Bushfooty Podcast

Episode 10 - Fader Cunningham

In Episode 10 of the Bush Footy Podcast we speak with Daryl “Fader” Cunningham. Fader played some great football both in the bush and in the Big League, starting his career in Ballarat, before being drafted to St Kilda where he played alongside his brother Geoff. A season at Essendon after an invite from Kevin Sheedy and then it was off to Maffra to help build them up. He Coached a number of years at Maffra, two years at Tathra on the NSW South Coast and finished back at Maffra again alongside his brother. A great bloke who tells a ripping yarn, enjoy Episode 10 with Fader the milkman.

Episode 9 - Greaser

In Episode 9 of the Bush Footy Podcast we chat to Gary “Greaser” Odgers. Greaser had a distinguished playing and coaching career  beginning Juniors in Ballarat with CYC and Golden Point. He moved to senior football playing with Golden Point in 1979, 1980 and 1988 and played for the St.Kilda Saints in the VFL between 1981- 1987. He returned to play at East Ballarat between 1989 - 1993 to finish up with over 300 games. Appearing in 12 Grand Finals for 2 Junior Premierships and 4 Senior Premierships. He was the Runner up in the Best and Fairest at Golden Point  in 1988, third in the St.Kilda Saints Best and Fairest in 1984 and 1985 and won the Best and Fairest at East Ballarat in 1990 and 1992. He was inducted into the Golden Point Juniors Team of the Century as Deputy Vice Captain, inducted into the St.Kilda Saints Football Club Team of the Decade for the 1980s and inducted into the East Ballarat Football Club Team of the Century as Captain Coach. At a Representative level he was named emergency for the 1985 VFL State of Origin match vs Western Australia, a member of the 1985 VFL All Stars vs Aboriginal Allstars at the MCG, in 1988 he was awarded Best on Ground for the VCFL Team vs Western Australia and was a Ballarat Football League representative player from 1988 - 1993. His Coaching career began as an assistant coach with Golden Point in 1988, East Ballarat from 1989-1993 (3 Premierships), Assistant Coach at Mt Gravatt in the QAFL in 2002 (Premiership year), Coach of the Western Taipans Under 18 Queensland Development Squad and Redland Bombers in 2006 and 2007. A great bush footy personality with a sensational record as both a player and Coach. Enjoy this catch-up with Greaser on the Bush Footy Podcast.

Episode 8 - Joffa

In Episode 8 of the Bush Footy Podcast we catch up with Peter “Joffa” O’Connell. Joffa started his career at YCW-CYC (Ballarat) in 1978 in the Under 12s. He played junior football from 1978-1986, and Captained each grade in Under 12,14, 16 and 18s winning two Premierships and 5 Best & Fairest’s including the Under 18 League Medal in 1985. He played 6 games on permit with the Carlton Under 19s and 2 permit games with East Ballarat in 1986 In his Senior career with East Ballarat Joffa played 155 games (1987-1994) with 3 Premierships and 2 Runners up, one Best & Fairest and Captained the side in 1994. He was Best on ground in the 1989 Premiership and was named in the East Ballarat Team of the Century. He then moved across to the Lake Wendouree Football Club as their Inaugural coach in 1995. They made finals in their first year in the Ballarat Football League and Grand finals in both 1996 and 1997. He won the Best and Fairest on four occasions and the Lakers Best & Fairest Award was named the Peter “Joffa” O’Connell medal. He was named as Captain of the Best Team of 20 years. He was Inducted into Ballarat Football Netball League Hall of Fame in 2008 and elevated to “Legend” in 2016. He represented the Ballarat Football League 23 times and played a total of 311 senior games in the Ballarat Football League.

Episode 7 - Poss

In Episode 7 of the Bush Footy Podcast we catch up Paul Clarke. Poss as he was known had an amazing playing and coaching career with 16 Senior Grand Finals for a return of 9 Premierships. He won 2 Best and Fairests over the journey and was named the Captain of the Cairns Australian Football League Team of the half century. A few audio issues in this episode so apologies to our listeners, but nonetheless a good yarn well worth a listen.

Episode 6 - Butch Hazer Hodgey

In Episode 6 of the Bush Footy Podcast we catch up with Steve Hazelman. Steve had an outstanding Gippsland Power career coming from the Traralgon F.C. He came through the system in years 97 to 99 playing 38 games for the club. In 1998 as a 17 year old Stephen represented Vic Country in the National championships, won Gippsland Power’s Best and Fairest, won the Clubs Coaches Award, was named in the TAC CUP Team of the year and won the prestigious TAC CUP Coaches Award. In 1999 Steve was named joint Captain with Leigh Brown of the Gippsland Power. Once again Steve represented Vic Country and was Captain of the side. He played a massive part in getting Gippsland into the 99 Grand Final side where he was in the best 6 on the day. At the end of 99 Steve again made the TAC CUP Team of the year and won Gippsland Powers Best Team Player. Steve had a sensational Gippsland Power Career.  He went on to have a sensational career with Belconnen in the ACT Football League playing in their 2002, 2003 and 2004 Premierships. In 2004 he won the League Best and Fairest and was awarded Best Player afield in that Grand Final. He has gone onto play and coached very successfully at local level. TEDAS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB 1989 – 1997 Club Best & Fairest 1991-1992-1993-1994-1995-1996-1997 League Best & Fairest 1993 Awarded Life Membership 1998 GIPPSLAND POWER PLAYER TAC CUP 1997-1999 (Captain 1999) Best & Fairest 1998 TAC Cup Coaches Award 1998 TAC Cup Team of the year 1998-1999 VIC Country U/18 Rep 1998-99 (Captain 1999) Attended AFL Draft Camp at AIS 1999 Played 4 games as a top up player for Melbourne Football Club AFL Reserves (Coached by Chris Fagan) Named in Gippsland Powers best ever team in 20 years ST KILDA SUPP LIST PLAYER 2000 TRARALGON FOOTBALL CLUB GLFL 2000-2001 Premiership Player 2000 GLFL Rookie of the year 2000 GLFL Rep 2000-2001 BELCONNEN FOOTBALL CLUB AFL CANBERRA 2002-2003-2004 Premiership Player 2002-2003-2004 Best & Fairest 2002 Mulrooney Medallist 2003 - AFL Canberra Best & Fairest Alex Jesalenko Medallist 2004 - BOG AFL Canberra Grand Final AFL Canberra Team of the year 2002-2003-2004 ACT Rep 2002-2003-2004 All Australian Country Rep 2004 Team of the Decade member for 2000-2009 SHEPPARTON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB GVFL 2005-2006 Assistant Coach 2005 (Only played 2 games had a knee reconstruction) Senior Playing Coach 2006 Best & Fairest winner 2006 GVFL Team of the year 2006 GORMANDALE FOOTBALL CLUB NGFL 2008 Senior Playing Coach Best & Fairest Winner C.L Burley Medalist (NGFL League Best & Fairest) NGFL Team of the year NGFL Coach of the year Vic Country Div 2 Rep at Aust Country Carnival TRARALGON FOOTBALL CLUB GLFL 2009-2011 Senior Playing Coach 2009-2010 GLFL Coach of the year 2009 Premiership player 2011 Team of the Decade member for 2000-2009