The Coon Dog
29-05-2008, 05:57 PM
Danny Del-Re
62 Games - 139 Goals
http://i10.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/d4/f0/9683_1_b.JPG
TCD: G’day Danny & thanks for your time.
DD: No worries, happy to help.
As a kid growing up, who did you barrack for?
Its funny, one of my Uncle’s who’d come over from Italy went to his first game to watch Footscray v Carlton in the 60’s & said that he’s going to barrack for the first team to score. He actually thought he was going to a soccer match! I guess Footscray must have scored first as we’re all Bulldogs mad in our family.
Where did you grow up & who did you first play football for?
I lived in Keilor & played for Crossroads in the Footscray District League. I used to wear the number 7 on my back as I idolized Doug Hawkins.
So, how did you get to Footscray?
The first time, I was zoned & tried out with the under 19’s under Graeme Calverley & Trevor Fletcher. They ended up telling me I was too slow & overweight.
So where did you go after that?
I went to Williamstown & played under Terry Wheeler.
So how did you get back to the Bulldogs? Wheels?
Yes. In 1989 Williamstown had just lost the Grand Final by 3 goals to Coburg at Windy Hill. In the rooms afterwards I was feeling pretty crap when Wheels approached me. I’ll never forget him saying to me, ‘Bad luck about the game, but if I get the Bulldogs job, you’re coming to train with me.’
True to his word, he got the Bulldogs job & invited me down to train; tho there were no guarantees. Things had changed & I had to be drafted, which I was in the Pre Season Draft of 1990.
Did you play seniors in 1990?
Yes, about 8 games in I got selected to play my first game against the Brisbane Bears at Cararra. We won by about 8 goals & I kicked 2 goals.
What are your memories of the 1st semi final in 1992 against Geelong?
Unbelievable! We were cruising at half time & led by 4 or 5 goals, then Geelong went up a gear after half time & won by 7 goals.
How did you go that day?
Yeah, I went OK.
Just OK?
Well, I did all right. I kicked 8 goals, but it should have been 9. I took a mark in the goal square, turned around & put it through, but the umpire paid a free kick against me for a push in the back.
I spoke with Super the other day about the parachute jump. How did you go?
There were 4 of us in this tiny Cessna, Simon Atkins, Shannon Corcoran, Barry Standfield & myself. It had an opening for a door but no door, so it was very noisy. I was the last out & when I jumped I went into freefall for about 10 seconds. For the first 5 seconds I couldn’t breathe & began to hyperventilate. It took about 20 seconds for the chute to open properly & I’ve never been as relieved in my whole life!
Would you do it again?
No way!!!!!!!!!! I hate heights as it is, so once was enough for me.
Who were some of the better players you played with?
• Simon Atkins – He had terrific skills & his vision was outstanding.
• Mark Hunter – He was very smart at reading the play.
• Doug Hawkins – I still pinch myself thinking about how I got to play with my childhood hero.
• Steve Wallis – Courageous & hard as nails.
What about those you played against?
• Danny Frawley – Actually he was one I looked forward to as I did quite well on him.
• Gavin Brown – He was so quick & was always there.
• Stephen Silvagni – He was very hard to play on, wrestled all day & never let up.
• Alistair Lynch – He was a good full back before he became a good full forward, very tough & quick too.
When did you finish up at the Bulldogs?
I played a few games in 1994, but Joycey felt it was time for me to move on.
You came across to me, more of a player who would play his best football if he was playing under a coach that got his players to ‘play for him.’
Without a doubt, that’s why I loved playing under Terry Wheeler. He knew there was a time & a place for a bit of fun, but he certainly got the best out of me. He made me the person I am today, both as a footballer & what I have been able to achieve in business. He was a bit scary tho, particularly if he stared at you!
Where did you go after leaving the Bulldogs?
I went to South Australia & played under Ken Sheldon for South Adelaide. I kicked 97 goals for the season, but unfortunately we just missed out on the finals by percentage. It was a shame really as the club had been down for a while so it was exciting. Kenny was also a very good coach. I only played for one season at South as I couldn’t commit to play beyond that due to business commitments back in Melbourne.
You came back & played with Williamstown, didn’t you?
Yes, for 3 seasons from 1996 -99.
Do you still play?
Yes, I play Super Rules for Essendon & really enjoy it, particularly as we’ve been successful, winning 4 flags in 5 years.
You had a stint as the runner too for the Western Bulldogs?
Yes, Mark Hunter agreed to be a runner for Rocket & he got me down there. It was a great feeling being back, in the rooms before the game etc…The actual running part was tough tho, you never stopped.
Which players ran the other way when they saw you coming?
Westy, he often told me to get lost & Johnno, he just hated, absolutely hated being told.
What are you doing with yourself these days?
Running a food service business, delivering to hotels, café’s, restaurants etc…
What’s it called?
Del-Re National Food Group. We have 7 trucks & we're based in Tullamarine.
Family?
Yes, married with 2 daughters, Hannah 8 & Lucy 3. We’ve got a little boy, Willis who’s 7 months old.
Still follow the Dogs?
Yes, it’s good, Hannah has really started to get right into it now & loves to come to the footy with me.
Thanks for your time Danny, very much appreciate it.
You’re welcome.
62 Games - 139 Goals
http://i10.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/d4/f0/9683_1_b.JPG
TCD: G’day Danny & thanks for your time.
DD: No worries, happy to help.
As a kid growing up, who did you barrack for?
Its funny, one of my Uncle’s who’d come over from Italy went to his first game to watch Footscray v Carlton in the 60’s & said that he’s going to barrack for the first team to score. He actually thought he was going to a soccer match! I guess Footscray must have scored first as we’re all Bulldogs mad in our family.
Where did you grow up & who did you first play football for?
I lived in Keilor & played for Crossroads in the Footscray District League. I used to wear the number 7 on my back as I idolized Doug Hawkins.
So, how did you get to Footscray?
The first time, I was zoned & tried out with the under 19’s under Graeme Calverley & Trevor Fletcher. They ended up telling me I was too slow & overweight.
So where did you go after that?
I went to Williamstown & played under Terry Wheeler.
So how did you get back to the Bulldogs? Wheels?
Yes. In 1989 Williamstown had just lost the Grand Final by 3 goals to Coburg at Windy Hill. In the rooms afterwards I was feeling pretty crap when Wheels approached me. I’ll never forget him saying to me, ‘Bad luck about the game, but if I get the Bulldogs job, you’re coming to train with me.’
True to his word, he got the Bulldogs job & invited me down to train; tho there were no guarantees. Things had changed & I had to be drafted, which I was in the Pre Season Draft of 1990.
Did you play seniors in 1990?
Yes, about 8 games in I got selected to play my first game against the Brisbane Bears at Cararra. We won by about 8 goals & I kicked 2 goals.
What are your memories of the 1st semi final in 1992 against Geelong?
Unbelievable! We were cruising at half time & led by 4 or 5 goals, then Geelong went up a gear after half time & won by 7 goals.
How did you go that day?
Yeah, I went OK.
Just OK?
Well, I did all right. I kicked 8 goals, but it should have been 9. I took a mark in the goal square, turned around & put it through, but the umpire paid a free kick against me for a push in the back.
I spoke with Super the other day about the parachute jump. How did you go?
There were 4 of us in this tiny Cessna, Simon Atkins, Shannon Corcoran, Barry Standfield & myself. It had an opening for a door but no door, so it was very noisy. I was the last out & when I jumped I went into freefall for about 10 seconds. For the first 5 seconds I couldn’t breathe & began to hyperventilate. It took about 20 seconds for the chute to open properly & I’ve never been as relieved in my whole life!
Would you do it again?
No way!!!!!!!!!! I hate heights as it is, so once was enough for me.
Who were some of the better players you played with?
• Simon Atkins – He had terrific skills & his vision was outstanding.
• Mark Hunter – He was very smart at reading the play.
• Doug Hawkins – I still pinch myself thinking about how I got to play with my childhood hero.
• Steve Wallis – Courageous & hard as nails.
What about those you played against?
• Danny Frawley – Actually he was one I looked forward to as I did quite well on him.
• Gavin Brown – He was so quick & was always there.
• Stephen Silvagni – He was very hard to play on, wrestled all day & never let up.
• Alistair Lynch – He was a good full back before he became a good full forward, very tough & quick too.
When did you finish up at the Bulldogs?
I played a few games in 1994, but Joycey felt it was time for me to move on.
You came across to me, more of a player who would play his best football if he was playing under a coach that got his players to ‘play for him.’
Without a doubt, that’s why I loved playing under Terry Wheeler. He knew there was a time & a place for a bit of fun, but he certainly got the best out of me. He made me the person I am today, both as a footballer & what I have been able to achieve in business. He was a bit scary tho, particularly if he stared at you!
Where did you go after leaving the Bulldogs?
I went to South Australia & played under Ken Sheldon for South Adelaide. I kicked 97 goals for the season, but unfortunately we just missed out on the finals by percentage. It was a shame really as the club had been down for a while so it was exciting. Kenny was also a very good coach. I only played for one season at South as I couldn’t commit to play beyond that due to business commitments back in Melbourne.
You came back & played with Williamstown, didn’t you?
Yes, for 3 seasons from 1996 -99.
Do you still play?
Yes, I play Super Rules for Essendon & really enjoy it, particularly as we’ve been successful, winning 4 flags in 5 years.
You had a stint as the runner too for the Western Bulldogs?
Yes, Mark Hunter agreed to be a runner for Rocket & he got me down there. It was a great feeling being back, in the rooms before the game etc…The actual running part was tough tho, you never stopped.
Which players ran the other way when they saw you coming?
Westy, he often told me to get lost & Johnno, he just hated, absolutely hated being told.
What are you doing with yourself these days?
Running a food service business, delivering to hotels, café’s, restaurants etc…
What’s it called?
Del-Re National Food Group. We have 7 trucks & we're based in Tullamarine.
Family?
Yes, married with 2 daughters, Hannah 8 & Lucy 3. We’ve got a little boy, Willis who’s 7 months old.
Still follow the Dogs?
Yes, it’s good, Hannah has really started to get right into it now & loves to come to the footy with me.
Thanks for your time Danny, very much appreciate it.
You’re welcome.