Waverley Football Club
Encyclopedia
Waverley Football Club, nicknamed The Panthers, was an Australian rules football
club which played in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1961 until 1987. Waverley wore red and black as their club colours and was based in the Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley
.
which had left following a dispute with the league.
In 1964 they survived relegation to 2nd division by winning the last game of the season.
The Melbourne club's breakthrough year came in 1965 under the coaching of Ian Thorogood
when, despite competing in just their second season in the top division, they claimed the premiership with a 12 point victory over Port Melbourne
in the Grand Final at Port Melbourn'e home ground. The following season they met again in the decider, but this time Port Melbourne were too strong. In 1970 they finished third but the Panthers soon found themselves back in the 2nd Division, where they were runners up in 1981 and their final season in 1987.
Waverley 14.13 (97) d. Port Melbourne 10.25 (85)
J. J. Liston Trophies (2)
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club which played in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1961 until 1987. Waverley wore red and black as their club colours and was based in the Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley
Glen Waverley, Victoria
Glen Waverley is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 19 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Monash...
.
History
Waverley started out in the Caulfield-Oakleigh District League as the Glen Waverley FC, and in 1961 joined the newly formed VFA 2nd division. They changed their name to Waverley to better reflect their representation of the region. They started strongly, winning half of their 18 matches that year and then in 1963 finished runners up. The club was promoted to the 1st Division in 1964 to fill the spot left by MoorabbinMoorabbin Football Club
Moorabbin Football Club, nicknamed the The Kangaroos, was an Australian rules football club which played in the Victorian Football Association from 1951 to 1963 and then from 1983 to 1987...
which had left following a dispute with the league.
In 1964 they survived relegation to 2nd division by winning the last game of the season.
The Melbourne club's breakthrough year came in 1965 under the coaching of Ian Thorogood
Ian Thorogood
Ian Thorogood is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Thorogood played for Melbourne, including three premiership teams. Following his retirement from playing, he coached Waverley to a premiership in the VFA in 1965...
when, despite competing in just their second season in the top division, they claimed the premiership with a 12 point victory over Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
in the Grand Final at Port Melbourn'e home ground. The following season they met again in the decider, but this time Port Melbourne were too strong. In 1970 they finished third but the Panthers soon found themselves back in the 2nd Division, where they were runners up in 1981 and their final season in 1987.
Honours
VFA Premierships (1)- 1st Division – 1965
Waverley 14.13 (97) d. Port Melbourne 10.25 (85)
J. J. Liston Trophies (2)
- Alan Poore – 1965, 1966
Notable players
- Russell BlewRussell BlewRussell Blew is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the 1960s.A pacy wingman, Blew debuted for Essendon in 1960. In 1964 he finished second in the best and fairest awards and represented Victoria at interstate football. He was a premiership player with...
, EssendonEssendon Football ClubThe Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
dual premiership player - Greg BrownGreg Brown (Australian rules footballer)Greg Brown is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the 1960s.Brown was recruited to Essendon locally and he made his debut for the seniors in 1963. He played as a defender, usually at full-back and it was it that position that he was a member of...
, 1965 Essendon premiership team - Alan PooreAlan PooreAlan Poore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the Victorian Football League and Waverley in the Victorian Football Association ....
, had a stint at CollingwoodCollingwood Football ClubThe Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League... - Don R. ScottDon R. ScottDon R. Scott was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the early 1950s....
, inaugural VFA captain-coach - Ray Shaw, Collingwood player and Copeland TrophyCopeland TrophyThe E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
winner - Kevin MorrisKevin MorrisKevin Morris is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1971 and 1976 for the Richmond Football Club and then from 1977 until 1981 for the Collingwood Football Club....
, mercurial half forward flanker who went on to a successful career with Richmond and Collingwood Football Clubs