1963 Articles
The year began with Fred Carrangis as President and Pat Veaney was reappointed Coach of the A Grade. Nicky Nicholas was elected A Grade Captain. Con Bambacas was appointed Coach of the B’s and had the unenviable task of rebuilding confidence into the side after their disastrous showing the previous year.
The A Grade played very well throughout the year and won most of their games by substantial margins to finish the season as Minor Premiers. Even more remarkably the B Grade made such a complete form reversal that if they had been race horses they would have been swabbed! Their turn around from the previous season, when they lost every game by an average of 20 goals, to winning by similar margins was a credit to the dedication of Coach Con Bambacas and the side finished Minor Premiers.
The A Grade side played Maylands Methodist in the 2nd Semi Final and although the game was tight throughout, the Greeks broke away in the final quarter to win 13-9 (87) to 9-7 (61). The B team won its second semi final against Port Adelaide Presbyterian 5-13 (43) to 4-5 (29). This was the first time both teams were to play in a Grand Final. On Grand Final day, the Greeks played Adelaide Congress Hall and although the side got away to a shaky start, they settled and gave the opposition a football lesson to run out easy winners 12-10 (76) to 6-6 (42).
Best on ground that day was Geoff Gerrard and together with I. Hatjiathansiou, J. Devereaux and Nick Nicholas and the rest of the team, gave the Greek Orthodox Football Club its first Premiership.
Goalkickers were N. Protopapa 4, H Schoppe 2, R Rigoni 2, I. Hatjiathanasiou 2, N Nicholas 1 and D. Roberts 1.
The B Grade were to play their Grand Final at Richmond Oval against Prospect Methodist when disaster struck. Five players went to the airport to pick up team mate, Phil “Flip” Giamalis, and believe it or not the plane was late! Meanwhile back at Richmond Oval the side was called to play and the game began with 14 players!
Prospect Methodist, who had been beaten by the Greeks in the second semi final stacked their side with A Grade players and even the inclusion of the late comers during the first quarter, the Greeks were no match for a disguised A Grade side and lost the game 9-4 (58) to 3-7 (25). The bitter taste of defeat was sweetened somewhat by the A Grade victory.
Bob Rigoni won the Club’s Best and Fairest Award in the A Grade and Con Bambacas won the B Grade Best and Fairest.
Goal scorers were S. Zissopoulos, P Galamtomos, J Carrangis.
The Club was now promoted to A1 and A1 Reserves for season 1964.
