THE Strathfieldsaye Shire Council had strongly considered building a multi-purpose pavilion in its area as far back as 1988.Now long gone from our local government structure following former state Premier Jeff Kennett’s council amalgamations, Strath Shire’s plans of two decades ago incorporated football, bowls, tennis, soccer and cricket.
By early September in 1988 Kennington had shown a bit of interest in relocating from the Neale Street oval to Strathfieldsaye.
Saints’ president Bill Bateson (now a Sandhurst supporter with his son Jarrod a key senior Dragon) told the Advertiser the proposal was in its infant stage.
“There are one million bridges to cross before the Kennington club would be able to relocate,” he said.
“If Strathfieldsaye was going ahead with a new sports complex we would be interested in holding discussions (with shire councilors and officers).
“Some people within our club have sent a letter to Strathfieldsaye expressing interest, but no formal plans have been drawn up,” Mr Bateson said.
EVEN though some interest had been shown by a handful of keen Saints’ followers, Kennington’s committee itself had not discussed the issue.
Mr Bateson said no responses to the informal approach had been received from the shire and he conceded that any move from the Saints’ Neale Street base could cause outrage in the Kennington area.
Commenting on the shire’s likely intention to build a multi-purpose pavilion, with football an integral part of the concept, Mr Bateson said a club members’ meeting would have to be held.
“And that’s provided we were invited by the Strathfieldsaye Shire to join,” he added.
The Kennington boss said a relocation to Strathfieldsaye might not suit the majority of Saints’ members.
“The proposal has a lot of merit but won’t be discussed until the annual meeting.”
Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve president Barry Edwards said he hadn’t heard of any plans for the relocation of Kennington, but if it was to go ahead he considered it “an excellent idea.”
“It’s great to think that a BFL club has recognized the growth and potential of the Strathfieldsaye community.
“Kennington would be made welcome to discuss any proposal. With the development and growth in the (Strath) community, a football club can’t miss,” Mr Edwards said.
“The complex is currently at a ‘dicey’ stage but the arrival of Kennington would be ‘the icing on the cake’. I’m only one on the committee, but I think having them would make the complex a lot better.”
Mr Edwards added he believed having an Aussie Rules club and a soccer club sharing the oval would be great.
Strathfieldsaye Shire secretary David Wright said the shire had received the unofficial letter from Kennington and expected it would be referred to the reserve committee.
The fourth party to comment on Kennington’s possible move to Strathfieldsaye --- the Bendigo Football League --- indicated it had no objection to Kennington relocating.
Board member Robert Cook told the Advertiser the BFL had no problems with a possible move by Kennington. “In fact, we would probably encourage it.
“Kennington would have the advantage of the recruiting side of things. Parents at Strathfieldsaye take their children to the nearest club and Kennington would the closest in Strathfieldsye,” he said.
Mr Cook concluded that the Saints would have the “best position of any club in the league.”
ON the football field 21 seasons ago, the Saints had scored a couple of recruiting coups in early ’88 by signing YCW’s LVFL premiership coach Marty Graham and Goulburn Valley full-forward Darren Comi.
Starting with Seymour in 1983 Comi nailed 94 goals in his debut season. In 1987 he snagged 110 majors for Shepparton in the GVFL.
Donning the Saints’ jumper Comi booted seven in his first 1988 appearance, a 19-point loss to Kyneton. In a shootout against Castlemaine, the big spearhead booted nine majors --- but the Magpies’ John Jefferies nailed eight as the Maine won: 25.17 (167) to 20.6 (126).
In round 5 at the QEO, Sandhurst’s Danny Ellis (who was to win the BFL goalkicking award in 1988) kicked 11 goals. Comi’s contribution in a 107-point loss (13.11 to 30.16) was eight goals.
A mark, 50-metre penalty and goal after the final siren from Comi levelled the scores against Kangaroo Flat: final scores -- Kennington 16.9 (105) drew Kangaroo Flat 15.15 (105).
The Saints’ first win for 1988 was recorded at Atkins Street with a 70-point belting of North Bendigo. Comi booted eight of the visitors’ 19 majors with Box Hill recruit Peter Tressider adding four.
By early July Comi had been cleared to VFL club Melbourne. Stand-in spearhead Dale O’Brien booted seven goals in a heartbreaking five-point loss to Eaglehawk, with the ball in Saint Danny Conway’s hands as the final siren sounded.
• But the season highlight for Kennington -– which finished with two wins and a draw --- came on Michelsen Medal night at the Strathdale Community Hall.
Thirty-three-year old Saints’ ruck-rover Rod Southon polled 22 votes from just 14 games to win by two votes from pre-count favourite: Square’s Dean Strauch.
Sandhurst’s Danny Ellis won the senior goalkicking trophy with 72 majors. Comi was second overall with 58 goals from just 10 games, before his move to the MCG with the VFL’s Demons.
AND as we know the Saints didn’t move to Strathfieldsaye as it turned out. The foundation Strathfieldsaye Storm became the BFL club situated in the growth suburb, based at a new complex on Tannery Lane.
Richard’s selections for round 15: South Bendigo, Maryborough, Sandhurst, Golden Square, and Gisborne.
Season total for 2009: 56.
By Richard Jones
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