Woodville - Team of the Century (Part 2)

[The Big Warrior]

That was Phil Smith - 1974 at Alberton. (

Incredibly looking at The Mighty Peckers '74 Team photo-: Phil Smith bears an uncanny resemblance to former Centrals FF Rudi Mandemaker...My recollection of " Filthy " Phil that he was a solid unit and kicked 53 Goals in the '74 season from 17 Games to be our Leading Goalkicker that year. Sadly, when Greg Brehaut left after his one and only season as Captain-Coach at the end of '74, Phil Smith unfortunately returned with him to W.A.

Not sure what efforts were made to keep "Smiffie " at Pecker Park?? He lays claim to being one of our best "One Season Wonders " Can anyone think of a better one?! Cheers all, TBW.

 

[FattyLumpkin]

That was the "we wuz robbed" game.

Less than a minute into the 3rd quarter & Smithy snaffles a one handed slips catch down low. About 30 metres out, directly in front. Umpy says no mark & the usually placid Smith turned filthy. Gives away a free kick & (possibly 2) 15m. Port goal from the event & the rest is history.

Felt at the time had Smith been paid the mark & goaled, the fat lady would have wore green and gold!

 

[The Big Warrior]

That was the "we wuz robbed" game.

Less than a minute into the 3rd quarter & Smithy snaffles a one handed slips catch down low. About 30 metres out, directly in front. Umpy says no mark & the usually placid Smith turned filthy. Gives away a free kick & (possibly 2) 15m. Port goal from the event & the rest is history.

Felt at the time had Smith been paid the mark & goaled, the fat lady would have wore green and gold!

Must say I wasn't at the " we wuz robbed " game, but recall that it was an opportunity missed to win at Alberton Oval. May have asked you this previously Fatty but were you at Alberton for The Mighty Peckers victory ( our 1 & only win there..) on 20/5/78. Happy to say there was a small group of us present on this historic occasion....yeeha!

Seem to recall that McAlmanac mentioned he was there too! Remember late in that game, Phil " Meggsie " Maylin drilling a superb goal from the NW pocket that sent the Magpie faithful out of Alberton Oval at breakneck speed!! Was a beautiful sight to see the almost empty stands at Alberton just prior to the final siren!!

Methinks their supporters left in disgust! For the record Woodville 14-20 104 defeated Port Adelaide 11-13 79 in front of 6,775 fans. Fair to say probably 6,000 of those would have been Magpie supporters... Any reflections on this classic victory are welcome. Ahhh, those Powerful Pressurising Peckers for Premiers.

 

[old pecker]

I was fortunate enough to involved in the big game against Port and even though there may have been only 500 or so peckers supporters they made up for the lack of numbers with the sheer volume of their support (this was usually the case). I can still clearly remember the noise that they generated in the last quarter. The sight of the Port supporters leaving the ground early was absolutely priceless.

 

[McAlmanac]

...were you at Alberton for The Mighty Peckers victory ( our 1 & only win there..) on 20/5/78. Happy to say there was a small group of us present on this historic occasion....yeeha!

Seem to recall that McAlmanac mentioned he was there too!

I am proud to say that I was at each of Woodville's victories over Port Adelaide! They're like your children - can't name my favourite!

 

[FattyLumpkin]

Must say I wasn't at the " we wuz robbed " game, but recall that it was an opportunity missed to win at Alberton Oval. May have asked you this previously Fatty but were you at Alberton for The Mighty Peckers victory ( our 1 & only win there..) on 20/5/78. Happy to say there was a small group of us present on this historic occasion....yeeha!.

TBW - nope, I wasn't there, but know exactly where I was! Gracing the manicured lawns of Fawkes Reserve whilst playing West Croydon in an Ammo's game. A strange twist of fate had my father watching (I reckon he only managed about 1 game a year), but he knows an "occasion" when he hears one. The old fella had one ear to the trans and was relaying scores to me whenever possible. This was problematical when I was playing CHF & went out of shouting distance. Of course all my leads went to the "dead" side of the ground where his car was parked. Eventually "rotated" with the FF to get in the goal square for easier access to the scores. IIRC, my WC opponent was also a Woody man so we were both fairly distracted from the game at hand! Got a dressing down from the coach at lemon time for passing scores onto other team-mates. Evidently he thought my mind wasn't on the job!

We got flogged that day, but I reckon I was the happiest man in a well-beaten team. Couldn't get the smile off my face & even had a couple of celebratory ales with my WC opponent after the game.

 

[The Big Warrior]

TBW - nope, I wasn't there, but know exactly where I was! Gracing the manicured lawns of Fawkes Reserve whilst playing West Croydon in an Ammo's game. A strange twist of fate had my father watching (I reckon he only managed about 1 game a year), but he knows an "occasion" when he hears one. The old fella had one ear to the trans and was relaying scores to me whenever possible. This was problematical when I was playing CHF & went out of shouting distance. Of course all my leads went to the "dead" side of the ground where his car was parked. Eventually "rotated" with the FF to get in the goal square for easier access to the scores. IIRC, my WC opponent was also a Woody man so we were both fairly distracted from the game at hand! Got a dressing down from the coach at lemon time for passing scores onto other team-mates. Evidently he thought my mind wasn't on the job!

We got flogged that day, but I reckon I was the happiest man in a well-beaten team. Couldn't get the smile off my face & even had a couple of celebratory ales with my WC opponent after the game.

Fatty, that is a classic...much admiration for your devotion to the Peckers even whilst starring in the ammos! In the late '70s my brother and I played in the Glenelg- South Association. Whilst playing in Divvie 4 which was played at the same time as the Reserves, we used to dash from the game in time to arrive at approx. half-time of the League Game. Was always worth it especially when we won of course!!

I decided that after a few injury riddled seasons of playing that I would return to full-time supporting of my beloved Peckers!! Then I could see the whole game again...never regretted the decision at all I must say! Does anyone else have similar stories illustrating their dedication to supporting the mighty Peckers/Warriors above their own football " career"...Cheers, T.B.W.

 

[The Big Warrior]

I am proud to say that I was at each of Woodville's victories over Port Adelaide! They're like your children - can't name my favourite!

Beautifully put McAlmanac..it is very hard to name a favourite! Like your goodself saw all our wins over Port Adelaide and the trial game victory in '73 as well!! Methinks our 7 point victory in the 1st Semi-Final of 1986 might take some beating...what a game! The comeback after being 6 Goals down at qtr time will forever live in my memory, the atmosphere at Footy Park that day was absolutely electric!! To me this was the finest two hours of the Woodville Football Club's history....

Special memories of '76 at Pecker Park, we all instantly think of " Buff " Tyrrell and his magnificent heroics that day! '78 at Alberton can still visualise Phil Maylin's goal and Peter Anderson literally standing on the " Bearded Woman's" shoulders ( i.e. Tim Evans..) and taking a screamer, both were late in the game. The empty Alberton Oval grandstands prior to the final siren.... these all warm the " cockles " of any Pecker heart.

Then there was the record attendance game: 11026 at Oval Avenue in 1986 and the Escort Cup Premiership in '88 when we kicked their butts by 45 Points! Who can forget the performances of Haydn Stephens and Johnny Klug that night?! SPECIAL....or should I say DELICIOUS... Best Wishes T.B.W.

 

[McAlmanac]

The Big Warrior is appearing soon on The Einstein Factor with his special subject - Woodville victories over Port Adelaide.

My favourites:

Yes, it's hard to go past 86. The sight of Ralph streaming into goals. The resoluteness of Max Parker. The blood of Ron Fuller.

But 78 at Alberton. Russell Hutton doing the job on Russell Ebert. Mike Coward in the rooms after the game for The Big Replay - his glass eye shining off the TV lights as he interviewed a towel-clad Lindsay Heaven.

Of course, the 1986 match at Oval Avenue. Kym Dillon in the commentary box said "You'd pay a hundred dollars to see football like this".

Blighty stitching up Martin Leslie for a lazy 9 at Adelaide Oval in 85.

And seeing myself running across Woodville Oval with a flag on the Channel 9 replay after the draw in 74!

P.S. Wasn't Paul Harradine's massive bomb for a goal at Football Park against Port in a win in 84?

 

[The Big Warrior]

The Big Warrior is appearing soon on The Einstein Factor with his special subject - Woodville victories over Port Adelaide.





P.S. Wasn't Paul Harradine's massive bomb for a goal at Football Park against Port in a win in 84?

Cheers McAlmanac, enjoyed reading your memories of victories over Port. Each and every one has a special place in our hearts and minds... Paul " Harro " Harradine's massive bomb was in our 18 point victory over Port on Sunday 29/5/83. This goal was regarded as one of the biggest ever kicks at Footy Park at that time, rivalling Noel Pettingill's kick circa 1977?

Methinks this was the one moment from " Harro's " career at Oval Avenue, that is best remembered!! Paul Harradine chalked up 31 Games and dobbed 26 Goals from 1982-83 at Pecker Park after being recruited from The ( Mike Rann's..) Panthers. One question: Was Harro shown the door by Blighty or did he leave the club under his own terms? From memory, I believe M. J. Blight gave Harro his " come uppance"...

Can anybody verify this?? It only happened about 26 Years ago...LOL! Cheers, T.B.W.

 

[FattyLumpkin]

As I only ever saw one victory over the Wharfie scum (plus a draw) in the flesh - it has to be the first win. The heroics on the field were great, but some of my "special" memories were afterwards on being swept along with the throng heading to the clubrooms. Having a beer thrust in my 15/16 yo hand by some supporter who was "shouting the suburb" was fantatsic. Atmosphere second to none.

Had to leave early to catch train home (stopping to buy chewies to rid self of beer smell!) or I would have copped it from Mum! Probably one of lifes regrets - if I had my time over, I would have hung around another hour or so. It would have been worth it,

 

[crowgirl]

Here's some more 1982 Pecker debutants for comment: Eddie Bencic, Kym Bickley, Ugo Colosante, Geoff Eason, David Guest, Paul Harradine, Greg Hutton, Doug Koop, Mark Krzeminski, Bruce Lancaster, Brett Mackereth, Michael Murray, Dean Pangrazio, John Parker and Don Welch. Opinions on this " motley " assortment....

P.S. Will e-mail you soon pjlc. Cheers, TBW.

Yay, go dad lol

 

[The Big Warrior]

As I only ever saw one victory over the Wharfie scum (plus a draw) in the flesh - it has to be the first win. The heroics on the field were great, but some of my "special" memories were afterwards on being swept along with the throng heading to the clubrooms. Having a beer thrust in my 15/16 yo hand by some supporter who was "shouting the suburb" was fantatsic. Atmosphere second to none.

Had to leave early to catch train home (stopping to buy chewies to rid self of beer smell!) or I would have copped it from Mum! Probably one of lifes regrets - if I had my time over, I would have hung around another hour or so. It would have been worth it,

Was it " Singer " Edwards, buying the beers?? Maybe your Mum would have forgiven the " underage " drinking bout as this was a historic victory. This ranks as one of the most memorable games played on the sacred turf of Oval Avenue... " Buff " Tyrrell's goal the defining moment. Can recall that Graham Linke was " burning " that day before getting injured and Max " Bullitt " Parker ended up in the QEH for the night also.

Buff broke his collarbone but was able to remain on the ground and kick the winning goal. One of the gutsiest things ever seen in the history of the game....seriously SPECIAL!! From memory we finished with only 15 or 16 fit players, a sensational win.

 

[The Big Warrior]

Yay, go dad lol

Cheers crowgirl! Believe it or not can recall your dad: Dean Pangrazio at Pecker Park. He played 3 Games, 0 Goals in 1982 wearing the No. 26 guernsey for The Mighty Peckers. He was a HBF of approx 5' 10" in height and average build. At the time, I recall he had dark, slightly receding hair and a moustache. Recall that he played SAFA with Ferryden Park ( also green & gold colours..) prior to his Woody days.

Couldn't crack a regular game at League level but seem to remember him playing some good games in the Ressies and thought the " boy " had some ability. Methinks he was a mature age recruit and might have been around 25 Y.O. in 1982.

Your Dad might be able to verify this but did he train with South Adelaide after leaving Woodville ? Ironically, the last of his 3 Games for Woodville was against South at Footy Park on 10/7/82. A former workmate of mine at that time played with South and recall him telling me " Deano " was doing pre-season with the Panthers maybe in 1983/84? Have a sneaking suspicion that he didn't end up playing with South but may have gone back to Ferryden Pk. instead....

 

[The Big Warrior]

Article on Inaugural Pecker: Lyall Braidwood from Footy Budget-31/5/69...only a bit over 40years ago...LOL!

Found this article in an old budget I have in my collection, gives some background on " Big Bad Lyall" It reads COULD HAVE BEEN A MAGPIE "If the league football boundaries had been defined a few months later in 1959, Lyall Braidwood would be playing for Port Adelaide instead of Woodville.

At the time Braidwood lived in the Port Adelaide district, barracked for the Magpies and was keen to join Port Adelaide junior colts in 1960. But in the redistribution of football territory he become tied to Woodville-and since has played Colts, Seconds and League football for that club.

It is not surprising that the 6' 2", 14.0 stone recruit developed into a League footballer. Two uncles, Glen Braidwood and Jack ( " Lik-Lak") Cahill, played for West Adelaide and Lyall was chosen in the State schoolboys' team which contested the Australian Championships in Tasmania in 1956. One of his team-mates that year was present Glenelg back pocket Chris Hunt.

Braidwood, who gained State squad selection as a Ruckman several years ago, left Adelaide in 1967 to accept a position as an Accountant at Whyalla. He led West Whyalla to a premiership that season, defeating South Whyalla which was captained by Glenelg veteran Harry Kernahan."

Thought this gives some interesting information on Lyall Braidwood, who I only vaguely recall as my brother and myself began supporting the Mighty Peckers in 1968! He only played 2 League Games in '68 and 7 Games and 8 Goals in 1969. Overall Lyall Braidwood played 64 Games and dobbed 51 Goals between 1964-69. Heard he was no " slouch " and made the State Squad in 1965, so must have been a pretty reasonable player.... Lyall B. we salute you!!

 

[Swansujelly]

Article on Inaugural Pecker: Lyall Braidwood from Footy Budget-31/5/69...only a bit over 40years ago...LOL!

Found this article in an old budget I have in my collection, gives some background on " Big Bad Lyall" It reads COULD HAVE BEEN A MAGPIE "If the league football boundaries had been defined a few months later in 1959, Lyall Braidwood would be playing for Port Adelaide instead of Woodville.

At the time Braidwood lived in the Port Adelaide district, barracked for the Magpies and was keen to join Port Adelaide junior colts in 1960. But in the redistribution of football territory he become tied to Woodville-and since has played Colts, Seconds and League football for that club.

It is not surprising that the 6' 2", 14.0 stone recruit developed into a League footballer. Two uncles, Glen Braidwood and Jack ( " Lik-Lak") Cahill, played for West Adelaide and Lyall was chosen in the State schoolboys' team which contested the Australian Championships in Tasmania in 1956. One of his team-mates that year was present Glenelg back pocket Chris Hunt.

Braidwood, who gained State squad selection as a Ruckman several years ago, left Adelaide in 1967 to accept a position as an Accountant at Whyalla. He led West Whyalla to a premiership that season, defeating South Whyalla which was captained by Glenelg veteran Harry Kernahan."

Thought this gives some interesting information on Lyall Braidwood, who I only vaguely recall as my brother and myself began supporting the Mighty Peckers in 1968! He only played 2 League Games in '68 and 7 Games and 8 Goals in 1969. Overall Lyall Braidwood played 64 Games and dobbed 51 Goals between 1964-69. Heard he was no " slouch " and made the State Squad in 1965, so must have been a pretty reasonable player.... Lyall B. we salute you!!

Well then, never thought i'd see a post mentioning both Woodville and Whyalla! Just needed an Edithburgh reference. Played juniors for Edithburgh Peckers and Centrals in Whyalla, u10 champs! Still remeber Zip Zap and others holding a clinic at Edithburgh. Have been reading all posts in this thread with interest, glad to see there are others still flying the flag! I too would love to get my hands on either guernsey's..

 

[carlos39]

Darrell " Dollar " Panizza's Career at Oval Avenue was a relatively short part of his lengthy football journey....However, he played with The Mighty Warriors from 1987-89 and amassed 74 Games and booted 50 Goals. This was a very good games to goal ratio seeing he played almost exclusively on a wing.

Was a member of our 1987 Finals campaign, which was all too short...but he was a remarkably consistent performer that year which enabled him to win our Best & Fairest award for '87.

" Dollar" was a pacy, skilful player and very much a " ball magnet ". Used to get plenty of it, disposal was effective but would have never won a long-kicking contest...Was a reliable kick up to 40 metres but not known ( at least in his Woodville days) as a " big, booming kick ", but his pace allowed him to get the " slip " on his opponents.

One other good quality was he was very hard to knock over and possessed a " hard nosed " approach at the ball. Pity we couldn't have kept him at Oval Avenue a bit longer...particularly as after departing us at the end of '89 he plied his trade back in the WAFL until the end of 1995! He would have been 36Y.O. when he brought his playing career to a close!

BTW does anybody know the origins of his nickname: DOLLAR. Is he a bit careful with his money perhaps?!?....

dollar picked up his nick-name as a junior. was paid a dollar for each goal he kicked, i think by his dad. rumour has it that it was originally his brothers nick-name.

 

[The Big Warrior]

dollar picked up his nick-name as a junior. was paid a dollar for each goal he kicked, i think by his dad. rumour has it that it was originally his brothers nick-name.

Thanks for this info., carlos 39! Seasons Greetings everyone. How quick has 2009 gone, all the very best for 2010...Regarding Darrell Panizza I believe he may have been partly responsible for Darren " Gobbledock " Klemm joining The Mighty Warriors in 1988.

From memory believe that they were mates and had played together at Claremont in the WAFL. Darren Klemm played 57 Games and dobbed 39 Goals for the "Green & Golds " from 1988-90 Inclusive. After this he stayed on at Oval Avenue and played with " The Weagles" for a season or two I recall...

Must say I was a fan of Klemmie's...Perhaps not the speediest rover of all time, but was tough, " never shirked the issue" and had good skills and goal sense!! How did anyone else rate Klemmie!! Not our greatest rover, but not our worst either methinks...Cheers everyone, T.B.W.

 

[CharlieSlim]

Joe Pedler???

 

[Ebert80]

Joe Pedler???

Played for the merged side (Woodville-West Torrens, formed in 1991), not Woodville before the merger.

 

[McAlmanac]

Thanks for this info., carlos 39! Seasons Greetings everyone. How quick has 2009 gone, all the very best for 2010...Regarding Darrell Panizza I believe he may have been partly responsible for Darren " Gobbledock " Klemm joining The Mighty Warriors in 1988.

From memory believe that they were mates and had played together at Claremont in the WAFL. Darren Klemm played 57 Games and dobbed 39 Goals for the "Green & Golds " from 1988-90 Inclusive. After this he stayed on at Oval Avenue and played with " The Weagles" for a season or two I recall...

Must say I was a fan of Klemmie's...Perhaps not the speediest rover of all time, but was tough, " never shirked the issue" and had good skills and goal sense!! How did anyone else rate Klemmie!! Not our greatest rover, but not our worst either methinks...Cheers everyone, T.B.W.

I was a fan too. Exactly as you state - hard, skilful but not overly quick. A quality player and I'll never understand how we weren't successful in those three years given the calibre of players recruited. But, then again, I probably do.

 

[The Big Warrior]

I was a fan too. Exactly as you state - hard, skilful but not overly quick. A quality player and I'll never understand how we weren't successful in those three years given the calibre of players recruited. But, then again, I probably do.

Cheers McAlmanac, Happy New Year to you and all fellow scribes on the Woodville T.O.T.C. thread, may 2010 be a beauty!! In reflecting on our goal-to-goal line in our last ever game in 1990 ( coming up for 20 years ago..) it was from memory-: FF - Allen Jakovich, CHF- John Klug, C- Ron Fuller, CHB- Richard Champion and FB- Des O' Dwyer.

That is an impressive " spine "... How with such an impressive goal-to-goal line and Romano " Tower " Negri leading the Rucking division did we finish 8th in 1990?? Further reflections anyone.... Cheers T.B.W.

 

[FattyLumpkin]

4 of the 6 went on to get a kick or 2 in the AFL.

 

[EaglesFan]

The WWTFC Eagles are now on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wwtfc_eagles

Go Eagles!

 

[The Big Warrior]

Hi fellow Peckerians and Warriorites LOL...

Just thought it worth mentioning a very notable birthday occurred this week. Malcolm Jack Blight aka GOD, THE MESSIAH etc. turned 60 on Tues. 16th February.

Did we all celebrate this milestone in style? Was Fatty Lumpkin heading up the road to Cairns to pay homage.....

Methinks Christmas should be celebrated on Feb. 16 rather than Dec. 25, should we start a petition???...Hope I am not offending anyone here!! Just some " light hearted banter " that might colour your day " green and gold".

Have a great weekend all, TBW.