The 1955 Panton Hill Premiership Reunion was held at the A.E Cracknell clubrooms on Sunday to celebrate 60 years since the Redbacks’ second flag.
Six members of that side were present in Ernie Donaldson (centre), Allan Lacey (half forward flank), Max Biddiscombe (centre half back), Bob Gathercole (half back), Barry Hammond (wing), while members of the 2013 premiership team were in support to discuss the differences – and, just as importantly, the similarities – in how they made their way to the glory of a flag.
Club Treasurer Chris Cahir and President Andrew Mill both spoke to congratulate the teammates on their victory and thank them for their attendance.
“We haven’t been able to add too much to that [premiership] tally, but with this strong team we’ve got now – I think the average age is about 22 – I’m sure we’ll see some success soon,” said Cahir.
Across the day the teammates reminisced on the 1955 premiership victory, as well as the changes seen across Panton Hill in the decades that followed.
“I used to make it to training between working on a poultry farm,” recalls Bob. “And I was just 18 at the time, and I stayed on the farm until we sold in 1966.”
“We didn’t have showers,” says Barry when the conversation comes to the on-field changes at Panton Hill. “And we’d change in the old Hall and run up the bloody hill to get onto the ground.”
Panton Hill came from behind in 1955 to win the Club’s second premiership and first in 21 years in a thrilling match with a bizarre twist in the final play when Allan marked deep in the forward line with just seconds remaining.
“The bloke who was on the mark, he had a handful of mud and I kicked the ball and I kicked a point because he threw it. So the umpire gave me another kick and I got it.”
“All your teammates were looking the other way on that second kick,” adds Ernie dryly, “because you weren’t a very reliable kick.”
All the teammates agreed that it was a fantastic day to catch up on all their memories, with some mementos still surviving from that day 60 years ago.
“Bill Reid, who was the Mayor of Collingwood at the time, said, ‘If you ever win a premiership I’ll have blazers made up for your team,’” grins Max. And he was proudly donning his on the day.
Last Modified on 21/07/2015 08:32