Interview With Geoff Jennings

[The Coon Dog]

Geoff Jennings 1974-1983
137 games & 136 goals.






TCD: Hi Geoff & thanks for your time.

GJ: You’re welcome.

Where did you grow up?

Traralgon.

What do they put in the water down there? I have spoken with Rick Kennedy, Kelvin Templeton, Brian Cordy & now yourself & all of you from Traralgon.

Don’t forget Bernie is also from Traralgon.

As a youngster, who did you barrack for?

I was a mad Geelong supporter & still have the #35 jumper I wore as a kid. I idolized Billy Goggin.

Not the only time you’ve wore #35 either, from memory.

(Laughs) No, one day at Essendon, Wheels & I swapped numbers & he wore #25 & I wore #35. It was funny as it was the first time my sister had come to watch me play & she remarked to my Dad that I was a bit quiet sitting in the back pocket. She didn’t realise I had kicked 4 goals that day.

Who did you play junior football with?

I started with Cumberland Park & then went to Traralgon when I was 15. I played a season in the Under 16’s & then the next season I played in the seniors.

Just out of curiosity, what jumpers do Traralgon wear?

Maroon with a white sash.

When did you come to Footscray?

I came down in 1974 & expected to play in the Under 19’s, but my form was pretty good throughout the practice matches that I was picked to play in round 1.

That must have been special.

It was, especially as I was playing against Geelong & half the players I was playing against were up on posters in my bedroom at Traralgon.

Do you remember much about the game?

It was very special for me. I played on Geoff Ainsworth for the first 3 quarters. Adrian Gallagher was first rover & he stayed on the ball for the first 3 quarters. At ¾ time Bob Rose said I was to go on the ball in the last quarter & stay there. If I stopped running I was going to be taken off. In those days there was no interchange, just a 19th & 20th man who could come on to replace a player. I played on Ian Nankervis in the final term. We kicked 4 or 5 goals into a strong wind in that quarter.

Did we win?

Yes, we won by a few goals & I managed to kick a goal (we won well actually, WB 16.14.110 d Geel 9.11.65).

Did you wear #25 in that game?

Yes, I wore it throughout my career. I can still remember the great EJ Whitten presenting young Ted, Kelvin Templeton, Terry Wheeler & myself with our jumpers.

You always played with your upper arm taped up. What was the reason for that?

One day against Essendon I copped an elbow to the top of my left arm. It went rock hard & was extremely painful if knocked so I had it padded & taped each game.

Injuries were a curse for you too, weren’t they?

Yes, in my first season I had played the first 7 games. We played Fitzroy out at Waverley & I busted my shoulder. It was reconstructed & I missed most of the season.

I also had an ankle reconstruction after injuring it at Waverley & I suffered severe pain in my groin. To alleviate the pain I had an operation to detach a tendon. Unfortunately I couldn’t then do the work I needed & lost a bit of zip. That was ultimately the reason I retired when I was 28.

You played your first game back after shoulder surgery in 1974 in the Elimination Final against Collingwood didn’t you?

Yes, that was a disaster that match.

Any particular games stand out in your memory?

Hard to go past my first game to be honest.

The 1976 Elimination Final was the most disappointing game I have ever played in. We had the game won at ¾ time, but Geelong managed to win a close one.

In 1978 we kicked the league record score & Kelvin Templeton kicked 15 goals that day. It was unbelievable, I think the umpires got caught up in the moment & every time Kelvin went near it in the last quarter he was paid a mark. He kicked 8 goals in that quarter.

I can still vividly recall playing Fitzroy at home when Neil Sasche sustained an horrific injury that left him a quadriplegic.

We played one game in the glue pot at Moorabbin & Ted Whitten Jnr. burst out of the centre with the ball. He went to drop it to his foot, but it stuck to his hand. He had to shake his hand to release the ball before he was able to kick it.

Who were some of the better players you played with?

• Bernie Quinlan – brilliant athleticism & just a beautiful kick.
• Kelvin Templeton – just had the ability to jump from anywhere & was a fantastic kick for goal.
• Peter Featherby – just a great ball winner.
• Ted Whitten Jnr. – had fantastic skills & could kick either foot equally as well.
• Andrew Purser – only saw a bit of Polly, but he was just fantastic.
• Doug Hawkins – just had natural football ability & was a terrific bloke.


Who were some of the better rovers you pitted your whit’s against?

• Garry Wilson – just had the ability to run all day & won his fair share of the hard ball.
• Kevin Bartlett – he was a tough goal sneak & a hungry little bugger!
• Ray Shaw – a real hard nut.
• Rod Ashman – a terrific player who worked hard & was a beautiful kick.

You went to Queensland after you retired, didn’t you?

Yes, & I’m still here. I played with & coached Wilston-Grange for 3 years. I also coached the state team for 5 seasons.

Do you still follow the AFL?

Yes, very much so, my parents still live in Melbourne & keep me updated on what I can’t find out through the internet (I interject here & mention a certain website that I reckon might just fill the breach nicely).

I brought my son down to Melbourne to watch the Preliminary Final & have recently caught up with ex team mates living in Queensland in Barry Round & Laurie Sandilands

I understand your son is a keen Bulldog supporter.

Yes, I have 4 girls 27, 22, 16, 14 & a son who is 11. He’s right into it.

Before I go, is there anything you look back on & laugh at?

Yes, prior to the seniors I used to like to watch the reserves play. One day at the MCG I happened to be watching when the crowd erupted. We had a player, Peter Munro, now Munz was as blind as a bat & he’s taken off & jumped into his opponents back on his was to launching himself for a speckie. Only problem was the ball was at the other end of the ground & it was a seagull Munz has seen. Very funny indeed.

Geoff, it’s been an honour & thank you so much for your time.

No worries, you’re very welcome.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Not the only time you’ve wore #35 either, from memory.

(Laughs) No, one day at Essendon, Wheels & I swapped numbers & he wore #25 & I wore #35. It was funny as it was the first time my sister had come to watch me play & she remarked to my Dad that I was a bit quiet sitting in the back pocket. She didn’t realise I had kicked 4 goals that day.

You've got to be kidding me! How the **** did you know that!!!

Before I go, is there anything you look back on & laugh at?

Yes, prior to the seniors I used to like to watch the reserves play. One day at the MCG I happened to be watching when the crowd erupted. We had a player, Peter Munro, now Munz was as blind as a bat & he’s taken off & jumped into his opponents back on his was to launching himself for a speckie. Only problem was the ball was at the other end of the ground & it was a seagull Munz has seen. Very funny indeed.

I knew it! I was there! I've posted that story 3 times and no-one has ever backed me up on it.

[The Coon Dog]

You've got to be kidding me! How the **** did you know that!!!

Read the Terry Wheeler interview:

http://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=2984

[strebla]

Well done Coon Dog great read I wish I could remember him I know he was playing but I was too young

[Max469]

Thank you TCD, have waited so long to hear what my great man is doing these days.

Remember watching him play for Cumberland Park & Traralgon - was always special

I remember the day he retired - cried my eyes out.

Was a great runner at High School. I am not ashamed to admit this - but the world stopped when Geoff ran by and would still stop if he ran/walked by.

Had forgotten he had all the girls and the one son.

My nephew in Queensland is a Bulldog supporter because I bribed him with a Geoff Jennings jumper. Told him I would only take him to a family day, if he wore a Bulldogs jumper with the number 25 on the back.

Thanks again. You have made my day, week etc.

[bornadog]

He was a gutsy little rover, I probably saw most of his games he played, including the 76 elimination, the 78 big win against the Saints.

Really enjoyed watching him play and kicking those running goals. Can't remember if he was a big V rep, pretty sure he was but can't confirm it.

[Desipura]

Another great read, one problem though it should read Rod Ashman. hehehehehehehe

[The Coon Dog]

Another great read, one problem though it should read Rod Ashman. hehehehehehehe

It does!.................................................now.

[Scraggers]

Thanks again TCD ... I really enjoy these interviews

Like others, I was a bit young to remember Geoff's games ... I do remember him as a player for the Doggies and I remember getting his autograph when I was 8, but that's about all.

From what my Dad tells me, 'A nicer guy you'd never meet, and he could run all day'

[The Coon Dog]

From what my Dad tells me, 'A nicer guy you'd never meet, and he could run all day'

Your Dad is spot on, Geoff was absolutely fantastic to talk with.

[Twodogs]

It does!.................................................now.

And we kicked the record score in '78 not '77.

[The Coon Dog]

And we kicked the record score in '78 not '77.

Fixed now, I guess this is karma.

[Desipura]

and I cannot make sense of the sentence about Geoff's injury...........geez I am mean!

[mighty_west]

You've got to be kidding me! How the **** did you know that!!!

I knew that, i have snippets of games from 77, 78 & 79 on dvd, thinking to myself, i wonder if they swapped on purpose!

[The Coon Dog]

I knew that, i have snippets of games from 77, 78 & 79 on dvd, thinking to myself, i wonder if they swapped on purpose!

Yes, it was an idea of Billy Goggin's.