There was plenty to love about Aussie rules State of Origin, but nothing topped one night at Football Park three decades agoAsk former Geelong and Victoria n star Garry Hocking what State of Origin footy means to him, and his mind goes straight to the day Ted Whitten put the fear of God in him and his teammates.
“ Barassi, Whitten, Skilton, they just loved the Victorian guernsey and what it all meant to them and that was the baton was passed on no doubt from that day. It no longer exists, but it's good to remember it in its heyday and what it meant to South Australians and to the teams and fans that visited, such as that night on May 3, 1994, which also happened to be the 20th anniversary of its opening. On that Tuesday night, 44,598 fans came to Footy Park.
"The crowds were just massive, passionate, baying for Victorian blood that was stirred up by a couple of the greats that have played the game." In the South Australian side was — like Cornes — a Victorian-born player in backman Rod Jameson, who moved to SA when he was 11 and played for Glenelg in the SANFL under Cornes before joining the Crows.
Hocking says the atmosphere would "boil over", particularly before games away from Victoria, as it reached "fever pitch"."Like Kick a Vic! signs, T-shirts, getting off the plane and seeing it at the airport. Going to the hotel and training at the ground and rocking up on match day thinking people would literally come over and kick you. It was quite an imposing thing for a young 24- or 25-year-old.
Former Carlton player and Fitzroy coach Rod Austin coached a Victorian side featuring veterans Gary Ablett, Garry Lyon, Mil Hanna, Danny Frawley and Gavin Brown, as well as eight first-time Victorians. It was fierce, fast and attritional. Chris Langford collided with Andrew Jarman and earned a free, then 50. Langford kicked long and Gary Ablett launched from the side for a pack mark so good, some of the SA fans clapped.Late on, the Vics ran down Kappler after a great one-handed mark. The ball went to the square — Ablett wheeled away, Smart slipped, Ablett snapped over his shoulder and the Vics had a 10-point lead.
A goal to Russell extended the lead, then in time on, SA went inside 50. Langford punched the ball high, Modra and Silvagni contested on the goal line, Modra got his toe to it and he had five.
Australian Rules State Of Origin Football Park South Australia Victoria Garry Hocking Graham Cornes Rod Jameson Author Historian Francis Doherty Croweaters Big V Chris Mcdermott Tony Modra Gary Ablett Mcg Farewell Cancer Neil Kerley
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