1972 Articles

The 1972 season began with a surprise promotion into the A3 Grade.

The Club Secretary was attending an Amateur meeting as Delegate representing the G.F.C. On the Agenda was the promotion from A4 to A3.  The 2 teams that played off in the 1971 Grand Final withdrew their right for promotion citing reasons for their decision.  It appeared that one Club thought they may disband and the other declaring that they were not financial and confident enough of meeting the challenge. Club Delegate and Secretary, Nick Lavrentiadis took the initiative upon himself to put the motion forward for our Club to be promoted, stating that we were both financial and confident enough to meet the challenge.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Understandably there was a huge sigh of relief from all the Club Delegates that we had been playing in the A4 Grade!!

Emanuel Politis was re-elected President and John Carrangis (commonly known as J.C) was appointed Playing Coach.

John (a very skillful player himself) introduced skill and flair to the Club supported by the likes of George Christopoulos and Billy Retsas (who as a point of interest) was generally regarded by many – even to this day – as our best ever player.

Many supporters thought that the promotion was premature and after the Club had lost its first 3 games, their fears seemed to be justified. However the Club lifted its performances and won 6 of the next 10 games and were in with a chance of making the Finals, but failed to do so and finished 6th.  During the season however, the Club managed to defeat some of the more fancied sides.

Bill Retsas won the A Grade Best and Fairest while Arnie Rossis took out the honours in the B Team.

1972 saw the return of Emanuel Bambacas as a player.

In the opening game of the season against Pulteney Old Scholars, he managed to break the scaphoid bone in his left hand and after a fierce tackle on an opponent’s head later in the game subsequently broke the same bone in his right hand.

On both occasions, he approached a teammate Dr John Svigos (a Gynochologist) who simply said, “you’re OK Bambi, Just take a Bex”!! – Bambi kept playing.

That evening the Club had a social event at “Billy Bunters” in Gouger Street.  It was a memorable evening for it was the first time Emanuel took Rosa (his now wife) out on a date.

Peter Barris assisted and drove Bambi around to Unley to pick up Rosa.

That evening the unthinkable happened.  Bambi needed assistance to have a wee and it was up to Polly to step up and help as all other requests were denied.

It is common knowledge that Polly still does not eat with his right hand!!

On Sunday morning Billy Retsas drove Bambi to the RAH where as it happened, Dr Mike Varvounis (a future player and President) was there to give Bambi the bad news that indeed both scaphoid bones were broken, which were subsequently put into plaster.

Needless to say, his Dad was not a very happy man as the family business in Sturt Street, a Deli and Snack Bar was now one person down.

It was Bambi’s last ever game for the G.F.C.

A highlight of 1972 was the inaugural “Past versus Present” game which was played at the Stirling Oval in the Adelaide Hills.

It began in a friendly atmosphere but because of the “fitness” level of some past players, the second half turned into a real grudge match.

The past players were leading at quarter time and the present players realized they needed to lift their game – a change of attitude.

Experience prevailed on the day (assisted by a past player Umpire) and the oldies won by a goal.

All in all it was a wonderful day with some 500 plus people in attendance.  Live music was provided by Nick Mourcella’s  (Mousey) band (Seltab) from the back of his truck.

It was a huge day with BBQs and feasting throughout and was topped by some clever, comical commentary in both Greek and English by Philip Lisgos.

Footnote: After 49 years, a Super8 home movie surfaced in the hands of a past player Tom Glouftsis, whose brother filmed him while playing for the Greeks. One against Pultney Grammar at Weigall and the other against Old Scotch at Scotch College. No handballs but approximately 90 seconds of treasured memories.