1990
Seventh Played 18 Won 8 Lost 10
Former North Adelaide player, Bob Morcom was appointed as A Grade Coach and Chris Pelle as Assistant / Reserves Coach.
Bob had played SANFL for North Adelaide and had coaching experience in the Norwood / North Adelaide Football Association and also at Walkerville Football Club as well as having coached the SFC Senior Colts in 1988.
Peter Simounds was again appointed as Playing Coach of Nhill in the Wimmera League in Victoria and was a big loss to the SFC.
Peter went on to win the Wimmera League Best and Fairest Award for 1990.
Sharon Brogan was appointed as Club Secretary with her mother, Ms. Shirley Richards appointed to the Bar Manager role, a position she would capably fill for the next three years.
With a number of players lost including Greg McIntyre, David Norton. Tim Megaw and Alan Bell, the SFC were looking to the development of their Colts players during the season.
Their pre season trial match form was unconvincing and they began the season with a 51 point loss to Victor Harbour, followed by a demoralising 139 point thumping from Willunga.
As playing stocks improved they were able to record wins over Yankalilla, Port Elliot and Goolwa and at the half way point of the season were in eighth position.
In the second round they won five matches, including good wins over Langhorne Creek and Willunga which was a remarkable turnaround from their first meeting.
At the end of the minor round they finished in seventh position, winning eight matches and losing ten.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
David Garwood, Keith Jones, Brenton Shapter (each 18), Simon Mardle, Steven Ness (17), Jared Wescombe, Bill Rowe (16), Nick Weckert (15), Peter Elliott, Sam Weckert (14), Brett Boling, Craig Dell, Wayne Gilgen (13), Greg Bannan, Roger Weckert (12), Paul Holdsworth (11), Cary Duffield, Craig Lamshed, Bob Morcom (10).
37 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in eighth position at the end of the minor round, winning just four matches and losing fourteen.
On the18th August against Mt Compass, Allan Dunn played his 409th and final game for SFC, a club record at the time and his senior career, amazingly, began way back in 1960.
During his long career with the SFC he played in the Reserves Premiership teams in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1977.
He was Reserves Captain from 1965 until 1972 and was awarded Life Membership of the SFC in 1969.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished the minor round in second position, winning fifteen matches and losing three.
They defeated Goolwa by 28 points in the Qualifying Final and then scored a narrow five point victory over an inaccurate Willunga in the Second Semi Final.
In the Grand Final they fought their way to a twenty point lead at three quarter time but were unable to hold on against the wind in the final term.
Willunga 2-0 2-2 2-2 7-5 = 47
Strathalbyn 2-1 2-4 5-4 5-4 = 34
Goal Scorers SFC :- Darren Stephens, Jamie Allen, Mark Gevers, Brad Geue, Matthew Hoffman 1.
Best Players SFC :- Anthony Martin, Chris Simmons, Jeremy Blackmore.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished the year in third position at the end of the minor round, winning thirteen matches, drawing one and losing four.
In the Qualifying Final they defeated Yankalilla by fifteen points but then lost the Second Semi Final to Willunga by fourteen points after leading by one point at three quarter time.
Their season concluded when they lost the Preliminary Final in a close match with Yankalilla.
Early in the season a sub committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of upgrading the oval lights.
They reported their findings on the 20th August, with committee approval forthcoming.
Wiring for the new lighting was completed in October and $26,000 was committed for the installation of three lights each on six poles.
Long term Head Trainer and Life Member, Mr. Norm Kerslake passed away on the 29th of May.
The SFC Social Club conducted a 100 Club during the year with the major prize being a return trip for two people to Singapore.
Life Member, Mr. Ron Catford, was very pleased to accept the winning prize when his number was drawn out of the barrel.
1991
Seventh Played 18 Won 5 Lost 13
Season 1991 saw the reappointment of Bob Morcom as A Grade Coach and Chris Pelle as Assistant / Reserves Coach and also with Sharon Brogan as Secretary and Shirley Richards as Bar Manager and Peter Gevers as Head Trainer with assistance from Jo Clark and John McLaren..
Nick Downward, Alan Mills and Tony Harris were recruited while Peter Simounds returned to the club after a coaching stint with Nhill in the Wimmera League in Victoria, while Simon Mardle left the club.
Early in the season, Club Secretary, Sharon Brogan tendered her resignation and Ms Cheryl Budden was nominated to fill the role.
The opening of the new oval lights was conducted on the 11th of April with the first lady Life Member of the SFC, Mrs Mollie Richardson, officially switching the new system on.
Roy Hagger was proposed a vote of thanks for his significant input to this new and valuable innovation for the SFC which would subsequently enable competition night football matches to be played at the venue.
Pre season trial match form was very disappointing and was indicative of a difficult season ahead.
The season began against Goolwa and after being well behind, Strathalbyn stormed home to lose by just one point.
A comprehensive loss to Port Elliot was off set when successive victories over Langhorne Creek and Willunga stabilised the early part of the season but another heavy defeat by Victor Harbour was a significant setback.
A narrow win over Mt Compass was followed by six successive losses in mid season, which saw their finals chances disappear and they never seriously challenged the better teams for the remainder of the season.
At the end of the minor round they were in seventh position, having won just five matches and losing thirteen.
Nick Weckert played his 239th and final match for Strathalbyn on 29th August.
He was awarded GSFL Player Life Membership on the 26th of July..
He scored 453 goals for the SFC in those games, had played in the 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1987 A Grade Premiership teams, had been Captain and Vice Captain as well as a Jones Medal winner and had been an excellent all round clubman and was later to be selected in the SFC Team of the Century.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
David Garwood, Andrew Gevers, Craig Lamshed (each 18), Peter Elliott (17), Cary Duffield, Paul Pike (16), Justin Hoffman, Peter Simounds (15), Keith Jones (14), Ray Jackson, Roger Weckert, Jared Wescombe (12), Tim Brumfield, Daryl Ludwig, Brenton Shapter, Chris Simounds (10).
47 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in third position at the end of the minor round, winning twelve matches, drawing one and losing five.
They lost the Qualifying Final to Willunga by 27 points and were eliminated when they were beaten by Encounter Bay in the First Semi Final by 45 points.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished in second position at the end of the minor round, winning twelve matches and losing four.
They defeated Goolwa in the Qualifying Final by 23 points but then lost the Second Semi Final to Willunga by eleven points.
A narrow three point win over an inaccurate Mt Compass in the Preliminary Final saw them through to the Grand Final where they lost to Willunga in a tight game.
Willunga 1-3 3-3 6-5 7-7 = 49
Strathalbyn 0-1 2-2 3-3 4-5 = 29
Goal Scorers SFC :- Daniel Clarke 2, Mark Gevers, Andrew Vivian 1.
Best Players SFC :- Mark Patching, Andrew Roberts, Ewen Cullen.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished in sixth position at the end of the minor round, winning nine matches and losing nine.
Langhorne Creek were unable to field either a Senior or Junior Colt team for the season.
Life Members, Mr Jack Westley and Mr. Chris Marrett passed away on the 14th of April and the 9th of November, respectively.
Mr. Lance (Toey) Watson passed away on the 11th July 1991. He was the first SFC player to reach 300 games for the club and was a former Captain, Vice Captain and Committeeman.
He was awarded Life Membership of the SFC in 1938, later celebrating the 50 year anniversary of receiving that award in 1988.
He wrote the football reports in the Southern Argus under various pseudonyms and in retirement often submitted football comments by “Old Rooster”.
He retired from playing football in 1948, playing a few games in that year with his sons, Allan and Brian.
1992
Fifth Played 19 Won 11 Lost 8
Phil Rogers was appointed as A Grade Coach for the season with Tony Peek as the Assistant. Phil had played for Glenelg in the SANFL and had coaching experience at Kybybolite in the Mid South East Football League, while Tony also had played at Glenelg.
New players recruited were Sam Allen, Angus Forbes, Andrew Geary, Greg Kemp, Nathan McGregor, Brent and Damon Mayes and Nathan Vowels while Nick Weckert, Peter Simounds, Nick Downward, Greg McIntyre and Ray Jackson departed.
Shirley Richards resigned from the position of Bar Manager, with Cheryl Budden taking over that role.
With the retention of most of the previous year’s playing group the SFC were hoping for an improved showing and the club began the season well with an eleven point win over Myponga and then a 77 point victory over Goolwa.
In a high scoring match, they lost to Willunga by six goals, followed by good wins against Mt Compass and then Pt Elliot.
Two heavy losses to Yankalilla and the Encounter Bay were reality checks, before recording a solid win over the previously unbeaten Victor Harbour and then, as if to highlight their inconsistency, lost to Langhorne Creek by 19 points.
They started the second round with good wins over Myponga and Goolwa but then lost their next three matches including a surprise loss to lowly Port Elliot.
With a number of players returning from injury, they won their last four matches, including a one point win over Mt Compass and a three point win over Goolwa.
They finished the minor round in fifth position, having won eleven matches and losing seven.
The SFC met Yankalilla in the Elimination Final and worked their way to a thirteen point lead at the last break but faded to lose by five points.
This concluded a frustrating season, marred by inconsistency and numerous injuries.
During the season the SFC submitted two applications for Department of Recreation and Sport building grant applications, seeking clubroom extension and improvements, on the 27th of April and again on the 28th of September, however both applications were unsuccessful.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Keith Jones (18), Mark Gevers, Phillip Gilbert, Justin Hoffman, Craig Lamshed, Bill Rowe (each 17), Nathan McGregor, Phil Rogers, Sam Weckert (16), Sean Naylon, Tony Peek, Chris Simounds, Peter Simounds (15), Andrew Gevers (14), Angus Forbes, David Garwood (13), Robbie Elliott, Greg Kemp (12), Jamie Allen (10).
38 players for the season.
On a sad note, former player and SFC Life Member, Mr. Harold (Buck) Lillee passed away on the 28th of February.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in sixth position at the end of the minor round, having won six matches, drawn one and lost eleven.
The SFC Senior Colts finished in fourth position at the end of the minor round, having won ten matches and losing eight.
They scored a resounding 113 point victory over Yankalilla in the Elimination Final but their season concluded with a thirteen point loss to an accurate Victor Harbour in the First Semi Final.
Neither Myponga or Port Elliot entered a Senior Colt team for the season.
The SFC Junior Colts were in a development stage and had a difficult season, finishing in ninth position and winning just two matches and losing sixteen.
David Garwood and Allan Cousins both played their 200th game for the SFC on the 23rd of May against Yankalilla, both having given excellent service to the club.
1993
Sixth Played 18 Won 9 Lost 9
Season 1993 began with a poor attendance at the AGM, when Phil Rogers and Tony Peek were announced as A Grade and Reserves Coaches respectively.
Playing stocks were boosted with the arrival of Glenn Carty, Scott Bond, Mark Dominish, Chris Morgan, Matthew Trowbridge and the return of Rick Clark but the loss of Chris Simounds through injury was significant.
Club appointments saw John Elliott as Head Trainer assisted by Erica Brumfield, Pat Leinert and Stephen Toth while Jody Boye took over as Bar Manager from Cheryl Budden.
The SFC installed a fully ducted air conditioning system in the clubrooms which provided a much appreciated improvement to the facility.
The number of junior players in many GSFL clubs was becoming an issue as Port Elliot were unable to field either Junior or Senior Colts teams and Strathalbyn and Langhorne Creek clubs held a meeting early in the season to look at ways of managing the number of junior players. During the season five Senior Colts matches were played on Friday evenings, under lights at Strathalbyn.
The season began with the first match ever in the GSFL being played under lights when Strathalbyn defeated Port Elliot by nine points.
Following an eight point loss to Goolwa they won their next three matches but there after Strathalbyn seemed unable to generate any consistency with victories over more fancied opposition but interspersed with unexpected losses.
Injuries were taking their toll as Strathalbyn suffered three consecutive losses in midseason which saw them ultimately miss the finals.
During the season they inflicted two huge defeats on a hapless Yankalilla but suffered the indignity of a 106 point loss to Victor Harbour in round seven.
Daryl Ludwig played his 200th game for SFC on the 5th of June against Yankalilla.
The SFC finished a frustrating season in sixth position, having won nine matches and losing nine.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Anthony Martin, Phil Rogers, Matthew Trowbridge (each 18), Glenn Carthy, Chris Morgan, Sam Weckert (17), Mark Dominish, Bill Rowe (16), Andrew Gevers, Matthew Hoffman (15), Rod Caust, Brent Mayes (14), Justin Hoffman (13), Rick Clark (11), Scott Bond, Angus Forbes (10).
48 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves began the season playing great football but the club injury list inevitably reflects on the Reserves results and they slipped to fourth at the end of the minor round, winning eleven matches and losing seven.
They demolished Goolwa in the Elimination Final by 96 points and followed this with a 33 point win over a strong Victor Harbour team.
Starting as underdogs, they scored an impressive 56 point win over Willunga in the Preliminary Final with a great second half.
They went on to win their first premiership for sixteen long years when they defeated Encounter Bay in the Grand Final.
The astute coaching of Tony Peek was influential in their great victory.
Strathalbyn 2-2 5-6 8-10 13-11 = 89
Encounter Bay 3-2 4-4 7-7 10-9 = 69
Goal Scorers SFC :- Cary Duffield 4, Nick Woods 3, Jamie Allen, Brad Geue, David Hayes, James Jolly, Matthew Hoffman, Andrew Vivian.
Best Players SFC :- Cary Duffield, James Jolly, Sam Allen, Greg McIntyre.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished second at the end of the minor round, winning thirteen matches, drawing one and losing four.
They defeated Yankalilla by 31 points in the Qualifying Final and then scored a six point victory over Victor Harbour in the Second Semi Final in a tight match.
A slow start cost them dearly when they lost to Victor Harbour in the Grand Final.
Victor Harbour 4-2 4-5 8-8 9-11 = 65
Strathalbyn 1-1 2-5 5-5 6-5 = 41
Goal Scorers SFC :- Sam Sherriff 4, Paul Clark, Nigell Hurrell 1.
Best Players SFC :- Paul Clark, Nigell Hurrell, Kane Smith, Steven Hender, Robert Blackmore.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts were second at the end of the minor round, winning fifteen matches and losing three.
They lost the Qualifying Final to Encounter Bay by just four points but then scored an emphatic 53 point victory over Goolwa in the First Semi Final.
They had a significant turnaround with a dominant 47 point victory over Encounter Bay in the Preliminary Final but were demoralised by Willunga in the Grand Final.
Willunga 3-2 7-2 12-4 16-4 = 100
Strathalbyn 0-1 0-4 0-4 1-5 = 11
Goal Scorer SFC :-Nick Allen 1.
Best Players SFC :- Aaron Martin, Nick Allen, Michael Allen.
In a new innovation the Annual Presentation was conducted as a “Chicken and Champagne Brunch” with triple AFL Premiership player for Hawthorn and later West Adelaide Coach, Andy Collins, as guest speaker.
On the 19th November a rate payers meeting of Queen Street residents was held in regard to the noise and brightness of the lights at the SFC.
In its response the club resolved to control the use of the lights and to reduce vehicle speed around the oval.
1994
Ninth Played 18 Won 4 Lost 14
Former Sturt and North Melbourne Under 19’s player Paul McWilliam was appointed as A Grade Coach, with Michael Morgan as Reserves Coach and Brenton Smith took over as SFC President following the retirement of Bob Simounds.
The loss of key players Glenn Carthy, Scott Bond, Phil Rogers, Mark Dominish and Matthew Trowbridge was somewhat offset by the arrival of Paul Gerstlauer and Jason Oliver but was indicative that the Strathalbyn player depth would be a major issue during the season however playing stocks were boosted with the arrival of twins Craig and James Walsh and Don Petherick.
Long standing Head Trainer, John Elliott was reappointed to the position, however ill health caused him to tender his resignation early in the season, with Peter Gevers taking over the role.
Strathalbyn started with two narrow losses to Willunga and Yankalilla but wins over Mt Compass and Myponga balanced the ledger. Losing their next four matches, the season was rapidly slipping away but when they defeated Willunga and Yankalilla narrowly in consecutive matches, supporters still were hopeful.
Both of these games were won with goals from the last kick of the day, with Bill Rowe scoring the winning goal against Willunga and Nathan Duffield doing similar against Yankalilla.
With a long injury list and flu rampaging through the club, it became necessary to call on Colts and retired players to even get a Reserves team on the ground late in the season.
Both the A Grade and Reserves were to lose their last seven games of the season, many by huge margins. The losses to Encounter Bay by 235 points, Victor Harbour by 181 points, Goolwa by 167 points and Port Elliot by 163 points all represented to the SFC’s greatest losing margin to each of those clubs respectively.
For the SFC players, officials and supporters the season could not finish quickly enough, it being, by some margin, the worst season in the time the SFC had been in the GSFL.
At the end of the minor round Strathalbyn was in ninth position, having won just four matches and losing fourteen.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Nathan Duffield, Kane Smith, Sam Weckert (each 18), Jamie Allen, Robert Blackmore, Anthony Martin, Andrew Vivian (17), Michael Morgan, Jason Oliver (16), Jeremy Blackmore, Paul Gerstlauer, Paul McWilliam (15), Rod Caust, Andrew Gevers, Adam Phillips (14), James Jolly, Bill Rowe (12), David Hayes, Nick Woods (11).
43 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves had an extremely difficult season being greatly affected by the injury list and player shortage. They drew their first match and then won the next two but won only once more for the season.
They finished eighth at the end of the minor round, winning just three matches, drawing one and losing fourteen.
Roger Weckert played his 287th and final game for the SFC on the 20th August against Mt Compass.
He had an outstanding career and was a member of the Strathalbyn Premiership teams of 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1987, won the GSFL Senior Colt Best and Fairest award in 1974 and had been awarded both SFC and GSFL Player Life Memberships.
Kym Thyer played his 215th and final match for SFC on the 13th August against Goolwa and, like Roger, was a member of the SFC Premiership teams of 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1987.
Kym was Vice Captain in the 1987 Premiership team and was awarded SFC Life Membership in 1988. He later served a considerable term, very capably, as Club Treasurer.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished second at the end of the minor round, winning thirteen matches and losing three.
In a fiery Qualifying Final Strathalbyn defeated Encounter Bay by 30 points and followed this with an upset seven point victory over Victor Harbour in the Second Semi Final.
They kept the SFC flag flying with a gutsy three point win over Victor Harbour again in the Grand Final.
Strathalbyn 1-4 4-4 9-8 10-9 = 69
Victor Harbour 1-3 5-3 6-4 10-6 = 66
Goal Scores SFC :- Paul Clark 5, Simon Vivian 4, Matthew Jones 1.
Best Players SFC :- Simon Vivian, Nathan Vowels, Paul Clark, Phillip Eatts.
Again Port Elliot was unable to field a Senior Colt team.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished in fourth position at the end of the minor round, winning twelve matches and losing six.
They held Victor Harbour at bay to win the Elimination Final by thirteen points and then, with a few key players missing, were beaten by Yankalilla by sixteen points in the First Semi Final.
With the exception of the Senior Colts, in most respects 1994 had been a disastrous one for the SFC.
During the season the club lost four men who were all Life Members and who each made significant contributions to the SFC.
Mr. Ron “Silver” Gilbert, long standing A Grade Goal Umpire and club character, passed away on the 1st of January.
Mr. Les Peek, former player, five year Junior Colts Coach and also five year SFC Secretary passed away on 10th of March, aged just 47.
Mr. Lorenz (Lorrie) Zilm, the longest serving SFC Gatekeeper, passed away in August while Mr. Ken Pearson, former SFC President from 1949 to 1951 and again in 1967 passed away on the 9th of September.
Ken also held the position of President of the Hills Central Association and was the first SFC member to hold such a position.
On the 11th August the SFC celebrated the 15th Anniversary of their 1979 Centenary Premiership with a dinner and the following day the players from that team played a football match against the Southern Super Cocks Over 35 team. In what seemed like a good idea at the time, the 1979 team won the match by five points but Peter Gilbert and Russell Hagger both suffered snapped Achilles tendons and ended up in hospital!
At the dinner, the entertainment was provided by the “Pink Panther” Band, who regrouped for the occasion some thirteen years since their disbanding.
The band members, David Cross, Gary Heading, Robbie Elliott, Kym Tucker and Peter Guthberg had all been involved with the SFC in various roles.
During the season Nathan Duffield, Phillip Eatts and Kane Smith each began their A Grade careers and they were all to play significant roles into the future while Jody Boye moved to W.A. and Christine Richardson took over as Bar Manager.
Former outstanding Adelaide Crows and Hawthorn Premiership player Tony Hall was the Guest Speaker at the SFC Annual Presentation “Brunch”.
1995
Seventh Played 18 Won 8 Lost 10
Following the difficult season of 1994, the SFC showed confidence in reappointing Paul McWilliam as A Grade Coach and Michael Morgan as Reserves Coach.
Having previously been the SFC Bar Manager for several years, the club was pleased to appoint Ms Shirley Richards to the important role of Secretary.
Other club appointments were Ms. Kathy Webb as Head Trainer, Wayne McMurtrie, Brenton Moar and Paul Holdsworth as Trainers and Mr. Phil Stephens as Bar Manager.
A significant sponsorship deal was negotiated with Clipsal who were in the process of establishing a major manufacturing plant in Strathalbyn.
The SFC were indebted to Mr. Nigel Ronksley from Clipsal and the local Clipsal factory manager Mr Steve Spencer for facilitating this invaluable sponsorship.
New players Phillip Wear, Scott Bond, Leigh Backhouse and Jason Lehmann gave the club renewed hope of an improvement in its on field fortunes
The season began with two sound wins over Willunga and Yankalilla but then losses to Myponga and a rampart Victor Harbour were stark reminders of a difficult season ahead.
During the season Strathalbyn inflicted two humiliating defeats on the hapless Port Elliot team. In the first match on 3rd June Strathalbyn scored 42 goals 17 points to 1 goal 3 points and on the 29th July Strathalbyn scored 50 goals 23 points to 2 goals 2 points with Sam Weckert scoring 12 goals, Jason Lehman 11 and Phillip Wear 10.
It was becoming obvious that Port Elliot Football Club were in deep trouble as they were also having difficulty in fielding Colts teams.
SFC suffered five successive losses in mid season which ended their finals aspirations.
At the end of the season Strathalbyn finished in seventh position, winning eight matches and losing ten.
The following played10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Leigh Backhouse, Paul Gerstlauer, Phillip Wear (each 18), Steven Hender, Jason Lehmann, Michael Morgan (17), Jamie Allen, Adam Phillips, Sam Weckert (16), Paul McWilliam, James Jolly (15), Rod Caust, Phillip Eatts, Mark Gevers, Jason Oliver (14), Paul Clark (13), Andrew Gevers, Matthew Hoffman, Anthony Martin (12).
36 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves had a poor season finishing in ninth position at the end of the minor round, winning just three matches, including two against Port Elliot, and losing fifteen.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished in sixth position at the end of the minor round, winning six matches and losing ten.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished in fifth position at the end of the minor round, winning nine matches and losing seven.
They defeated Victor Harbour in the Elimination Final by 24 points but then lost the First Semi Final to Yankalilla by 23 points.
Adam Kidd had an outstanding season to clearly win the GSFL Junior Colt Best and Fairest award.
On the 8th September the SFC was shocked to learn of the death in a road accident of Nathan Vowels, aged just 18, who was a very promising player.
1996
Second Played 22 Won 12 Lost 10
Former Goolwa coach Sean Jackson was appointed as SFC A Grade coach with Phil Rogers as Assistant and Reserves coach.
On a positive start to the year, a major sponsorship deal was finalised with Clipsal which was in the process of establishing a major presence within Strathalbyn.
Phil Stephens took on the Bar Manager role for the year while Wayne McMurtrie, Brenton Moar, Darryn McFee and Paul Holdsworth were appointed as Trainers.
New recruits were Nick Sward, Des Hicks, Jason Rothall, Randall Jolly, Craig Lambert, Scott Harrington and Craig Shearer whilst Andrew and Mark Gevers departed.
The season began disastrously with a 92 point loss to Encounter Bay but in a form reversal the SFC defeated Langhorne Creek the following week.
With five successive losses, the SFC was looking to build some momentum and Port Elliot provided that opportunity.
The Pt Elliot Football Club was really struggling and, as in the previous year, Strathalbyn inflicted two huge defeats on them in 1996.
In the first game played on 1st June, Strathalbyn scored a GSFL record score when they won 65 goals 39 points to nil with Craig Shearer scoring 18 goals.
Shearer only played two A Grade matches for the season!
On 27th July Strathalbyn scored 63 goals 37 points to just 2 goals with the promising Paul Clark scoring twelve goals.
Strathalbyn won seven of their last nine matches to finish in fourth position at the end of the minor round, having won nine matches and losing nine.
With confidence building Strathalbyn scored an impressive 91 point victory over Mt Compass in the Elimination Final and followed this with a 35 point win over Yankalilla in the First Semi Final.
Although SFC had been well beaten by Victor Harbour in both minor round meetings, they reversed this with a hard fought three point win in the Preliminary Final, having been 25 points down at three quarter time.
Unfortunately they were no match for Encounter Bay in the Grand Final, losing by forty points.
Encounter Bay 4-0 8-2 9-3 14-8 = 92
Strathalbyn 2-6 3-11 5-16 6-16 = 52
Goal Scores SFC :- Randall Jolly 2, Leigh Backhouse, Paul Gerstlauer, Craig
Lambert, Simon Vivian 1.
Best Players SFC :- Phillip Eatts, Nathan Duffield, John Sward, Paul Clark.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Leigh Backhouse, Phillip Eatts, Jason Lehmann (each 22), Nathan Duffield, Paul Gerstlauer (21), Phil Rogers, Nick Sward, Sam Weckert (20), Paul Clark, Simon Vivian (19), Des Hicks, Craig Lambert, Jason Oliver (18), Sean Jackson (17), Kane Smith (16), Jason Rothall (15), Scott Harrington (14), Phillip Wear, Craig Lamshed (13), Jamie Allen (12), Randall Jolly (11), James Jolly, Anthony Martin (10).
34 players for the season.
During the season Sean Jackson was selected as coach of the GSFL team in the Lovelock Shield competition.
Jason Lehmann was runner up in the GSFL Mail Medal.
Sam Weckert played his 200th game for SFC on the 18th May against Mt Compass and Craig Lamshed also played his 200th in the Elimination Final against Mt Compass on 25th August.
David Garwood played his 217th and final game for the SFC on the 13th of July also against Mt Compass. David had been a member of the SFC Premiership teams of 1981, 1982 and 1987 and was awarded Life Membership in 1992.
The Aldinga Football Club made an application to join the GSFL but Strathalbyn was the only club to support the proposal and they remained affiliated with the Southern Football League.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in eighth position at the end of the minor round, winning just four matches and losing twelve. Port Elliot was unable to field a Reserves side during the season.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished in top position at the end of the minor round, winning fifteen matches and losing just one.
In the Second Semi Final, Strathalbyn lost to Goolwa by four points after extra time was needed to separate the teams.
Strathalbyn scored an impressive 95 point win over Myponga in the Preliminary Final but in the Grand Final against Goolwa they were overrun in the final quarter.
Goolwa 1-3 3-6 4-6 9-11 = 65
Strathalbyn 0-3 2-4 4-7 5-8 = 38
Goal Scorers SFC :- Chris Kidd 4, Eric Ranford 1.
Best Players SFC :- Adam Kidd, Tom Hughes, Travis Hester
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts in their worst season in the GSFL finished in ninth position at the end of the minor round, winning just one match and losing fifteen.
Port Elliot did not field either Senior or Junior Colt teams for the season.
1997
Fourth Played 20 Won 11 Drawn 1 Lost 8
At the AGM Grant Lyon was announced as A Grade Coach with Keith Jones as Reserves Coach.
President elect, Brenton Smith, also gave special recognition of Nigel Ronksley and Steve Spencer for the facilitation of the invaluable sponsorship of the SFC by Clipsal.
Again Phil Stephens was appointed as Bar Manager but advised the club he would not be able to continue in 1998.
Wayne McMurtrie took on the Head Trainer role for the season with support from Paul Holdsworth, Brenton Moar and Janet Buttle.
New recruits were Ray Jones, Peter Daniels, Matthew Neumann and Ben Princi while Randall Jolly, Phillip Wear, Jason Rothall and Des Hicks were important departures.
Strathalbyn began the season with alternate losses and wins before drawing with Myponga. A last kick of the match, scored a point for the SFC but was disallowed. Two more wins saw them well placed at the halfway point of the season in third position.
Losses to Victor Harbour and Yankalilla were a setback but they steadied to win six of their last seven matches, with their only loss being to Willunga in round 16.
At the end of the minor round they were in third position, having won eleven matches, drawn one and lost six.
Inaccuracy cost them dearly when they lost the Qualifying Final to Encounter Bay by a point and again, when they were eliminated by Myponga in the First Semi Final by eleven points. This was a very disappointing conclusion to a season that promised much.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Paul Clark, Phillip Eatts (each 20), Jason Lehmann, Simon Vivian, Sam Weckert (19), Kane Smith (18), Ray Jones, Jason Oliver (17), Paul Gerstlauer, John Sward (16), Scott Harrington (15), Leigh Backhouse, Peter Daniels, Phil Gilbert (14), Jamie Allen, Adam Phillips (13), Nathan Duffield, Mark Gilbert, Matthew Neumann (11), Craig Lamshed, Andrew Vivian (10).
43 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in second position at the end of the minor round, winning fourteen matches, including their last six, and losing four.
They were unable to keep their run going however, and lost the Qualifying Final to Langhorne Creek by 54 points. Their season, yet again, came to an abrupt end when they lost the First Semi Final to Yankalilla by sixteen points.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished in seventh position at the end of the minor round, winning five matches and losing eleven.
Again Port Elliot did not field a Senior Colt team for the season.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished in fourth position at the end of the minor round, winning twelve matches and losing six.
They scored a surprise seven point win over Mt Compass in the Elimination Final with a good performance but were eliminated by Langhorne Creek in the First Semi Final by seventeen points.
Nathan Duffield was selected in the Southern Zone squad for the South Australian Country Championships.
The SFC was well represented in the GSFL Honours list with Jason Lehmann winning the Mail Medal as Best and Fairest while Craig Shearer was the GSFL Reserves Grade leading goal scorer with 69 goals for the season.
Mr. Tony Aschberger, former SFC Coach, player and Life Member passed away on the 19th ofApril.
On 13th May Gary Maddern resigned as Treasurer and Shirley Richards took on the role and was now Secretary / Treasurer.
The GSFL advised clubs that a salary cap scheme would be introduced in 1998.
On the 9th November, the Strathalbyn Football Club was devestated to learn of the tragic death in a road accident of its rising star, Paul Clark.
Paul commenced his football career at Strathalbyn as a mini colt player and progressed through the junior grades asserting himself at all levels.
In consultation with the Clark family, Paul’s guernsey and number were held in recess for the 1998 season and also, as a mark of respect, a minutes silence in remembrance of Paul was observed at the AGM.
1998
Third Played 21 Won 15 Lost 6
Grant Lyon was reappointed as A Grade Coach as was Keith Jones as Reserves Coach and other club appointments were Wayne McMurtrie as Head Trainer and Shane Munce as Bar Manager.
New players were Scott Cameron, Robert Horne, Chris Lee and Brenton McDonald, while the return of Nathan Duffield boosted playing stocks.
Club Patron, Mr John Scotcher advised the club he was retiring in his business, Scotcher Petroleum, and that the SFC Sponsorship he provided would continue for 1998. He had been Patron of the SFC since 1987 and Major Sponsor since 1985.
The SFC was shocked when Committeeman Dennis Hughes passed away on the 23rd of February whilst on holiday in Tasmania, and Chris Humphrys volunteered to fill the committee vacancy for the remainder of the season.
The Clark family offered to donate the SFC A Grade Most Improved Trophy for the next five years as the “Paul Clark Memorial Trophy” which was gratefully accepted by the club.
Strathalbyn played their first three games under lights and were successful in winning all three. With confidence on the rise, the SFC built momentum and won their following six matches to be unbeaten at the end of the first round.
In that run they defeated Port Elliot by 99 points and Goolwa by 192 points.
Yankalilla bought the unbeaten run to an end and Strathalbyn were also beaten by Encounter Bay, Willunga and Myponga before winning their last three matches including thrashing Goolwa by 41 goals 21 points to 3 goals 1 point.
Strathalbyn finished in second position at the end of the minor round, winning fourteen matches and losing four.
Strathalbyn defeated Yankalilla by 16 points in the Qualifying Final in a great game but in the Second Semi Final, after a competitive first half SFC fell away badly to be beaten by Willunga by 68 points.
Their season, which had started with much promise, was abruptly ended in the Preliminary Final, when Yankalilla overran them in the final quarter to win by six points.
Craig Lamshed retired at the end of the season, after a magnificent playing career of 229 games and scoring 247 goals.
He won the GSFL Junior Colts Best and Fairest award and the SFC Junior Colts Presidents trophy in 1977 and 1978, the GSFL Senior Colt Best and Fairest in 1981, the SFC Senior Colt Evergreen Glenn in 1980 and 1981, and is the only four time winner of the A Grade Jones Medal in 1985, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
The following played 10 or more Senior Matches for the season :-
Brendan McDonald, Adam Phillips, Kane Smith (each 21), Scott Cameron, Phillip Eatts, Paul Gerstlauer, Sam Weckert (20), Robert Horne, Matthew Neumann, John Sward (19), Peter (Jack) Daniels, Ray Jones, Jason Lehmann, Jason Oliver, Simon Vivian (18), Steven Hender (16), Craig Lamshed, Aaron Martin (14), Tim Rogers (13), Mark Gilbert (12), Phil Ryan (10).
31 players for the season.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in sixth position at the end of the minor round, winning nine matches, drawing one and losing eight.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished in ninth position at the end of the minor round, winning just two matches and losing sixteen. It was their poorest season since Strathalbyn affiliated with the GSFL.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished in third position at the end of the minor round, winning fourteen matches and losing four.
In the Qualifying Final Strathalbyn scored a narrow four point victory over Goolwa but were well beaten by Encounter Bay in the Second Semi Final by 34 points.
They regrouped to score a solid 26 point victory over Goolwa in the Preliminary Final.
They were competitive in the Grand Final before Encounter Bay drew away to win by thirty five points.
Encounter Bay 3-1 4-4 5-5 8-7 = 55
Strathalbyn 1-1 2-1 3-2 3-2 = 20
Goal Scorers SFC :- Matthew Bampton, Chris Higgins, Tyrone McInerney 1.
Best Players SFC :- Stephen Saunders, Chris Higgins, Dean Joy.
On 11th August Meritorious Service Awards were presented to Roy Hagger and John Scotcher for their much valued service to the SFC over many years.
During the year the club acquired a cold room and Garwood Earthmovers generously excavated the area for the floor of the coolroom at no cost to the SFC.
Allan Cousins played his 250th game for the SFC on the 5th of April against Yankalilla, he also played his 256th and final game on the 1st of August against Langhorne Creek.
1999
Seventh Played 18 Won 8 Lost 10
Trevor Vowels took on the role of A Grade Coach and Keith Jones again as Reserves Coach.
Other appointments were Paul Holdsworth as Head Trainer, Allan Cousins, Sharon Brogan, Sally Michelmore and Adrian Mercer as Trainers and Shane Munce again as Bar Manager.
Significant recruits were Shayne Clonan, Robert Brooks, Brad Walker, Wade Barber, Chris Sellan and Marc West but this was balanced against the loss of Scott Cameron, Paul Gerstlauer, Craig Lamshed, Jason Lehmann and Brendan McDonald.
A 75 point loss to Willunga was not the start to the season that the SFC anticipated, although they won their following three matches.
With only one win in their next five games the season was quickly slipping away.
They scored three good wins over Willunga, Goolwa and Yankalilla before a 35 point loss to Encounter Bay finished any finals aspirations.
This game was played at Strathalbyn in a thick blanket of fog.
Alternate wins and losses followed but the season concluded with four more losses.
Strathalbyn A Grade finished in seventh position at the end of the minor round, winning eight matches and losing ten which represented a disappointing season.
The following played 10 or more Senior matches for the season :-
Phillip Eatts, Jed McMahon, Kane Smith (each 18), Chris Sellan (17), Nathan Duffield, Will Ness (16), Steven Hender, Robert Horne, Andrew Newlands, Simon Vivian (15), Wade Barber, Shayne Clonan, Steve Pomery, Matthew Ween, Marc West (14), Adam Phillips, Paul Wagenknecht (13), Bjorn Wagenknecht (12), Ben Princi, Mark Gilbert (10).
39 players for the season.
Daryl Ludwig played his 226th and final game for the SFC on the 3rd of July against Yankalilla.
He was a member of the SFC Premiership teams of 1981, 1982 and 1987, won the A Grade Jones Medal in 1993 and was awarded Life Membership in 1994.
The Strathalbyn Reserves finished in sixth position at the end of the minor round, winning eight matches and losing ten.
The Strathalbyn Senior Colts finished in fifth position at the end of the minor round, winning eight matches and losing ten.
They played Victor Harbour in the Elimination Final but were beaten by 34 points.
The Strathalbyn Junior Colts finished in top position at the end of the minor round, winning seventeen matches and losing just one.
They were beaten by Goolwa in the Second Semi Final by thirteen points in a surprise result and only narrowly won the Preliminary Final against Willunga by six points.
They met Goolwa again in the Grand Final and the result was in doubt until the final siren. With just seconds remaining, Russell Tucker scored a goal to put Strathalbyn ahead and they maintained possession to win by just two points
Strathalbyn 2-3 2-5 5-7 6-8 = 44
Goolwa 1-3 4-6 5-6 6-6 = 42
Goal Scorers SFC :- Tyrone McInerney 2, Matthew Bampton, Adam Darcy, Dwayne Ludwig, Russell Tucker 1.
Best Players :- Dwayne Ludwig, Todd Eaton, Ryan Thyer, Russell Tucker.
Former champion player, Mr. E.J. (Tassie) Nettlefold, passed away on the 19th of July.
He was a dual Premiership player, dual Mail Medallist and Life Member of the SFC and was later a unanimous selection as Ruck / Follower and Vice Captain in the SFC Team of the Century.
Mr. Arthur Peek, also a Life Member of the SFC, passed away on the 28th of August.
On the 18th of July a reunion was held to celebrate the 120th year of the SFC, 40 years of the Ladies Auxiliary and the inaugural Junior Colt Premiership of 1969 as well as the 20th anniversary of the clubs Centenary Year success.
The SFC was greatly saddened with the passing of Mr. Brian “Bluey” Holdsworth on the 20th of September. Brian was a former player, Colts Trainer and Team Manager, General Committeeman for many years and SFC Secretary, and was awarded SFC Life Membership in 1992.
He was a tireless worker for the SFC and would be greatly missed.