1981 - SEASON REVIEW
Well it had been twelve years without a collect for the Chelsea team and the committee and followers were becoming a little edgy to say the least, but the unexpected recruitment of former Collingwood legend, John Greening, had suddenly raised spirits to such an extent that it became universally agreed the time had come—a flag was finally achievable.
The enthusiasm was supported by a sudden interest from new players keen to play with the great man, and the club leadership were not about to let this opportunity pass. After a handful of games in 1980, Greening was appointed Captain/Coach for the coming season.
Chelsea suddenly found itself with the opportunity to access a range of players, all with excellent credentials, who were keen to play under JG. The cheque-book came out and the leadership did everything within its power to strengthen the playing group. This was to be the year!
At this stage, desire overcame financial frugality with expenditure outpacing an income that was largely generated by the bar and canteen receipts. But sometimes you’ve just got to take your chances whenever they arise, so the commitments were made and honoured.
The money started flowing—but mostly out.
1981 was a season of great expectation, but even the best laid plans can go amiss! Even though star centreman Phil Thurgood was struggling with a crippling knee injury, Chelsea came into this final series in great form and gave themselves every chance of capturing that coveted flag. They had a team that was bristling with talent and eager to break the thirteen year premiership drought that had beset the club.
A thumping twelve goal victory over top team Edi/Asp in the second semi-final had the Seagulls feeling very confident as they lined up against Seaford in the premier match. After an even opening, the Tigers suddenly gained the ascendancy in the second term and rattled the Gulls with a withering burst in which they kicked eleven goals to put a stranglehold on the match. Despite their best efforts, the Chelsea team were never able to get back in the match and suffered a morale sapping loss. What was a rout quickly became a slaughter as the Tigers dined out on the Seagull carcass. A match that they had believed was eminently winnable became an embarrassment as the Seaford team ran rampant.
This was Chelsea’s worst ever Grand Final result and proved to be a demoralising loss for everyone associated with the club. Ugly as it was, the scoreboard result was only part of the sorry tale. Off field damage was also significant as many players left and a noticeable drop in enthusiasm occurred throughout the club over the summer months. Everyone was gutted by the loss., there is no other way of putting it. With hopes having been raised to such high levels, the sudden realization that the dream was gone was devastating. It would take several years to recover.
KEY PERSONNEL
PRESIDENT
Tommy Williams
VICE PRESIDENT
Quentin Hildebrand, P Benny, Vic Bickers
SECRETARY
Allan Smith
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Ray Stuart
TREASURER
Mike Weissenfeld
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Rob Prideaux
COMMITTEE
E Riordan, L Ryan, T Rogan, Peter Coghlan, Mick Trotter, Kevin Corcoran, Dot Young, Dale Mighell, P Maloney, L Scarlet
COACH
John Greening
CAPTAIN
John Greening
BEST & FAIREST
Phil Thurgood
GOAL KICKING
Luke De Munk - 110 Goals
TRAINERS
"Wagga" McDonald, William Doyle,Tom Kneebone, Kevin Corcoran, J McAlister, Andy Oppie
SEASON OVERVIEW
SENIORS
Team W L D Points %
Edi/Asp 14 4 56 116
Chelsea 13 5 52 147
Seaford 13 5 52 145
Frankston 13 5 52 121
Rye 12 6 48 132
Hastings 9 11 36 101
Sorrento 7 11 28 93
Mornington 5 13 20 75
Mt Eliza 2 16 8 67
Carrum 2 16 8 54
GRAND FINAL
Seaford 26 - 20 - 176 def Chelsea 9 - 17 - 71
M. P. N. F. L.
BEST & FAIREST
| Phil Thurgood |
Chelsea |
22 |
| G Wade |
Rye |
18 |
| K Ansell |
Seaford |
15 |
| S Clarke |
Frankston |
14 |
| B Wright |
Edi/Asp |
12 |
1ST XV111
2ND SEMI FINAL
| CHELSEA |
|
|
|
25.25 |
175 pts |
| EDI/ASP |
|
|
|
15.11 |
101 pts |
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA:De Munk, McDonald, Osborne, Bull, Kelly, Greening.
EDI/ASP:Kane, Hickey, Little, A Diggle, G Diggle.
GOAL KICKERS
CHELSEA:De Munk 8, Rennick 7, McDonald 4, Osborne 2, Hamilton 2, Chapple, Lucas.
EDI/ASP:Little 6, Clohesy 2, A Diggle 2, Kat 2, McCormach, Kane, Hickey.
GRAND FINAL
| CHELSEA |
|
|
|
9.17 |
71 pts |
| SEAFORD |
|
|
|
26.20 |
176 pts |
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA:Bull, De Munk, McDonald, Greening, Kelly.
SEAFORD:Beynon, Freyer, Hawkes, Kennedy, Jones.
GOAL KICKERS
CHELSEA:De Munk 4, Rennick, Sinclair, Bull, Osborne, McDonald.
SEAFORD:Jones 9, Longham 5, Campbell 4, Bartley 2, Kennedy 2, Ansell, Forbes, James, Freyer.
SEASON OVERVIEW
SECONDS
Team W L D Points %
Rye 17 1 68 163
Mornington 14 4 56 141
Edi/Asp 13 5 52 127
Chelsea 12 6 48 133
Seaford 8 10 32 112
Frankston 8 10 32 93
Carrum 7 11 28 90
Hastings 6 12 24 78
Sorrento 3 15 12 70
Mt Eliza 2 16 8 51
GRAND FINAL
Rye 15 - 18 - 108 def Edi/Asp 7 - 17 - 59
M. P. N. F. L.
BEST & FAIREST
2ND XV111
1ST SEMI FINAL
| CHELSEA |
|
|
|
14.8 |
92 pts |
| EDI/ASP |
|
|
|
17.15 |
117 pts |
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA:Rochford, Russell, Porter, Murray, Milne, Walsh.
EDI/ASP:Bourne, Newman, King, Zovic, Lee.
GOAL KICKERS
CHELSEA:Porter 6, Milne 2, Rochford, Jackson, Cutler.
EDI/ASP:Jamieson 4, Jones 2, Gott 2, Muchalli 2, Zovic, Bourne, Brown, King, Philpot, Ogier, Scales.
SEASON OVERVIEW
THIRDS
Team W L B D Points %
Edi/Asp 16 0 2 68 254
Hastings 14 2 2 64 187
Mornington 13 2 2 1 54 145
Balcolme 10 6 2 48 105
Chelsea 9 7 2 44 135
Rye 8 8 2 40 125
Seaford 7 9 2 36 118
Mt Eliza 4 12 2 24 65
Frankston 3 12 2 1 22 66
Carrum 2 14 2 16 66
Sorrento 1 15 2 12 12
GRAND FINAL
Mornington 21 - 9 - 135 def Edi/Asp 13 - 12 - 90
M. P. N. F. L.
BEST & FAIREST
| C Vernon |
Rye |
19 |
| R Gazzard |
Seaford |
19 |
SEASON OVERVIEW
FOURTH'S
Team W L D Points %
Edi/Asp 18 1 72 521
Chelsea 14 4 56 131
Seaford 13 5 52 149
Mornington 13 5 52 145
Hastings 6 12 24 52
Rye 5 15 20 63
Carrum 2 16 8 35
Frankston 1 17 4 15
GRAND FINAL
Edi/Asp 24 - 22 - 166 def Mornington 10 - 10 - 70
M. P. N. F. L.
BEST & FAIREST
4TH XV111
2ND SEMI FINAL
| CHELSEA |
|
|
|
4.7 |
37 pts |
| EDI/ASP |
|
|
|
30.18 |
198 pts |
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA:Duncan, Rhodes, Hogan, Baxter, Hart.
EDI/ASP:No details.
GOAL KICKERS
CHELSEA:Hart 2, Lesouf, Conway.
EDI/ASP:Moulton 4, Burke 4, Thomas 4, Funston 4, Wilson 3, Turner 3, Cruckshank 2, King, Boccari, Beynon.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
| CHELSEA |
|
|
|
9.11 |
65 pts |
| MORNINGTON |
|
|
|
19.21 |
135 pts |
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA:Duncan, Hogan, Ryan, Duff, Foster.
MORNINGTON:Dixon, Barbour, Breen, Hayes.
GOAL KICKERS
CHELSEA:Hart 2, Savage 2, Foster, Duff, Mills, Conway.
MORNINGTON:Dixon 5, Dakovic 4, Hayes 4, Brennan 4, Breen, Brady.
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