INGLEWOOD INKLINGS
Have you ever seen two such contrasting results from the two seniors teams of a club as what we witnessed at Serpentine last week? The reserves dominated their game for 3 of the 4 quarters, while the senior payers were reduced to looking on as the Bears put on a ruthless and clinical display.
The Reserves saw the 4th placed Blues taking on the 3rd placed Bears, although you could be forgiven for believing otherwise, as a close to full strength Inglewood line-up put BL Serpentine to the sword in a 7 goal to nil first quarter. The second quarter saw the Bears awaken from their slumber and fight their way back into the contest, getting within 2 goals before a late goal settled the Blues, who went into the long break with a 20 point lead. The third term was again all Inglewood, keeping BL Serpentine scoreless, although straighter kicking could have seen the lead extended beyond the 3 quarter time margin of 37 points. The Blues then managed to win the final quarter against the breeze to run out 40 point winners. This was the reserves’ best win for the season, securing a finals berth and giving the boys a sneaky chance of getting into the top three and a double chance come the pointy end of the season.
Best Players were Elliot Roberts, Justin Williams, Rhys Roberts, Jason Connally, Leigh Lamprell and Brett Wilson. Players Auction went to Jack Smith and Rohan Cadzow.
I won’t say much about the Seniors performance. Apart from the second quarter, where some good, fast link-up football saw the Blues score 3 goals, it was a training drill for the top of the ladder Bears. Brandon Worner continued his good form to be Inglewood’s best, while Brett Wilson (in his second game for the day), Joel Stevenson, Dave Rose, Pat Hartney and Steve Kirby also battled hard. Players Auction went to Brayden Welsh and Brett Wilson.
This week sees another tough match as we welcome Bridgewater to Hibernian Hotel Oval. A finals spot is up for grabs in the Under 17s in what should be a great battle. The Reserves will be looking for redemption after the Mean Machine took the honours by the barest of margins earlier in the year. And you can count on a much more competitive performance from the Seniors against the old enemy.
Carn the Blues!
SOCIAL NEWS
There was a good turnout at the Hibernian Hotel on Sunday for our annual Goods and Services Auction. Thanks to everyone who donated items and those who dug deep on the day. Also, thanks to Luke and Jamie Nevins for a well run auction.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
THE 1971 CHAMPION TEAM
The sixties would be an unsuccessful decade for Inglewood, with only one Grand Final appearance, a loss in 1965 to BL Serpentine. However the Seventies were to start in a much better fashion for the club.
In 1971, the well-travelled and experienced Ralph Conboy was recruited to Inglewood as Captain-Coach. Ralph put together a formidable line-up consisting of plenty of local talent, mixed with some key recruits. The team assembled was so strong that Inglewood left all others in its wake to finish the home and away season undefeated. After defeating Yarrawalla in the Second Semi Final, Inglewood found itself in the Grand Final against a Calivil side looking to win its fourth premiership in a row. Inglewood proved too good, ending Calivil’s dominance of the LVFL, and becoming Premiers and Champions.
Key players of the era included wingman Malcolm Johns, whose 1971 season included the Club Best & Fairest and Best on Ground for the LVFL in the interleague match. Lindsay Kelly, another local, was ever-reliable in the backline. Ian ‘Barney’ Triplett was Vice Captain of the 1971 team and served the club well over many years. Jim Summers was a strong full back who was also an excellent athlete and had played Reserve grade football with North Melbourne. Graham ‘Squirty’ Roberts was the only player to play in both the 1958 and 1971 premierships. Other well-known members of the 1971 team were Les ‘Bluey’ Birthisel, David Vanston, Ian Chamberlain, Daryl Birthisel, Bob Grundy, Keith Rowley and John Richardson.
The team made the Grand Final again in 1972, this time going down to Yarrawalla. A third Grand Final in 4 years in 1974 saw Inglewood fall short by a solitary point against Bridgewater.
The start of the seventies were also good years for the Junior team, winning a 4 flags in a row in 1970,71,72 and 73. The Reserves also took out their only two premierships in this period, in 1973 and 1976. Remarkably, Graham ‘Squirty’ Roberts had a hand in every premiership won by the club in the seventies. He coached the Juniors to all 4 flags, and played in the 1971 Senior victory, as well as the 1973 and 1976 Reserve triumphs.
Last Modified on 09/08/2013 09:31