9p8 x 9.5cm 20p2 x 4cm These blended ones are here as reference only! Toni knows of their existence, but unless she requests one, preference is for the single (blue) colour version 9p8 x 2cm 20p2 x 4cm 9p8 x 2cm 20p2 x 4cm In footy’s 150th year, we pay tribute to the clubs and leagues that are the heartbeat of country Victoria GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE ST JOSEPH’S Founded: 1973 Nickname: Joeys Premierships: 1982, 1984 (Geelong and District Football League); 1989 VFL/AFL players (include): Tim Darcy (Geelong), Damian Bourke (Geelong, Brisbane), Barry Stoneham (Geelong), Michael Mansfield (Geelong, Carlton), John Fitzgerald (Geelong), Russell Merriman (Geelong), Matthew Scarlett (Geelong),St Joseph’s Cameron Ling (Geelong), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), Tim Callan (Western Bulldogs), Matt Maguire (St Kilda), Nick Maxwell (Collingwood) Short history Less than four weeks before the start of the 1973 season, the Geelong District FL voted that clubs field teams in all divisions. St Joseph’s had only junior teams but in four weeks found a ground, coach, committee, an old army hut to convert into changerooms and more than 40 senior players. Although it took them more than a year to win a match, the Joeys made the 1977 second division grand final under Geelong great Peter Pianto. Great rivals The Joeys have their fair share of rivals. There is tension with St Mary’s and Newtown and Chilwell because before the arrival of St Joseph’s senior teams, most under-18 players went to those clubs. Matches between St Joseph’s and St Mary’s are dubbed the “Battle of the Catholics” around Geelong. Club legends Bruno Nicholich played for the club in its first year and has not missed a season watching the seniors, reserves and under-18s. He is still involved as a team manager and groundsman. Dom Podbury is the club’s games record-holder and member of the three senior premiership teams. Big names The Joeys have been blessed with big-name coaches. Geelong great Peter Pianto coached the club in 1977-78, former Cats captain Mark Bairstow in 1999 and more recently former Geelong and Richmond player Mark Neeld in 2004. ST MARY’S Founded: 1904 Nickname: Saints Premierships: 1905 (Church Union Association), 1919, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1927 (Geelong Athletic Society FL) 1956, 1959, 1960, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1975 (Geelong District FL); 1979, 1992, 2004 (GFL) VFL/AFL players (include): Nick Brushfield (Geelong), Jack Condon (Geelong), David Armour (Geelong), St Marys Peter Zychla (Geelong) Short history The first version of St Mary’s was short-lived, disbanded in 1906. It took another 16 years for the club to reform and the Saints immediately won three straight flags from 1922-24, before disbanding again in 1934. The modern club reformed in 1953 when CYMS (Catholic Young Men’s Society) and YCW (Young Christian Workers) clubs amalgamated. The club’s home ground is West Kardinia Park, next to the Geelong Football Club. Let’s do this again some time When the Saints and Bell Park met in the 2003 grand final, they had no idea the premiership would not be decided for another seven days. After playing out a 59-point stalemate, the clubs had to play again the following week when the Dragons triumphed by 19 points. But the Saints exacted revenge in the 2004 preliminary final, knocking off their rivals by five goals before going on to win the premiership against North Shore by 27 points. Club legends Jim Mathieson has served the club for more than 50 years in various roles including committeeman, bar manager, fundraiser, and timekeeper. Despite being well into his 80s, he still works as a timekeeper each weekend. Paddy McMahon made his senior debut aged 16 in 1956. McMahon played 330 senior games (including 268 in the firsts), won five flags and an equal club record three best-and-fairests. He was captain-coach of the seniors for four years, and is the captain of the club’s team of the century. All details are provided by the clubs. Contact Amelia Harris: [email protected] or phone (03) 9292 1269.