people saying he had brain damage (which he did suffer) and wanted to prove them wrong.
He played in a Reserves game at Victoria Park early in May 1974 against Geelong where he starred and where the crowd gave him a standing ovation as he left the ground.
The following week, with Neil Mann coaching Victoria, and the Magpie side due to play the reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG, Greening was selected for his comeback game.
What a game it was. He took a speccy mark, kicked two goals, gathered twenty odd kicks and was at the foot of the pack when Billy Picken took the winning mark of the year. Greening was arguably the best player on the ground.
Years later he said after that game where he had achieved what he wanted to (showing everyone one he was OK), he lost interest. He suffered soft tissue injuries, had problems with eye sight and his coordination and speed were never the same again.
He had played 98 out of a possible 99 after his debut for the Pies in Round 5 1968 to that fateful Saturday in 1972. He then played only 8 further games to 1976 the year in which he played in the Reserves Grand Final team which won the premiership.
In 1977 he left the VFL and played in a premiership with Port Melbourne. He then went on to play for Chelsea on the Peninsula, then back to Tasmania. He is now a bookmaker on the Gold Coast.
The perpetrator of the despicable act Jim O’Dea, was hauled before the tribunal and suspended for 10 games. But he came back and played until 1980, became Reserves coach for St. Kilda, a board member and was a nominee for the St. Kilda Hall of Fame in 2003.
In other words he was honoured by St. Kilda. It tells us a lot about that so called club.
If anyone ever feels any sympathy for St. Kilda then you don’t barrack for Collingwood.
For the record
St. Kilda v Collingwood
2 5 17 2 5 17
3 8 26 3 8 26
3 12 30 4 11 35
4 13 37 9 13 67
Goalkickers: McKenna 7, Atkinson, Thompson.
Best players: Thompson, Britt, Potter, Dunne, Clifton, Wayne Richardson, Max Richardson, Atkinson, McKenna
