February 1999 Volume 80 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
Bridgestone State Police Football Team
By Paul Sinor (Coach)

Season Summary - 1998

The SA Police football team saw the annual police football championship in Melbourne last October, as the time and place of its resurgence. It had failed to participate in the Australian Rules Police Football Championship in 1997, which had never before occurred in the championship’s 10-year history.

With a steady influx of trainees who could play football, and the successful defence of the Legacy Cup against the Metropolitan Fire Service in 1997, the 1998 squad began training earnestly in the weeks leading up to the carnival.

Veteran players in the final squad included:
Dean Handke	Colin Kirkwood
Justin Ganley	Anthony Merchant
Julian Snowden	Andy Wibrow
Rob Handley	Paul Patterson
Brenton Massey	Clint Godwin
Sam Giles	Phil Neagle
Rick Grimes	Matt Kluzek
First-carnival players included:
Sam Bailetti	Matt Bryant
Nick Latty	David Kyriacou
Rob Gregory	Simon Quinn
Brett Girardi	Darren Bussenschutt
Trevor Rea	Paul Schwartz
Shane Maraun	Loren Franz
Damien Kschammer	Martin Short
Jeremy Canham
Included in the support team were:
Barry Lewis (president).	John Dicker (finance).
Paul Sinor (coach).	Col Miller (manager).
Rod Hannam (runner).	Michael Whinnen (trainer)

After a selection and team meeting in Melbourne, the first side to play WA at Glenferrie Oval was announced. Those selected to play “rested” in their rooms in preparation for the unknown strength of WA, given that it had won the 1997 carnival.

The SA team leaders for the carnival were also announced. They were:

• Tony Merchant as captain.
• Justin Ganley as vice-captain.
• Simon Quinn as deputy vice-captain.

A near full strength Victoria - 28.13 (181) - demolished an undermanned but gallant Tasmania - 6.2 (38) - in the early game. A win by SA against the Sandgropers was vital if it was to secure a grand final berth against the Vics on Friday.

In blustery conditions, and after a low-scoring first half, a committed and combined SA team came out in the second half and recorded an emphatic victory. Phil Neagle and veteran Colin Kirkwood led the way in keeping WA goalless after quarter time. This win enabled SA to regain the Bowen Trophy, which is the challenge trophy for this game. Paul Schwartz was awarded the Bowen Medal, after being judged best player by the WA organisers.

South Australia 2.6 3.13 7.19 10.24 (84)

Western Australia 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.6 (18)

SA best Phil Neagle (SA trophy), Col Kirkwood (WA trophy), Sam Giles, Matt Kluzek, Simon Quinn, Matt Bryant, Paul Schwartz, Anthony Merchant.

SA scorers Paul Patterson, 4, Brenton Massey, Rob Gregory, Clint Godwin, Simon Quinn, Paul Schwartz and Loren Franz.

At a structured team meeting, the side to play Tasmania on Wednesday was announced. Those who missed selection to play against WA were now able to compete while others rested sore spots. While we were confident of defeating Tasmania, the opportunity to impress selectors for the big Friday clash was a significant motivating factor in the eventual victory on Wednesday. Victoria 20.17 (137) easily accounted for WA 2.8 (20) in the early game.

South Australia 2.4 10.7 14.12 18.15 (123)

Tasmania 3.5 5.8 7.10 9.11 (65)

SA best Andy Wibrow (SA trophy), Clint Godwin, Rick Grimes (Tas trophy), Rob Gregory, Martin Short, Brenton Massey, Colin Kirkwood, Anthony Merchant

SA scorers Clint Godwin, 6, Brenton Massey, 5, Loren Franz, 3, Rob Gregory, Trevor Rea, Andy Wibrow and Anthony Merchant.

Thursday saw a compulsory early-morning training run with the rest of the day left to individuals to prepare in their own style for the final clash. The announcement of the side to play Victoria was made at a team dinner.

Friday was the best weather day for football; and in the early game WA 13.15 (93) was too strong for Tasmania 6.7 (43). It was then up to the SA players to perform at their very best if they were to win the carnival. However, this was not to be. The Vics proved far too strong, especially in the first half when their fine fleet street of runners were too fast. They deserved to be the champions.

Victoria 6.3 11.4 14.10 17.16 (118)

South Australia 1.1 3.4 5.5 8.6 (54)

SA best Colin Kirkwood, Simon Quinn (SA trophy), Matt Kluzek, Loren Franz (Vic trophy), Anthony Merchant, Rick Grimes, Paul Schwartz.

SA scorers Paul Patterson, 3, Loren Franz, 2, Matt Kluzek, 2, Paul Schwartz.

At the closing function, six South Australians were named in the All Australian Team. They were:

• Colin Kirkwood (who was SA player of the series).
• Matthew Kluzek.
• Simon Quinn.
• Rick Grimes (SA best team man of the series).
• Phil Neagle.
• Andy Wibrow.

Two players unlucky to miss selection for this team were Anthony Merchant and Sam Giles.

While SA was unsuccessful in achieving its aim of winning the championship, it certainly regained the respect of the other competitors and can look forward to relieving Victoria of the title on SA soil next year.

The team thanks Commissioner Mal Hyde and SEG members for their support of police football, and all divisional commanders for their co-operation in ensuring selected members could attend the carnival.

The season culminated with the team playing the Metro Fire Service in the annual Legacy Cup on Sunday, 18 October, at Warradale Army Barracks. Fifteen players from the carnival team were supplemented by five others. For the first time in the history of the cup, SAPOL defeated the firies in a high-standard game for the third year in succession.

SAPOL 3.5 4.6 8.10 12.15 (87)

MFS 0.1 2.5 5.5 7.5 (47)

SAPOL best Anthony Merchant (best player award), Julian Snowden (best team man award), Phil Neagle, Simon Quinn, Rick Grimes, Colin Kirkwood, Rob Gregory, Matt Bryant, Loren Franz.

SA scorers Loren Franz, 4, Brett Girardi, 3, Paul Schwartz, 3, Martin Short, Anthony Merchant.

The field umpires were:

Mick Abbott.
Tim Pfieffer.
Tim Slaven (SANFL).

Boundary umpires included Julian Cooling and Brian Altus (SANFL), while the goal umpires were Lynton Davies and Andrew Gregory (SAA and MFL). All volunteered their services for this game; and a healthy sum was raised for the worthy cause of Legacy.

Planning is under way for the 1999 carnival, which will be held in Adelaide in October. Players should register interest with the organising committee should they wish to be part of the challenge.

Contact persons are Paul Sinor (Port Adelaide), Colin Miller (Henley Beach), Julian Snowden (COMCEN), Barry Lewis (Elizabeth) and John Dicker (OSS, Command Support Branch).

A squad of dedicated personnel is required and we are seeking leaders to come forward and return the SAPOL football team to national champions.