Scotch College

Fifty years on, footy memories linger on

Back: Harry Hearn, ÔDickÕ Barton, Ted Nixon, Malcolm Hill, Ted Walker, John Winneke, ÔLukeÕ Lanigan, Jack McKaige. Middle: Tony Olsson, Leigh McGregor, Ian Law (captain), ÔFafÕ Fleming (coach), Graham Whitford (vice-captain), Neil Wrigglesworth, Colin Youren. Front: Ben Hosking, Doug Johnson.

Finding it hard to believe that 50 years had slipped away so quickly, 16 members of the champion Scotch 1956 First XVIII met for lunch, reminiscences and fun on 1 July, before the Old Scotch v Old Melburnians match at K2 Stadium (Camberwell Sportsground).

Old Scotch did the right thing on 1 July, defeating OMs by 44 points in their round 10 VAFA match.

The 1956 football and cricket teams were both APS champions, and although the cricketers won all their matches convincingly, the footballers had to fight hard to maintain their unbeaten record. But maintain it they did.

Among the recollections for the boys of ’56 was the memorable Scotch v Melbourne Grammar match in 1956, which Scotch won in dramatic circumstances by four points.

Those at the reunion included Leigh McGregor, who arrived from Paris and Ted Nixon from Syria (via Sydney) while others came from interstate and country – Ian Law (Wentworth), Malcolm Hill (Berri), Dick Barton (Wagga Wagga), Luke Lanigan (Maffra), and Neil Wrigglesworth (Bundalaguah). Greetings came from absentees Dave Cowper (coaching cricket at Warwickshire CC), Brian Bult (Perth), Charlie Griffith (Forster), Graeme Osborne and our trainer, John McFarlane (Canberra).

Four members of the ’56 team – Ian Law, John Winneke, Colin Youren and Malcolm Hill – were later key players in Hawthorn’s first VFL premiership side in 1961. Seven of Scotch’s opponents also played League football – from Melbourne Grammar, Barry Kerr (Footscray), Brian Roet (Melbourne premiership player) and Murray Clapham (North Melbourne); from Xavier, Terry Callan (Geelong) and from Geelong College the Lord twins Stewart and Alistair (’62 Brownlow medallist) and David Hinchcliffe, who all played with Geelong.

Legendary coach Frank ‘Faf’ Fleming made an appearance at the luncheon, courtesy of Satura cartoonist, Graham Whitford. Faf’s last year as coach was 1956, before he took over as Vice-Principal of the School.

Graham Whitford