1979 Articles
First Year in Division A2
The AGM was held in the new Clubrooms for the first time after the 1978 football season. Mike Varvounis was re-elected for a third year in a row as President and with that the appointment of Bob Alexander as Coach of the A’s. Bob’s football past was very impressive and as a playing Coach there was no doubt that he would be a great asset to the Club. Bob was 6’4” and played his junior football at Flinders Park Football Club and played 10 senior games for the A’s in 1971. In 1972 he moved to West Torrens Football Club playing in the under 19’s Second 18 and then the League where he played 39 games and kicked 16 goals. Bob, in 1974 went from playing under 19’s, seconds and then League in the one year. Bob had a strong mark and an almighty kick. Bob’s assistant was Ray Klavins who played a lot of his junior and senior football at Port Adelaide. Ray also was a tall player with a strong mark and a long kick. Along with those two appointments recruitment was at an all-time high, with many top players coming to the Club.
B grade Coach was no other than Angelo Mele who played 70 plus A Grade games and was last year’s Captain and Club stalwart, Peter Economou was appointed Coach of the C’s for a 4th year in a row.
Bob Alexander and Ray Klavins lived up to their reputations with their ruck work, marking and kicking goals. The Club was on the rise, average players were becoming good players and the new recruits were fitting in well. The Greeks all year were sitting comfortably in the four and after 10 games they were sitting 2nd with 6 wins, 3 losses and a draw. The B’s were 6th with 5 wins and 5 losses and the C’s were sitting 5th with 6 wins and 4 losses. Around this time Bob Alexander became the 1st Greek Football Club player to represent the Amateur League.
With the B Grade preparing for its first semi final clash against GAZA the shock news came of a League decision to revoke premiership points from the team for fielding an unqualified player. The Greek Football Club, in fact, had notified the Amateur League when it realized the player concerned did not have a clearance due to an oversight by the League. After confrontation by the Club over this matter the League hastily called another meeting and reversed its original decision. Unlike other occasions, this incident in the Greek’s favour, did not attract media attention.
At the end of the minor round the A’s found themselves in 3rd position. The B’s ended up 3rd and both teams were in their 1st semi-finals.
The A’s lost their first semifinal against Seaton Ramblers after having a 5 goal lead at three quarter time (shades of 1978).
Seaton Ramblers 12-21 (93) defeated Greek 12-13 (85) Goal scorers were T Evreniadis 4, C Papaconstantinou 3, Rogers 2, J Mann, R Alexander, I Davey 1 each.
The B team went on to win its first and preliminary finals but lost the grand final to St Peters in a hard-fought encounter.
B Grade 1st semi-final Greek 11-10 (76) defeated GAZA 8-7 (55).
B Grade Preliminary Final Greek 10-8 (68) defeated Brighton High Old Scholars 4-13 (37).
B Grade Grand Final St Peters Old Collegians defeated Greek (No scores available).
One noticeable thing that came out of 1979 was the Club could match it in A2.
Bob Alexander won the A Grade Best and Fairest.
Jim Syrmes won the B Grade Best and Fairest
Emanuel Lavrentiadis won the C Grade Best and Fairest.
MATCH REPORTS
NIGHT CRICKET REPORT
