DA's Australian Sports History

1967 Tennis Gerald Patterson

Gerald Patterson, the wonderful Australian tennis player of the 1920's passed away on 13 June 1967. We look back at his career and life. It was more than just tennis. Gerald was a war time hero being awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He was the nephew of the Australian icon Dame Nellie Melba and father of racing car driver and businessman - Bill Patterson. Gerald won the Wimbledon singles title on two occasions, an Australian Open singles crown, multiple Grand Slam doubles titles and was a member of a winning Davis Cup team. He did so adopting a power game with an unmatched huge serve. The Melbourne born Patterson seemed to excel at everything he turned his hand to. That included other sports, family and business. Trust you enjoy this short story of tennis legend - Gerald Patterson (the Human Cannonball). For now, that's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you hawk eye.

1966 Cricket Sheffield Shield

We take a look back to 1965/66 and the premier domestic cricket competition in Australia - the Sheffield Shield. Four day matches with large crowds and Test players involved. It was an opportunity for the public to watch their star players in person. NSW had dominated the competition but Western Australia and South Australia were to have big seasons.. A talking point was the points scoring. The team that was undefeated for the year did not win. A side that lost half of its matches did win. Go figure!. Players like Ian Chappell, Doug Walters, Bob Cowper, Grahame Thomas, Tony Lock, John Inverarity & Johnny Martin would all be at the fore. This is a snippet of Australian cricket in the mid sixties. Whilst much is written at test level - there is much less so for the Sheffield Shield. Hope this gives a flavour of the times. Trust you enjoy the episode. If you wish to comment, feel free at "idealinsport@gmail.com" That's stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

1966 Rugby League St George

We look back at Rugby League in Australia as at 1966. At that time the premier competition was the New South Wales Rugby Football League comprising ten teams - all from New South Wales. The mighty St George team were on a 10 consecutive premiership run - but how would they fare in 1966 with the retirement of Captain-Coach Norm Provan. It is a brief look at the league, the Grand Final and the four "immortals" who all played for St George in the 1960's. Norm Provan, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper & Graeme Langlands. Trust you enjoy the episode. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

1966 Australian Rules Football St Kilda

In 1966, the game of Australian rules football was very different. The premier competition was the Victorian Football League. Twelve teams based in Victoria all playing on a Saturday afternoon on suburban grounds. Grounds that were often muddy & wet. The game controlled by one umpires was a stop / start affair.. Players playing in set positions on the field. Drop kicks, flat punts and the coaches message .......... "do not handball on the backline" This episode is simply a snap shot of the game at a point in time. Who were the clubs & their supporter base. How had they fared to date. Who were favoured in 1966. It turns out the best teams of the year were Collingwood, St Kilda, Geelong & Essendon. Who would prevail and how was the game broadcast to the fans. Brings bad fond memories of childhood. Trust you enjoy the episode Thank you balls boys, thank you Hawk Eye. DA

1965 Golf Peter Thomson

Peter Thomson is remembered for his five British Open and three Australian Open titles. His legacy to the game of golf is however far greater. than just as a player. He took the game to all parts of the world where he excelled. He was an administrator, a journalist, commentator and course designer. Born in suburban Melbourne and raised in the post war era, he was a self taught player who first played on the local municipal course access the road from his home. He remained grounded and humble in assessing his outstanding career which extended beyond three decades. His great love was the links styled golf of Britain and Australia. That is where he played his best golf. Never a long hitter of the ball, he was strategic in his play and sought to avoid trouble. This enabled his great success in Europe where the courses and conditions could be less than perfect. Peter's finest win came in 1965, in a British Open field that included Jack Nicklaus & Arnold Palmer. It demonstrated to any doubters that he could beat the best in the world. Trust you enjoy a short tour of Peter Thomson's career. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.