1990-1994
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1990
The club administration leadership was unchanged, “Possum” continued as seniors coach, putting in a solid year of nineteen games and being second in the league best and fairest voting. Peter Coughlin took our reserves to their twelfth flag although our thirds under Peter Beale would again finish seventh. The seniors made the finals after winning fourteen games and finishing second. They would however receive two ‘outs’ in the finals though as they beaten in the second semi by Chelsea and then Edi Asp in the preliminary. The reserves win was further enhanced by being undefeated premiers. Stephen Nicholls would win his fifth league reserves leading goalkicker with 115 and veteran Paul Housden was second in the league reserves best player voting and Dean McColl was likewise in the thirds. Craig Neal was league seniors leading goalkicker with 65 goals part of which was ten goals in games against Rosebud and Rye. One of “Cowboy’s” game totals include an eleven goal haul against Mornington reserves. Satisfying during these years was the fact that if our seniors had a poor year (did not make the finals) they were capable of and made sure that they bounced back in the next year. The ‘new’ team in first division in this year was our old foe YCW who we had not met since 1983. They were off to a good start against us too when they defeated us by 35 pts in round two. We turned the tables on them in round eleven though with a 32 pt win. The relegated team in this year was Hastings. This now was three of the old PFA, MPFL clubs who had been strong for many years that now had lost their way. Gordon Hendry played his 50th club game in round one and there would be plenty more for him. Another to play his 50th club game a few games later was Bruce Sutton, the youngest of the five Sutton brothers to play at Pines. He was preceded by Wally, Shane and Robert and Kevin who were both still currently playing. Kevin notched up 200 club games during the season as did Robert Jackson. A very good win in this year was a 147 pt win over Seaford when we kicked 28 goals to their 5 on their ground. Club seniors best and fairest went to Mark Whitzell who was also voted player of the year by the media. Adrian Mack was best player in our reserves and Steve Armstrong was best in our thirds. A club life membership went to Bram Laird, Geoff and Cheryl Smillie received the outstanding services award, Ian Marsh was granted a playing service life membership and Max Partington was named best clubman. Pines once again were named as winners of the R.J.Schipalius award and the Jim Porter award.
Most senior games (20). S.Weirsmith, M.Whitzell.
Most reserves games (20). S.Nicholls.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (10). C.Neal v Rosebud, Rye.
Highest one game reserves goals (11). S.Nicholls v Mornington.
Highest one game thirds goals (8). M.Cole v Somerville.
Seniors highest score; 34.13-217 d Rosebud by 169 pts.
Interleague; D.Howard, M.Hustwaite, C.Neal.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1991
Leigh Carpenter was appointed non-playing senior coach taking over the reins from his brother Dale who stayed on as a player and assistant senior coach. The seniors, forecast as flag favorites were to be runners up only though when they were beaten in the brutal and vicious grand final by 23 pts v YCW. Pines could have won this game and although they were only 10 pts down at orange time, rallied enough in the last term to be good enough to be possible victors until certain ugly incidents and an all-in brawl involving nearly every player on the ground erupted. There were many players reported and civil court actions would result. Brendon Moore returned to Pines from Essendon in this year and Paul Williams who been drafted by Carlton pre-season came back to us after playing some reserves games there. Paul was one of a number of players who walked out at Carlton early in the season under controversial circumstances. Our reserves, still under the guidance of Peter Coughlin, defeated YCW in both the second semi and grand final, giving the team their thirteenth flag since 1972. “Cowboy” Nicholls would be league reserves leading goalkicker for the sixth time and we had another league medalist with Glenn Cornell winning the league thirds best and fairest. He was voted as the same in his thirds team. We once again had league second place getters with Scott Weirsmith losing out in the league senior players votes and Paul Gay was runner up in the league reserves b&f. Both of these however won their club team best player trophies. Our thirds now coached by Darren Chalkley won ten games and finished sixth. Noticeable at this point in time was the low number of players coming to our thirds from the junior club. The large families on the Pines estate were now dwindling and our junior club that once had at least two teams in each age group was now struggling to field sides. Many young players were playing for only a few years and then were finding more interesting social activities as they grew older. Red Hill was the new team in division one replacing Rosebud from the year before. Our seniors twice recorded 200 plus pt scores and our reserves kicked a mammoth 51.26-332 v Somerville reserves reminding many of the older Pines supporters of our NFL days. This recalls a time many years later when Pines reserves coach Craig McPherson had seen his team kick about ten goals in one game being told, “That wasn’t a bad score “Macca” who then replied “We used to kick that in one quarter” whereupon an older chap added “More like you did Macca”. Quite true too. Other club awards in this year would be club life memberships to Russell Harris and Brian Stark, outstanding services awards to Max and Diane Partington and Gary Nicholls was named best clubman.
Most senior games (20). T.Roberts.
Most reserves games (20). P.Cox, T.McDonald.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (11). C.Neal v Edi Asp.
Highest one game reserves goals (7). S.Johnson v S’ville. S.Nicholls v Mornington, Rye.
Highest one game thirds goals (6). J.Ruecroft v Somerville.
Seniors highest score; Rd 2, 38.20-248 d Edi Asp by 217 pts.
Interleague; D.Carpenter, M.Hustwaite.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1992
The senior team coaching duties were now in the hands of Gary Barnett who although originally a Pines thirds player had spent some years at Chelsea amongst other clubs. Gone from the club were the two Carpenter brothers and some senior players who in no doubt were disgusted with the grand final happenings in the previous year. Norm Foster took over from Alan Lillico as secretary. Our seniors were to win eleven games and finish fourth. Four losses in the last five games wasn’t good with only the last round win v Mt Eliza allowing us into the finals. This left us then to meet Rye in the first semi who we defeated by 21 pts and then Chelsea in the preliminary who got the better of us by 13 pts. Our reserves, now coached by Stephen Johnson, were to lose only two games during the year and went on to knock off Chelsea and then YCW in the grand final. Stephen Nicholls kicked eight goals out of seventeen for us on this day and John Phillips booted five. This win would be the fourteenth flag for the team. “Cowboy” kicked a club record of twenty two reserve team goals in round ten v Edi Asp who only managed 0.6-6 for the match. This would be part of his total of 75 for the season giving him once again the league reserves goalkicking award, his seventh. The only other Pines player to be in it at league medal time was Gordon Hendry who was second in the league seniors best and fairest voting. Gordon had developed in to a respected ruckman in the league from what was a somewhat awkward start to our code of football back in 1985 when he started in our thirds after coming from a soccer background. There would be higher kudos to come for him. Our thirds, still under Darren Chalkley, had now grown to a list of thirty five players but won only three games and finished seventh. Our seniors full forward, Craig Neal went off to Carrum in division two which left a big hole in our forward line. Mark Hynes, a policeman, kicked 33 to be club seniors highest goalkicker with many others not far behind him. The kicking of goals was now obviously going to be left to anybody who could get them. The highest one game tally was seven by John Phillips against Frankston Peninsula who had replaced Somerville. “Jack” Norris made another ‘comeback’ after a year off and although only playing three senior games finally reached his 200. He retired having played a total of 221 club games and had kicked 476 known senior goals. The eagerly awaited re-match with YCW, following the infamous 1991 grand final, was played in a round eight Sunday game at the Frankston VFA ground. This was a rather dour affair though with the ladder leaders YCW winning by 28 pts while we remained in third spot behind Rye. Presentation night saw club best and fairest awards go Brendon Moore (seniors), Stephen Nicholls (reserves) and Travis Kinnon (thirds). Club life memberships went to Noel Norris, Noel Thompson and Jim Wright with Craig McPherson and Stephen Nicholls receiving playing services life memberships. “Cowboy” had now played a club record 155 reserves games apart from his 25 senior games. Steven Jackson was voted as best clubman.
Most senior games (20). G.Hendry, M.Hustwaite, A.McDonald, P.White.
Most reserves games (20). S.Vaughan. Most thirds games (18). B.Remy.
Highest one game senior goals (7). J.Phillips v Frankston.
Highest one game reserves goals (22). S.Nicholls v Edi Asp.
Highest one game thirds goals (4). B.Howlett v Edi Asp, A.Mead v Mt Eliza.
Senior highest score; Rd 3, 26.17-178 d Frankston by 67 pts.
Interleague; G.Barnett, G.Hendry, M.Hustwaite, B.Moore.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1993
Gary Barnett continued as senior playing coach but this would be for only the first nine games when Leigh Carpenter was then called upon to take over the duties. Four consecutive losses and a ladder position of only sixth may have been the reason behind this. “Barnie” did stay on as a player though and finished the season with sixteen games. The change of coaches mid season had no major effect for the better as the team would win only nine games and finish fifth which wasn’t too bad considering the fact that at one stage in the season (rd 11), the team had dropped to ninth spot and were even forecast to finish the season last. There was however a difference of only four wins between first and ninth place and the competition was wide open. Our reserves, now coached by Craig McPherson, were once again our only finals hope but they would kick only 1.5-11 in the grand final v Seaford and lose by 58 pts. “Macca” was third in the league reserves best player voting and “Cowboy” was once again the league reserves top goalkicker. This was his eighth reserves trophy and with one in the fourths and then the thirds he now had a total of ten overall. Frank Fidge, as the new thirds coach, could only manage to get his team to sixth place with a draw and two losses by less than ten points not helping at all. Hastings had now returned to the main competition and Frankston, in winning only four games in 1992, were the relegated team. Two other teams, Edi Asp and Red Hill also had only four wins but the Bombers had the lowest percentage. A bit of a ‘downer’ over this and the last few years was the lack of ladies willing to help out in the canteen etc with Diane Partington pleading weekly for any help that could be given. This was a far cry from our early years when the ladies would basically line up wanting to work. Mark Hustwaite was voted best and fairest for our seniors, John Phillips (reserves) and Lonny Winslett (thirds). Steven Jackson (runner up seniors b&f) and Mal Rowley both played their 175th club games during the year and were awarded life memberships for playing services. Best clubman was Bram Laird. An unknown player by the name of Jamie Solyom turned up at the club and played in the last seven games to kick 39 goals and be our seniors leading goalkicker. It is not known from where he came or to where went.
Most senior games (18). A.Ogg.
Most reserves games (21). G.Hiku, T.Roberts.
Most thirds games (18). J.Curtis, M.Hill.
Highest one game senior goals (9). J.Solyom v Edi Asp, Seaford.
Highest one game reserves goals (11). S.Nicholls v Edi Asp, YCW.
Highest one game thirds goals (6). B.Snowden v Hastings.
Seniors highest score; Rd 3, 24.13-157 d Edi Asp by 71 pts.
Interleague; G.Barnett (capt), G.Hendry, M.Hustwaite, J.Thomas.
Pines Team of the Decade 1984-1993.
Backs Kevin Sutton Len Vaughan Mal Rowley
HBacks Gary Barnett Mark Whitzell Chris Vokes
Centres Robert Jackson Steven Jackson Martin Hamling
HForwds Andrew Norris Paul Williams Mark Hustwaite
Forwds Danny Howard Craig Neal Scott Weirsmith
Rucks Gordon Hendry Dale Carpenter Rover Brendon Moore
I/Chnge Alan Bauer Craig McPherson Jamie Thomas Graeme Tedge
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1994
The disappointments of the previous year would once again be the catalyst for the club to do better and we would have three teams in the finals. The administration leadership was unchanged with Barry Moore, Norm Foster and Wayne Saunders continuing in their duties with Leigh Carpenter, Craig McPherson and Frank Fidge retained as the team coaches. Such was the enthusiasm to sweep the last twelve months aside and return as a top club. The all round confidence was rewarded when our seniors would win their sixth flag and our reserves their fifteenth. Unlike our 1988 senior premiership team that had been practically patched together at the selection table, this 1994 team had six players who had not missed a game all year and six others who had missed only one or two games. They were a solid unit. Our thirds, who had developed into a very good team, thanks mostly to the hard work by Rick Lewis and Frank, were unlucky in their big game and lost to Mornington by four points and finished second. The seniors lost only two games for the season and then clean swept the finals in beating Mornington by 5 pts in the second semi and YCW in the big one by 32 pts. The reserves did not lower their colours at all and were undefeated premiers including defeating YCW in the second semi by 21 pts and then Rye by 93 pts. Best on ground in grand final medals went to Terry Hecker (seniors) and Mark Green (reserves). Our team efforts were further enhanced by league medals going to Craig McPherson (reserves best and fairest) and yet again Stephen Nicholls (reserves leading goalkicker). Travis Kinnon was the league thirds highest goalkicker. Other placings went to; Robert Jackson, third-seniors best player, Corey Edwards, second-thirds best player. John Ruecroft kicked 80 senior goals and was fourth. Our name was once again added on the R.J.Schipalius Sheild. Jason Lowe was voted club seniors best player, Paul Haddock (reserves) and Corey Edwards (thirds). Second placings for club best and fairest were, John Ruecroft (seniors), Stephen Nicholls (reserves) and Brett Snowden (thirds). The club looked to our hard working ladies and outstanding service awards went to; Margaret Edwards, Kim Jackson, Anne McDonald and Karen Pye. Club life memberships were granted to Max Partington and Tom Watson. Mark Hustwaite was named best clubman. Robert Jackson, who had returned to us from a year at Langwarrin, was voted media player of the year. “Trumby” now had a tally of 260 club games and was fast closing on the Gary Abblitt club record of 271 set in 1986. 200 club gamers during this year were Steven Jackson, Craig McPherson, Stephen Nicholls and Mal Rowley. Langwarrin, replacing Mt Eliza, made a one year sortie into division one in this year and although winning the 1993 division two flag won only one game and were relegated. We were now one of only five of the inaugural 1987 MPNFL division one teams that had not succumbed to relegation. The others were Chelsea, Mornington, Seaford and Rye. Two of these would however ‘go down’ and one would be geographically relocated in 2005.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1995
The successes of the previous year certainly held us in good stead for this season and the office bearers and team coaches remained unchanged. Our three teams were to make the finals but the thirds bowed out in the first semi v Mornington and our reserves missed the grand final for only the second time since 1977 when they were beaten in the preliminary final by Mornington by 56 pts. This left our only flag hopes with our seniors but they would lose the grand final to Hastings by 27 pts. There was a dramatic increase in the number of teams in the MPNFL in this year when eight clubs from the now disbanded SWGFL joined and the thirty clubs were divided into three divisions. They were Northern, Southern and Division One was now known as Premier division. Carrum joined this main competition after winning the last of the old division two grand finals and Langwarrin, who had made a brief one year stay in 1994 were relegated. Carrum did not field a thirds team and an under eighteen team from Noble Park filled the vacant spot. A number of our 1994 senior premiership players did not continue but Paul Williams returned to the club after three seasons with Frankston VFA, where he had been a best and fairest winner and was very unlucky not to have won a Liston Trophy. He would win the club best and fairest and the leading goalkicker trophies and was second in the league senior best player voting. This club trophy ‘double’ was last achieved in 1980 by “Jack” Norris who ironically, at the start of the season, had personally granted to Paul the wearing of his famous number 10. Kung Low won the league and club thirds best player award and yet again Stephen Nicholls, now with 218 reserves games to his name, took out the league reserves goalkicking, his tenth. Robert Jackson had now reached a club record of 279 club games of which 230 were senior games. Coincidentally this was the same number of senior games played by our previous highest club games player, Gary Abblitt. This was the last senior games year at Pines for “Trumby” as he would play for the next five seasons at Karingal. The round eleven upset loss by our reserves to YCW brought the archives books out and it was found that this was our first reserves loss to that team in twenty seasons. Our seniors, although eventually becoming flag favorites, had been hanging just out of the four for a number of weeks and a win in the round 14 game v Seaford was vital. They jumped into the four with a 113 pt win over the Tigers at Seaford, kicking 28.17-185 to 11.6-72 with Williams booting 12. Other main awards on presentation night went to Paul Haddock (reserves b&f ), club life membership was bestowed upon Diane Partington, a playing services life membership went to Robert Sutton, Barry Moore was named best clubman and Robert Jackson received the award for outstanding services.
Most senior games (21). M.Hustwaite, J.Lowe.
Most reserves games (20). G.Hiku, S.Vaughan.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (12). P.Williams v Seaford.
Highest one game reserves goals (15). S.Nicholls v Red Hill.
Highest one game thirds goals (6). R.Vaughan v Rye.
Seniors highest score; Rd 14, 28.17-185 d Seaford by 113 pts.
Interleague players; G.Hendry, M.Hustwaite (capt), G.Stringer, P.Williams.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1996
The only changes in club and team leadership roles in this year was Allan Tedge appointed as reserves coach and Alan Brandhoff was now in charge of the thirds. Two of our three teams played in grand finals but were both runners up. Our reserves did not make the finals for the first time since 1972. The seniors won thirteen games for the season, finishing second by a small percentage margin to Mornington who had the same number of wins. This would make for a dynamic finals series. We defeated the Bulldogs in the second semi by 13 pts but could not repeat the effort in the big game and lost by 25 pts. Pines controlled the game for the first three quarters but faded in the last term. This was our third consecutive grand final but there had been only one success (1994). The thirds also finished second on the ladder behind newcomers Cranbourne of who they beat in the second semi by 21 pts. They however surrended the grand final to YCW by 10 pts. Cranbourne, one of the old SWGFL teams that came into the MPNFL were now in Premier Division after Carrum were relegated. Carrum spoke out quite strongly on the demotion but this was to no avail and the club, although fixtured to play, went into voluntary recess. This mess however seen us gain the services of Ken Sole and Craig Neal returned for what would be his last year. He finished with 108 senior games, a record six club senior leading goalkicker trophies and kicked a total of 492 senior goals. Pines had three league medalists in this year, Paul Williams (league senior b&f), Kung Low (league thirds b&f) his second, and Jason Partington (league thirds lgk). Stephen Nicholls, now with 250 club games, was second in the league reserves goalkicking. Williams was also voted media player of the year and would be the first Pines player to attain senior VCFL representation and would play in the team that were winners of the Australian Country Football Championship. Club presentation night best and fairest trophies went to P.Williams (seniors), Ken Rust (reserves) and K.Low (thirds). Pam Plane and Geoff Smillie received club life memberships, Trevor Roberts was awarded a playing service life membership and Kevin Lacey was voted best clubman.
Most senior games (20). J.Lowe, G.Stringer.
Most reserves games (18). S.Vaughan, S.Wilson.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (11). C.Neal v Cranbourne.
Highest one game reserves goals (10). S.Nicholls v Rye, Edi Asp.
Highest one game thirds goals (8). J.Partington v Seaford, Hastings.
Seniors highest score; Rd 16, 28.10-176 d Seaford by 78 pts.
Interleague; T.Allen, G.Hendry, M.Hustwaite (vc), G.Stringer, P.Williams.
VCFL; P.Williams.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1997
Our reserves, still under Allan Tedge and our thirds, still under Alan Brandhoff would be the only two teams to make the finals in this year. Our seniors finished fifth after what some may say are debatable circumstances. The, on paper, star studded team had only a mediocre first half of the season and although second on the ladder for a few weeks had only won five games come round nine and were only just hovering in fourth place. Wins in all of the last nine games were vital. Round ten was a loss to Edi Asp and we dropped to fifth and it was going to be tough going if we were to make the finals but the next three games were wins and we regained fourth spot. Next was the round fourteen game v ninth placed, Chelsea. The weekend of this game also seen a VCFL game played and Paul Williams and Tim Allen were called upon to play in this Sunday game. They were forbidden from playing for Pines on the Saturday. It was a shock loss to Chelsea by 18 pts. Club officials were furious on the ruling but the simple fact is that Pines still should have won the game, but didn’t. President Barry Moore stated to the media, “We had the best two-pronged attack in the league ripped out of our team and if this loss is part of us missing the finals, it has been a wasted season”. It would however be the last round loss to YCW that tipped us out of the final four resulting in a very disappointed Leigh Carpenter resigning as coach. Barry Moore also stood down after nine consecutive years as president. Our reserves finished fourth after losing to Mornington and our thirds lost the grand final to Cranbourne by 30 pts. Karingal was the new team in the premier division in this year and unlike some earlier teams made a fair fist of it and finished sixth. They replaced Seaford who were relegated to the northern division. The Tigers had been a strong team for many years and there had been some hard games for us against them since 1984 but it would be another eight years before we were to meet them again. Three Pines players were second in each grade of the league goalkicking; Paul Williams (seniors 97), John Spencer (reserves 72), Jason Partington (thirds 51). Club team best and fairest trophies went to Tim Allen (seniors), Cameron Morgan (reserves) and Russell Bishop (thirds). Barrie Chalkley received a club life membership, Damien Boyle and Gordon Hendry were granted playing service life memberships, the outstanding service award went to Barry Moore and Jill Marshall was voted best club person. There were rumours afoot at seasons end that some of the low game winning or winless teams in the northern and southern divisions were going to merge and that certain other teams would be going to other leagues. Even Premier division team Chelsea was rumoured to be going to the Southern League and that Clayton would join the MPNFL, but of course none of this ever happened.
Most senior games (18). T.McDonald, D.Russell, K.Sole, C.Vokes, S.Weirsmith.
Most reserves games (19). C.Morgan.
Most known thirds games (18). M.Beevers.
Highest one game senior goals (14). P.Williams v Karingal.
Highest one game reserves goals (12). J.Spencer v Red Hill.
Highest one game thirds goals (8). J.Partington v Red Hill.
Seniors highest score; Rd 5, 23.21-159 d Chelsea by 54 pts.
Interleague; T.Allen, G.Stringer, P.Williams.
VCFL; T.Allen, P.Williams.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1998
The upsets and disappointments of the previous year brought about some major changes in administration and coaching positions. Stephen Nicholls took on the presidency and Mrs Gail Saunders took over the secretarial work from Alan Lillico who had given ten years in that job. Paul Williams was appointed senior captain coach, Steve Emberson was the same for our reserves and Darren Newcombe was in charge of the thirds who finished seventh. The seniors would make amends for the year before and made the finals finishing in second place with thirteen wins. They did actually sit in top spot at the half way point of the season and also after rounds twelve and fourteen. Mornington were the team that was topping and tailing us during this period and they would be our downfall in the second semi. Our reserves, with twelve wins finished in fifth place behind Cranbourne and Edi Asp who both had the same amount of wins but we had the lower percentage. Our seniors finals campaign ground to a halt in the preliminary final when we lost to Edi Asp by 36 pts which followed a 39 pt loss to Mornington in the second semi. Rosebud were now in the premier division after winning the southern division premiership under ex-Pines player Mark Hustwaite. Another ex Python, Robert Jackson played his league life membership 300th game in this year and ironically it would be against his old club, Pines. Gordon Hendry, now with 150 senior games, found his way back to good form after collapsing to the ground in a 1996 game and was voted seniors best and fairest. New recruit, Reegan Stubbs was our seniors leading goalkicker and would win the first of his five awards and was third in the league senior goals. John Spencer won the league reserves goalkicking. Veterans in Damien Boyle and Trevor Roberts reached their 200 club games and Andrew McDonald played his 175th club game and received a life membership for playing services. Other presentation night best and fairest awards went to Simon Bishop (reserves) and Jamie Messina (thirds). Mrs Vicky Hendry was voted best club person and also received the outstanding services award. Once again the league came under criticism on the structuring of the current three tier competition with a number of the lower clubs in the geographically designed north and south divisions claiming that they could not improve, placed where they were. At one stage as many as fourteen clubs were ‘reported’ by certain media groups to be wanting to break away and form a separate league. This number would in reality become four. A new three tier competition was created in the next year and this was a genuine best (premier), second best (peninsula) and third best (nepean) format with a mandatory promotion / relegation system imposed. Geographic positions went out the window and teams such as eg; Crib Point, Seaford, Sorrento and Tyabb found themselves playing eg; Berwick, Doveton, Keysborough and Narre Warren.
Most senior games (20). S.Brown, J.Lowe, T.McDonald, R.Stubbs, C.Vokes.
Most reserves games (18). S.Bishop, C.Egan, B.Galbraith, A.Plane.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (10). K.Sole v YCW. P.Williams v Karingal.
Highest one game reserves goals (14). J.Spencer v Rosebud.
Highest one game thirds goals (7). D.Noble v Hastings.
Seniors highest score; Rd 14, 26.20-176 d Chelsea by 92 pts.
Interleague; D.Lielnors, P.Williams.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1999
Brendon Moore was appointed senior captain coach and returned to Pines from Frankston Dolphins where he had been a captain and dual best and fairest winner. He replaced Paul Williams who was now at the Dolphins as was Chris Vokes. Taking over the reserves role would be Pers Lielnors, the father of David and Kristen, and Darren Newcombe continued his duties with our thirds who once again finished seventh. Our seniors won ten games, had the third highest percentage but only finished fifth behind another new to the division team, Hampton Park who had replaced Karingal. Our reserves easily made the finals winning seventeen games with the only loss being to YCW who got their revenge in the second semi by 18 pts and then Edi Asp finished us off in the preliminary by 42 pts. This was a sad outcome for veterans such as Damien Boyle (209 club games), Martin Hamling(146), Craig McPherson (245) and Ken Rust (109) who now, in the main, hung up their boots. League presentation night saw Pines players second in the best player voting; B.Moore (seniors) and John Spencer (reserves). Third in the league goals were; Reegan Stubbs (seniors 96) and John Spencer (reserves 47). Gordon Hendry notched up his 200th club game in round two and the huge crowd saluting him in the social rooms that night heard him state in his usual straight to the face manner, “There’s a lot more games left in me yet”. Club best and fairests were Brendon Moore (seniors), Michael Lacey (reserves), Jamie Messina (thirds). John Spencer received a playing service life membership, Mrs Gail Saunders was voted best club person and Mrs Vicki Hendry was awarded the outstanding services award. Kristen Lielnors was voted by the media as player of the year. An uplifting seniors game early in this year was the round four win over our old nemesis YCW when were victors by 87 pts with both ‘Stubba’ and Steve Ryan kicking seven goals each. There was rather an odd incident during this game when some numbskull in a dress rode around on a bike throwing eggs at the Pines players. Pines psychologists, Mavis and Faye declared that they had never seen such a thing before. The next two games were wins but then the rot set in and we lost the next five in a row and although this was followed by five wins in the remaining seven games we, as mentioned, finished fifth. Of interest in this year was that two of the final four teams were teams from the old SWGFL, Cranbourne and Hampton Park. Another big change at seasons end in the premier division was that Chelsea, an inaugural 1987 division one club, was relegated, much to their dismay. They and Rosebud both finished with only four wins but the Gulls had the lower percentage. This now meant that of the original ten teams in division one in 1987, only Mornington, Pines and Rye remained to commence in 2000.
Most senior games (18). G.Brown, S.Brown, A.Charles, G.Hendry.
Most reserves games (19). S.Bishop, C.Egan, M.Lacey, C.Morgan, J.Perry.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (12). R.Stubbs v Chelsea.
Highest one game reserves goals (11). J.Spencer v Hastings.
Highest one game thirds goal (9). B.O’Neill v Rye.
Seniors highest score; Rd 4, 27.12-174 d YCW by 87 pts.
Interleague (listed); A.Charles, K.Lielnors, B.Moore (vc), J.Ruecroft, S.Ryan, R.Stubbs, R.Vaughan.
By Paul Williams SNR
