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Haha yeah for sure mate, what I meant by playing him 'tight and close' was Ralphy was given the ol 'going over' both physically and mentally by our defenders especially in the games that counted Finals!

Beasley Hutton wrote:

gtrxuone wrote:

Beasley Hutton wrote: GTR I would agree about Claremont in 1981 being better than us when they had the mercurial Krakouer brothers but after they left for NM I think we had their measure especially in the big games as AR posted.

Just thinking about there mids+fwd line BH.The mids adding there wingman where 5 by 30 posessions a game.And the 3 power fwds 100+ 80 + and 65+.Ralph,Stavros+Farmer.

Yeah true mate the "Golden Triangle" combined for nearly 300 goals between them in 81 and then add in the Krakouers resting up forward as well no wonder the Tigers kicked a record amount that year.
Although Farmer's output diminished somewhat in 82 & 83 (hence he moved to us for a short stint in 84 and then to Perth in 85/86) and Stav (Arthur Marshall used to call him Zorba) had successfully moved into the Centre in 83, Ralph never really dominated too much against us with a massive bag despite the class of the Claremont midfield feeding him as whether it be Mullooly, Solin or Kenny always played him tight and close and then ran off him when the opportunity came.

Solin and Kenny (one of the most underrated footballers I have seen) did a few things differently to most defenders against Ralph. Yes, they both had the pace and composure to run off their forward, but their ability to outmark their opponents separated them from other defenders who simply spoiled the mark. I think it was the late Frank Sparrow who said that the defenders' job was simple if they had the skill to mark the football before the forwards could. Do that, and the attack stops – dead. Solin took a number of screamers at the Subiaco end of the ground during the second semi that then, as now, would have been frowned on, but it stopped Claremont and took their most potent forward out of the game.

I thought Solin played on Ralph in the 83 gf as Mullooly was injured ?
82 pretty sure Mullooly played on Ralph.
in 1982 i am sure Solin kicked a running torp goal in the 2nd quarter which was when we really opened the game up..
great team and tough as well as skilled.

MarkOlsen wrote: I thought Solin played on Ralph in the 83 gf as Mullooly was injured ?
82 pretty sure Mullooly played on Ralph.
in 1982 i am sure Solin kicked a running torp goal in the 2nd quarter which was when we really opened the game up..
great team and tough as well as skilled.

Very tough Mark. With Solin I was referring to the second semi in 1982; the Grand Final I think it was Kenny on Ralph? Whoever it was, as Ark has already mentioned, keeping the Claremont scoring juggernaut to 4 goals at 3/4 and goalless in the third showed Swans' defensive skills. They were versatile as they were tough - Kenny and Solin could play at both ends of the ground, as could another underrated footballer in Ross Fitzgerald.

Toddy loved versatility amongst his players and virtually all of the 20 who ran out on to the ground could play at either end of the ground whilst the mids could also play forward or back if needed as well eg Simpson Medallist Graham Melrose in the 82 GF!

Beasley Hutton wrote: Toddy loved versatility amongst his players and virtually all of the 20 who ran out on to the ground could play at either end of the ground whilst the mids could also play forward or back if needed as well eg Simpson Medallist Graham Melrose in the 82 GF!

BH I thought Allan Sidebottom was BOG in the 82 GF.He thrashed Moss+Harper in the ruck that day.

gtrxuone wrote:

Beasley Hutton wrote: Toddy loved versatility amongst his players and virtually all of the 20 who ran out on to the ground could play at either end of the ground whilst the mids could also play forward or back if needed as well eg Simpson Medallist Graham Melrose in the 82 GF!

BH I thought Allan Sidebottom was BOG in the 82 GF.He thrashed Moss+Harper in the ruck that day.

A.Sidey played a great game mate, he had a great leap and was unfortunately a bit injury prone during his time with us but always showed his undoubted ability when fully fit, he was a great foil for Roo & a young Sartori back then.

just looking at the line-up for the side it was so versatile with Rance at chf that day and Ross Fitzgerald on the bench who could play anywhere.
the toughness in the side was always a great feature along with the skill level.

Backs: Peter Kenny Tom Mullooly Bill Skwirowski
Half Backs: Graham Melrose Alan Cransberg Anthony Solin
Centres: Phil Narkle Leon Baker Jeff Davidson
Half Forwards: Brad Shine Murray Rance Keith Narkle
Forwards: Allan Sidebottom Stan Nowotny Don Holmes
Ruck: Ron Boucher Jon Fogarty Mike Richardson
Interchange: Don Langsford Ross Fitzgerald
Coach: John Todd

I thought Graham Melrose was Swan Districts best player in that finals series - his leadership and example was the big key