1955 - CHELSEA U-16 PREMIERS
BACK (L to R) : Bill Kupsch, Bernie Armstrong, Kevin ’Rip’ Hall, Geoff Page, Murray Johnstone (Capt.), Bonnie Johnstone (Coach),
Clive Gunstone, Peter Gough, Malcolm Steen, Neil Edwards, Robert Ludlum, Mr Sharp (Trainer).
MIDDLE ROW: Fred Seers.
FRONT ROW : Ken Waring, Les Kenny, Robert Pell, Ivor Donohue, Keith Martin, Eddie James, Terry Brain. ABSENT : Oscar Carlson, Barrie Guppy, Dennis Newlands.
GRAND FINAL
CHELSEA 9.7—61 def MORDIALLOC 7.9—51
CHELSEA JUNIORS ARE 1955 CHAMPS
A systematic burst in the third quarter enabled Chelsea to break away from Mordialloc and establish the lead that won the 1955 Under-16 premiership for the Chelsea lads. It was a creditable and well-deserved win.
In perfect conditions, and before a crowd of over 1000 these lads produced dazzling football and had the crowd roaring in appreciation of the pacy, play-on style of the game. It was truly a grand final.
I congratulate ‘Bonnie’ Johnstone on his team’s premiership win. The lads are a credit to him, and the manner in which they rose from the rank and file to ultimately take the pennant reflects to a certain degree on the capabilities of their coach. During the match ‘Bonnie’ stated that he had a champion team, and added: “I’d rather have a champion team than a team of champions.”
Star of the Blue and Whites was full-forward G. Page. Here is a champion. His high marking and accurate, long drop-kicks played an invaluable part in Chelsea’s win.
Terry Brain, on the forward-flank, brought roars of approval from supporters of both teams by his sterling game. This 13 year-old lad made onlooking senior players gulp on a few occasions when he lobbed the ball into the goals from forty yards out.
Bateman, Mordialloc’s ruckman battled all day and repeatedly swung the Mordialloc side into attack. Currie, on a wing, was an example of the clever, scientific player, and was rarely beaten.
Playing his usual reliable game in the centre, Sparks was a credit to his side, directing most of his successful attacks through McMillan.
Both captains Johnstone and Morgan can be proud of their respective teams. Apart from the outstanding few, every player gave a grand final exhibition, and there was not a “passenger” in either side.
Chelsea, Mordialloc, Mentone and Dandenong are assured of a wealth of football talent in the years to come with such players as these U/16 lads to draw from. In fact I feel they will be displacing some of the regular “old stagers” in the senior teams next season.
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA
Steen, Armstrong, Page, Gunstone, Jones.
MORDIALLOC
Bateman, Morgan, McMillan, Staff.
GOAL KICKERS
CHELSEA
Page 4, Gough 2, Brain, Martin, Kupsch.
MORDIALLOC
Dunn 3, McMillan 2, Kavanagh, Bateman
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