I’m doing some research and writing about 1979 and need to find out what happened to Ken Newland that season. He was recruited over from Geelong at the start of 79, played the game against Swans but never played league again.
My question is did he play out the year in the ressies? Walk out on the club? Or some other reason?
I asked Budgie recently and he remembered him being around the club in 79 but wasnt sure as to why he only played the one league game…
cheers
Strange one SD. Seems that after Geelong and Footscray, he disappeared from the footy world. Typical Victorian attitude, if they’re not playing vfl, they’re not playing!!
I’ll have a look through all my old stuff from back then, but don’t think I have anything on him.
I do remember Brad Smith / East Fremantle were searching for an experienced full forward in 1979 and Newland was probably tried to fill that
but he must have been 30 or over by then and would have been past his best - the WA game was much higher tempo than the VFL and there were a few ex-VFL players who found that out
And you’re right his name has never been mentioned since anywhere here that I can recall
so then Ian Thomson (EP/VFL) was recruited later in the 1979 season
Later I recall Colin Waterson also going to EF from Perth via the VFL I think and of course Mark Olsen (SD) and Murray Couper (P)
it was a time in football where an increasing amount of player movement was commencing and some older VFL players were trickling back the other way - it was the beginning of a little era of explosive highly entertaining football and some very notable footballers were beginning their careers around then
[quote=“Southerner post=226034 userid=1210”]I do remember Brad Smith / East Fremantle were searching for an experienced full forward in 1979 and Newland was probably tried to fill that
but he must have been 30 or over by then and would have been past his best - the WA game was much higher tempo than the VFL and there were a few ex-VFL players who found that out
And you’re right his name has never been mentioned since anywhere here that I can recall
so then Ian Thomson (EP/VFL) was recruited later in the 1979 season
Later I recall Colin Waterson also going to EF from Perth via the VFL I think and of course Mark Olsen (SD) and Murray Couper (P)
it was a time in football where an increasing amount of player movement was commencing and some older VFL players were trickling back the other way - it was the beginning of a little era of explosive highly entertaining football and some very notable footballers were beginning their careers around then
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Ian Thompson, ex EP turned out to be excellent value as was Colin Waterson, but I didn’t know he was ex Perth. I think Olsen and Couper had seen better years, but Old Easts were pretty strong back then. As for Newland, there was a bit of excitement about bringing him over, but for the life of me, I can’t remember too much about him. I’ll get my B.I.G and see if I have anything. But not holding out hope.
Swandog, bit late then never, but my brother used to drink with big Ken, apparently after one reserves game for EF where he kicked something like 2.14…he chucked his boots into the Swan and said he was done…or something on those lines my brother said…but then again the author and audience were all three sheets to the wind apparently…
[quote=“Freezin post=231116 userid=945”]Swandog, bit late then never, but my brother used to drink with big Ken, apparently after one reserves game for EF where he kicked something like 2.14....he chucked his boots into the Swan and said he was done…or something on those lines my brother said…but then again the author and audience were all three sheets to the wind apparently…
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Are you sure that game wasn’t the 2014 prelim Freeze?
Darren “Daisy” Williams the ex Essendon & Vic State player was another vfl player who only managed a few games at EF in that same era.
Of course he later went on to play in 2 vfl flags at the Bombers and play for Vic in State games.
Just goes to show how strong the WAFL was back in that late 70s early 80s era.
DG, pretty sure the EF 2014 prelim side must of watched a grainy VHS of Newlands effort of 79 pre match mate…shocker of an effort by both parties!!
Yeah BH, Williams came over as a 19 yr old, think he got dragged in one game, got the hump and flew back home the next day…as for another ex Essendon player in Nifty Neville Fields…the less said the better.
Slight change of subject but interesting to see big Teakle got delisted by Port, another mid season theft that the AFL teams happily dismiss. If he doesn’t get another AFl offer hopefully he heads back west where every club especially mine would be chasing him, but most likely will head back home to the gummies.
Cheers mate, BH did pass on your message about Ken. Great yarn.
There was a trend in the 1970s and early 80s for older VFL players to come to WA to finish their careers. For Swans St Kilda premiership player Ian Cooper came over for a season in the early 70’s, there was Stewart Macgee from Footscray who coached the club in 1976, Gordon Casey played under John Todd and Daryl Sutton played the 1981 season. The most significant import from the VFL was of course Ross Smith who coached Subiaco to their first flag in 49 years, they also had Brian Douge in the late 70s. Souths had a premiership under Hassa Mann in 1970
I’m sure there were others, many found it hard to adapt to the wider grounds
Mike Graeme Campbell Fitzroy.
West Perth 1975 won by 100+
1976 knocked out in first semi by the Premiership team Perth.Whinnen and Dempsey last games
1977 narrow preliminary loss to EF.Would of got flogged if they played Perth in the GF
Kevin Murray was a captain/coach at EP.Another Fitzroy player.Who criticised a lot of Vic’s that played in Wa
Sorry to jump of thread title.Never remember Ken.But aka John Todd would of shown him the door quickly if his attitude was wrong at Swans.
Swandog try and contact John Todd..He showed the door to a number of players early in his time at Swans.Gary McDonald being one of thoes players.
David Parkin heard him interviewed by Glen Mitchell recently, played for Subiaco in the early 70’s. Came to WA to complete his studies at UWA.
Noel Carter and Stephen Mount came to Souths, Mount finished up at Perth due to Mal Brown.
Can’t think of the name but a gun pacy wingman came to WP from Hawthorn in the early 80’s. Something beginning with M I think like Man or Munns.
I remember the Feltham brothers came over to EF in the late 70’s, as part of the Melrose tsf to North Melbourne. Peter and Paul I think their names were?..Tschirpig from Richmond as well played WAFL, not sure if he arrived at Perth first then EF, or the other way round. Geelong’s Jeff Cassidy another good VFL player for EF around then, though he wasn’t end stage career wise…initially came over for that 1977 GF annihilation v Perth and then again in the 80’s…very Ken Judge like.
Big Bob Johnson in the 60’s was probably up there as one of EF best older VFL recruits, Big Bob was a shade before my WAFL viewing time, but my dad and older brother’s said the guy was a great character and kicked a fair few goals for EF…many of them through some very good acting apparently.
Peter Murnane is the fella you are talking about DD…who can forget ex Footscray boy in Phil ‘Spock’ Bradmore for WP…definitely a character and good goalkicker back in the 80’s for WP…as was wacko Jacko for SF…but again, only a youngster when he played under Brownie at SF.
Could you possibly email me mate? Got a few Q’s
Could you possibly email me Freeze, I’ve got a couple of Q’s
SD, I don’t have your email mate…if you post on Bigfooty mate, you can PM me your email mate…or even get BH to PM me on BF…I don’t think the PM on here is functioning anymore. Happy to answer any questions you may want answered mate
I made my email visible on my profile here last night, not sure if you can see that? Otherwise I’ll get yours off BH, cheers
Just looked again on your profile for it mate, still can’t see it. I will flick BH with a pm on Big Footy with my email address.