Long Ago

I was just checking the footy scores here and there by google, especially the O+K and by accident came across  Best and Fairest winners, Baker Medal I think it's called.

Scanning through the list of winners the name of John Lappin appeared four times, although in his first he could not be awarded the prize due to suspension during the year. He obviously was around the same age as me, as that first year was 1971 and his last award was in the early 1980's. Along the way he was also runner up four times and a footnote says he won the comp B+F in another league in I think 1976.

I remember playing on him as my direct opponent and he was too good for me and he remains in my memory as one of the best I have played with or against. He could be niggly and didn't like close attention but he could outmark me and was good all round. There were a number of Lappins in the Chiltern team and there was always another one close at hand.  One of them got me with an elbow once knocking me out briefly and leaving me needing 14 stitches above my left eye.

Also I noticed another direct opponent Con Madden in the winner's list. He was runner up twice as well and was a good footballer who could also make you look silly. He played for Beechworth who were very strong at the time. He was classy and could kick 70+ metres.

Our coach in 1980 Geoff Lacey was also a comp B+F winner, in the early 1980's after I had left. He was also a runner up a couple of times previously. He was an amazing work horse at the coal face from first bounce. He was as tough as nails he probably would have won a handful of Baker medals if he wasn't so quick to give one back.

PS I have edited this post today(15 NOV 2015). I add that teammate Terry Wadley won a Baker Medal in 1978 before leaving to play at Wangaratta magpies the next year. Terry was first rover that year and had explosive speed and had a great year that year, my first at Greta. He was strong and powerful in the legs and loved a run bouncing the ball. He came back to Greta in 1980 and played in the premiership.