What are you up to these days?
I’m still in the insurance industry, working for a company called WHK.
I’m their Insurance Risk Advisor.
What do you remember most from your playing days at Fitzroy?
I just remember the enjoyment of playing football at the highest level of that time. And the supporters, we had a terrific bunch of supporters. Even though they were a small band back in those days, they were first class.
I also had some pretty big thrills over my career.
I remember playing in the first ever Sunday game in front of the Queen in 1970. We were playing against Richmond who had just come off winning the 1969 flag and we played them at the MCG in the first Round of 1970. I got to meet the Queen at half-time which was pretty special and we went on to win the game which was even better.
The next week we played the first ever game at the Junction Oval as our home ground and then the week after that we played the first ever VFL game at Waverley Park.
Those were three big firsts I suppose, three weeks in a row.
You’ve won countless individual honours including numerous Club Best and Fairest awards as well as selection in Fitzroy’s Team of the Century. Is there any particular achievement you are most proud of?
It’s probably being given the honour of captaining the Club for a period of five years. That would be my number one.
Do you still catch up with any of your team-mates?
Not really.
We all used to catch up once a year at Past Players functions, but we haven’t had any of those lately.
Given now your son Marc now plays with Carlton, I presume you follow the Blues pretty closely…
It’s always pretty hard to barrack for the Blue-baggers, particularly after hating them for so long.
But blood’s thicker than water and I figure I probably should barrack for them considering my son’s there. He’s had a good career so far, so hopefully it continues.
I also regularly go and watch my other son Leigh play out in the Eastern Football League with Doncaster East.
What’s your opinion on the modern AFL game and how has it changed from your playing days?
It’s a great TV sport these days.
I think there were some good parts about the old days, but there were also some shocking parts of the old days. Back in those days there were some shocking games played and there are still some shocking games being played today.
But as a spectacle, I reckon AFL is as good as it’s ever been right now.
The Brisbane Lions are currently in the process of updating their database of past players and coaches. If you played a senior match with Fitzroy, the Bears or the Brisbane Lions (or know someone that has) and haven’t remained in contact with the Club, please email your phone and address details to melbourne@lions.com.au so that we can keep you in touch with any future events with past players.
