The Coon Dog
06-10-2008, 09:33 PM
Brian Cordy 1979 -1988
124 Games & 18 Goals
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5963720,00.jpg
Family pack: Graeme, Brian and Neil Cordy run with the Bulldogs at Footscray in 1982
TCD: Hi Brian, big day today, congratulations on being the father of the newest Western Bulldog.
BC: Thank you, yes very happy right now.
Where did you grow up?
In Traralgon. My first club was TEDAS (Traralgon East District Associated Sports).
Who did you barrack for as a kid?
It was funny; my Dad went out & bought 4 different footy jumpers so there’d be no arguments. Neil got a Carlton one, I got a Geelong one, Graeme got a Melbourne one & Roger got a Fitzroy one. We all ended up barracking for those teams.
How did you get to Footscray?
Because it was before drafting I was zoned to Footscray. I played in a premiership side in the seniors in 1978 & Footscray invited me down.
Did you start off in the Under 19’s?
Yes, during 1979 & 1980 I played in the 3rds & 2nds.
When did you make your senior debut?
It was in Round 2 in 1981 against Collingwood at Victoria Park & we got thumped (Coll 178 v Foots 84).
That was a tough initiation.
Sure was, though I played at full back & managed to keep my opponent David Young goalless.
Who were some of the better players you saw for the club?
• Doug Hawkins – without a doubt the best footballer I played with. Probably wasn’t really appreciated outside the club as we didn’t get the TV coverage the better sides did in those days. His ball handling & body positioning were first class.
• Scott Wynd – I was coming to the end of my career as Scott was just starting out but you could tell he was something special. A quality person. I was captain of the reserves in 1980 when we won the flag under Curly Austin & Scott played in that team.
• Rick Kennedy – We arrived at the same time from Traralgon. Just so totally committed & gave everything. Such a strong character. Got the flick before he started & asked for a pre season.
• Brian Royal – A magnificent player. Sublime on the ball & just knew where the goals were.
• Steve Wallis – A great attitude. Might have looked short & slow but was just a wonderful ball winner. Could hit hard too.
What about opponents?
• Garry Ablett Snr. – An absolute nightmare to play on. He made everything look ridiculously easy. If you played from behind he did you with speed. If you played in front he stood on your head. If you attempted to wrestle he just threw you to the ground & he didn’t mind throwing one or two back then either.
• Gary Buckenara – A very underrated player given there were higher profile players at Hawthorn. Very good overhead & could turn onto either foot.
• Tony Morwood - Worked exceptionally hard & covered so much ground.
• Dermot Brereton & Jason Dunstall – Not only were they both exceptional power forwards; they had an endless supply from their star studded midfield.
Who were the coaches in your time at Footscray?
• Don McKenzie – Very quiet. Well spoken & extremely methodical.
• Royce Hart – Not the greatest communicator. Had the best pair of hands I ever saw. Marked everything at training even though his knees were shot.
• Bluey Hampshire – I played with Bluey & he was fantastic with individuals, which was rare back them. Just had the personal touch.
• Mick Malthouse – He was great & learned on the job. Had very strong qualities.
What did you do after you retired from playing with Footscray?
In 1989 I went to South Australia for a season & played under Kevin Morris at West Adelaide. Quite enjoyable too.
Did you move back to Victoria?
Yes. My wife is from Geelong so we returned & lived in Geelong where I played at Bell Park in the GFL. I took on coaching as well & won a flag in 1991. I finished up after my 9th knee operation at the end of that year.
I was teaching at Chanel College at the time & a year 12 student of mine was Brad Johnson. I actually took the step of ringing the club & letting them know just how good he was.
Did you coach in the Under 18’s?
Yes. Terry Bright moved on I took over as coach of the Geelong Falcons from 1996-1999. I really enjoyed it & got to coach Jonathon Brown, Cameron Ling & Matthew Scarlett.
I also coached at Drysdale & took some time off from teaching to build a house down at Ocean Grove.
I got back into teaching at Geelong College from 2006 & I’m pleased that 4 of the boys have now been drafted; Will Schoefield (West Coast), Lachlan Henderson (Brisbane), Jaxon Barham (Collingwood) & Ayce.
Is there any game at you time at Footscray that really stands out?
In 1983 Denny Schwartz from Eastcoast Jeans promised us $15K towards our end of season trip if we won our last 3 games. We played St.Kilda down at Moorabbin & were 39 points down at ¾ time. We came home with a wet sail & Chris Hansen & Ian Williams kicked late goals to get us up.
Why did you always wear #49?
It was the number I was first given when I came down to the club. I had the opportunity to wear #9. Stan Davidson was a great mate of mine & he had just been given the flick & they asked me if I wanted to then wear it. I decided not too under the circumstances.
Now, it would be remiss of me not to talk about today. Excited?
Absolutely thrilled that Ayce is going to play for the Bulldogs. The beauty is that we know he’s only an hour up the road. Just takes away all the uncertainty of him ending up in another state.
When did you know Ayce was going to be a Bulldog?
Last November. The club approached us & were keen. They have been terrific & kept in contact since then.
Will he follow in his Dad’s footsteps & wear #49?
That’s really up to Ayce. I’m not concerned either way.
What are Ayce’s strengths?
Ayce is very agile. He was 5th at the Draft Camp last week in Canberra. He’s got very clean hands at ground level & is very intelligent on the football field & just knows where to run. He also scares the opposition going forward.
Off to Melbourne straight away?
No, when he finished his school he’ll head up there. He’s nearly completely recovered from his shoulder operation & can start contact work in a month. He was diagnosed with glandular fever a little while back so another month off wont hurt.
Brian thanks so much for your time & again congratulations.
Thank you, it was a pleasure, now I’ll read some of the other interviews you have done, it might bring a tear to my eye.
124 Games & 18 Goals
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5963720,00.jpg
Family pack: Graeme, Brian and Neil Cordy run with the Bulldogs at Footscray in 1982
TCD: Hi Brian, big day today, congratulations on being the father of the newest Western Bulldog.
BC: Thank you, yes very happy right now.
Where did you grow up?
In Traralgon. My first club was TEDAS (Traralgon East District Associated Sports).
Who did you barrack for as a kid?
It was funny; my Dad went out & bought 4 different footy jumpers so there’d be no arguments. Neil got a Carlton one, I got a Geelong one, Graeme got a Melbourne one & Roger got a Fitzroy one. We all ended up barracking for those teams.
How did you get to Footscray?
Because it was before drafting I was zoned to Footscray. I played in a premiership side in the seniors in 1978 & Footscray invited me down.
Did you start off in the Under 19’s?
Yes, during 1979 & 1980 I played in the 3rds & 2nds.
When did you make your senior debut?
It was in Round 2 in 1981 against Collingwood at Victoria Park & we got thumped (Coll 178 v Foots 84).
That was a tough initiation.
Sure was, though I played at full back & managed to keep my opponent David Young goalless.
Who were some of the better players you saw for the club?
• Doug Hawkins – without a doubt the best footballer I played with. Probably wasn’t really appreciated outside the club as we didn’t get the TV coverage the better sides did in those days. His ball handling & body positioning were first class.
• Scott Wynd – I was coming to the end of my career as Scott was just starting out but you could tell he was something special. A quality person. I was captain of the reserves in 1980 when we won the flag under Curly Austin & Scott played in that team.
• Rick Kennedy – We arrived at the same time from Traralgon. Just so totally committed & gave everything. Such a strong character. Got the flick before he started & asked for a pre season.
• Brian Royal – A magnificent player. Sublime on the ball & just knew where the goals were.
• Steve Wallis – A great attitude. Might have looked short & slow but was just a wonderful ball winner. Could hit hard too.
What about opponents?
• Garry Ablett Snr. – An absolute nightmare to play on. He made everything look ridiculously easy. If you played from behind he did you with speed. If you played in front he stood on your head. If you attempted to wrestle he just threw you to the ground & he didn’t mind throwing one or two back then either.
• Gary Buckenara – A very underrated player given there were higher profile players at Hawthorn. Very good overhead & could turn onto either foot.
• Tony Morwood - Worked exceptionally hard & covered so much ground.
• Dermot Brereton & Jason Dunstall – Not only were they both exceptional power forwards; they had an endless supply from their star studded midfield.
Who were the coaches in your time at Footscray?
• Don McKenzie – Very quiet. Well spoken & extremely methodical.
• Royce Hart – Not the greatest communicator. Had the best pair of hands I ever saw. Marked everything at training even though his knees were shot.
• Bluey Hampshire – I played with Bluey & he was fantastic with individuals, which was rare back them. Just had the personal touch.
• Mick Malthouse – He was great & learned on the job. Had very strong qualities.
What did you do after you retired from playing with Footscray?
In 1989 I went to South Australia for a season & played under Kevin Morris at West Adelaide. Quite enjoyable too.
Did you move back to Victoria?
Yes. My wife is from Geelong so we returned & lived in Geelong where I played at Bell Park in the GFL. I took on coaching as well & won a flag in 1991. I finished up after my 9th knee operation at the end of that year.
I was teaching at Chanel College at the time & a year 12 student of mine was Brad Johnson. I actually took the step of ringing the club & letting them know just how good he was.
Did you coach in the Under 18’s?
Yes. Terry Bright moved on I took over as coach of the Geelong Falcons from 1996-1999. I really enjoyed it & got to coach Jonathon Brown, Cameron Ling & Matthew Scarlett.
I also coached at Drysdale & took some time off from teaching to build a house down at Ocean Grove.
I got back into teaching at Geelong College from 2006 & I’m pleased that 4 of the boys have now been drafted; Will Schoefield (West Coast), Lachlan Henderson (Brisbane), Jaxon Barham (Collingwood) & Ayce.
Is there any game at you time at Footscray that really stands out?
In 1983 Denny Schwartz from Eastcoast Jeans promised us $15K towards our end of season trip if we won our last 3 games. We played St.Kilda down at Moorabbin & were 39 points down at ¾ time. We came home with a wet sail & Chris Hansen & Ian Williams kicked late goals to get us up.
Why did you always wear #49?
It was the number I was first given when I came down to the club. I had the opportunity to wear #9. Stan Davidson was a great mate of mine & he had just been given the flick & they asked me if I wanted to then wear it. I decided not too under the circumstances.
Now, it would be remiss of me not to talk about today. Excited?
Absolutely thrilled that Ayce is going to play for the Bulldogs. The beauty is that we know he’s only an hour up the road. Just takes away all the uncertainty of him ending up in another state.
When did you know Ayce was going to be a Bulldog?
Last November. The club approached us & were keen. They have been terrific & kept in contact since then.
Will he follow in his Dad’s footsteps & wear #49?
That’s really up to Ayce. I’m not concerned either way.
What are Ayce’s strengths?
Ayce is very agile. He was 5th at the Draft Camp last week in Canberra. He’s got very clean hands at ground level & is very intelligent on the football field & just knows where to run. He also scares the opposition going forward.
Off to Melbourne straight away?
No, when he finished his school he’ll head up there. He’s nearly completely recovered from his shoulder operation & can start contact work in a month. He was diagnosed with glandular fever a little while back so another month off wont hurt.
Brian thanks so much for your time & again congratulations.
Thank you, it was a pleasure, now I’ll read some of the other interviews you have done, it might bring a tear to my eye.