Australian Football

"The first of many..." or maybe not

×

Right ▼

+

“I only got on the ground in the last quarter. After the game (coach) Bill Stephen told me it was the first of many games I’d play. I was dropped the following week” — Harold Martin

Let’s go back. To 1968. Protesters take to the streets of Prague, Paris and Chicago. The inaugural Isle of Wight Festival is held. The National Gallery of Victoria International Building, located on St Kilda Road, officially opens its doors. France conducts its first two-stage thermonuclear test on Fangtaufa atoll.

1968 proved to be quite a year for Harold Martin.

“I started the season in Fitzroy’s Under 19 side. I played six games in the thirds before I was promoted to the reserve side. In Round 19 I was selected (as 20th man) to make my senior debut against Carlton at Princes Park.” On Saturday August 24, the same day the Gauls detonated their first hydrogen bomb, Martin made his one and only senior appearance for the Fitzroy Football club.

Entering the late season clash of co-tenants,¹ Ronald Dale Barassi’s Blues sat in fourth spot on the VFL ladder having prevailed in 13 of their 18 contests. The 11^th placed 'Roys, 4-14, were playing out the season having been eliminated from finals contention months earlier. Competitive early, the Lions trailed by a slender two points (4.1-25 to 4.3-27) at quarter time. Adrian Gallagher’s four-goal first half helped push the Blues buffer to 16 points (8.10 to 6.6) at the long interval. Another couple of majors from 'Gags' in the third term saw the margin increase to 46 points (15.12 to 7.14) at the final break.

×

Left ▼

+

Before hostilities could resume Barassi, playing his 253rd and second to last game of VFL football, swapped vigorous Vincent Waite with chrome domed Barry Gill. Hoping to get the opposition in a frenzy Maroons mentor Bill Stephen introduced Barry McKenzie in place of Noel Zunneberg. Early in the final quarter Carlton debutant Gordon Casey, recruited from Speed, a tiny village situated in Victoria’s Mallee region, entered the fray, replacing the dashing John William Crosbie Goold. When Fitzroy’s John Benison injured an ankle Stephen cleared his bench, deputizing Benison with Harold Martin.

It certainly wasn’t a like for like substitution. Measuring 183 centimetres Benison played the majority of his 52 VFL game career as a half back flanker. During his short stint in the twos, Martin’s brief had been vastly different. “I’d played at full back and back pocket in the reserves, picking up the resting ruckman. Still, I was quite excited. Interestingly I think I was Gordon Casey’s direct opponent when he kicked his goal”.

Sadly for Martin the final siren rang out far too soon with Carlton outclassing Fitzroy 21.17-143 to 12.19-91. Gallagher (33 possessions, 7 goals) was the stand out performer for the victors. The vanquished were best served by John Murphy. In amassing 25 kicks, 5 handballs and 2 goals Murphy, the son of dual Hawthorn Best and Fairest winner Leo, gave the Fitzroy faithful a glimpse of the superb player he would evolve into over the following decade.

Considering his limited time on the ground, Harold Martin would’ve fancied his chances of a second crack the following week. “I didn’t think there was any reason I’d be dropped. It was after the game when Bill Stephen made the 'first of many' comment to me”. Martin returned to the reserves side for the season finale against Hawthorn and was subsequently picked to face Collingwood in a Night Series game at the Lakeside Oval in early September. “I played the entire game against Len Thompson in the ruck. I thought I went okay even though I had a lot to learn. Playing against Thompson was a terrific learning experience”.

×

Right ▼

+

No one could doubt the progress the 18-year-old from Northcote Park had made in his first year in Maroon and Blue. “I’d gone from the Under 19s, to the Seconds and finally to the seniors. Obviously I was very excited about my future at Fitzroy.” In addition to his advancement through the ranks Martin had also represented the Victorian Seconds side (the pick of the VFL reserve grade) against New South Wales on the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Martin’s development stalled after suffering a shoulder injury in a pre-season match in 1969. It cost him the opening four rounds of the competition and he spent the remainder of the swinging sixties playing curtain-raisers. “I’d played some good football in the ruck, yet for some reason I was moved to the backline. It was very frustrating”. The Lions' fourth-place finish in the Reserve Grade did provide Martin with what remains a highlight to this day. “We met Carlton in the in the First Semi-Final at the MCG. It was the biggest crowd (101,233 spectators were in attendance) that I ever played in front of. At this point in time I hadn’t given up hope of returning to the senior side.”

The opening month of the 1970 season saw the VFL spotlight focus on the perennially struggling 'Roys with three high profile fixtures scheduled across April — an audience with the Royal family, the club's debut its new home venue at the Junction Oval and the inaugural match played for premiership points at League headquarters in Waverley. Martin was up for the challenge.

×

Left ▼

+

“I went alright in an intra-club practice match and yet I was surprisingly dropped to the earlier game the following week. Claude Heath (club secretary) challenged the match committee’s decision. I played well over the next few weeks but appeared to be on the outer. I received offers from Preston and Brunswick (VFA) so I approached Bill Stephen (left) who told me I’d be okay and I that shouldn’t to lose any sleep over my prospects."

However, with the season less than a month away, it was left to one of Martin’s staunchest backers to inform him of the bad news. “I spoke to Claude Heath and he told me I wouldn’t be on the final list. Obviously the match committee didn’t agree with Bill Stephen’s opinion of my capabilities."

With his VFL dream on hold, Martin’s decision to where he would continue his footballing journey proved wise well beyond his 20 years and provide him many happy memories that remain half a century down the track. “I had to move on with my footballing career. I had the utmost respect for Bill Stephen. He was a good man. Unfortunately the other members of the match committee felt I wasn’t good enough at the time. Whilst I played most of my football at full back and centre half-back in the reserves I was a ruckman, very lean and hadn’t physically developed. At the time Fitzroy had two great ruckmen in Norm Brown and Russell Crowe. Still, I never held any animosity toward Fitzroy, far from it. Their decision motivated me to make the most of what the future held.”

So, in April 1970, Harold Martin took his talents to reigning Victorian Football Association premier Preston. Whilst the 'Roys had struggled for the best part of the previous three decades Preston were riding the crest of a wave having claimed the previous two VFA 1^st Division premierships under the charge of former Hawthorn hard man Alan Joyce. From football outhouse to penthouse.

×

Right ▼

+

Fittingly Martin would make his VFA debut against Port Melbourne, a club that would bring the best out in him. “I loved the challenge of playing against Port, I reckon I played some of my best football against them”. Named amongst the best, Martin notched his first goal in senior VFA ranks. Most importantly the reigning champs launched their bid for a hat-trick of pennants in fine style with a 20-point win victory over the Borough.

At seasons end Preston’s 11-7 record matched that of Port Melbourne and Waverley (third and fourth respectively). Unfortunately the chance of a 'three-peat' was denied due to the Bullants inferior percentage. Joyce bid Postcode 3072 adieu to take the coaching role at East Fremantle in the WAFL, and was replaced by former Fitzroy forward and one time Dandenong coach Kevin Wright.

Rebounding from the disappointment of a finals-free September the 13 win, 4 loss, 1 draw ‘Ants grabbed their third minor premiership in four years. Dandenong, regular season runners-up, then stunned VFA followers with an easy 74-point win in the Second Semi Final, their 12-goal opening term blitzkrieg putting the result beyond doubt inside the first half hour of play. Wright’s men earned a rematch with the Redlegs when they outlasted a determined Sandringham side in the Preliminary Final.

The 1971 VFA First Division decider remains one of the most notorious matches, let alone Grand Finals, in the 160-plus year history of Australian Rules football. At the final siren Dandenong 14.14-98 had triumphed over Preston 13.14-92. The match exploded when field umpire Jim McMaster, believing he’d seen Bullant full back Barry Leslie whack star Redlegs full forward Jim Miller (below), ran to the Fitzroy Street end of the Junction Oval and award a free kick to Miller.

×

Left ▼

+

“Frosty” duly converted and Dandenong had their first goal of the afternoon. The problem was, the siren hadn’t sounded. Did McMaster signal to the time keepers that play had commenced? Should the score stand? Dandy jumped to a handy 28-point after thirty minutes but the ‘Ants hit back hard in the second period. When the players trudged from the field at the main interval, the ‘Legs quarter time lead had been halved. Heavy rain had reduced the contest to a slog and goals were at a premium after the long break. With one quarter of season ’71 remaining, Dandenong turned for home, 21 points up.

With a handy zephyr at their rear Preston stormed back into the contest and with time-on looming trailed by five points. Holding out for hero, it appeared that Harold Martin had answered the prayers of the Preston posse. Hardly a goal-scoring machine (eight majors to his name for the season) Martin wobbled one through from 35 yards out. Preston 13.14-92 led Dandenong 13.13-91. The goal-scorer confided with the author that his effort was “a mongrel punt”.

Aesthetics be buggered, the Tonners were on top and just minutes from glory.

Within minutes of Martin’s miracle “mongrel” the fine line between pleasure and pain was demonstrated to the 14,529 hardy souls at the St Kilda venue and the thousands watching through ATV 0 Melbourne. Dandenong pushed forward and umpire McMaster awarded a questionable free kick to Dandy’s Pat Flaherty. Flaherty’s unerring shot reclaimed the lead for the ‘Legs. A brief arm wrestle ensued with the heavy orb “pin balling” from one end of the field to the other. Flaherty received another free kick and had the chance to ice the game. He missed. The margin was one straight kick. With the final siren imminent Preston’s Barry Leslie’s wayward kick-in was intercepted by Dandenong pocket rocket David Sheehan. Before the 5 foot 8 inch Sheehan could take a shot at goal the siren sounded. In jubilation he tossed the ball toward the heavens and joined his exhausted team mates in celebration.

Hindsight is wonderful and given another opportunity at a final shot Sheehan would’ve gladly taken aim. Why?

Trailing by six points when the final siren sounded Preston protested the result. As such the decision regarding the destination of the ’71 First Division pennant now rested with the VFA Board of Management. The Bullants would base their protest on Rule 6(b) of the rules of the Australian Football Council. The rule, relating to the commencement of a match, stated:

The ball shall be in play as soon as the ball is bounced, and once the ball touches the ground in the act of bouncing players are permitted to enter the circle.

×

Right ▼

+

The hearing, held on the evening of Wednesday 29^th of September, saw the Board of Management return a 39-5 verdict to dismiss Preston’s protest. A season that promised so much for Martin (right) and his teammates ended in futility.

The Bullants remained a serious contender in 1972. Frustratingly a late season loss at Sandringham extinguished any hopes of a double chance, and when Harold Martin was reported on three separate occasions in the final term for abusing the field umpire, Preston's poor day turned putrid. And the umpire who raised the ire of the ‘Ants vice-Captain? None other than Jim McMaster. “It was the first time McMaster officiated in one of our games since the previous season's Grand Final. Actually I was reported four times but he stuffed up the paperwork." The resultant two-game suspension denied Martin an opportunity to face Williamstown in a cut-throat knockout Final. The 'Gulls 20-point triumph subsequently snuffed out any hope of immediate redemption the Cramer Street crew held.

Preston tumbled down the table in 1973 and if not for a final round win at Coburg City Oval — the Northern suburbs derby aptly dubbed The Battle of Bell Street — the Bullants would have forfeited their 1^st Division status. “Ken Greenwood had joined the club from Footscray as captain-coach. He suffered a knee injury early in the season and was sorely missed. Fortunately everyone played their part at Coburg — especially Peter Weightman, he was sensational.” Weightman, along with John Vickery kicked six goals each. Despite the struggles of the collective, from an individual perspective, Martin could be well satisfied with his own efforts. He finished third in the Best and Fairest behind a pair of Liston Trophy winners - Laurie Hill (1969 & 1971) and Ray Shaw (1973).

Following an unexceptional 9-9 record in 1974 Harold Martin caught the coaching bug. To borrow from a popular political jingle of the era, it was time for a change. “I didn’t enjoy my season under new coach Bob Syme. I applied for the vacant coaching positions with two Ovens and Murray clubs Wangaratta Rovers and Wodonga. I was offered both jobs.” Before he could accept either role he had to decline both.

×

Left ▼

+

“Around the same time I put my hand up for the Ovens and Murray jobs I’d requested study leave. I taught primary school children but I was keen to train to be a teacher in the Special school system. I was successful so a move to the country was out of the question." Martin’s dalliance with the coach's box didn’t end there. “Bob Baird, a teammate of mine at Preston, had spent a couple of seasons at Sunshine (VFA) and told me that Don McKenzie (left) had gone to Footscray so the senior coaching spot was available. I worked out that way so I applied for the job and got it.”

Charged with the responsibility of leading the recently relegated western suburbs outfit back into the elite level of association football at the first opportunity, Martin’s men struggled early. At the half way point of the ’75 season a 4 win 5 loss record saw them sitting in sixth position. Inspiration, in short supply over the first three months of the campaign, was provided at the selection table.

“I put myself into the ruck and moved John Benson to the forward line.” It proved a masterstroke. Martin dominated the big man department and Benson provided another tall option in attack and kicked 24 goals across the second half of the home and away schedule. Remarkably the Crows got hot – and how! “We went on a nine-game winning streak beating every other team in the division. We disposed of Frankston in the First Semi and advanced to the Preliminary Final."

Sadly the Crows quest for an immediate return to the top flight ended with a three-point loss to Camberwell a fortnight later. “We came from a fair way behind at three-quarter time. The final quarter went about 40 minutes. It was a physical encounter. Brunswick had advanced to the Grand Final a week earlier were sitting back and laughing. They won the Grand Final fairly comfortably."

×

Right ▼

+

Sunshine then endured back-to-back winters of discontent finishing seventh (6-12) in 1976 and eighth (5-13) in 1977. Whilst they never seriously challenged for a crack at premiership glory during his last two years on Churchill Avenue, Martin has happy memories of his three seasons at Skinner Reserve. “I enjoyed my time at Sunshine. I loved their rough and ready attitude. My mum was from Footscray and I worked locally so I could relate to the working class people of the area.”

Harold Martin was appointed captain-coach of the Preston Football Club in the summer of 1977/78. Inheriting a team who struggled mightily in 1977 (5-13, 9^th place finish), the pressure to return his original VFA team to respectability was enormous. Whatever strings Martin pulled proved to be the right ones, their 12 and a half win April-August campaign good enough to secure second spot on the ladder at the completion of the home and away fixture.

A heart-stopping four point triumph over minor premier Port Melbourne in the Second Semi Final, their first finals victory in seven years, left Preston one win short of completing an (almost) worst to first miracle. A 22-point loss to Prahran in a ferocious finale (Martin received a six game suspension at the tribunal the following Tuesday evening) ended an otherwise wonderful year in disappointing fashion. Martin’s outstanding on-field work saw him secure the clubs Best and Fairest award. After 142 games in the Red and White Martin retired as a player following a disappointing 6-win 12-loss 1980 and he retreated to the stands in 1981 for one last shot at glory.

Winning 12 of their 18 encounters afforded the Bullants a double chance, one they were forced to utilise following a heavy loss to Port Melbourne in the Second Semi. The repechage against Rex Hunt’s Sandringham turned out to be a classic. 40 points down at three quarter time the Zebras unleashed a barnstorming 11-goal last quarter barrage, Hunt helping himself to six of them. With time ticking down Sandy hit the lead, “Hunt was absolutely unstoppable, too big, too strong and too good”. Preston steadied and goals to Peter Bartlett and Bob Heard saved the Bullants blushes. They were off to the big dance.

×

Left ▼

+

When the siren sounded to end the first half of the 1981 Grand Final Preston trailed the heavily favoured Port Melbourne by a mere five points. Game on? Alas no. “I looked around the rooms at half time and I could see our boys were done. The combination of a warm day and the previous week’s game had taken its toll.” The well-rested Port Melbourne ran away with the match after the main break to record a 113-point victory and draw the curtain on Martin’s four year coaching tenure with the ‘Tonners. Despite falling short of ultimate glory Martin is justifiably proud of his efforts both compiling a 52% winning record, and in developing talent. “We played a lot of kids during my time.”

To the surprise of some (including yours truly) Harold Martin’s next move saw him make the brief trek along Bell Street to assume the senior coaching role at neighbour Coburg. “Coburg were a great community club. They’d had a disappointing year under the legendary John Nicholls in 1981. I got the impression that some of the club stalwarts such as Laurie Burt and Phil Cleary responded positively to having me in charge.” The old footy adage that the ladder never lies would back Martin’s assessment as the Lions returned to finals action after missing out on the September party under Big Nick, compiling a 15-3, silver medal finish to the home and away program. The Second Semi-Final ended in a disappointing eight-goal loss to his previous employer.

A week later Coburg’s tilt at the title ended when Port Melbourne charged home in the last quarter to advance to their third consecutive decider. Martin departed the City Oval at end of the 1983 regular season, the Lions' 10-win 7-loss 1-draw return good enough for a fifth place finish. In Martin’s two seasons on Munro Street the Burgers saluted in two thirds of all matches contested.

When he returned to the Diamond Valley Football League in 1984, Harold Martin enjoyed some well-earned, long overdue coaching success. “I took over at Division 2 club Reservoir. In my first year we won the senior, reserve and third grade premiership”. The following year Martin was in charge of the Diamond Valley Inter-league side. “We knocked off the Footscray District Football League to win the Metropolitan Championship."

In 1987 Martin resumed his love affair with the VFA taking over as head honcho of the newly promoted Box Hill. “My job was to help the team consolidate its position in Division  1." Despite a mediocre 4 win 14 loss record, the Mustangs avoided an immediate return to the Second Division. Progress continued in his second year, doubling their win tally to finish a respectable seventh in the ten team competition.

×

Right ▼

+

With his mission accomplished, Martin’s days in the Sweet VFA came to an end. History should judge his two seasons in the leafy, staid, conservative stronghold kindly; however it’s likely his stint with the Stangas will be best remembered for an act of resourceful improvisation that was forced upon him by the Association judiciary. A heavy home loss to Coburg in June 1988 was compounded when an exchange of opinion between Martin and field umpires McDonald and Walker resulted in the Box Hill coach receiving a 10 game suspension from the VFA tribunal.

Rather than handing over the reins to one of his assistants for the duration of his unplanned furlough, an innovative plan to circumvent the ban was hatched. As Martin recalls, “I think it was former Box Hill committeeman David Wanless who came up with the idea of having me address the players from a cherry picker.” The players huddled near the boundary and the coach was hoisted high above — not onto the field of course, as he was barred from entering the playing arena — where he imparted his stirring three quarter time rev-up.

Despite some initial mechanical glitches or, as Martin put it, “It wouldn’t start”, the novel stunt worked wonders with the locals overcoming a three-quarter time deficit of seven points to defeat the Jeff Sarau led Frankston by the same margin. “I think it (the cherry picker) rattled Sarau. You could hear him ranting during his three-quarter time address referring to that fool over there. He lost focus on the big picture. Most importantly we won the game.”

×

Left ▼

+

Harold Martin went back to coach Greensborough in the Diamond Valley in 1989. Boasting a team that included Neil Brindley, Dave Miers and Brett Fowler the ‘Boro beat Lalor 17.20-122 to 8.9-57 and procure a 1^st division pennant. Martin lavishes praise on fellow one gamer' Brindley. “Neil Brindley (left) was such a great player. He should’ve played a lot more top level footy than just the single game.” A move to second division club West Preston/Lakeside in 1995 would provide him with the perfect farewell to the coaching caper. In 1996 they outlasted Mernda 8.6-54 to 7.11-53 in that season's decider.

So, what does Harold Martin think about the state of Australian Rules today?

“Footy is so much more professional than when I played. It’s entirely different; it’s faster and the players’ skills are unbelievable. Onballers cover more ground due to the two-way running that’s required as a result of zoning, hence the need to constantly utilise the interchange bench for recovery.

“Coaches have taken elements from basketball, specifically zoning. Clearances, both centre bounce and ball-up are crucial to get the ball into the forward line before defences get the chance to set their zones.”

Does he miss any aspect of the game from its previous incarnations?

“I miss the one-on-one duels from the old days such as Knights versus Van Der Haar and Carey versus Jakovich. Tactics such as flooding means it’s unlikely we’ll see another century goal-kicker — unless of course there is a change in the rules. Wasn’t it great watching Hudson, McKenna, Wade, Lockett and Ablett? Those players were better set shot kicks for goal than today’s players."

Martin adds a final observation about the game he grew up with:

×

Right ▼

+

“Australian Rules is still the best team game in the world. Past champions would be as good, if not better, than today’s stars. With the advent of sports science, improved coaching, better training and playing facilities, those previous greats would enjoy the benefits that additional time for preparation, diet, recovery and skill acquisition would add."

And, in all likelihood, with the time invested by clubs in young recruits today, Harold Martin would today be given more of an opportunity to prove himself at the elite level than the one game — indeed one quarter — than he was given way back in 1968.

Harold Martin's story and those of many other one-game players will be featured in the forthcoming book, The One And Only — Stories of V/AFL players whose first game was their last, by Andrew Gigacz and Mic Rees.