1983 Articles

The Year that Nearly Wasn’t

Here We Go Again.. Back in A1

Conflict began to grow prior to the 1982 Finals when moves, by a group of supporters and the Committee, were made to replace Bob Alexander as Senior Coach for 1983 and appoint Gary Richardson.

History shows that the 1982 Grand Final was won by Bob Alexander and his team.

The AGM was a heated affair to say the least.  Bob Alexander withdrew his application realizing that he would not have the full support of the Committee.  Members at the AGM were both disappointed and shocked.

Supporters were very divided on this issue and there was ill feeling within the Club for some time.

It is still talked about today! 

Anyway, the decision was made and Gary Richardson was later made Senior Coach of the Club and ex Port Adelaide Champion Randal Gerlach was appointed Assistant Coach.

Approximately 1/3 of the players and some supporters left and followed Bob Alexander to Mitcham and some players followed Ray Klavens to Plympton High Old Scholars.

The appointment of Gary was made early which gave time to recruit new players to the Club with the likes of Noel Pettingill (Norwood) Harry Stoubos (West Croydon) and Mick Kenny (Flinders Park) and Eran Raman (Woodville Reserves).

Chris Grech, John Panagaris and Michael Morgan all came from West Adelaide Reserves.

Tim Preston and Kym Gerlach also joined the Club and along with the nucleus of last year’s players, a strong side was being constructed.

Gary was tough, strong and believed in discipline. You didn’t mess around with him. He believed in a dress code e.g., a navy blue jumper with Club logo on the LHS (as seen in the photo) was to be worn before and after games.

The first game against Kilburn had arrived. The Greeks looked good on paper but it was not to be. 

Scores:- Kilburn 16-13 (109) to Greeks 9-10 (64) (disappointing).

Next week was disappointing again. Scores:- Teachers College 15-13 (103) to Greeks 10-4 (64) (not much better).

The following week was the 1982 Grand Final repeat and this time the Greeks won defeating Rosewater 19-11 (125) to 7-6 48) (a percentage booster).

Goal kickers were Richardson 6, Crane 3, Giles 3, Kyriacou 3, Stoubos 2, Pettingill and Kaselouris 1 each.

Best players were Davey, Targa, Papaconstantinou, Richardson and Stoubos.

Wait! There was more to come. Greeks defeated St Dominics 19-10 (124) to 8-12 (60).

Best players were Jeffries, Dimitrikopoulos, Crane, Davey, Targa and Raman.

The team went on to lose some close games like 20 points to Adelaide University. Next they thrashed Riverside 17-14 (116) to 10-13 (73). Kyriacou kicked 5 goals and was best on ground.

By the ½ way mark Greek was sitting on 5 wins, 4 losses and after losing the first 2 were sitting in 6th position. The team continued to improve and with 2 rounds to go were in the four.

Unfortunately the team lost both games, The first by 26 points to Broadview and then to Prince Alfred Old Collegians by 12 points.

All in all it was a successful year and the Club had consolidated itself as a force to be reckoned with in A1.

The B Grade under Coaches Nick Scopelitis and Chris Dimitrikopoulos did not do as well and finished a close bottom.

The C Grade under Evan Asikas had a year of mixed fortunes and finished well down the ladder.

The Club’s Best and Fairest were:

A Grade - Ian Davey

B Grade - John Webber

C Grade - Peter Gardiacos

All social functions were well supported by the Club including the Past Players Roast (Hanging) of Pat Veaney, Con and Emanuel Bambacas.