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1952 -- SOME NEW BLOODThe 1950 grand final failure hit the club and the players hard. This was evident in 1951 when the club slumped to 9th position on the ladder with just 7 wins. Then there was further bad news when captain Les Foote, who had received offers from several interstate clubs, decided to move to NSW town Berrigan and captain-coach the local team. He expected to get his clearance in view of his 11 years service with North. Keith McKenzie also left to take up the position of playing coach of Moorabbin. Other players to leave were Don Condon (Brighton) Leo Francis (retired due to injury) and Tim Robb (The Rock NSW)In February, North members vented their anger at one of the rowdiest Annual Meetings at the North Melbourne Town Hall in years. They demanded an explanation from club president Frank Trainor as to why Foote's clearance had been granted. Trainor, who had to make himself heard above a constant barrage of interjections and questions, replied that the committee had been divided over this, but it was up to the incoming committee to ratify it. Foote then came onto the stage to wild cheering and explained that he was going in the interests of his wife and family. A member then asked why Bill Milroy, a ruckman, had been cleared to Carlton late last season when the club was in need of big men. Trainor replied that Milroy's form was considered when the clearance was granted. He had managed just 7 matches in 1950-51, but became a useful player at Carlton.Wally Carter was appointed coach for the fifth successive year, Kevin Dynon resumed the captaincy he had previously relinquished to Foote, and the club set about recruiting some new players:Allen Aylett. A rover recruited from University High School. He would go straight from the Fourths into the senior team, making his debut in Round 1 at the age of 17.John Brady. A talented centre-half-forward or centre-half-back recruited from Benalla. He surprised talent scouts with his knowledge of all their "traps" and did not sign a Form 4 until just before the start of the season."Mick" Grambeau. A ruckman from Sandringham who had made the combined VFA team in the 1950 football carnival. Sandringham was reluctant to clear him, but eventually did.Jock O'Halloran. Essendon rover who found it hard to get a regular game as he had to compete with Essendon's fleet of good little men. After Melbourne and North showed interest, he was cleared to North.Laurie Icke. A tough half back player from Ballarat East. After a battle with Footscray and Fitzroy, who both claimed that Icke had lived in their recruiting territories in the past, North got him.Kevin Easton. A ruckman from Brunswick Amateurs.Peter Hamilton. A defender also from Brunswick Amateurs.Noel Alford. A rover originally from University High who came through the Under 19s and had won the Morrish Medal in 1950As well as these, former ruckman Jock Lineen returned to the club after a season with Colac.(To be continued)
1952 -- SOME NEW BLOOD
The 1950 grand final failure hit the club and the players hard. This was evident in 1951 when the club slumped to 9th position on the ladder with just 7 wins. Then there was further bad news when captain Les Foote, who had received offers from several interstate clubs, decided to move to NSW town Berrigan and captain-coach the local team. He expected to get his clearance in view of his 11 years service with North. Keith McKenzie also left to take up the position of playing coach of Moorabbin. Other players to leave were Don Condon (Brighton) Leo Francis (retired due to injury) and Tim Robb (The Rock NSW)
In February, North members vented their anger at one of the rowdiest Annual Meetings at the North Melbourne Town Hall in years. They demanded an explanation from club president Frank Trainor as to why Foote's clearance had been granted. Trainor, who had to make himself heard above a constant barrage of interjections and questions, replied that the committee had been divided over this, but it was up to the incoming committee to ratify it. Foote then came onto the stage to wild cheering and explained that he was going in the interests of his wife and family. A member then asked why Bill Milroy, a ruckman, had been cleared to Carlton late last season when the club was in need of big men. Trainor replied that Milroy's form was considered when the clearance was granted. He had managed just 7 matches in 1950-51, but became a useful player at Carlton.
Wally Carter was appointed coach for the fifth successive year, Kevin Dynon resumed the captaincy he had previously relinquished to Foote, and the club set about recruiting some new players:
Allen Aylett. A rover recruited from University High School. He would go straight from the Fourths into the senior team, making his debut in Round 1 at the age of 17.
John Brady. A talented centre-half-forward or centre-half-back recruited from Benalla. He surprised talent scouts with his knowledge of all their "traps" and did not sign a Form 4 until just before the start of the season.
"Mick" Grambeau. A ruckman from Sandringham who had made the combined VFA team in the 1950 football carnival. Sandringham was reluctant to clear him, but eventually did.
Jock O'Halloran. Essendon rover who found it hard to get a regular game as he had to compete with Essendon's fleet of good little men. After Melbourne and North showed interest, he was cleared to North.
Laurie Icke. A tough half back player from Ballarat East. After a battle with Footscray and Fitzroy, who both claimed that Icke had lived in their recruiting territories in the past, North got him.
Kevin Easton. A ruckman from Brunswick Amateurs.
Peter Hamilton. A defender also from Brunswick Amateurs.
Noel Alford. A rover originally from University High who came through the Under 19s and had won the Morrish Medal in 1950
As well as these, former ruckman Jock Lineen returned to the club after a season with Colac.
(To be continued)
