We caught up with John over the last few weeks wanting to get a bit of feedback on his life as an OEGFC player.
As one who has been involved for many years (and in many grades), we thought it fitting that we ask 'Pana' about his time at OEG!
1. First year played at the
club, and how many games?
In 1988 as a 15 yo
was a Year 10 student at PEGS at the time. Played a total of 5 games.
2. How has the club changed
over the years from when you started to now?
The club is more
appealing to players now that we are in the higher grades. Back in
the late 80’s early 90’s attracting players to play F grade was
difficult!
Standard of
football obviously has improved. I Love amateur football where you don’t
play for the dollars but just for the club and your team mastes. There
a guns all over the place in the seniors.
Fielding an Under
19s side was a dream in the early 90s. We couldn’t attract the
school kids – now it is very much a reality to the point we won a
flag in 2000. Which was the catalyst I believe in us getting to B
grade within a couple of years.
Support from
parents. We really struggled to get any support back then. Now
it is great to see so many parents involved and taking a very keen interest
in the club.
Training wise we
actually have descent lights now. We use to have a couple of small
lights on the social club at the start and you couldn’t see shit form
the outer side.
3. What was your most
memorable game/s. Explain?
OEG vs. Williamston 1996 premiership got us to
D grade. Great Day and celebratory week. Awesome feeling
winning a premiership especially when it was a long time coming and
we wanted it so bad. This was the one that got the club going up the
grades.
OEG
vs. Caulfield 2000 2nd Semi – to get to C grade. 7
seconds on the clock I kick a goal to take us 6 points up! Only to
see Caulfield get a free kick out of the middle and kick a goal after the
siren. Extra Time was a no show for OEG they ran away with it.
Apparently my goal cost us the game. Had I kicked a point no way
could they have scored in 7 seconds. We won the Prelim to get us to C
grade but lost by a measly 125 points against Caulfield in the GF Yes
we drew with them 14 days earlier !!!!
4. Who is 3 of the
toughest/best players you've played with at OEG?
Peter Lutterschmidt and Adam Merrington
were stand outs. AFL prospects in reality.
Shane
Bishop and Billy Pana tied for 3rd.
5. Who is the toughest club
you've played agst?
Brunswick and Doveton. The Doveton game
was called off at 3 qtr time due to a KO punch delivered by OEGs Russel
Ashen – got very ugly.
6. Best coach you've played
under at OEG? Why?
Most OEG coaches
over the past 15 years have played a major role in OEGs success in going up
the grades.
In ’96 Alex
Frazer got us from E grade to D grade. In 2000 Gavin Keane from D grade to
C grade. In 2001 Chris Bye from C grade to B grade. And of
course Ed and Bluey got us to A grade for the first time ever in 2008. A
bit more silverware would of been nice however!!
My two standouts
were:
Alex Frazer.
My only senior premiership coach. He got the most out of a playing
group and his passion desire to succeed was infectious. He wanted the
’96 flag as much as the players did. I remember at qtr time we were
3 goals down and he was so positive and at ease. We all knew it was
our time. And it was!
I also enjoyed
playing under Chris Bye in my latter years. He challenged me and helped
me enjoy my final years in the 1s as a full back. He did well
with the playing group but we couldn’t finish it off with a bang in
the 2001 GF against Hampton Rovers. Pumped by 65 points.
7. How do you think OEG will go in 2010?
Round 2 has just
completed and we are zip and 2 in the 1s. We have a shit load of
injuries. I am still confident with a tiny bit of luck and a never
say die attitude we can still play finals. We are good enough.
more -->