The club was now being described as a powerhouse and that if any club was to win a flag they would be having a very hard task in front of them in that they would have to get the better of the Pines Pythons. Someone must have had a crystal ball in stating this as Somerville seniors, who we had defeated twice during the year and then in the second semi, did so and ‘got the better of us’ downing us by 28 pts in the grand final at Somerville. There were odd comments around that Pines, after winning all of their nineteen games for the season would go into the grand final a bit cocky and too complacement. Once again we had four teams in grand finals and there were victories for our reserves, thirds and fourths. The reserves, still under “Dasher” Downward defeated Bonbeach by 35 pts, our thirds still led by “Butch” Gay beat Bonbeach by 29 pts and our fourths, under Arnold Porter won by 14 pts over Langwarrin. Mt Martha had dropped out of this grade and Police and Citizens Youth Club entered a team. It was however still only a six team competition. There were five Pines league medalists in this year; Jeff Svigos (seniors leading goalkicker), our first ever league reserves best & fairest was Peter Coughlin, Stephen Nicholls (thirds leading goalkicker) and another double in the fourths, John Collins (league best & fairest) and Grant Cudmore (leading goalkicker). Again our name would be added to NFL Club Champions shield. Jeff Svigos ‘upped’ his personal one game goal tally to 11 when Pines beat Dromana by 109 pts in round 17 and at seasons end he would have a total of 107. We still had not ‘cracked’ the 400 senior team goals in a season but we were not far off it and were averaging 19 goals per game. ‘Benno’, Bram and Mrs Seeckts were still heading the administration and on presentation night the team best and fairest trophies went to; Gerard VanderHeyden (seniors), Peter Coughlin and Daryl Goodman tied in the reserves, Shane Sutton (thirds), John Collins (fourths). Clarke Saunders was voted seniors most consistent and also best in finals. Thirds most consistent was Steven Jackson, fourths runner up b&f and best team man was Michael Remy. Neil Tedge was voted best clubman, Ian Benson achieved an outstanding services award and Ian Goodman was granted life membership for playing service. Pines had many stalwart supporters during these years and one who will always be remembered is Barry Steen who, in his own unique style, would raucously barrack all day long come rain or shine, would always help out with anything he could around the club and always be one of the first to ‘hit his kick’ for any fund raising efforts. This was one of the great aspects at Pines at the time for as good as the teams were there was always tremendous off ground support around the club and many staunch supporters. Such were the people of the Pines in these times.
Most senior games (20). G.Abblitt, W.Hunt, S.Scagliarini, G.VdHeyden.
Most reserves games (20). G.Tedge.
Most known thirds games (14). P.Bromley, S.Jackson, S.Nicholls, G.Sullivan, S.Sutton.
Most known fourths games (17). D.Boyle, J.Collins, G.Fallon, D.McClelland, S.Newman, M.Remy, R.Sutton.
Highest one game senior goals (11). J.Svigos v Dromana.
Highest one game reserves, thirds and fourths goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 2, 33.20-218 d Karingal by 156 pts.
Interleague; M.Dunsford, S.Emberson, C.Saunders, S.Scagliarini, G.vanderHeyden.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1982
Once again we were to see four Pines teams in grand finals but there were to be once again only three wins. The seniors, now with “Jack” Norris as captain coach, would make a carbon copy of the previous year in winning all games except the grand final of which they lost to Bonbeach by 1 pt. Further bad luck befell “Jack” when in tying in the league best and fairest voting with S.Trott of Red Hill he was placed second on countback. Our reserves now with Jim Smith as captain coach would win their eighth flag in defeating Bonbeach by 27 pts. Our thirds, still led by Lyle Gay, were victors of Langwarrin by 43 pts and Arnold Porter took our fourths to a 10 pt win over Rosebud. The fourths grade had now become an eight team competition although Kananook replaced the P&C team who went into the thirds as Dromana did not have an under eighteen team. The game scores for Pines seniors were becoming higher and a club record high of 51.30-336 was set in round seven when we defeated Karingal by 319 pts. Jeff Svigos kicked 13 goals in this game, repeating the same amount that he got in round three v Pearcedale. Jeff finished the season with a tally of 118. The team total for the year was 500 giving them an average of 25 goals per game. Terrific statistics but alas, no premiership to be had for the second year in a row. John Lillico who was second in the league reserves goalkicking booted 16 v Pearcedale reserves in round 10. There were many ‘colourful’ characters at the club in these days and none more than trainers Noel Thompson and Barry ‘bourbon breath’ Burrell. A concocted best trainers trophy was devised and Noel was declared the winner who, of course, proudly displayed it the next day on the bar at the Sundowner Hotel. It suddenly disappeared and so did ‘bourbon’. League medals for Pines in this year would be senior leading goalkicker Jeff Svigos, reserves best and fairest Jim Smith and fourths best and fairest was Danny Howard who was also second in the goalkicking. Other Pines players filled either second or third place for each medal. Club trophies in 1982 were best and fairest votes going to Clarke Saunders (seniors), Jim Smith (reserves), Mick Remy (thirds) and Danny Howard (fourths). Runners up for best and fairest were “Jack” Norris (seniors), Barry Blacher (reserves), Stephen Nicholls (thirds) and Dean Harris (fourths). Leading goalkickers were, seniors- Jeff Svigos 118, reserves-John Lillico 92+; thirds-Craig Neal 73+ and fourths-Danny Howard 41+. Presentation night saw Lyle Gay receive club life membership while Darrell Saunders was granted life membership for playing service. Barry Moore was voted best clubman and Geoff Dyer received an outstanding services award. Again we were declared NFL Club Champions.
Most senior games (20). W.Hunt, A.Norris, M.Rowley, S.Sutton.
Most reserves games (20). G.Houldcroft.
Most thirds games (19). D.Chalkley, J.Collins, J.Jerkovic, D.McClelland.
Most fourths games (17). S.Armstrong, D.Harris, D.Howard, T.Roberts.
Highest one game senior goals (13). J.Svigos v Pearcedale, v Karingal.
Highest known one game reserves goals (16). J.Lillico v Tyabb.
Highest one game thirds, fourths goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 7, 51.30-336 d Karingal by 319 pts.
Interleague; C.McPherson, A.Norris, C.Saunders, S.Stark, J.Svigos, A.Tedge, G.VanderHeyden.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1983
There would be a new order in the leadership of the club administration with Barry Moore elected president, Alan Lillico secretary and Graham Crossthwaite was treasurer. Our seniors, once again after winning all games, went straight into the last NFL grand final that we would ever play ironically against the first club that we had ever met, Crib Point. This was a win to us, defeating Crib by 67 pts and quashing all talk that Pines seniors are a great side but that they have forgotten how to win premierships. “Jack” Norris as captain coach was out to disprove this and set the example by kicking eight goals in our grand final team total of 20. The other coaches of our grand final teams were Ian Goodman (reserves), Lyle Gay (thirds), Arthur Gay (fourths) but we did not get the quadrella as our fourths ‘dipped out’ by only 6 pts v Rosebud. The media of the day desribed it as being a ‘Pines clean sweep’ and that our three more senior teams had set an Australian record in winning every one of their games for the season, including grand finals. Local councillor Mr Ted Holman declared to Frankston Council that our club had brought honour not only to the Pines area but to Frankston itself. Mayor, Mr Heiki Mamers agreed that a civic reception would be held to applaud the club and to grant us best tidings on our elevation to the MPFL in 1984. It was a nice get-together at the reception for all at the club resulting in Bob the cleaner reporting to council that the mayoral liquor cabinet would need a full replenishment. Craig McPherson (1983 league leading goalkicker) set a still standing highest one game senior goal tally of 21 v Karingal. He is still the only Pines player to kick 20 or more goals in a senior game. An upset during this year was in round 6 when at Pearcedale the umpire declared the game over during the third qtr. Witnesses at the game state that there were many scuffles and that players had been sent off during the match but that when a big fight broke out the umpire simply called ‘time’ and the game was over and the match is officially recorded as a no-game. A little disappointing here is the fact that if Robert Jackson had picked up three votes in this ‘abandoned’ game he may have tied with Maxwell of Crib Point in the league b&f voting. Apart from “Macca” being league seniors goalkicker, we also had Stephen Nicholls as the same in the league reserves and Mark Green the same in the fourths. Pines players came second in nearly all departments. Runners up in the league best and fairest votings were Robert Jackson (seniors), Ian Goodman (reserves), John Collins (thirds) and Craig Neal was second in the league thirds goalkicking. Club presentation night best and fairest trophies went to “Jack” Norris (seniors), Ian Goodman (reserves), John Collins (thirds) and Mark Green (fourths). Runners up for this award were Craig McPherson (seniors), “Fuji” Kuramoto (reserves), Grant Cudmore (thirds) and Carl Rasch (fourths). Best clubman was Bill Tedge, the Crossthwaite family received the then annual outstanding services award and Warren Hunt was granted playing service life membership. Geoff Dyer received a medallion for services to the VCFL and once again we were named as NFL champions. This would be our last year in the old Nepean FL in which we started in 1964. We were now being ‘promoted’ into the MPFL in what was decided at the time as a plan to balance up the two leagues with the strongest NFL club going ‘up’ and the weakest MPFL team going ‘down’. This may also have been a plot to get Pines out of the NFL as we were too dominant. Although some clubs had gone in and out of both leagues over the years, this was the first official promotion / relegation scheme.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1984
We were now in the big league, the MPFL and of course the expected comments of ‘won’t win a game’ and ‘will go back down next year’ abounded. We were to prove all of the critics wrong as three of our teams made it to grand finals. Our thirds were the only winners though went they defeated Seaford by 10 pts. The seniors and reserves were both beaten by Mornington in their premiership deciding games. Most of the clubs in this league had been around for a very long time, some even from the original Peninsula Football Association which was formed in 1908. Our mere twenty years of existence really did make us the ‘new kids on the block’. We knew not what to expect of these clubs and very few players in our teams over the years had ever played in this supposedly stronger competition. Our first game in this league was v Chelsea who beat us by 42 pts, not a good start but we were to lose only another three resulting in us being ladder leaders on going into the finals. Where were the critics now? Towards the end of the previous year, the football club formed a co-operative with our cricket club and plans were created for bigger and better club rooms to be built, mainly pushed at council level by Councillor Mr Ted Holman who stated that the one single building that was shared by the two opposing teams on match days, then had to double as our social rooms was not good enough. The next year would see this come to fruition. Bill Lang (ex-Mordiallic) was our senior captain coach in this year, John Lillico was in charge of the reserves (the mean machine), Lyle Gay took our thirds to their ninth and fifth straight premiership win and Arthur Gay coached our fourths, this being the last year of that grade. Committee leadership was unchanged and on club presentation night, best and fairest trophies went to Steve Emberson (seniors), Michael Remy (reserves), Trevor Roberts (thirds) and Darren Clarke (fourths). Runners up were Kevin Sutton (seniors), Stephen Nicholls (reserves), Frank D’Agostino (thirds) and Mick Harvey (fourths). Barry and Judy Moore received the outstanding services award and Paul Williams snr was voted best clubman. During the season, Ian “Sherman” Goodman became the third player to ever play 200 club games. League medals went to “Jack” Norris (seniors leading goalkicker), Gary Abblitt (reserves best and fairest) and Darren Clarke (fourths best and fairest). One premiership team, two runner up teams and three league medalists wasn’t too bad at all for our first year in the MPFL. Clubs would come and clubs would go from the MPFL under the promotion system with Pines being one of only three teams that had either started in the ‘main’ league (1934) or had entered and had never gone back ‘down’. The other two are Mornington (1908) and YCW (1990). The relegated club during this year was Carrum who in later years would make a very short comeback.
Most senior games (20). S.Andrew, S.Emberson, M.Rowley, J.Smith, G.Tedge.
Most reserves games (21). D.McClelland.
Most thirds, fourths games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (9). A.Norris v Sorrento, Seaford. S.Nicholls v Frankston.
Highest one game reserves goals (18). C.McPherson v Sorrento.
Highest one game thirds goals (12). S.Luca.
Highest one game fourths goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 3, 26.19-175 d Sorrento by 133 pts.
Interleague; S.Emberson, W.Lang, A.Norris, J.Svigos, G.VanderHeyden.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1985
A slight drop in achievements in this year with this time it being only our reserves, under Jim Smith who would bring home the premiership honours in what would be their tenth flag since 1972. Our seniors, still under Bill Lang were to win only eight games and finish seventh. This would be the worst year in more than a decade for our seniors and would be the first year since 1973 that they had not made the finals and of course there were plenty of ‘told you so’ comments being made of our ability to be able to continue in this league. Further evidence of this was that our annual total goals kicked had now more than halved since 1983 and was 120 fewer than the previous year. We were now averaging only 13 goals per game. Our thirds, under Russell Svigos also made the finals but they were devoured by Edi Asp in the first semi to the tune of 131 pts. Some of our long-time serving senior players were still battling on or were opting for the reserves, so the focus now would be to look to our thirds players coming through such as a young Brendon Moore who played his first senior game in this year. Bonbeach had now entered the MPFL replacing Sorrento who were relegated at the end of the 1984 season. The ‘Beaches’ had been something of a nemesis to us during our NFL years and it looked like it may continue as we were only able to win one of our two games against them. The new clubrooms were now opened and a call went out for greater support from the Pines community. The new rooms were basically an addition at the rear of the old rooms out front, but at least it gave us a separate and comfortable section with the original building used as the players quarters. The physical work in the building of the new rooms, although partly council financed, was mainly done by our players themselves and at a time when the four bare grey walls stood as they were, the section was named ‘the alamo’. This was a meaningful name, for although not suggesting much to some, it recalled the name of a place where others had fought in another time for their cause. Our biggest win for the season was v Frankston in round seven when we kicked 30.15-195, winning by 137 pts. Frankston, who played at Baxter Park and was an original 1908 club was struggling in this year and would end the following season being relegated. There were no red and green ribbons on league medals in this year although Mick Remy was second in the reserves voting. Presentation night, held at the Pines Community Centre, would see club best and fairest trophies go to Navy serviceman Peter Gatti (seniors), Glenn Crowley (reserves), Brendon Moore (thirds). Runners up for this trophy were Alan Bauer (seniors), Jim Smith (reserves), Darren Clark (thirds). Best clubman was Neil Tedge and Russell Harris received the outstanding services award. Life memberships for playing service went to “Jack” Norris and Stephen Johnson. Gary Abblitt became the first player to play 250 club games during this year.
Most senior games (18). F.D’Agostino, M.Hamling, C.McPherson.
Most reserves games (20). R.Scott.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (9). A.Norris v Frankston.
Highest one game reserves,thirds goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 7, 30.15-195 d Frankston by 137 pts.
Interleague; S.Jackson, S.Newman, A.Norris, J.Svigos, G.vanderHeyden.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1986
Barry Burke returned to the club as non-playing coach of our seniors, Barry Moore stood down during the season as president, following an involvement during a rather vindicitive thirds game and Bill Tedge took over the role. Eric Miller was elected secretary and the treasurers work was shared between Ron Stephens from our junior club, and Bill Long who early in the year had become seriously ill and later sadly passed away. Robert Jackson returned to us after going walkabout to Carrum for a season and there were new senior recruits in Paul Housden and Len Vaughan. Our 1985 premiership winning under fifteen FDJFL team, coached by Russell Svigos now became our senior club 1986 thirds team and were coached by Neville Eckles. They would be our only premiership team in this year when they defeated Hastings by 30 pts in the grand final. This team contained a number of players such as Mark Hustwaite, Brendon Moore (second year) and Paul Williams who would all go on to greater heights in senior football. Another who was in this team was Adrian Mack who in later years would make his mark in the cricket world. A player from the 1985 junior team who did not continue on into our thirds side was Nathan Burke who although only 16 was taken to St Kilda by his father Barry who could see better prospects there for him. He wasn’t far wrong. Our reserves, coached by Jim Smith were runners up after losing to Rye by 79 pts with the game being described as an ugly spectacle and our seniors were not good enough against Seaford in the preliminary final and failed by 50 pts in a game that had all spectators shaking their heads as we had been 54 pts in front at quarter time and were 32 pts up at half time. At least we were continuing the ‘Pines in finals’ status and would continue to do so and it would be a lot more of the coming years before we weren’t in it. Dale Dargan would kick 15 goals in a thirds game against a scoreless Chelsea thirds which would be some of the 66 goals that gave him the league thirds leading goalkicker trophy. Another Pines league leading goalkicker was Stephen “Cowboy” Nicholls who would win the second of his ten league reserves highest goals trophies. Craig McPherson was voted by the goal umpires as ‘player of the year’ repeating the win by Steve Emberson in 1984. “Macca” was also runner up in the league seniors best and fairest votes and likewise in the reserves it was John Collins. Neither player would win the club awards for same though as it would be Steve Newman in our seniors, Shane Sutton, reserves and Brendon Moore won the thirds trophy. Tom Watson was declared best clubman and our club was named as MPFL Club Champions and winners of the R.J.Schipalius and the Jim Porter awards. This was the last year of the MPFL and although we had been in it for only three of its 52 year history we had by now certainly proved ourselves worthy of being part of it.
Most senior games (20). S.Emberson, R.Jackson, C.McPherson, S.Newman, M.Rowley, K.Sutton.
Most reserves games (19). M.Davis.
Most thirds games (20). R.King, A.Mack, R.Stark, P.Williams.
Highest one game senior goals (10). P.Housden v Frankston.
Highest one game reserves goals (14). S.Nicholls v Frankston.
Highest one game thirds goals (15). D.Dargan v Chelsea.
Seniors highest score; Rd 18 31.13-199 d Frankston by 55 pts.
Interleague; C.Neal, S.Newman, S.Stark, K.Sutton.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1987
The MPFL and the NFL merged and the MPNFL was formed with all clubs now playing under the one banner. Chairman of the new league would be a Pines past president, Ian Benson. The twenty two clubs were divided into two competitions which was simply called divisions one and two. Division one consisted of Bonbeach, Chelsea, Crib Point, Hastings, Mornington, Mt Eliza, Pines, Rye, Seaford and Somerville who replaced Frankston who had been relegated. Bill Tedge continued as Pines president, Alan Lillico was back as secretary and Wayne ‘The Bagman’ Saunders would commence the first of his nineteen consecutive years as treasurer. Dale Carpenter (Bonbeach, Chelsea) was selected as seniors playing coach, Lyle Gay took on the reserves job and Peter Coughlin would coach our thirds. Gary Abblitt had now retired having played a record 271 club games of which 230 were senior games. Once again we would have three teams in the finals although only two were to play in the grand finals. Our reserves missed the big game for the first time since 1978 when they lost the preliminary final to Rye by 40 pts. There would be no flags for the club though as the seniors were defeated by Chelsea and our thirds went down against Seaford in their respective grand finals. During the season, Stephen Johnson bagged 20 goals v Somerville reserves and after round four had 46 to his name. He finished the season with a tally of 70 and was second in the league reserves goalkicking. Craig Neal also kicked 70 for the season but likewise he was second, in the league seniors. Dale Dargan won the thirds league goalkicking for the second year in a row. Craig Jaensch won the league reserves best and fairest and Paul Williams was third in the league thirds best player vote count. Danny Howard returned to us after captaining St Kilda thirds in 1986. We were really the only promoted club in the last four years to be making any impact in the ‘main’ competition with Crib Point and Somerville finishing in the middle order with Bonbeach after winning only one game being relegated at seasons end and were replaced in 1988 by Edi Asp who had collapsed a few years earlier following a major walkout by some of their senior players. Missing from our senior team in this year was Brendon Moore who had been recruited by Essendon where he would play seven senior games between this year and 1990. Those two trainers of ours, “Thommo” and “Bourban” were constantly at each other as to who was the better trainer and during one heated but comical dispute between them, both were escorted to the cricket nets and told to finish it off there. “Thommo” walked the distance but “the breath” had to be carried. Presentation night best and fairest awards went to Mal Rowley (seniors), Robert Sutton (reserves) and Craig Durkin (thirds). Life memberships for playing service were granted to Paul Plane and Graeme Tedge. Best clubman was Paul Williams snr. We were declared as MPNFL Club Champions and once again had our name inscribed on the R.J.Schipalius and Jim Porter shields.
Most senior games (21). S.Emberson, M.Hamling, M.Rowley, K.Sutton.
Most reserves games (20). S.Merchant, D.Smillie.
Most thirds games (21). J.Burton, C.Durkin, P.Gay, J.Phillips, D.Wilcox.
Highest one game senior goals (9). C.Neal v Bonbeach, Crib Point.
Highest one game reserves goals (20). S.Johnson v Somerville.
Highest one game thirds goals (12). D.Dargan v Chelsea.
Seniors highest score; Rd 17, 33.20-228 d Crib Point by 155 pts.
Interleague; M.Dunsford, M.Hamling, P.Housden, S.Jackson.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1988
Dale “Possum” Carpenter continued as senior coach and although he didn’t play any senior games during the season would take the team to a premiership over Edi Asp. Supporters at all clubs will often debate over what team was their best team ever and at Pines we have had some very good senior teams, some not even losing any games until the grand final. The senior team of this year actually lost five games during the season and although finishing third were forecast to not even get past the first semi. We were victors over Seaford in this game though and came out 61 pts in front. Seaford had beaten us once during the home and away games and there was a draw The result was causing some caution in the camps of the other two remaining teams who of neither wanted to lose the second semi and then face us. Chelsea, who were pre finals flag favorites had to do just this and succumbed to us by 30 pts. They also had already beaten us once with oddly, as with Seaford, a draw also. This left us to face Edi Asp who had a premiership under their belt from the year before in division two. Pines were to go into this grand final with a mixed bag of players for as players were becoming unavailable through injury we basically fielded a team of veterans, some of who had only played a handful of senior games over the last two years and young players who were in their first senior year. Edi Asp had their name on the flag up to half time and although they were 15 pts down at orange time looked like they would still go on to win but Pines desire to win was the most strongest during the rainy last term and although kicking only 1.4-10, were premiers by a mere 9 pts. Our reserves, under Neville Eckles, lost to Edi Asp and were runners up and our thirds, under Peter Coughlin failed in the preliminary final v Seaford. The only league medalist in this year was “Cowboy” Nicholls as league reserves leading goalkicker, his third. Craig Neal was second in the league senior goals thus giving him his third of eventually six consecutive club awards and Adam Kane was second in the league reserves best players. Steven Jackson was our clubs senior b&f, Adrian Mack was club reserves b&f and Peter White was judged best thirds player. Wayne Saunders was installed as a club life member, Frank snr and Jeanette D’Agostino received the outstanding services award and Rick Lewis was voted best clubman. Rick, now deceased, gave every moment that he could to work around the club with his main duties and concerns lying with our thirds team. Stephen Johnson and Paul Plane both now had 200 club games to their credit. Pines would win an award for the best administered club, this being the Ross Faulkner Award. Paul Williams was selected in the VCFL under nineteen team and was also voted MPNFL senior rookie of the year. Another Pines player to hit a high spot in this year was Steve Newman who got to play one senior game with Fitzroy. It wasn’t a big day for him though as he spent the match in a dressing gown on the bench. It is however still recorded as a game played. Steve had previously made some inroads at Essendon but like so many others from Pines only got to play reserves games in the then VFL days. Nathan Burke had by now established himself at St Kilda and in earlier years there was another in Russell Greene who although officially listed as going to St Kilda and then Hawthorn from Frankston Peninsula, did play his early junior football at our junior club. Nathan played 323 games with the Saints and nine state games and Russell played 304 with his two clubs. He was also a state team captain.
**********************************************************
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1989
Barry Moore returned as club president, Alan Lillico continued as secretary and Wayne Saunders kept the treasury intact. Dale Carpenter continued as senior captain coach, there was a new reserves coach in Wayne Spence and Peter Coughlin was in charge of the thirds. Things were not as good in this year with only our reserves being our only team to make the finals, finishing with a premiership, their eleventh since 1972. The seniors although winning a respectable ten games finished fifth, and our thirds could manage only seventh place. This would be the first year since 1977 that our lads did not make the finals. Some of our younger senior players, such as Paul Williams and Mark Hustwaite decided to try their luck at St Kilda and although neither actually played any official senior games there, they were well accepted. Paul was looked on as a possible seniors centre half forward by coach Darrell Baldock but it was not to be as another ex peninsula player in Stewart Loewe who had been there for a couple of years basically owned that spot. Paul stayed on with the Saints reserves until mid 1990 when he then returned to Pines. Mark also returned to Pines in 1990 after a year as St Kilda reserves co-captain and was also the team best and fairest. Our thirds, most straight from the junior club, did have players who showed promise including Paul Cox, Brett Hudgson, Lance Wood, Chris Vokes and John Spencer who was second in the league thirds goalkicking. Both Chris and John who had simply walked in and asked for a game would go on to greater achievements at the club. Our reserves boasted two league medalists with John Collins (best and fairest) and Stephen Nicholls was league reserves leading goalkicker, his fourth. Craig Neal was second in the league seniors goals. Alan Bauer was club seniors b&f, Grant Cudmore won our reserves award and Lance Wood was best in the thirds. Club life membership was granted to Peter Coughlin who was also named best clubman. Alan Lillico received the outstanding services award and Robert Jackson and Kevin Sutton obtained life memberships for playing services. “Jack” Norris returned to Pines after a season at Karingal as senior coach and was one of a number of veterans who made up our reserves flag team. Rosebud had now joined division one following Crib Points relegation. The promoted clubs since 1983 until now had the following tallies; Pines (1984-89) 91 wins, 1 snr flag, Bonbeach (1985-87) 9 wins, Crib Point (1986-88) 11 wins, Somerville (1987-89) 18 wins, Edi Asp (1988-89) 34 wins 1 snr flag. This shows that most teams were failing upon coming in to division one and there was media talk of whether the system was warranted. Pines had cemented their place in the competition though and would continue to do so.
Most senior games (18). C.Neal, S.Osborne, T.Roberts, K.Sutton.
Most reserves games (21). B.Sutton.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game seniors goals (12). C.Neal v Hastings.
Highest one game reserves goals (11). S.Nicholls v Mornington.
Highest one game thirds goals (15). J.Spencer v Somerville.
Seniors highest score; Rd 7, 29.10-184 d Mt Eliza by 73 pts.
Interleague; M.Hamling, C.Neal, K.Sutton.
By Paul Williams SNR