The Coon Dog
04-07-2008, 11:10 AM
Kelvin Templeton – Footscray 1974-1982, 143 games & 494 goals – Melbourne 1983-85, 34 games & 99 goals.
1980 Brownlow Medal
1978 & 1979 VFL Leading Goalkicker (118 goals & 91 goals)
1978 & 1980 Best & Fairest
Centre Half Forward – Team of the Century
http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/images/KTempletonFoot.jpg
http://www.realfooty.com.au/ffximage/2007/07/12/wbFOOTSCRAYtemplestowe_gallery__287x400.jpg
TCD: Kelvin, thank you so much for your time, I know you’re very busy, so I really do appreciate you talking to me.
KT: You’re most welcome.
As a child, which VFL team did you support?
Melbourne.
When did you leave Traralgon & fist play for Footscray?
1974. I played the first 2 games in the reserves & made my debut against Collingwood at Victoria Park in round 3.
How did you go in your debut?
It was a draw & I kicked 6 goals.
Footscray made the finals in 1974. From memory you made way to fit Laurie Sandilands into the team.
Yes, I was disappointed to be dropped for the Elimination Final particularly as I had kicked 5 goals against Richmond in round 22.
In 1978 you kicked 15goals & 9 behinds against St.Kilda including 8 goals in the last quarter. Was that the best quarter you played?
No, by that stage St.Kilda had fallen away alarmingly, our midfield was right on top, so the ball was coming down relentlesly. I was a bit fortunate & I kicked straight too. 8 goals & no behinds, but in 1980 I played better quarters of total football.
1980, some former players say it was the best season of football they had ever seen from an individual.
A few things happened in 1980. I had a fantastic pre season & was at my peak physically. I fely very, very confident & enjoyed the challenge of playing on the likes of Bruce Doull, Ross Glendinning & Peter Knights.
After 3-4 rounds Royce Hart moved me from full forward out to centre half forward which suited me as I played all my junior football there. Royce also gave me the lisence to raom where & whenever, so I ofter wondered up to the centre line & on occassions into the back line. I also did much of the ruckwork in the forward line.
Were you the favourite heading into the Brownlow medal?
Yes, I had won a number of the media awards that season, but it was a little reserved as no one playing my position had won the Brownlow Medal upto then.
When did you injure your knee?
It was in a pre season game against Melbourne at VFL Park & in the final seconds of the game I bent down to pick up the ball & a Melbourne player dived kamikaze style & took my legs out. I was still on the ground as the final siren sounded.
I was shattered as I had just come off my best season & was in excellent shape at 24 years of age.
Who were some of the better players you played with at the Bulldogs?
* Terry Wheeler – Just his toughness & tenacity.
* Doug Hawkins – He was a brilliant player who could read the play so well & had exceptional delivery skills.
* Laurie Sandilands – A very strong Captain & leader.
* Bernie Quinlan – His athleticism, skills & ability.
What about opposition player?
* Neale Daniher – A tough competitor.
* Ross Glendinning – Strong, skillful & a fantastic athlete.
* David Dench – As a 17 year old I was taught a lesson! He ran off & even kicked goals from full back.
What prompted the move to Melbourne in 1983?
I had been at Footscray for 9 years & I felt the prospects were bleak. I knew with the injuries I had sustained I didn’t have a long time left & I thought Melbourne were on the way up. It was a very tough decision & hugely unpopular with the supporters too, there was a lot of ill feeling at the time.
Peter Moore & I had to challenge the VFL rules at the time. The lawyer we engaged subsequently became the VFL’s lawyer so the rukes were then changed as they allowed very little freedom. It was a positive benefit & highlighted that the rules were in dire need of change.
When did you go to Sydney?
I became the CEO in 1995 through to 2002, prior to that I was a part time assistant coach under Tom Hafey.
Where are you living these days?
In Adu Dabi in the United Arab Emirates, so you were fortunate to catch a hold of me.
Do you keep in touch with the AFL from abroad?
Yes, with cable we get to watch matches & I must say that the Western Bulldogs & Sydney for that matter are very good at keeping in touch. In August I’ll be in Melbourne & hope to get to watch the Bulldogs whilst I’m there.
Before I let you go, & again thank you so much for your time, what stand out as highlights in your career?
The Brownlow Medal, I’m sure if I got to play in a Premiership that would take precedence, but I didn’t unfortunately. Another highlight was being selected in the Western Bulldogs Team of the Century.
* Kelvin was very generous with his time, given his busy schedule.
1980 Brownlow Medal
1978 & 1979 VFL Leading Goalkicker (118 goals & 91 goals)
1978 & 1980 Best & Fairest
Centre Half Forward – Team of the Century
http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/images/KTempletonFoot.jpg
http://www.realfooty.com.au/ffximage/2007/07/12/wbFOOTSCRAYtemplestowe_gallery__287x400.jpg
TCD: Kelvin, thank you so much for your time, I know you’re very busy, so I really do appreciate you talking to me.
KT: You’re most welcome.
As a child, which VFL team did you support?
Melbourne.
When did you leave Traralgon & fist play for Footscray?
1974. I played the first 2 games in the reserves & made my debut against Collingwood at Victoria Park in round 3.
How did you go in your debut?
It was a draw & I kicked 6 goals.
Footscray made the finals in 1974. From memory you made way to fit Laurie Sandilands into the team.
Yes, I was disappointed to be dropped for the Elimination Final particularly as I had kicked 5 goals against Richmond in round 22.
In 1978 you kicked 15goals & 9 behinds against St.Kilda including 8 goals in the last quarter. Was that the best quarter you played?
No, by that stage St.Kilda had fallen away alarmingly, our midfield was right on top, so the ball was coming down relentlesly. I was a bit fortunate & I kicked straight too. 8 goals & no behinds, but in 1980 I played better quarters of total football.
1980, some former players say it was the best season of football they had ever seen from an individual.
A few things happened in 1980. I had a fantastic pre season & was at my peak physically. I fely very, very confident & enjoyed the challenge of playing on the likes of Bruce Doull, Ross Glendinning & Peter Knights.
After 3-4 rounds Royce Hart moved me from full forward out to centre half forward which suited me as I played all my junior football there. Royce also gave me the lisence to raom where & whenever, so I ofter wondered up to the centre line & on occassions into the back line. I also did much of the ruckwork in the forward line.
Were you the favourite heading into the Brownlow medal?
Yes, I had won a number of the media awards that season, but it was a little reserved as no one playing my position had won the Brownlow Medal upto then.
When did you injure your knee?
It was in a pre season game against Melbourne at VFL Park & in the final seconds of the game I bent down to pick up the ball & a Melbourne player dived kamikaze style & took my legs out. I was still on the ground as the final siren sounded.
I was shattered as I had just come off my best season & was in excellent shape at 24 years of age.
Who were some of the better players you played with at the Bulldogs?
* Terry Wheeler – Just his toughness & tenacity.
* Doug Hawkins – He was a brilliant player who could read the play so well & had exceptional delivery skills.
* Laurie Sandilands – A very strong Captain & leader.
* Bernie Quinlan – His athleticism, skills & ability.
What about opposition player?
* Neale Daniher – A tough competitor.
* Ross Glendinning – Strong, skillful & a fantastic athlete.
* David Dench – As a 17 year old I was taught a lesson! He ran off & even kicked goals from full back.
What prompted the move to Melbourne in 1983?
I had been at Footscray for 9 years & I felt the prospects were bleak. I knew with the injuries I had sustained I didn’t have a long time left & I thought Melbourne were on the way up. It was a very tough decision & hugely unpopular with the supporters too, there was a lot of ill feeling at the time.
Peter Moore & I had to challenge the VFL rules at the time. The lawyer we engaged subsequently became the VFL’s lawyer so the rukes were then changed as they allowed very little freedom. It was a positive benefit & highlighted that the rules were in dire need of change.
When did you go to Sydney?
I became the CEO in 1995 through to 2002, prior to that I was a part time assistant coach under Tom Hafey.
Where are you living these days?
In Adu Dabi in the United Arab Emirates, so you were fortunate to catch a hold of me.
Do you keep in touch with the AFL from abroad?
Yes, with cable we get to watch matches & I must say that the Western Bulldogs & Sydney for that matter are very good at keeping in touch. In August I’ll be in Melbourne & hope to get to watch the Bulldogs whilst I’m there.
Before I let you go, & again thank you so much for your time, what stand out as highlights in your career?
The Brownlow Medal, I’m sure if I got to play in a Premiership that would take precedence, but I didn’t unfortunately. Another highlight was being selected in the Western Bulldogs Team of the Century.
* Kelvin was very generous with his time, given his busy schedule.