1965 Articles

After a very memorable 1964, Jim Dimitri decided to call it a day and was replaced by Tom Frossinakis, who at 20 years of age, was the youngest Senior Coach in the Associations history. Jim Psaltis was elected captain of the B Grade and Fred Carrangis was elected President.

The first game of the year was against the “Cassies” from Melbourne, a Greek team that the Club played annually. Promoted as a friendly game to foster goodwill between the States, it turned into a rough and tough encounter. Both Clubs had a simple philosophy, we hated their guts, they hated ours!!!

Can you imagine two ethnic teams calling each other “wogs”! Anyhow, the Greeks beat the Cassies in a tough game 6-4 (40) to 3-2 (20) in Adelaide.

Back to the United Church Football Association, the Greeks had a wonderful season. The A Grade and B Grade finishing Minor Premiers. Come finals a different story evolved.

In the second semi final the B Grade were defeated by Mitcham Methodist 10-11 (71) to 7-9 (51).

The A Grade had a disastrous second semi and lost 6-12 (48) to 4-11 (35) against Allenby Gardens. A contributing factor was that Captain Coach Tom Frossinakis, along with star rover Lucky Hatjiathanasiou were both injured in the first half and could not play out the remainder of the game.

Goal scorers were R Flavel, I Hatjiathanasiou, J Carrangis, N Protopapa all kicking one goal each.

In the following week, the B team defeated Ovingham Methodist in the Preliminary Final 10-9 (69) to 8-8 (56). In the next game the A Grade, after leading by 10 points at three quarter time and despite the advantage of the wind failed to hold off a determined Ovingham Methodist and were defeated 13-9 (87) to 10-10 (70).

Goal scorers were J Kari 4, R Flavel 2, T Frossinakis 1, G Fratini 1, Forte 1.

In the A1 Reserves Grand Final, the Greeks played Mitcham Methodist who stacked their side with A Grade players and although leading for most of the day, the Greeks lost 10-8 (68) to 4-7 (31).

Nick Protopapa and Hans Schoppe represented the United Church Football League in Inter-Association matches. Nick Protopapa won both the Club and the United Church Best and Fairest Awards at the tender age of 17.

The B Grade Best and Fairest Award was won by Peter Economou.