Strathalbyn Football Club Team of the Century
During 1978/79, whilst the book “The First 100 Years of the Strathalbyn Football Club” was being compiled, consideration of the selection of a SFC Team of the Century took place, but no definite action occurred at that time.
As the 125th anniversary of the club approached, it was mooted that this project be revisited as, in reality, organised competitive football for the Strathalbyn Football Club began when they joined the Hills Association in 1903.
Thus this anniversary would coincide with 100 years of Association organised football although this period would cover the two years when Strathalbyn had, following a dispute, withdrawn from the Hills Association and a four year break for World War 1 and a five year break for World War 2.
A sub committee, comprising of Ken Haines, Brenton Smith and Hartley Weckert was nominated to research and co opt other people as required, to bring this to fruition in 2004.
The sub committee met and decided to recruit Clem Harley, Tom Megaw, Fred Megaw and Bryan Wagenknecht to provide assistance as required.
This group of people collectively, had considerable club involvement in various official positions and as players, covering the period from pre WW 2 until the present time.
The initial research utilised the SFC First 100 Years book and its associated research material, the Strathalbyn High School library which held micro fiche archives of the Southern Argus dating back to 1879 when the club was formed, SFC records and personal memories, to draw up a shortlist of 50 players listed against specific positions.
The group then met and each member was given a list of the nominations and then requested to individually select their preferred team, and when completed, return it to the sub committee . No member self nominated.
Any player subsequently nominated by all members would become an automatic selection in their predominate playing position in the Team of the Century.
The other non unanimous nominations would be selected realistically for positions in which they had represented the club.
Because of the difficulties in separating some of the nominations, particularly given the issues in comparing players of quite different eras, eight interchange players were selected and were listed in alphabetical order, not order of selection.
The unanimous selections were Barry Beckman, Ken Bell, Peter Gilbert, Fred Megaw, Jack “Tassie” Nettlefold, Alan Richardson, Brenton Smith, Hartley Weckert and Richard “Dick” Westley.
SELECTED SFC TEAM of the CENTURY
Follower / Back Pocket Jack “Tassie” NETTLEFOLD
Jack played 140 games for SFC, was a member of 1928 and 1933 premiership teams, he was Vice Captain in 1931 and 1932 and Captain in 1935 and 1936.
He won the Mail Medal in 1935 and 1938, was second in 1937 and third in 1936.
In 1934 he played 4 Reserves and 12 SANFL games with North Adelaide.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1939 and enlisted in the AIF in that year, which saw the end of his brilliant career.
Full Back Hartley WECKERT
Hartley played 149 games for SFC, was a member of 1952, 1958 and 1960 premiership teams, Vice Captain in 1958, Captain 1954 to 1957 and Captain Coach in 1961.
He was fourth in the Mail Medal in 1956 and was a Hills Association representative in 1952, 1954, 1956 and 1961.
He was awarded Life Member of SFC in 1961, was Vice President from 1974 to 1981 and President from 1981 to 1988.
Back Pocket Phillip Eatts
Phillip is a local product through SFC junior grades and has played 314 games for SFC and was a member of the 2000 and 2010 premiership teams.
He was Vice Captain in 1999 and Captain in 2000.
He won the Jones Medal in 1999 and has been a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative as well as Southern Zone representative in the SA Country Football Championships.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 2005.
Phillip is in sixth place on the SFC Senior games record list, with 319 games.
Half Back Flank Craig LAMSHED
Craig is a local product through SFC junior grades and has played 229 games for SFC, was a member of 1982 and 1987 premiership teams, Vice Captain in 1989, Deputy Vice Captain in 1991 and Captain in 1992.
He won the SFC and GSFL Junior Colts Best and Fairest in 1977 and 1978, the SFC Senior Colts Best and Fairest in 1980 and 1981, the GSFL Senior Colts Best and Fairest in 1981, and is the only four time winner of the A Grade Jones Medal, winning in 1985, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1996.
Centre Half Back Nathan DUFFIELD
Nathan is a local product through SFC junior grades and to the end of the 2018 season has played 431 games for SFC, was a member of 2000, 2010 and 2014 premiership teams, Deputy Vice Captain in 1995 and Captain from 2001 to 2005 and again in 2008 to 2010.
He currently is in first place in the list of the most Senior games played for the SFC, and, by a significant margin, has played the most A Grade matches. At the end of the 2018 season he has played 431 senior games for the SFC.
He won the medal for best afield in the 2010 Premiership winning Grand Final.
He won the GSFL Mail Medal in 2003 and the Jones Medal in 2002.
He has been a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative as well as the Southern Zone in SA Country Football Championships.
He also played one season with Sturt Reserves in SANFL and has been SFC Leading Goal Scorer in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 2004.
Half Back Flank Vic GEORG
Vic played 64 games for SFC from 1950 to 1953, was Captain Coach in 1950 and 1951, and was Captain of the 1952 premiership team and also in 1953.
He represented the Hills Association in 1952 and 1953.
He won the Hills Association Mail Medal in 1951 and was second in 1953 also winning the “Argus” trophy in 1953 which was the forerunner of the Jones Medal.
Centre Wing Fred MEGAW
Fred played 282 games for SFC from 1957 to 1972 and 1977, was a member of the A Grade 1958, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1971 premiership teams.
He coached the SFC Senior Colts in 1966, was A Grade coach in 1976 and also Playing Reserves premiership coach in 1977.
He was a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative and a selector in the 1979 Centenary Premiership year.
He won the Jones Medal in 1965 and was awarded Life Member of SFC in 1965.
Centre Barry BECKMAN
Barry played 119 games for SFC from 1952 to 1959, was a member of 1952 premiership team and was Captain Coach of the 1958 premiership team and also in 1959.
He was a Hills Association representative in 1952, 1954 and 1958.
He won the inaugural Jones Medal in 1957 and was dual winner with Tom Megaw in 1958.
He played for Sturt in SANFL in 1955 and 1956.
Controversially replaced as Coach in 1960, prompting retirement at 25 years of age.
Centre Wing Nick WECKERT
Nick is a local product through SFC junior grades and has played 239 games for SFC, was a member of 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1987 premiership teams.
He was Vice Captain in 1984, Captain from 1989 to 1991 and was Reserves Coach in 1987 and 1988.
He has been a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative.
He won the SFC Junior Colts Best and Fairest in 1975, the GSFL Senior Colts Best and Fairest in 1978 and was third in the GSFL Mail Medal in 1984 and second in 1988 and won the Jones Medal in 1986 and 1988.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1988.
Half Forward Flank Vic STONE
Vic played 96 games for SFC from 1947 to 1952, and was Vice Captain of the 1952 premiership team.
He was a Hills Association representative in 1950, 1951 and 1952.
He played for South Adelaide in the SANFL in 1953 and 1954.
Centre Half Forward Richard “Dick” WESTLEY
Dick played 64 games for SFC from 1919 to 1924, was a member of 1919 and 1920 premiership teams and was Captain in 1923.
He won the Howard Medal for the Hills Association Best and Fairest in 1923, thus becoming the SFC’s first association level medallist.
He played for Norwood in 1924 to 1927 and for North Adelaide in 1928 and 1929.
His son Gordon played for SFC and then Glenelg, son Malcolm played 204 games for North Adelaide, grandson Robert Westley played for Glenelg and Norwood and great grandsons Kane and Wade McLean played for Sturt and Norwood respectively.
Grand sons Richard Martin and Ken Haines and Great grandsons Anthony Martin and Brendan Haines all played football for the SFC.
Half Forward Flank Kym SMITH
Kym played just 31 games for SFC in 1979 and 1981 and was a member of the SFC premiership teams in both seasons.
He played for Sturt in SANFL in 1980 and later for Glenelg.
He won the GSFL Mail Medal in 1979 and also won the Jones Medal in 1979.
He was Captain Coach of Robe in the Mid SE League from 1982 to 1985 and won the Mail Medal in that league in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
Ruck / Forward Pocket Alan RICHARDSON
Alan played 107 games for the SFC from 1955 to 1960 and 1962, was a member of 1958 and 1960 premiership teams and was Vice Captain in 1960.
He was Captain in 1963 until his mid season transfer to Keith where he became playing Captain Coach.
He was a Hills Association representative in 1959 and 1960.
He won the Jones Medal in 1962 and played for Sturt in SANFL in 1961.
Full Forward Peter SIMOUNDS
Peter played 139 games for SFC, was a member of 1982 premiership team and was Captain Coach from 1986 to 1988, including the1987 premiership.
He was a regular GSFL representative and was third in GSFL Mail Medal in1982.
He won the Jones Medal in 1982 and 1989.
In 1989 he was selected as Vice Captain of the S.A Country team to play the W.A. Country team in Perth and was unanimously selected as best afield.
He played for Sturt in SANFL from 1978 to 1981.
He was Captain Coach of Nhill in the Wimmera League from 1983 to 1985 and 1990.
He won the Wimmera League Best and Fairest Award in 1990.
Rover / Forward Pocket Dennis ELLIOTT
Dennis is a local product through SFC junior grades and played 106 games from 1963 to 1968, was a member of premiership teams in 1964, 1966 and 1968 and was Captain Coach in 1985.
He won the GSFL Colts Best and Fairest in 1963 and won the Jones Medal in 1967 and 1968.
He played for Sturt in the SANFL from 1969 to 1972.
He won the Mail Medal playing for McLaren Flat in 1978 and the Mail Medal playing for Langhorne Creek in 1983.
Ruck / Forward Pocket Peter GILBERT
Peter played 175 games for SFC from 1967 to 1980, was Captain Coach of 1971 premiership and a member of 1979 premiership team.
He was Captain Coach of SFC from 1970 to 1972 and 1974.
He won the GSFL Mail Medal in 1970 and was third in 1973 and also won the Jones Medal in 1970 and 1977 in a tie with Max Bell.
He was a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative and played 57 games for West Torrens in the SANFL.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1982.
Follower / Back Pocket Ken BELL
Ken played 119 games for SFC from 1915 to 1928 ( less war years of 1916 to 1918 ) , was a member of premiership teams in 1919, 1920, 1924, 1925 and 1928 and was Vice Captain in 1922 to 1924 and 1927 and was Captain in 1920 and 1921.
He was awarded Life Member of SFC in 1957.
In 1946 the Hills Association named its Best and Fairest award “The Ken Bell Trophy” in his honour.
Rover / Forward Pocket Brenton SMITH
Brenton played 130 games for SFC from 1979 to 1992 ( excluding 1985 to 1988 ).
He was Captain Coach of the 1979 Centenary premiership team and Captain Coach from 1979 to 1983 for 5 grand final appearances and premierships in 1979, 1981 and 1982.
He was also non playing coach of SFC in 1989
He was a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative and was the first successful coach for GSFL in that competition.
He was second in GSFL Mail Medal in 1979 and the winner in 1981.
He was second in Hills Association for Macclesfield in 1972 and 1973 and the winner in 1974 and 1976, 1977 and 1978.
He won the Jones Medal in 1981 and was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1997.
He was president of SFC from 1994 to 1998 and from 2000 to 2003 and again from 2017 to the present time.
He was Vice President in 2013 to 2016.
INTERCHANGE Selections
Keith BOWDEN
Keith played 78 games for SFC as Centre or Centre Half Forward, playing from 1930 to 1935 and was a member of the 1933 premiership team.
He was Vice Captain in 1934 and 1935.
He played 60 games for North Adelaide from 1936 in SANFL and was later awarded Life Membership of North Adelaide.
Robbie ELLIOTT
Robbie was a local product through SFC junior grades, played 156 games for SFC from 1977 to 1994 (excluding 1987 to 1991), was a member of 1979, 1981 and 1982 premiership teams.
He won SFC Junior Colts Best and Fairest in 1974 and Senior Colts Best and Fairest in 1977.
He won the Reserves Jones Medal in 1994 and was second in the A grade Jones Medal in 1992.
He was awarded Life Membership of the SFC in 2013.
His career was curtailed by a serious knee injury
Dennis ERREY
Dennis played just 23 games for SFC in 1960 to 1961 and was a member of the 1960 premiership team.
He was a Hills Association representative in 1961.
He won the Jones Medal in 1961.
He played for Port Adelaide in SANFL from 1962 to 1972, playing 176 games and was recognised as one of the best half back players in the SANFL.
He was later an accomplished TV football commentator.
Tommy FALLON
Tommy played for SFC from 1890 to 1914 (not continuous) and the number of games played is unknown.
He played in the teams of 1889 and 1890 that were unbeaten for those years and claimed the title of “Premiers of the South”.
He was Secretary in 1895, Secretary and Vice Captain in 1896, Vice Captain in 1899 and Captain in 1891, 1905 and 1914.
He played for Norwood in SANFL in 1893 and 1894
He was awarded the first Life Membership of SFC in 1900.
Ian PFIEFFER
Ian played 53 games for SFC from 1981 to 1983, scoring 269 goals (average of 5 per game)
He was a member of the 1981 and 1982 premiership teams.
He previously played for Sturt in SANFL and later coached at Nairne.
He was the only SFC Senior Grade player to score 100 goals in a season in the SFC history.
In 1982 he scored 116 goals in 19 matches, scoring 10 goals in four matches, 11 goals in one and 16 goals in one match.
Ken SEMPLE
Ken played 63 games for SFC from 1928 to 1933 playing as a key forward or ruckman.
He was a member of the 1928 and 1933 premiership teams, was Vice Captain in 1930 and Captain in 1931 and 1932.
He was third in the GSFL “Ozone” Medal in 1930 and winner of the “Abbott” Medal in Hills Association in 1931.
Ken was a member of the Strathalbyn Rovers Football Club premiership in 1926.
He played 1 game for West Torrens in the SANFL in 1930.
David WAY
David played 139 games for SFC from 1956 to 1965, mainly at Full back and was a member of the premiership teams in 1958, 1960, 1963 and 1964.
He was Vice Captain in 1963 and Captain in 1964 and 1965.
He was a regular GSFL Lovelock Shield representative.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1965.
Robert “Ox” WESTLEY
Robert played 273 games for SFC from 1957 to 1973 mainly at Centre half back or Full back.
He was a member of the premiership teams in 1958, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1971
He was Captain Coach in 1967 to 1969, including the 1968 premiership.
He played for SA Schoolboys team in Melbourne in 1957 and played 1 game for South Adelaide in SANFL in 1959.
He won the Reserves Jones Medal in 1957.
He was a selector in 1979 Centenary Premiership year and was a SFC Committee man from 1978 to 1981.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1968.
TEAM OFFICIALS
Captain Coach Brenton SMITH
Assistant Coach Graham NISBETT
Graham played 182 games for SFC from 1949 to 1961, was a member of the 1952, 1958 and 1960 premiership teams.
He was Coach of the SFC Colts team in 1962.
He was Coach of SFC from 1963 to 1965, achieving A Grade premierships in 1963, 1964 and Reserves premierships in 1963, 1964 and 1965.
He narrowly missed a hattrick of A grade premierships losing in 1965 to Encounter Bay by just 5 points.
He was awarded Life Member of SFC in 1959.
Vice Captain Jack “Tassie” NETTLEFOLD
Team Manager Wayne “Bones” McMURTRIE
Wayne played Junior grade football for SFC, later becoming Boundary Umpire for both A and B grades for a number of years.
Following an incident with a Mt Compass ruckman, it was decided, that in his best interests, he became the A grade Team Manager in 1977 and he continued in that role until 1982.
His organisation in the role was both meticulous and painstakingly detailed perfection.
He was later a trainer and the Head Trainer for SFC in 1997 and 1998.
Goal Umpire Ron “Silver” GILBERT
Ron was A Grade goal umpire for SFC from 1963 to 1979 and was a most colourful character.
He also served as SFC Committee man from 1964 to 1972 and was Vice President in 1959.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1977.
His service to football is unique, having been a player of note for Macclesfield and Echunga, and was awarded Life Membership of both those clubs and also of the Hills Central Association.
Head Trainer John ELLIOTT
John played for SFC from 1946 to 1952, became a trainer in 1956 and became Head Trainer in 1963 and continued until 1989 and in 1993 although not continuously.
He was a long time volunteer for St Johns and was adequately qualified for the many injuries that occur in football.
He was always willing to assist opposing players injuries, if required, and was a regular Trainer for GSFL Lovelock Shield matches.
He was the SFC Colts Manager from 1963 to 1966 and was a Club selector in 1961 and 1965.
He served the SFC as a committee man for a number of years and was a SFC delegate to GSFL for many years.
He was awarded Life Membership of SFC in 1965 and in 1987 was awarded Trainer Life Membership of the GSFL.
The SFC Team of the Century was announced at a function celebrating the clubs 125th anniversary and the 40 year reunion of the SFC A grade and Reserves 1964 premierships on 18th July 2004.
As many of those selected or their relatives, were not present at the initial announcement, it was decided to have a function on July 31st 2005 where each selected player or family member, was presented with a framed “Team of the Century” award along with a commemorative bottle of wine.
Ken Haines was given the honour of announcing the team, covering the detailed SFC history of each selected representative.
During the presentations, several Mail Medals and Barry Beckman,s inaugural Jones Medal were handed back to the SFC for display and safekeeping.
At the conclusion of the day, Ken Haines was unanimously voted as President of the Century.
Ken HAINES
Ken played 46 games for SFC from 1968 to 1970, was secretary from 1971 to 1973, committeeman in 1974 and President from 1975 to 1981 when he was transferred to Melbourne with his employment.
He was the youngest ever SFC President and was the driving force behind the building of the new SFC Clubrooms from 1977 to 1979.
He was awarded Life Membership of the SFC in 1981.
NOMINEES NOT SELECTED
Mick WEIDENHOFER Defender 1928 to 1935
Daryl LUDWIG Back Pocket 1979 to 1994
Ted YEATES Half Back Flank 1933 to 1953
Chris MARRETT Half Back Flank 1932 to 1947
Randall PITT Half Back Flank 1973 to 1984, 1989
Vern LAUCKE Half Back Flank 1929 to 1935
Reg MONTGOMERY Centre Half Back 1924 to 1928
Gordon WESTLEY Centre Wing 1936 to 1939
Cyril MOORE Centre Wing 1919 to 1924
Michael COOK Centre 2002 to 2005
Bill WARTON Centre 1963 to 1966
Roger GOLDFINCH Centre 1974, 1975
Eric KOHLER Half Forward Flank 1963 to 1965
Kevin WRAY Half Forward Flank 1975 to 1978, 1980
Lance WATSON Half Forward Flank 1922 to 1948
David KURTZ Half Forward Flank 1971 to 1973
Eric WIRTH Centre Half Forward 1966 to 1972
Jack HARLEY Ruckman 1933 to 1940
Jack MICHELSON Ruckman 1949 to 1954
Ross WIRTH Ruckman 1958 to 1970
Bob LEE Full Forward 1932
Kevin NIHILL Full Forward 1969
Frank “Tom” MEGAW Rover 1956 to 1965
Shayne CLONAN Rover 1999 to 2003
All of these men were outstanding players for SFC during their careers and each can be considered unfortunate not to have been selected in the final squad.
Geoff Connell
Well done brought back many memories of the late fifties to early sixties of the Hills Central and switch to The GSL
I particularly remember the clashes against the fiery Duffield brothers of Mr Barker and later Hahndorf with Barry Beckman cutting loose from the centre with his bullet stab passes and Col Megaw snapping goals over his shoulder from the forward pocket .All the 3 Megaws were in the thick of it and Ox Westley was the enforcer against The Duffields . I can imagine how much effort all of you put into the team of the century .A job very well done so these stars are not forgotten