This uploaded version is the U-matic dub of the master tape and was rescued by Al, a Carlton supporter, from a storage unit 20 years ago whose contents were about to be thrown in the trash
That tape was handed to Rhett Bartlett on December 21st 2024.
He then sent it to archivist Rhys (@flemishdog) who received it on Christmas Eve 2024, and was able to extract the program.
The only other known version to exist is held in the National Film and Sound Archive.
Host: David Hill. Includes interviews with Jim Toohey (Fitzroy 1913), Jack Dyer (Richmond), Dick Reynolds (Essendon), John Kennedy (Hawthorn/Nth Melb), Allen Aylett (VFL/ Nth Melbourne).
Also includes Lou Richards beginning the drawing of prizes during the broadcast in front of representatives from each team.
The then club Presidents of 1977 are they gentlemen ‘recreating’ the 1896 meeting in the documentary.
24 Comments
Onya Rhett. Another great doco. David Hill has done well for himself. I vaguely remember him on the ABC weekly show Sportsnight in 1974. After the cricket and channel 9 in the 80s he made it big in the UK & USA. Cheers
Well done to Al, Rhett and Rhys for providing this rare doco upload that many of us , probably never knew it existed or seen, that were not old enough to have seen in 1977.
That was gold to listen to the 91 year old Jim Toohey and hear his thoughts from 47 years ago regarding the difference in playing skills of his era to the mid 1970's era and the amusing take on crowd insanity.
Seems like it also had a few more minutes of 1909 grand final than I had seen before. Seeing the flick pass in action was amazing.
Great upload. Any docos on VFL Park?
Seeing Brunswick st Oval in all its glory warms my heart unfortunately not what it looks like today
You’re archival material is amazing. Well done.
Great stuff! I’ve seen a lot of VFL footage over the years, but never come across this one. Thanks for sharing
Did they have behinds before 1896 but they didnt get anything for them?
What the purpose of the behind then, just to restart from the goal square and not the centre circle?
Everything Jim Toohey had to say was very interesting and even more pertinent today. Most of the guys on Lists today wouldn't have even considered playing footy in the 70s cos their mum's wouldn't have let them.
Rhett is out-doing his old man!
Thank you for your incredible work Rhett, if only you were around in the earlier days when so much history was discarded without a second thought.
Fantastic find and well done to all involved. I always thought that Adelaide, and the Crows "invented" the crow throw, but it seems it goes back to the origins of the game, the flick pass. Perhaps we should just re-adopt it once again?
Geez they ran fast in 1940
Sad to see how derelict the old 1905 grandstand at Brunswick Street was before it burnt down later in 1977
Forgot all about this show, surely it hasn't been seen since it was first broadcast? Some of the footage of Aylett in the helicopter got a run in the 1996 centenary doco, IIRC.
The context here was that the old VFA was celebrating its centenary in '77 & the VFL felt the need to do something similar (they were always looking at ways to spoil the VFA), so they came up with an '80th anniversary celebration' as a marketing ploy. It was the first year that Aylett (& Jack hamilton) were in charge of the league & they were keen on developing American-inspired ideas compared with their more conservative predecessors.
Good to see old mate Jim Toohey looking so sharp at age 90. One thing that's never changed is that the old blokes back in the day were better than the current crop.
Clearly a ploy by the VFL and Seven to take the focus off the VFA’s centenary that year. Poor form.
The then VFL presidents doing the re-enactment for their respective clubs, eg, Craig Kimberley (South Melbourne), John Hickey (Collingwood), Colin Stubbs (Essendon), Frank Bibby (Fitzroy).
Thank you Rhett and team, i was born in 73 and ive never ever heard of this documentary
Whos the host?
Jack Hamilton in all his sartorial elegance! The '70's were something else.
Cheers mate, nice work. Alpal.
Amamzing Rhett!
David Hill looking peak 70s in his 3 piece grey suit, goatee and specs. Everything about this is a goldmine, including the presentation with the players + hot girls from each team and the scanimate with the team logos. Ch 7 used a lot of scanimate in the mid 70s and early 80s, especially with their logo after they came back from an ad.
Its just a shame that this was really done to spoil the VFAs centenary celebrations, a real ah move from the VFL.
Such a fantastic film, many thanks for posting 👍❤️🙏
The acting in the 1896 scene reminds me of my Primary School play.
This film should enter the high school curriculum, as part of history.
The ladies at the competition towards the end look beautiful, not like today with women wearing tattoos and having that boring Kardashian look.