1991 Articles
The $64,000 question, can the A1 team go back to back in 1991. Will they go through undefeated again? Let’s see where this journey takes us.
After the success of 1990 Stan Condous was reappointed President and Shane Reardon remained as Senior Coach. Assistant Coach was Rocky Butterworth who also took on the Coach of the B’s. C Grade Coach not known.
Noticeable players that left the Club were A Raman, L Reilly and strongman K Spirou to name a few. Kevin Spirou went to Port Districts in A2 and won the SAAFL A2 Medal. Well done Kevin!
Some of the new recruits for the Club were C Vozzo, T Johns and G Costello and others so the nucleus of the 1990 team was still playing.
Crunch time!! The 1st round had arrived, Greek-Camden v Riverside, a repeat of the 1990 Grand Final. After a close 1st half Greek-Camden took the game away from Riverside to win 16-18 (114) to 10-8 (68). Shane Reardon kicked 5 goals from a forward pocket along with Peter Young kicking 3 goals.
Best players were Peter Young, Michael Morgan, Robert Morrell, John Economou and Michael Schwartz.
In the 2nd round game Greek Camden smashed Broadview 19-23 (137) to 5-14 (44).
Moving on to round 3. What a game! Greek-Camden v Kilburn. Greek-Camden outplayed Kilburn to lead by 4 goals, but after half time Kilburn reduced the margin to 15 points at three quarter time. Kilburn kicked the first 3 goals in the last quarter to take the lead. Greek-Camden then goaled, then they took the lead. Kilburn kicked the next 2 goals to lead by 9 points. Greek-Camden never gave up to run out winners. Greek-Camden 16-19 (115) to Kilburn 17-7 (109).
Best players were Olaf Bode, Michael Morgan, Craig Virgo, Harry Kyriacou, Jack Solomon and Tom Hank.
Goal scorers not available.
In the 8th round with 8 of our best players in Perth for the Amateur Carnival Greek-Camden had to front up Gazza. Could this be the end of our undefeated run? As history shows yes, Greek-Camden did lose to Gaza 24-12 (156) to Greek-Camden 15-12 (102). A remarkable achievement after 26 undefeated games.
Our State players were:- Michael Morgan (State Captain) John Economou, Tom Hank, Robert Morrell, Simon Saprianidis, Craig Vozzo, Peter Young and Noel McCormack. Very hard to replace. Congratulations must go to Peter Young who made the All Australian Team.
The following week Greek Camden lost to Goodwood Saints 12-13 (85 to 7-12 (54). Just to note our 8 State players were still in Perth.
Next week with the State players back and the team bounced back destroying Riverside. Scores being Greek-Camden 25-22 (172) to 10-6 (66). At the half way mark of the season Greek-Camden were in 2nd place on the ladder with 7 wins and 2 losses.
Now for the home run to the finals! No place for the light hearted.
In round 12 Greek-Camden played Kilburn. Another close one where Greek-Camden looked gone for all money with a 3 goal deficit at three quarter time they again found a way to win a great spectacle by 2 points.
Good wins followed and come the end of the minor round saw Greek-Camden sitting on top of the ladder, Kilburn second, Goodwood Saints third and Adelaide Uni in fourth.
The second semi Greek-Camden v Kilburn at Alberton Oval was another blockbuster of a game and a very close one at that. Greek-Camden went on to win.
Greek-Camden 14-16 (100) to 10-20 (80). (30 scoring shots a piece).
Best players:- Robert Morrell, Craig Virgo, Tom Hank, Jamie Pearce, Jack Solomon, Harry Kyriacou, Michael Morgan and John Economou who kept star full forward Ian Willmott scoreless. (All played well).
The Club had earned the right to contest the Grand Final to achieve back to back Premierships.
Next week saw Kilburn and Goodwood Saints fight it out to see which team would contest the Grand Final against Greek-Camden the following week.
Kilburn beat Goodwood Saints by 31 points in the Preliminary Final at Alberton.
This is it Grand Final Day at Alberton Oval!
1991 Grand Final (the battle of the Gladiators). Greek-Camden v Kilburn. It turned out to be another classic close encounter in front of a large crowd. 18 points was the biggest margin all day and that’s what it was at three quarter time. Kilburn clawed its way back into the game to level the scores 10 minutes into the last quarter. Strong aggressive Jack Solomon goaled at the 15 minute mark to put Greek-Camden seven points in front and the Blues kicked another four points in the final 14 minutes to win by 11 points, 9-12 (66) to 9-1 (55).
Scores being Greek-Camden 9-12 (66) to Kilburn 9-1 (55).
So to the question asked at the beginning of this story YES they won Back to Back 1990 -1991.
Congratulations must go to players from both teams for putting on a great display of Aussie Rules Football.
Best players:- Michael Morgan, Peter Young, Tim Johns, Robert Morrell, John Economou, Craig Virgo, Peter Morgan, Simon Phillis, Tom Hank and Harry Kyriacou (all played well).
Goal scorers:- Jack Solomon 2, Peter Young 2, Robert Morrell 1, John Economou 1, Billy Stockman 1,Harry Kyriacou 1, Simon Phillis1.
Michael Morgan was the West End Player of the Week for his performance in the 1991 Grand Final.
Olaf Bode won A Grade Best and Fairest.
B Iannella (Greek-Camden) won the A1 Reserve Tapping Medal.
1991 saw the A Grade win the Grand Final (Back to Back)
B Grade finished fourth.
C Grade finished fifth.