The Phillip Island 1951 premiership team defeated Wonthaggi in the grand final of the Wonthaggi League. The team had been runners up for the previous five years. Back, from left. N Evans, R Wilson (president) Charlie Stephens, Peter Grayden, Jimmy Cleeland, Arthur Luke, Barney Noonan (vice captain) Billy Jones, Daryl Clarke, Jack Commerford, Alan Cleeland, Redda Claringbold, Jimmy Fowler and Jack McLardy (trainer) Front: H. Wagner (Trainer), T. Adams, R. Watson, R. Wagner, D. Cartwright, W. Morrison (Captain), R. Cartwright, J. Niven, H. Harris, G. Regos, A. Murdoch. A Back-To Weekend on July 30 and 31 celebrates the Phillip Island premiership teams of 1951 and 1981.
1981 Premiership players Ritchie Davie (left) and John Weston are organising a Back-to weekend for the 1951 and 1981 Premiership teams on July 30 and 31.
The Phillip Island 1981 premiership team: Back: From left Frankie Verlardi, Dave Cooney, Richie Davie, Ian Grieves, David Murdoch, Peter Tuddenham, Johnny Peter, Bobby Smith. Centre. From left Artie Murdoch (trainer) Tony Manning, Tom Tyrell, Bill Stephens, Max Brown, Mike Hosking, Dale Grant, Geoff Daff, Garry Todd, Bill Ryan, Ron Wallis (Trainer.secretary) Front: Barry Toovey (secretary) G Black, Tony Zoannetti, Kevin Brown, John Weston (captain/coach) Graeme Bowtell (assistant coach) Phil Martin (Deputy vice captain) Ian Hill (PIFC President)
There’ll be plenty of stories of legendary feats on the field, when the 1951 and 1981 Premiership players reunite at the Phillip Island Football Netball Club on July 30 and 31.
It’s not just about reliving the glory days though. The back-to weekend is a chance for current players to reconnect with the club history.
John Weston is a former club president – and captain/coach for the 1981 premiers – and the driving force behind the reunion weekend.
He’s supported in his quest by Ritchie Davie (a fellow 1981 premiership player) and Kaye Beaton.
“We try to do a premiership reunion every 10 years,” John said, explaining it was also a way to catch up with ex-players who have moved away from the area.
John and Ritchie said current coach Beau Vernon is a huge supporter and keen to have past players involved with the club.
“He’s very much into club history, he loves it. On the Saturday, he wants the old premiership players to meet the current players before they go out on the ground.”
The weekend kicks off with a get together on Friday night (July 30) at the club.
“It will be an informal meet and greet, with a few speeches and there will be meals available,” said John.
The night will also include a tribute to the 1981 President Ian Hill, who died last year.
“Unfortunately because of Covid, the club was in lockdown, so there wasn’t the usual acknowledgments or players wearing black arm bands,” John said.
The following day, a special lunch has been organised before the game against Cora Lynn.
The two-course lunch, for $30 a head starts at midday and is open to everyone, not just the returning premiership players.
However bookings are essential.
“We’re asking everyone to book in by Thursday, July 29,” John and Ritchie explained.
While there is a focus on the 1951 and 1981 premierships, they are hoping club members from every era will come down and be part of the Back-to Weekend.
“It really is a celebration of the club’s history.”
The lunch will include a special guest speaker - Frank Vergona.
Frank, a well known figure in the Victoria Football Association, umpired the 1981 Grand Final.
Simon Manning, A life member of the PIFNC Club, tracked Frank down and invited him to attend the reunion.
Frank is well known to football fans, and has been described as "cult figure" in the VFA.
According to author Kraig Kreiger (A dirty day in the VFA), Frank was considered alongside the players as one of the personalities synonymous with the VFA during the 70s. He umpired over 250 VFA games during his career including three division one grand finals.
ABC Radio's Coodabeen Champions will also be crossing live to the Phillip Island club rooms on Saturday for the reunion.
Making history
One local family has a special reason to share the celebrations.
Artie Murdoch was part of the 1951 winning team, while his son David played in the 1981 grand final.
Ritchie and John are hoping both men will be able to make it along to the lunch.
“David is coming and Artie will be there if he is feeling well enough. It’s the only father son combination in these premiership years and it is one of the few father son premiership combinations in the club’s history.”
In another slice of club history, 1981 was a double premiership year for the Bulldogs, with both the Seniors and Reserves team winning the flag.
“It was a extra special year,” said John.
He’s hoping everyone can come together to remember and celebrate both the past and the fantastic spirit of the current club.
“The Phillip Island Football Netball Club is still a country club, where you go down and meet people you know,” John said.
“Cowes and Phillip Island has changed so much, but at the club, you still belong. It’s a place where we can bond over our common denominator of sport, and this is what country towns thrive on.”
Ritchie agrees.
“It’s about friendships and memories. When you go down there you feel like you are meeting up with locals and like-minded people.
“The reunion is a platform to relive those memories, and maybe exaggerate them as well,” he joked.
To book your place for lunch on July 31, go to www.trybooking.com/bomil, or contact John Weston (0417 416 983), Ritchie David (0400 531 777) or Kaye Beaton (0412 439 945).
