The Coon Dog
02-06-2008, 12:52 PM
Terry Wheeler 1974-83
157 Games 18 Goals
http://i5.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/63/d8/1e_1_b.JPG
TCD: Terry, firstly thank you so much for your time. I must say it’s an absolute honour to talk to someone I consider to be an absolute legend of our club. On behalf of everyone associated with WOOF, your time is very much appreciated.
TW: I’m happy to help out.
Apologies at the outset if I appear nervous, that’s because I am. I’m no journalist, just a passionate supporter relying on my memory. Let’s start off with where you grew up & played your junior football.
I grew up in Warburton & played my junior football for Warburton. The 2 communities of Warburton & Millgrove merged for the purpose of football, so I played seniors for Warburton-Millgrove.
As a youngster growing up, who did you barrack for?
Back in Primary School, I guess as kids we’re influenced by who won premierships & way back then Essendon had won flags in 1962 & 1965, so I barracked for the Bombers.
How did you then become a Bulldog?
Footscray had Gippsland as its recruiting zone as well as a little area north of the Worri Yallock Creek, which was where I was from, so I was residentially zoned to Footscray.
Geoff Donnelly, who was my coach at Warburton-Millgrove, had written a letter of recommendation to Footscray. I subsequently received a letter inviting me to train with Footscray whist still at school at Upper Yarra High.
I came down in 1973 & played with the Under 19’s. In 1974 I made my debut in about round 5 or 6.
Did you play in the game against Fitzroy in 1975 when Neil Sasche sustained his injury?
No, I had played in the reserves & was sitting in the EJ Whitten Stand. One of my good friends Ivan Rasmussen often went to the Alfred Hospital to visit Neil. I think Neil’s injury impacted more on the senior players at the club at that time?
During your time at the club a number of players left the & found new homes elsewhere, namely Gary Dempsey, Barry Round, Bernie Quinlan, Kelvin Templeton, Laurie Sandilands etc… How did you feel about that at the time?
From my point of view, there certainly wasn’t any angst towards the administrators of the club. They were trying to do their best to keep the club solvent. The only assets we had were the players. It was either that, or sink away into the Maribyrnong mud. You must remember it was a terribly difficult time for a little club from the western suburbs to compete against the bigger & richer clubs. As a relatively young player at the time, I was oblivious to a degree.
You mention the Maribyrnong; it has a strong significance for you football wise doesn’t it?
Very much so. The 3 clubs I played with all have strong geographically defined borders; Warburton, Footscray & Williamstown. If you traveled the Warburton Highway you had to go to Warburton, no other way in or out, to get to Footscray you had to cross the Maribyrnong & Williamstown is unique, you can’t go through it, only to it.
Does any one game you played for Footscray stand out more so than any other?
Yes, In 1977 we kicked 33.15.213 to defeat St.Kilda. At the time it became a new VFL record score. Kelvin Templeton kicked 15 goals, including 8 in the last quarter, some mind you from very dubious marks; however that was the atmosphere that prevailed that particular day.
The following day we posed for a team photo under the scoreboard, with the score clearly visible. In that photo is my brother Gary, who was tragically killed in an industrial accident in 1981. We only played a few games together & that was one of them. A very special memory for me & my family. At Warburton I was in the seniors & he was playing juniors.
http://fnwb.com.au/img/scoreboard.jpg
We had some truly wonderful players back then. As a kid growing up I was in total awe of some of the players we had. There wasn’t the saturation TV coverage we have nowadays, so to us young kids VFL players were like super heroes. Do you still keep in touch with any of your old team mates?
Yes I do. I played at the club for 11 years & am proudly a life member. Some of the friends I had back then are still friends today; Ted Whitten Jnr, Kelvin Templeton, Ian Lowe, Alby Smedts, Jim Edmond & Bruce Reid to name a few.
Which players that you played with really stood out in your time as a player?
* Kelvin Templeton – He was just the most dominant player at Footscray in my time. He made our rubbish kicks look good.
I was fortunate enough to work with Kelvin for 2 ½ years. We ran a gymnasium out of the Western Oval. His commitment to make himself the best he could was years ahead of its time. He worked hard at improving his skill, in the gym & ate properly.
* Geoff Jennings – A wonderful club captain. Played on despite severe shoulder & hamstring injuries.
Funny, a game against Essendon at Windy Hill brought about a rule change. Geoff wore number 25 & I wore number 35, we were of a similar height & both had blonde hair. The coach at the time, Billy Goggin was aware Essendon were going to tag Geoff, so he ordered us to swap jumpers. My Dad was very excited at home listening to the radio as they said Terry Wheeler had kicked 3 first half goals. After that game you had to wear your registered number.
What about some of the players you played against?
Well, as the back pocket, in those days you minded the resting rover, so I was up against some really damaging players.
In no order: Peter Crimmins & Leigh Matthews form Hawthorn, Peter Bedford, Norm Goss & Stevie Hoffman from South Melbourne, Garry Wilson & Mickey Conlan from Fitzroy, Kevin Bartlett & Dale Weightman from Richmond & the Krakouer brothers & Barry Cable from North Melbourne.
When did you finish up with the club as a player?
I knew the writing was on the wall in 1983 when I was the permanent captain of the reserves. During that season Rod Oborne had been moved on as coach of Williamstown & Merv Hobbs who was down there then tried to get me to cross over prior to June 30, when clearances closed.
I remained with Footscray that year & was appointed to coach Williamstown in 1984.
How did you enjoy that?
I loved it & was fortunate that we had some terrific sides. We won a premiership in 1986, lost the grand finals of 1985 & 1988 & finished 3rd in 1987.
157 Games 18 Goals
http://i5.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/63/d8/1e_1_b.JPG
TCD: Terry, firstly thank you so much for your time. I must say it’s an absolute honour to talk to someone I consider to be an absolute legend of our club. On behalf of everyone associated with WOOF, your time is very much appreciated.
TW: I’m happy to help out.
Apologies at the outset if I appear nervous, that’s because I am. I’m no journalist, just a passionate supporter relying on my memory. Let’s start off with where you grew up & played your junior football.
I grew up in Warburton & played my junior football for Warburton. The 2 communities of Warburton & Millgrove merged for the purpose of football, so I played seniors for Warburton-Millgrove.
As a youngster growing up, who did you barrack for?
Back in Primary School, I guess as kids we’re influenced by who won premierships & way back then Essendon had won flags in 1962 & 1965, so I barracked for the Bombers.
How did you then become a Bulldog?
Footscray had Gippsland as its recruiting zone as well as a little area north of the Worri Yallock Creek, which was where I was from, so I was residentially zoned to Footscray.
Geoff Donnelly, who was my coach at Warburton-Millgrove, had written a letter of recommendation to Footscray. I subsequently received a letter inviting me to train with Footscray whist still at school at Upper Yarra High.
I came down in 1973 & played with the Under 19’s. In 1974 I made my debut in about round 5 or 6.
Did you play in the game against Fitzroy in 1975 when Neil Sasche sustained his injury?
No, I had played in the reserves & was sitting in the EJ Whitten Stand. One of my good friends Ivan Rasmussen often went to the Alfred Hospital to visit Neil. I think Neil’s injury impacted more on the senior players at the club at that time?
During your time at the club a number of players left the & found new homes elsewhere, namely Gary Dempsey, Barry Round, Bernie Quinlan, Kelvin Templeton, Laurie Sandilands etc… How did you feel about that at the time?
From my point of view, there certainly wasn’t any angst towards the administrators of the club. They were trying to do their best to keep the club solvent. The only assets we had were the players. It was either that, or sink away into the Maribyrnong mud. You must remember it was a terribly difficult time for a little club from the western suburbs to compete against the bigger & richer clubs. As a relatively young player at the time, I was oblivious to a degree.
You mention the Maribyrnong; it has a strong significance for you football wise doesn’t it?
Very much so. The 3 clubs I played with all have strong geographically defined borders; Warburton, Footscray & Williamstown. If you traveled the Warburton Highway you had to go to Warburton, no other way in or out, to get to Footscray you had to cross the Maribyrnong & Williamstown is unique, you can’t go through it, only to it.
Does any one game you played for Footscray stand out more so than any other?
Yes, In 1977 we kicked 33.15.213 to defeat St.Kilda. At the time it became a new VFL record score. Kelvin Templeton kicked 15 goals, including 8 in the last quarter, some mind you from very dubious marks; however that was the atmosphere that prevailed that particular day.
The following day we posed for a team photo under the scoreboard, with the score clearly visible. In that photo is my brother Gary, who was tragically killed in an industrial accident in 1981. We only played a few games together & that was one of them. A very special memory for me & my family. At Warburton I was in the seniors & he was playing juniors.
http://fnwb.com.au/img/scoreboard.jpg
We had some truly wonderful players back then. As a kid growing up I was in total awe of some of the players we had. There wasn’t the saturation TV coverage we have nowadays, so to us young kids VFL players were like super heroes. Do you still keep in touch with any of your old team mates?
Yes I do. I played at the club for 11 years & am proudly a life member. Some of the friends I had back then are still friends today; Ted Whitten Jnr, Kelvin Templeton, Ian Lowe, Alby Smedts, Jim Edmond & Bruce Reid to name a few.
Which players that you played with really stood out in your time as a player?
* Kelvin Templeton – He was just the most dominant player at Footscray in my time. He made our rubbish kicks look good.
I was fortunate enough to work with Kelvin for 2 ½ years. We ran a gymnasium out of the Western Oval. His commitment to make himself the best he could was years ahead of its time. He worked hard at improving his skill, in the gym & ate properly.
* Geoff Jennings – A wonderful club captain. Played on despite severe shoulder & hamstring injuries.
Funny, a game against Essendon at Windy Hill brought about a rule change. Geoff wore number 25 & I wore number 35, we were of a similar height & both had blonde hair. The coach at the time, Billy Goggin was aware Essendon were going to tag Geoff, so he ordered us to swap jumpers. My Dad was very excited at home listening to the radio as they said Terry Wheeler had kicked 3 first half goals. After that game you had to wear your registered number.
What about some of the players you played against?
Well, as the back pocket, in those days you minded the resting rover, so I was up against some really damaging players.
In no order: Peter Crimmins & Leigh Matthews form Hawthorn, Peter Bedford, Norm Goss & Stevie Hoffman from South Melbourne, Garry Wilson & Mickey Conlan from Fitzroy, Kevin Bartlett & Dale Weightman from Richmond & the Krakouer brothers & Barry Cable from North Melbourne.
When did you finish up with the club as a player?
I knew the writing was on the wall in 1983 when I was the permanent captain of the reserves. During that season Rod Oborne had been moved on as coach of Williamstown & Merv Hobbs who was down there then tried to get me to cross over prior to June 30, when clearances closed.
I remained with Footscray that year & was appointed to coach Williamstown in 1984.
How did you enjoy that?
I loved it & was fortunate that we had some terrific sides. We won a premiership in 1986, lost the grand finals of 1985 & 1988 & finished 3rd in 1987.