Dear Phil, what a great read of your web site. Seeing Harps at presentation night after the 1976 Grand Final, you would swear he had been hit by a bus. I am building a web site for this once famous VFA Club as so there history will not be lost. To commemorate our past history we are holding a Dandenong Football Club Reunion incorporating the naming of the Redlegs Team of the Century night mid next year. We need to get word out to the past players/officials/members and supporters that once gave up there time for this club. I have sent you our Media Release in the attachment section. If you cannot open it, go to www.dandyredlegs.footballclub.org.au in articles section.

Thank you for your time on this matter and will hope to hear back from you shortly.

Regards Brett Ferguson
dandyredlegs@aol.com
Mobile:0418 597 014
Business:0425 818 560
PO BOX 987 DANDENONG MDC 3175

Triple Hawthorn premiership player Andrew Collins will replace Tony Liberatore as Box Hill Hawks coach for 2004.

Hi Phil,

I see that Camberwell FC have a centenary weekend on Saturday Augsust 2 and Sunday August 3.
I hope that some other old former VFA clubs like Brunswick, Northcote and Oakleigh can also have a team of the Century Functions in the future. What about a VFA team of the Century Function at say Crown Casino like
Williamstown had and Port Melbourne is having. The joint would be packed, no worries.

A VFA Team of the Century ?
Where do you start ?
Qualifications would have to be at least 50 matches played.
Northcote from the 30s
Williamstown from the 50s
Port Melbourne from the mid 70s to the early 80s
There were some great eras in the VFA.
Would you pick Ron Todd at Full forward, Bob Pratt, Fred Cook or Frosty
Miller ?
Most positions would be nearly impossible to pick with plenty of debate.
Throughout the night there could be highlights of the VFA shown on the big screen. You could also have special guests from all clubs that have played in the VFA, even the Brighton Penguins.

I went to the Springvale v Port Melbourne clash on Sunday and it was a
thriller. Scores level at 1/4 time, Port led by 3 points at half time, scores level again at three quarter time. The match ended in a draw. Stephen Milne kicked 7 goals including some pearlers.
Newcomen Road Springvale Reserve has great atmosphere and should be kept as a ground in the VFL.

It was almost the merry go round. If Springvale beat Port (they drew), Port thrash Williamstown, Williamstown thrash Frankston and Frankston beat Springvale. The flag is up for grabs, especially Tassie are starting to fire.

George Paras

Phil,

It has never been so evident the disharmony conjoined clubs face than yesterday at Sandringham. Well done to the boys from Frankston, they played superbly. How sweet it was for Nick Sautner and Mark Frater, and how they silenced a hostile Sandy crowd.

As Frankston supporters we had to move - the fans were horrible to say the least. Once they had given up on Sautner and Frater they turned on themselves. "He's a Melbourne player, heaven forbid he would kick to a Sandy player". (I have taken out all the expletives!). It went on and on - are these mergers happy? Are they even mergers - look at poor Box Hill, not even their own theme song any more. That is a total take over if there was ever one.

The VFL need to fight for the stand alone clubs, otherwise the competition will suffer.

How sweet it is!

Colleen Wendt

Phil..

Another year gone and an excellent end to the VFL season...from a Sandy supporter congratulations to Geelong..they absolutely murdered the Zebras in the lead up finals...The Grand Final was as good a match as I've seen

I write this the day after the AFL Grand Final....still no confirmation of the rumoured alignments between Essendon/Bendigo and Carlton/Northern Bullants...if they go ahead that leaves Frankston and North Ballarat unaligned...

The VFL competition is now a very strong and viable comp...but will the unaligned clubs survive in this competition the way it is going?..somehow I doubt it..

And finally to Colleen Wendt who wrote earlier this season about disharmony at Sandringham...Colleen...if you cast your mind back you may recall the Frankston coach and assistant coach exchanging blows with Robert Mace ending up no longer coaching.....I'll take our disharmony over Frankston's continual disharmony any day

John "the cabbie"

Hi Phil,

Frankston defeating the zebras...today great win....by 48points..it just shows like you always say keep the passion & spirit & you will get over the line..it looks like sandy took this game as a walk over start.....i didn't go to the game..i wish i did!!!

hope to hear from you....phil partington....doing a great job,,,
Frankston will be around next-year stay positive & it will pay off

remember....phil...Frankston football club reunion...past players & officals..on august 4 next week against springvale...should be a great game...i hope we get over the line...'The Hill' will be in fine tune...Doc & johhny will have the drums banging i think & dedinitely those fire crackers...

.YOU WON'T SEE THAT TELSTRA DOME....

GO FRANKSTON

thanks for putting me in...the round-up....

i readed with intreast in collen wendt,,,colum about the zebra supporters,,,
now thats intreasting...like she said "WE NEED THESE STAND-ALONE CLUBS"
beleave me phil its true as you would know..well sandy supporters saying what they said shows no one down there is happy...who would of thought Frankston would of got up by 8goals..how good is Nick Sautner going 76 for this year..77last year..

FRANKSTON.v's.springvale @kar street...sunday should be a great day...we will get home never tip against the dolphs....

phil,

saw the state-game at the weekend well done to the big'V'
interesting to note that you said"Sautner can't fire in big games the should of put in ablett not Sautner" well i have just about enough of that bullshit nick has played 8 games this year 3 times he has belted 8 in a game and he can't fire against big teams people say well he kicked 8against geelong who were in the 4 at the time williamstown another bag of 8 there they were in the 8 so i'm getting sick of people saying he can't fire in big games,

i agree with Bryan mace that we should'nt have a state game now Sautner is injured and he cant play for Frankston at the weekend, stop playing state games it is crap every one out in australia now know our compettion is the best.

PS.nick sautner was injured for mostof the match,

and Jennifer Adams looked beautiful at the week end
All the Best Damo

My Reply

I didn't say that. I said that some people said that. I said Sautner had to play in the state game. I wouldn't have played Ablett, and I said so.

Yours

Phil

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Phil

After watching the State Game on the weekend it was great to see state football which is what we miss now at AFL Level. As far as next year is concerned SA are playing WA, so I think, why not the VFL play Queensland next year in Melbourne. It would give people something to see next year at this time and it would give Queensland a developing league a chance to play against the best state league rep side in Australia.

I also think it is time that the VFL played a home game.

I would like to hear your thoughts.

From

Michael Robinson
Mornington,Victoria

Hi phil cleary

STAND ALONE CLUBS IT IS ALL OVER
Damo here,

heard about frankston may be pulling out of the compettion
next-year.

Ii think they wont be one-stand alone club standing after the 2004
season times coming up.

You align or walk-out because standing alone is
finish. After frankston going so poorley in season 2002 & bendigo &
north-ballarat the stand alone clubs are finished,after frankston's amazing
2001 season what happend simister, malloy, beverage
going they were the big loss beverage retireing simister back to wa,&
malloy going to canberra,if frankston are in the comp next season
sautner,frater,c,clarke,little,will not be there
after the 2003 season if that happens frankston dont align phil
say good bye to an great era..........

PS.phil this just makes fill like im losing my intrest in vfl now,
all the best.

_________________________________________________________________

Phil,

Stand Alone Dolphins

Having dropped our AFL membership because we were tired of being treated as second class citizens, we have been following Frankston in the VFL. It's an interesting ride, and there is obviously no easy solution, but one thing remains clear, the VFL needs stand alone clubs. I won't go into the reasons they are obvious, but will say that the AFL take-over of the remaining clubs will alienate many football fans.

Alec Campbell just passed away. We went down to Hobart to watch the game, and the moment when the Frankston boys came out onto the ground prior to the game starting, linked arms and paid tribute to him while he did a lap of honour, was an indication that there is a spirit in the club that needs to be harnessed. We noted with interest the Tasmanian side did not bother to come out of their rooms. Some things are greater than football and we felt proud of the boys that day. We feel proud of their struggle each week, even though they are not winning. True support is not dependent on the result.

We sit in the old stand on the wing and each week clubs come with support staff, technology and unfortunately more fans than the home team. We see glimpses of the team they can be. We are enjoying our football involvement. My husband goes out onto the ground to listen to the quarter/three quarter time addresses - there is nothing sterile about this level of football.

We just hope that it continues.

Cheers

HI phil cleary...

IT IS DAMO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK-YOU FOR SAYING FOOTBALL NEED'S PEOPLE LIKE ME

WELL WITH A FOOTBALL BRAIN LIKE YOU IT IS TRUE..I LOVE
THE TV GAMES I WATCH EVERY-WEEK I LIKE MORE THE VFL TO PUT MORE FRANKSTON GAMES ON SUNDAY NEXT-YEAR WHICH I HEARD THEY ARE GOING TO DO.I HOPE YOU GIVE ME A MENCHIN ON TV OR INSIDE FOOTBALL.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THESE STAND-ALONE CLUBS BECAUSE IF WE DONT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WALK-AWAY LIKE AT
FRANKSTON WE HAVE MOST TIME'S THE DRUMMER-BOY IS THERE THE FIRE-CRACKER-GUY IS THERE COLUMBUS IS PLAYING THE MOUTH ORGAN PEOPLE DRESSED ON THE HILL LOOKING STRANGE AND

AS I SAID IN THE AFL YOU DONT GET THAT YOU CAN HAVE A SMOKE ON THE HILL I LIKE GOING TO VFL GAMES THEN AFL.BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE
THAT BUT IF YOU DID AT THE AFL YOU WOULD BE KICKED OUT AND I ALSO THINK THAT ROBBIE MACE DID A TOP JOB LAST-YEAR SOME-REAL TOP RECRUITS IN SEASON 2001 LAST-YEAR BUT

WHAT-HAPPEND NOW 15 ON THE LADDER.I ALSO RECALL WHEN I WAS AT
THE FINAL LAST-YEAR FRANKSTON Vspringvale THERE WAS A GUY THERE WHO WAS
PLAYING WHAT THEY YOUS IN SOCCER MATCHES.HE WAS A FRANKSTON FAN...I THINK
THOSE HORNS....I ALSO THINK IF WE LOST THE FRANKSTON FOOTBALL CLUB IT WOULD
BE A VERY BIG LOSS TO THE VFL THEY CAN PULL BIG CROWDS THE HILL ARE JUST
GREAT...

SO PHIL TELL ME ANY TIME THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR WHEN YOU WHERE AT
FRANKSTON DID THE HILL WHEN YOU WALKED PASSED THEM GIVE YOU A HARD TIME I HOPE NOT.AND BEFORE I GO ARE YOU GOING TO SHOW ANYMORE OF FRANKSTON ON TV THIS-YEAR I HOPE.

YOU GUYS ARE ROSS-BOOTH IS GOOD AND DREW MORPHETT ARE
GOING WELL WELLDONE TO DREW AND PHIL

YOU ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO VFL FOOTBALL

I THINK IF YOU WERNT WITH THE VFL WHO NOES WHERE THEY WOULD BE.ALL THE BEST

_________________________________________________________________

HI Phil,

I enjoy reading your column in the local Whitehorse Gazzette and watching you and the guys on the tv on Saturdays arvos. When I heard of the ABC's idea to get rid of the sport telecast on Saturday afternoons I was extremely disappointed. Do you know if there is any website, or address where we the viewing public could let "auntie" know of our dissatisfaction?

Kind Regards,

Christian Elder.

Dear Phil

Just a quick note to let you know how disappointed I was to hear that the ABC was thinking of scrapping the Saturday afternoon telecast of the VFL.

I have been an avid watcher of the telecast for about 3 years now, and I find that the afternoon is such a pleasure to watch, not only because we get to watch football at such a high standard, but the commentary from the boys and yourself is so entertaining.Its so enlightening to watch a team that don't take themselves too seriously, not like the commercial stations that are so polished and professional that they have forgotten to have some fun.

I have also picked up on other programs on the ABC just by watching the telecast, whether you were told to give them a plug or not, please tell the ABC executives that if I hadn't watched your show I may never have seen such shows as seachange, ballykissangel and one foot in the grave.

So in closing Phil, please forward my displeasure to the ABC in this proposed announcement, and keep doing what you have been doing and don't change a thing.

Yours sincerely

Matthew Waterson

mattheid@alphalink.com.au

Dear Phil,

I was told of an emerging superstar whom is playing in an under 16's competition who is a grandson of the great Dick Reynolds. Would you know of whom this player is?

Peter Staines.

p.s. let's hope the abc can continue to cover the vfl matches on saturdays...they're great to watch...

Phil,

Great site. A myriad of subjects to be read. I don't know how I stumbled across it, but I shall be back to read more of your thoughts...rants...etc. Your site is a prime example of what the world wide web is all about.......useful information.

I have adopted the VFL as my preferred league this year. The AFL is certainly alienating the average supporter Phil,

Tony Collis

Dear Phil

You might be interested in the following letter which was forwarded on to me by a fellow Williamstownember.

Phil.

Suprise Suprise.. Frankston asking for a salary cap increase!! It's obvious to anyone who has followed the VFA/VFL that Frankston over the years that Frankston have tried to buy a premiership....players would come and train with different clubs then in moves Frankston... I have always been suspicious of Frankston and their asking for a cap increase only confirms my suspicion.

I wonder if the VFA/VFL have investigated Frankston because this would back up everyones concerns about Frankston and their payment of players... I support Sandringham and Nick Sautner goes there under the banner of "playing at full forward only".....what a load of rubbish....like many before him...he went there for the money..along with others this year....go back to the Rhys Jones years...they made 2 Grand Finals....and lost both......what justice.

Frankston....you can't buy loyalty.... And I hope the VFL doesn't fall for this current trick Frankston are trying on....they are merely trying to legalise what they are already doing already.

John

Dear Phil

I write to express my disappointment at the total lack of amenities at Shell Stadium last Saturday July 7 2001. As an avid Seagulls supporter I travelled to Geelong on the bus supplied by our club and arrived hungry and thirsty.

Naturally I enquired as to where I could obtain a cold can and something to eat, only to be greeted with a look of bewilderment on the face of the gate man. My companions and I then entered the social club complex only to be told we could not take a beer outside to watch the game and to rub salt into the wound a lovely bar/room with a view over the ground was closed.

So arose the farcical situation where we obtained a pass out at half time and walked quite a distance over a muddy field to the nearest hotel and fish and chip shop to have a quick drink and something to eat before the third quarter started.

In my forty odd years of following VFA/VFL I have enjoyed the hospitality of clubs from Geelong West to Frankston to Kilsyth and I know my club prides itself on the welcome we extend to visiting supporters from other clubs, but honestly to arrive at a modern stadium in the year 2001 and not find even a beer booth or a pie stall, we felt as if we weren't really wanted at all. If that is the way an AFL club treats patrons, then perhaps it is time our controlling body took a good hard look at Geelong's licence.

As I know our band of travelling fans all left vowing never to return to this venue again. I for one have had my fill of this AFL clubs hospitality for one year.

Yours Sincerely

Don Quayle (Williamstown Member).

Phil,

I was not at that game as I spent a week in Tasmania for the Williamstown Tasmania match which was played in Devenport. A whole group of us went to Tassie for over a week and had a teriffic time, where the locals were passionate about their footy and great to talk to.

We actually travelled all over Tassie which is a great spot to visit. We also went to a local footy match between East Devenport v Ulverstone. On the subject of the Williamstown v Geelong match there was not one food or drink stall open in the whole ground.

Whether you go to a suburban, country or junior match anywhere in the country you will find somewhere in the ground where you can obtain a drink or something to eat.

Shell Stadium ?? I will forward on this email to Ken Gannon, and I am sure that Williamstown's president Trevor Monty will also bring this up with Mr Gannon.

Cheers from George Paras

ps Keep up your excellent work on the VFL/VFA on your website

TOORAK HERE WE COME

I'll do anything to be seen in Toorak! But don't tell Ross Booth.

'Dear Phil,

Thanks for agreeing to be the guest speaker at the HEROES on 28th September---Grand Final Eve.

Venue: The Toorak Services Club[known affectionately as The Heroes]

72 Clendon Road, Toorak

Just behind St Johns near the intersection of Toorak RD and Orrong Rd.

12noon

It will be a bit like the old Willy lunches.

Thanks again, Hanna. (Tony Hannebery)

Dear Phi

I think the standard of VFL Football has improved so much this year. The games like Frankston vs Sandringham early in the year and also in the last couple of weeks games between Northern Bullants and Springvale were it came down to last kick of the game and only 24 and a half minute last quarter which surprised everybody out Cramer St. last week and yesterday at Frankston when Frankston came from 32 points down, 3 minute into the last quarter to steal a 2 point victory over the Coburg Tigers.

It just underlines how close the VFL is this year except maybe for the Bendigo Digggers.

Heres hoping that the 2001 Final Series will be as good as season has been so far.

Yours in Football

Michael Robinson Mornington,Victoria

Dear Phil

Phil, I read with interest Nick Sautner's letter. As a Sandringham supporter I was disappointed to lose him along with Mark Frater and Tim Scott-Branagan. However Frater and Scott-Branagan were becoming 'fringe' players and their chance of getting a regular senior game were fading but Nick Sautner played in a Premiership team in a Sandringham/Melbourne alliance team. So when he said he wanted to be full forward only....you can read into that what you will...does any player have a garauntee as to what position he will play in?

You only have to see what Frankston have tried to do over the years - buy a Premiership- and their luring of Nick Sautner is another example. Perhaps you might like to get Graham Yeats' verion of events and Nick Sautner's defection.

After attending the game last week at Frankston -a section of their crowd would have to be the worst I have ever seen anywhere- and that includes standing among Millwall supporters in London.

A strong Police presence is required there because one day an all in brawl is going to happen. Great to beat Springvale by a goal today. 19 points down going into time on and win by a goal.

What a difference a week makes!

John

PS

I stand at Sandy with Michael Ryan..our long grey haired friend...and must admit...that even though we were beaten by Frankston...the atmosphere was as electric as I've ever experienced at a VFA game..and talking to people who watched in on the ABC...they agreed as well.... Thanks again for an excellent site...

Dear Phil,

As a former South Australian, I have lived in Melbourne for 7 and a half years and I enjoy going to watch a VFL game when I can as much as I did watching the SANFL in the late 80`s and early 90`s.

I support Frankston as they are closest team to where I live. Great game last week wasn`t it. I enjoy the ABC coverage each week and if I am at an AFL or VFL match on a Saturday afternoon, I would always tape the ABC match of the day.

I will be going to the VFL vs SANFL State League Match at the Adelaide Oval on June 23rd as this basically the closest you get to a State of Origin match these days. I hope to see you and/or Ross Booth at that game.

Michael Robinson -Keep up the good work

Phil,

We have recently been converted to the VFL, and have bought Frankston membership as well this year. I would like to comment on the biased reporting that seems to occur at this level. Monday's Herald/Sun article covered all the negatives of Dimattina and Scotland, rather than the great game young Michael Abblet played in the backline, or Georgiou's talent around the ground, or ex-Collingwood rookie player Damien Lyon's two great goals and the fact that his 1%-ers showed more heart than the entire Williamstown team.

We were at the game, and it was much more than Collingwood players playing Frankston. The VFL needs more unbiased coverage because we are not easily fooled by anything less.

Cheers!

Colleen Wendt

Phil,

It was very sad to find out that former Melbourne premiership player who coached Oakleigh to the 1972 VFA Premiership has sadly passed away. Is it possible to profile Big Bob Johnson showing some of his highlights during the half time break of Saturday's match between Frankston v Sandringham?

For the record Big Bob played 140 matches for Melbourne between 1954 and 1961. He played in the Premierships teams of 1955,56,57,59 and 1960. He then went on to coach East Fremantle to four successive Grand Finals.

He of course was playing coach of Oakleigh in their 1972 classic premiership win over arch rivals Dandenong. Oakleigh were runners up in 1973 and 74. He played football until he was 43 years old. Those were the days when 8,000 to 10,000 people use to flock to see Oakleigh do battle with the likes of Port Melbourne, Dandenong and Sandringham.

George Paras

Phil, just a quick note from Taiwan.

You don't know me but I've just finished having a look at your website. My only claim to fame is being Prestons senior runner in 1998 and 1999. Anyway, at the moment I'm over in Taiwan teaching English, have been for 1 and a half years now, quite fun. This year I brought a sherrin over and started teaching a few boys how to play, and they're loving it, even trying to knock off my footy, little pricks.

Every weekend, I log onto the net and listen to the AFL, either LO or AW, it's a pity I can't listen to some VFL games. Get onto it Phil, I know your a man who knows people, surely you could find a way to get on the airwaves. Anyway thanks for your time and if you can help me out with a site, please return an email. Go Bullants.

Thanks Amos Clancy.

Dear Phil

Just thought I should say I really enjoy reading articles on your website... I agree strongly with you about the Coburg jumper situation.. That's pretty disappointing. I don't blame Williamstown supporters for boycotting the game at the MCG.

As a Port Melbourne member, which now have a very strong Swans influence, I would hate to see them ever resort to using the Sydney jumper (even as an alternate one), unless it is a one-off (I would expect to see Sydney play a one-off in a Port jumper in return!)

Just one final thing.. The umpiring standard is a disgrace.. you're being to soft on them :)

Yours

David Lumley

Dear Phil

I am disgusted with C7 Sport Commentator Andrew Maher calling Box Hill,
Hawthorn at least a dozen times in their clash against Carlton in the C7
broadcast match.

I have been a Williamstown supporter since the days of Max Papley and was
not impressed with the Seagulls wearing a Collingwood jumper in the game
against Carlton. I have no intention of attending any curtain raisers to AFL matches. I watched about 5 minutes of it on C7 sport only to listen to that .....
Andrew Maher call Williamstown (Collingwood).

The seagulls were around many years before Britannia became Collingwood.
On Sunday I went to see Preston (Northern Bullants) play Geelong only to
lose (shall I say robbed) in the dying minutes of the match.
They played all over them in the first quarter and should have kicked more
than 4.6.30.

They held them well in the second term against the breeze.
During the third quarter they did not capitalise kicking to the scoring end.
The last quarter went for 35 minutes, considering that at the 32 minute mark
there were only 4 goals kicked, the siren should have well and truly
sounded.

Geelong received a dubious free at the 32 minute mark were there was a mark
in the goal square which resulted in a goal to put them one point in front.
A goal a minute later sealed the match for the cats.
It reminded me of a similar clash between Preston and the Murray Kangaroos
last year.

I think there is definitely a place for at least a couple of sides to not be
affiliated with any AFL sides.
Preston will continue to draw all the best youngsters but need a couple more
experienced players added to there list.
North Ballarat will always be competitive, while Frankston have a large area
to draw players from.

Phil, you will probably remember back in 1978 there was strong talks of
introducing a third division in the VFA. Greensborough, East Ringwood, Vermont, Springvale were chased by the VFA and if a couple of them joined back then, a third division would have been formed. 

Who knows what would have been around today ?
Maybe 4 divisions with several country sides and the Yarraville/ Northcote/
Camberwell and Brunswick sides still around.

Looking forward to your comments in Inside Footy and your website.

Yours

George Paras and Croydon Hills

Longtime VFA/VFL supporter who follow Williamstown.

Mr Phil Cleary Footy Commentator ABC Television  3185

Dear Phil

Have thought of writing you each season, so this year I have finally done it.

May I congratulate you and your team on your broadcast commentary of the VFL (except when there is a violent electrical storm, beyond your control), last week was a slight disruption to our afternoon.

What I like about your commentary is the lack of "gosh", "gee whiz," gushy style of comments that a certain channel 7 man makes - we shall call them "Bruceisms" - nothing personal, but for me he does nothing with his call. I get sick of these "Boundary Riders" etc etc. Let's just play footy !

I like the way you, Rob and team are not in a rut with the same old comments, "toe pokes" "coughing it up" etc etc (although Rob might be guilty on one occasion). You guys don't think it's necessary to talk incessantly. You call it as it is, don't state the obvious and give us viewers the credit for having a bit of intelligence. Your experience shows through with knowledge of the game and the comments are always constructive. Particularly your comments following the coach's address to the players.

This VFL footy competition has some heart and soul and myoid dad was right when he said the "the AFL will ruin the game as they are money hungry." Just loved the former days when our kids could have a run at half time, (Rob commented on how excited the kids get) to be able to run and kick the footy, and feel a part of the game. You VFL folks still have that down home appeal - don't lose it.

Best wishes,


Jill 

p.s. Hope the scones are going down well

F

rom John Lysaght...Melbourne cabbie and Sandringham supporter...

Practice matches start soon...Sandy have a Friday match on February 15th...now that could be interesting....Springvale V Sandy....a stinking hot day..(well maybe)...and David Robbins turning out in that magnificent Sandringham jumper against his old club...

Keep the news coming this year...especially any updates re the ABC TV coverage

Regards

John Lysaght