Geelong West-St Peters Sports Club: Football Greats

With combined histories of almost 200 years, the Geelong West, St Peter's and merged club has churned out a great number of champions of our great game. Without being able to list all of these club greats here, we will instead highlight those that stand out across each club . Many are household names through the Geelong region and even starred on a grander stage. Geelong West, when competing in the VFA was the backyard for many of the league's champions and the Geelong VFL side tapped into their talent for many years. St Peter's also had a particular knack of producing players who performed consistently at higher levels. Across their history, they have exported footballers to every major state league in Australia. GWSP, whilst still in its infancy already has had stars that will live on through the ages at West Oval.

Geelong West

Already one of the greats our game when he left Geelong to coach the club in 1972, Goggin then embarked on forging a coaching legacy at West Oval that will be forever remembered. He played 248 games and kicked 279 goals over a 13 year stay at Kardinia Park in a career that saw him hailed as one of the great rovers, earning Geelong Team of the Century honours and AFL Hall of Fame entry. He captained Victoria as well as playing for the Big V 14 times and also Captained the Cats for four years. Twice Best and Fairest and at one stage club games record holder. He later coached Footscray, Geelong and Victoria. An outstanding record. Goggin played just 40 games at West but local fans soon saw the traits that made him such a champion at VFL level. Blistering pace and deadly accurate foot passes that could cut defences to ribbons. His greatest asset his undoubted speed when bursting from the centre and effortlessly turning opponents inside and out whilst bouncing at top pace. His influence at West was immediate, with the club becoming premiers and champions in front of 15,000 after an undefeated 1972 season. The first time a club had been undefeated since North Melbourne in 1918. Goggin was a hard task master but an effective motivator, tactician and people person. He coached for five seasons at West with two premierships to show for it. The 1975 triumph not as dominant as the ’72 showcase but not far from it after the club won its opening nine games and lost just three games for the season. After leaving to coach Footscray in the 1976 season, he later returned to coach the club again in 1979 when they were runners-up to Coburg. Goggin then realised what must have been a dream the following season by being named coach of Geelong FC, where he coached the Cats to the finals in his first two years.

One of the stand-out figures out West Oval was Eric Nicholls. A former Geelong backman, he gained club immortality by coaching the Roosters to their first VFA premiership in 1964. Nicholls tallied 58 games in seven years at Kardinia Park after being recruited from East Geelong. The 1964 premiership all the more unique by not only being the club’s first but came in just its second season in the VFA and in Nicholls’ first year at the helm. The side had lost their first four games and had to topple the dominant team in Sunshine to grab their first piece of VFA silverware but did so by 21 points. A brilliant year personally capped off by winning the club Best & Fairest. On the field, he was a balanced, consistent defender who could either run off half-back or fill a key post. He had a beautiful kick that would forever spot-up a team mate downfield. Solid and well-built, he had eyes only at the football whose outstanding evasive skills were as much a weapon as his courage at the footy. A natural leader whose performance as Captain/Coach lived on through the years. He finished fifth in Field Medal voting and then steered the club into its first tilt at VFA Div 1. Despite a lean year, he featured prominently himself by representing the VFA and coming fifth in the Liston Medal. In his third and final season in charge back in Div 2; he again lead the club to a Grand Final berth; only to go down to Oakleigh by 13 points. One of the club’s all-time greats.

A Centre Half-Forward who had mild success at Geelong when playing 15 games from ’62-’65 including two Reserve grade premierships before joining Geelong West for the 1966 season. A premiership followed in his first year at West Oval when he was named one of the best in the 68-point demolition of a Kevin Sheedy-lead Prahran. He also finished third in Field Medal voting the same year. Brushfield was named as captain/coach the following season whilst still only 23 years of age. That year the team were runners-up to Oakleigh and he was amongst the best. A highly skilled player for such a strong presence at the key forward post, he had a raking left foot and beautiful hands that would see many forward thrusts guided through his position. He played 60 games from 1966-68 and his finest moment came during his last season when he captain/coached the side to a 12 point win in the 1968 Grand Final and he was again amongst the best when it mattered most. He then ended his career not only as one of the great players to wear the red and white but also as one of just three VFA premiership coaches.

Widely regarded as one of the all-time great players at Geelong West. Gilmore joined the club from Geelong’s VFL side in 1974 after playing 41 games in his five years since being recruited from Swan Hill. Just 19 when taken by the Cats, he was still only 24 when he landed at West and about to hit his footballing prime. He was a centreman of the highest calibre. One out of the traditional mould, who owned the corridor and in the days without wings, he would direct the play from his post and distribute the ball as well as anyone in the game. He was tough, hard and uncompromising around the contest. It was a sure bet that when he went in to get the footy, he would leave the pack with it in his hands. He knew where to get the ball and had great football smarts. Amongst the best in the 1975 premiership, he played well over 150 games and in a storied career was consistently a member of VFA representative sides and was good enough to win a club best and fairest on two occasions. His form was consistent throughout his career and he finished in the Top six in Liston Medal voting in 1976 and he also was the club’s shining light in its narrow ’79 Grand Final loss to Coburg.

A former captain of the club, Smith was the consummate defender. An old fashioned full back, he would wear players down through constant pressure and stick to his full forward like glue. His timing and judgement to spoil and mark were precision and he would read the play out of the centre or from the wings with pinpoint accuracy. Amongst his biggest scalps was VFA legend full-forward Fred Cook who Smith always seem to have the better of despite him winning a Liston and countless goalkicking titles. A 92-game VFA veteran from Northcote when he arrived at West, he was a star of the 1975 premiership and held VFA legend ‘Frosty’ Miller to just three goals. He replaced Bill Goggin as captain/coach in 1976 after the former went to Footscray to try his hand in the VFL and his leadership qualities were also recognised when being appointed as VFA rep captain the same season. His career finished the following season having contributed an outstanding 69 games.

One of the club’s biggest stars and during his time, one of the undeniable greats of the VFA. Undoubtedly, Radojevic helped people flock through the turnstiles in the glory days of VFA football at West Oval. He was an excitement machine that had amazing talent and skill as a key forward and could turn almost any situation into a goal. After his formative years at St Peters, he was recruited to Geelong where he had many stand out performances whilst the club looked for Doug Wade’s replacement. Radojevic, forever overlooked, soon left and was recruited to West Oval in 1974. What became the VFL’s loss, very quickly became the VFA’s gain as the outstanding performances came thick and fast. Intuitive leading and deadly accuracy combined for 723 career goals in the Association which to this day, still sees him in the Top 10 all-time. He played in the 1975 premiership; being named VFA Player of the Year the same season when he booted 119 goals. Later Captained the club before retiring as one of Geelong West’s greatest.

An immensely talented product of the club who also made his mark at Geelong FC where he played 87 games after a string of stand-out seasons in the VFA. Browne was a hard and tough back flanker who could also adapt to attack at half-forward or sweep down the wing. He was a great team player who became known for his running in straight lines at the contest and ball. He made his senior debut in 1971 at the tender age of just 16; following his talented older brother Ricky into the senior line-up. He stamped his worth on the team and became a regular and quickly rose to be an important cog in a strong side. He played in the ’72 premiership at 17 years of age and was recruited to Geelong in 1974 at the age of 19 along with his brother Ricky and Rex Deeath; a feather in the cap of the local club. A solid five years at the Cattery yielded 87 senior games but he then gravitated back to West in 1979 following the re-appointment of Bill Goggin as coach. He played an important role in the club’s runner-up season and was also runner-up in the club Best & Fairest. A rich vein of form followed and regular VFA representation coupled with a Best & Fairest win in 1981 in his first season of three as club captain and then another in 1982 where he also kicked 53 goals. He retired at the conclusion of the 1984 season after 146 stellar games.

A true home-grown product of the Geelong West program, Bright rose through the junior ranks and played 35 senior games including the 1975 premiership before being recruited to the Geelong Football Club as a 17 year old. A highly skilled half-forward and ruck-rover, Bright had a great football brain and was a sensational distributor of the football when it was in his hands. He went on to play 219 games and kick 331 goals at VFL level; topping the club’s goalkicking three times. A superb mark and great to watch when in full flight, he could turn a match at will.

Yates was one of the club’s most decorated and reliable players through the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s. When at his peak, one of the VFA’s best tap ruckman. He was an expert at using his sizeable frame to huge effect. Originally from Lorne, Yates came to West via Geelong FC, where he played 21 games in the VFL, with an influx of other higher profile recruits including Stephens, Gilmore, Wells, Friend and Radojevic. He had great hands for a man of his size and could also kick goals; underlined by his haul of seven from the pocket against Williamstown one Sunday. He racked up 200 games and thus became a Life Member of the VFA whilst also being a dual premiership player, winning the Best & Fairest in another Grand Final year 1979 and captain/coaching the club in 1980 & 1981. He played at the club until he was 37 and finally became the newly merged Geelong West-St Peters’ first coach in their maiden GFL season.

2 x premiership player (’72, ’75), 200+ games, VFA Life Member, Best & Fairest (’79), Capt/Coach (’80, ’81), VFA representative.

A player with a unique past at this club, in that he was recruited to Geelong West from St Peters and then later to Geelong in the VFL. Harris was one of the modern greats at West Oval and carved out a solid career. A fearless centreman who patrolled the square with devastating efficiency and could rack up possessions and launch attack at will. He was also a natural leader who could turn a game and lead from the front. This point underlined by the fact that he was named Best on Ground in the 1968 premiership. The Geelong brains trust soon took notice and he was drafted into the VFL side. Harris played 44 games for the Cats over just three seasons and became a regular part of their senior line up. He soon gravitated back to West however, and almost halfway through the 1972 season was back in the red and white. He was a key part of the 1972 championship side and won the club Best & Fairest in 1974. Following his playing career, he coached with great success; firstly at Geelong, where he guided the Reserves side to three straight flags and then back at West where he coached for a further four seasons; guiding the club to finals appearances in each campaign.

Ian Williams

A star in the early days of the club’s VFA life, Williams was another of the many outstanding centremen to have played at West Oval. His skills were silky and polished and time after time he would deliver reliably to his key forwards laces out. He had great ball sense and would rack up a bag of possessions in each game that he played. He played in the middle in the 1964 premiership team in what was also a solid season for him personally; finishing ninth in the Field Medal .He won a Division 1 club best & fairest the following season when the club had its first crack at the VFA’s top flight; albeit a failed one but he was one of the more consistent players in the early days in the Association. This was highlighted when back in Division 2 the next year and in a season when the club again made the big one, he became just the second Geelong West player to win a Field Medal, winning by a huge margin of 22 votes. He again won the club best and fairest award, winning by 76 votes.

Premiership player (’64), Field Medalist (’65), 2 x Best & Fairest (’64, ’65)

A stand-out legend at Geelong West. Fulton left his mark for eternity at the club when he captain/coached the Roosters to four successive flags in the Ballarat league from 1956 through until 1959. He was an established star when lured to GWFC in 1955. He played 51 games for Geelong in the VFL prior to joining the club including the dual premiership years of ’51 and ’52. A member of a premiership side in his first season, he was appointed coach the following year before embarking on his hot streak of success. He was the stand out player in the team as well as its leader. Quick and smart, he could read play like no other whether in the centre of the ground or roaming across half forward. It was no surprise then that he was amongst the best and leading from the front in each of the premierships. His final season was 1960.

St Peters

Ron Sells was and still is…St Peters. Judged by many to be the best player that local football has ever seen. He was the ultimate team player and at the same time the most decorated player that the Geelong local scene has witnessed. Sells would become the patriarch of a famous club family through the generations and his exploits would live on through the years through son Stephen & grandson Josh. He could read the ball like no other and had a sixth sense as to where it would go when reading the play. He was a pure footballer, blessed with sublime skills who dominated games from either CHF, centre or ruck-roving. He was cool headed and able to negotiate through traffic with ease. Sells won an as yet to be matched four league best and fairest awards to go with his seven club best & fairests. He was also captain coach of the interleague side; a leader among men. As a coach he was also amongst the elite, his outstanding motivational skills, his ability to have players hang off every word and his leadership were unsurpassed.

What Ron Sells was to St Peters FC in the ‘60’s & early ‘70’s, Kevin Hannan was in the late ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Bursting onto the scene in the shadow of brother Tony, it was not long before Kevin soon carved out his own niche of brilliance at the club. His tremendous ball-getting ability and poise lead the successful Saint sides of the early ‘80’s. His toughness and resilience to continue to win the contest and use the ball despite close attention of opposition taggers is legendary. His skills, like Sells before him, also pure silk and his accuracy at hitting targets one of his finest points. He was, at his peak; amongst Geelong’s elite and his seven best and fairest awards; not only a club record but written proof of his legendary status in St Peters history.

A centreman blessed with enormous talent, Tony Hannan helped take St Peters into the next era following the retirement of the great Ron Sells. Hannan coached the club to the 1972 Grand Final after starting at Walker Oval in 1966. He was fast; very fast and a prodigious ball-winner who weaved magic through the corridor. He helped revolutionise the St Peters game plan with his exemplary use of hand ball and this combined with his own stealth helped the Saints speed up the game. Hannan was fearless and had incredible staying power. He was able to continually play through injury. His toughness helping to lead the way for others. He was indeed one of the stars of the competition; cool in a crisis and class all over. Later went on to star for Wangaratta Rovers in the tough Ovens & Murray league. One of the greats.

Sanders was one of the earlier stars of St Peters. A fine athlete wo held down the important CHF post; he was a strong, towering player who could exert his influence upon a game at will. He could take powerful pack marks and at the same time was quick enough to collect the ball on the lead or wheel around a man on the mark to play on deep into the forward line. Sanders was a rare commodity in football in that he played his entire footballing career from juniors through until his senior retirement at the one club. He played for St Peters for many years on the Saturday and then in the now-defunct Public Service League on a Sunday. He shone so much in doubling up on the Sabbath that he was selected in the Victorian side in the latter league at a young age. Sanders capped a memorable career at Walker Oval by winning the Best & Fairest in 1970 whilst being Runner-Up twice and playing in the ’72 Grand Final.

One of St Peters’ favourite sons; Young had a stellar junior career which was capped off by winning the GFL League u/18 Best & Fairest in 1979 as well as captaining the GFL u/17 interleague side. Like so many St Peters’ greats before him, Young possessed a tough, strong and uncompromising style. A raking left foot and ability to clear the contest were two of his greatest attributes. A crowd favourite who could clear the centre square at will and whose stoical style saw him a natural leader at Walker Oval. Embodied the spirit of St Peters’ and the passion around the club; he was fearless in his approach and always did the hard jobs and was a leader at the one-percenters.

One of St Peters greatest exports, Stephen Sells kick started his senior career early when taking part in the 1980 senior premiership at just 16years of age. The younger Sells possessed many of his legendary father’s traits; courage, illusiveness and a fine reader of the play. He was also a consistent and big-time goalkicker. Able to grab a game by the scruff of its neck and slot majors when required. He could kick the freakish goal as well as that which was much needed. His aerial skills like those close to ground were mercurial whilst his ability to find space was second to none. He achieved on a higher stage as well, if not better than any St Peters’ player before him. Having a short stint at Geelong U/19s, Geelong West’s VFA side, a decorated career at Subiaco including a senior WAFL premiership, a year on Geelong’s VFL list and finally five years at VFA powerhouse Werribee, where he added the exclamation point on a fine individual career by winning the Field Medal for the Div 2 league Best & Fairest. Upon return to Geelong, he finished his playing days out at Geelong West-St Peters as playing coach.

Phil Moran

Moran was an extremely valuable player for St Peters who also enjoyed a highly decorated career before arriving at Walker Oval and after his departure. Before arriving at St Peters his skill was already apparent when he won the VAFA ‘A’ Grade League B&F at University Blues.

He was a tireless rover whose ‘never-say-die’ attitude was one of the key components of the St Peters sides of early ‘70’s and the ’72 Grand Final side. He was one of the early marquee players to appear in the Geelong competition and in a competition of stars, he was the headline act. His ball winning abilities were amazing and he coupled these with great skills; especially by hand. He was courageous, could kick a goal and time after time would be at the bottom of packs. Able to notch up 30+ possession games at will, his skill also noted by Geelong umpires when he won the GDFL League Best & Fairest award in 1973. One of the early greats.

’72 GF, ’73 GDFL B&F, 100gms, ’73 B&F.

Nick Walsh

Another former Saint who gained his early grounding at St Peters before making a mark in higher competition. Walsh’s versatility saw him hold down numerous positions around the ground but his freakish talent was best suited to the key forward post. A great mark and kick, he was at his best when bodying an opponent and taking strong one-on-one marks. A fluent kick of the football he also became a forward who could bump and crunch in order to get the ball and was the consummate team player. A real success story of the club when he lived out every boy’s fantasy by being invited to train by Kevin Sheedy at Essendon, only to be taken on by the Bombers and feature in 15 senior AFL games. One of St Peters most decorated players.

Vic u/17 Teal Cup, VFL Res, ’85 StP B&F, Ess Res r/u ’88, VFA (Werribee), VFA Rep, Werribee r/u B&F ’92.

A tireless on-field worker, Gurrie used his early football at St Peters to launch a stunning senior career. An old-fashioned, dour defender who had an arm across all day and reveled in going one-on-one with his opponent. A strong overhead mark and an even stronger spoiler, Gurrie stretched himself to his limit and drained every part of his body for the end result. An outstanding junior, he won the Under 16 B&F twice before heading to the Geelong U/19s and then later graduating to the Geelong senior VFL side where he played seven senior games and 55 in the reserves. He then moved to Tasmania to play with New Norfolk & Smithton where he was not only an interleague representative but also served the Tasmanian state team on three occasions. Later played with Congupna in Murray Football League.

’80, ’81 Premiership teams, ’82 Best Player in GF, Club B&F ’83, GFL Mathieson Medal ’83, GFL Team of the Year ’83, ’95, Geelong Reserves ’84, ’85, ’86, R/U Club B&F ’86, ’88, ’89, GWSP Team of the Decade ‘98, GWSP R/U B&F ’98.

Higgins was as talented a full-forward as you could see and when in full-flight an almost unstoppable goalkicking machine. Blessed with pace off the mark and a hardness that made it tough for opposition coaches to find a match for him, Higgins was an ever-reliable shot for goal and even in the tightest of situations could find an avenue through the big sticks. He etched out an impressive career before landing at Walker Oval having twice done a VFL pre-season with Footscray and twice kicking a century including an impressive 174 from 20 games for Heyfield in the tough Latrobe Valley league. He played just 50 games at St Peters but kicked over 100 goals in three consecutive seasons including GFL Goalkicking honours in ‘83 & ’84 and was a GFL rep in each season. Higgins, like so many others entered the coaching fraternity when he followed Dennis Davey down to Geelong FC, where he worked as Skills Coach from ’86-’91 and then in the recruiting department for a further eight years where he had a direct involvement in drafting many of the Cats stars of today.

Geelong West -St Peters

Recruited by Geelong FC from out of Tocumwal via Deakin University to play Under 19s, Watt was soon lured to West Oval. He was a skillful, tough and hard centreman who had an exquisite ability to read the play. Like Gilmore before him, Watt would patrol the corridor with precision and his determination would see to it that he was seldom beaten. A runner-up in the Field Medal to ex-team mate Stephen Sells in 1988, his career was hitting its peak when the club merged with St Peters. He captained the merged club for its first four years and in each year won the club best & fairest. He later left to pursue a coaching career at North Shore where he put together a premiership dynasty the envy of most in modern VCFL football. A strong mark for his size, an extremely accurate kick and perhaps a pre-cursor for the modern on-baller as he was well-built and as fit as a Mallee Bull. He always extracted everything he had and never left anything in the tank. Also went on to coach Geelong’s VFL side and become an assistant coach of the Cats’ dominant AFL sides of the late ‘00’s, including the ’07 premiership.

The skilled centreman had his roots at St Peters before moving onwards and upwards and then returning to the merged club. Phenomenal hands and was blessed with exquisite vision. His ability to bring others into the game through his speed and use of handball were the cornerstones of his game. Able to effortlessly rack up 30 plus possessions a game, Gribble was a reliable ball-winner and tireless worker. He was one who used his outstanding first senior year of football at St Peters to take the club to the greater football world. A club best and fairest winner in 1988, he also finished runner-up in the Mathieson Medal the same year before being drafted to Geelong and then later going on to play three years at West Adelaide.

The merged club's greatest export. Riccardi played juniors with GWSP before heading down to Geelong FC to play Under 18s before embarking on a senior AFL career that produced 300 total games, senior best and fairest honours and a Big V jumper. He debuted with the Cats in the 1992 season and then embarked on a 15 season career that saw him finish as the third on the all-time games list at Geelong. He had career highs of 42 possession V Port Adelaide in 1997, 6 goals V West Coast in 1997 and played in three AFL Grand Finals. He was a speedy mid-fielder who combined hardness with agility and pace and a raking left foot that could hit a target in close quarters or 50m away. A crowd favourite, he was a consistent contributor to the great Geelong sides at the turn of the century. Following the end of his decorated career, he made good on a promise that he would return to his roots and signed on with the Roosters for two seasons under coach Chris Gilham. On more than one occasion, he won games off his own boot at West, including one scintillating performance against St Marys where he produced a dazzling display over four quarters to defeat the eventual premier.

AFL Career: 300+ games, GFC B&F '98, RU B&F '99, 3rd B&F '02, Most Improved '92, Victoria V Allies '96, Victoria V SA '99.

A 100 game career in the VFL with Werribee followed on from one year on West Coast's list after being drafted out of the Geelong Falcons for Dyer. He was recruited to be assistant coach and marquee player at the commencement of the 2002 season when former Grand Final coach Darrell Fenton again took charge at the helm. Coming off a winless season, Dyer lead a rejuvenated outfit superbly before he took the reins himself as coach in 2004 for one season. A solid half-back who dictated the play whenever the ball was in his hands, Dyer's reading of the play was without peer. His courage under fire, strong marking and pinpoint foot skills were always on show as he built a reputation as one of the most consistent players in the GFL. His efforts rewarded with selection in the Victorian Country side of 2003. Three best-and-fairests were a highlight during his time at the club which he helped to re-build following the dark days of 2001. He was as versatile on the field as you could imagine. One minute helping to turn defence into attack, the next helping with centre clearances at the bounce or even being swung forward late in the game to try and win the game off his own boot. He was indeed one of the more complete players to take the field at West, be it Geelong West, St Peters or the merged club.