I enjoy your sense of humour, Ivan.Before dogwatch asks, that photograph does me no favours with the lighting. I was an early victim of the newly-introduced order-off rule in the VFA that year, and after my 4th consecutive game of being ordered off, the captain 'Big Dave' De Coite and the president 'Old Man' James Cuming decided I should cool my heels on the sidelines for the remainder of the season. Consequently I was not listed in the 21 premiership players:
View attachment 861935
But was at least allowed to appear in the team photograph. I wasn't a big fan of knickerbockers either, but I did introduce the 'wet willy' to the chaps over a few ales to celebrate awarding of the 'premier-ship'. (There was some concern at Port Melbourne's protest, but luckily the Northerners argued their case well, and my room-mate and team-mate Tender-touch Edmondson - also not listed above - and I let out a thunderous 'Hurrah' in the midst of our celebratory clinch, slipped our lace-ups over our well-oiled bosoms, and marched down to the club to embrace all and sundry. Sadly, we were never invited back for the 1899 season... )