The Saints had finished last in 1955 with one win. Apart from Neil Robert’s sensational 3rd place in the Brownlow we were a laughing stock. Losses were by huge margins and the Saints were regarded as a club with no heart. Bob Wilkie convinced the committee to go after Alan Killigrew and armed with a tape of a Killigrew half time address at Ballarat, Wilkie was able to convince the committee Killigrew was the man for the job. It is folklore that Bob Wilkie, Graham Huggins and 90 plus yr old committeeman Alec Peak visited Ballarat with this new fangled tape machine to record Killigrew’s pre game address, but they were unable to work it and finally got it operating in time for the half time rev up. This tape was played on Channel 9 when Alan Killigrew died some years ago. It is a legendary piece of Saint’s history.
Killigrew refused to accept defeat, he hated it and he set out to instil pride in the players through 1956. Although they only won 4 games for the year there were no walkovers, the side fought out all the games and they gained a new respect. A quote from the era is as follows;
“One of the most pleasing developments of the year was the improved play of St Kilda. Although St Kilda did not have much to show for their efforts they were not annihilated like the previous year. They led Collingwood into time on, gave Geelong a big fright at Kardinia Park and then not unexpectedly broke through for a huge win against Nth Melbourne in Round 12. Young was to the fore with 8 goals and then 6 in a thrilling win at Western Oval in Round 13”
St Kilda had gained the much needed respect it craved, it had to build on that in 1957.
The 1957 List, Coach - Alan Killigrew
1. John Coffey returns to the club after 5 yrs at Morwell and is given the number 1 jumper that was relinquished by Neville Linney who moves to No 41. The enigmatic Linney is a problem for the Saints as he struggles to deal with his demons.
2. Brian ( Muncher) Molony is handed number 2 after wearing 42 in 1956. Brian was recruited from Carlton in 1956. Jack McDonald number 2 in 1956 retires aged 26 after 113 games between 1948 and 1956. He was a pacy and skilful forward who led the Saints goal kicking on three occasions but the pressure of league footy sometimes got to him.
3. Robert Kupsch. Arrives from the Pies after sitting on the bench in both the 1955 and 1956 Grand Finals. He is handed number 3 and much is expected of him.
4. Ken (Chesty) Mulhall (Vice Captain) maintains the number 4 in what is to be his final year for the Saints. He played 134 games between 1946 and 1957. Chesty was one of those larger than life players who were immensely popular with the crowd. He gave his all on every occasion and never stopped trying.
5. Ian Letcher. An import from Footscray where he had played 4 seasons for only 18 games. He replaces at number 5 the much-travelled Ivan Baumgartner who played 16 games with the Saints during 1956. He had previously played for Geelong and Melbourne.
6. Paul Dodd. The great Paul Dodd continues as Number 6 into 1957 after an excellent debut year. He has at this time established himself as first rover for the Saints.
7. Brian Walsh. Recruited from Ormond amateurs in 1956 he has already established himself as a very reliable back man and is expected to be a force in the coming years.
8. Alan Morrow. Hugh Morris moved on after only 3 games in 1956 and number 8 is not issued to any player in early 1957 until later in the year when Alan Morrow arrives in controversial circumstances. He was a recruiting coupe for the Saints who offered some financial encouragement to Sale (his club), which was deemed to be illegal. This offer for Morrow and Bill Stephenson caused a huge controversy.
Killigrew had scoured the country for potential players and he is reported as saying:
“The only way we could get players was by inducements. We were the first to do it. We would put 200 ten-bob notes on the table because it looked more impressive than 100 one-pound notes.”
Brian Gleeson believes Morrow has the makings of a star after his first game. He is right.
9. John Mulrooney. Continues from 1956 after a promising first year
10. Neil Roberts. Neil is now well established as a top-level footballer and the backbone of the Saints defence going into 1957.
11. William (Bill) Stephenson. Bill arrives later in the year with Alan Morrow amid the same controversy. He replaces Ron Fountain at number 11, who moves on after 10 games between 1954 and 1956.
12. Harold Davies. 1957 is to be a great year for Harold representing Victoria and polling 14 votes in the Brownlow. He was a brilliant Half Back whose career was cut short by injury.
14. Allan Jeans. After commencing in 1955 Allan has cemented himself in the side, despite being used as a stopgap in several positions. I remember him mostly as a half forward. Alan Killigrew has a huge influence on his development as a potential coach. He remained life long friends with Killigrew long after both their departures from the Saints.
15. William (Bill) Young. Top of the VFL goal kicking in his first year 1956 despite not starting until after the early games, Bill is already a folk hero with the supporters as he enters the 1957 season.
16. Alan Dale. Continues after crossing to the Saints from Essendon in 1956. Is to make no impact in 1957.
17. Bruce Phillips. Despite a career ending injury in the 1956 practice matches the number remains with Bruce against all hope that he may be able to return. History tells us he did not make it back. He was the greatest of full backs in the era and a great loss to the Saints at only 26 yrs of age.
18. Ray Walton. Recruited from Stawell Age 20, 1957 is to be Ray’s debut year. Bud Annand wore the number 18 in 1956 but Bud has elected to take Number 20 in 1957.
19. Eric (Tank) Guy. After Captaining Oakleigh in the VFA this is to be Tanks first year at the ripe old age of 24. Max Stephenson who had worn 19 in 1956 moves to Guernsey 24.
20. Baden Powell (Bud) Annand. Bud is the most reliable of Ruckman. He gives his best week in week out. Recruited from Castlemaine in 1956, Bud became a regular in Saints sides from 1956 to 1962. In 1957 after wearing the 18 jumper in ’56 he takes over the Number 20 jumper from John Robson who played 4 games in 1956 but then moved on.
21. Peter Clancy. After his debut in 1956 Clancy recruited from Yarrawonga looks to have the ability to make his mark in 1957. He retains the 21 jumper.
22. Not issued in 1957 after being handed to F. Carpenter in 1956. Carpenter did not debut at VFL level.
23. Brian Muir. After coming up from the thirds in 1956 Brian is expected to be a regular in an improving side.
24. Max Stephenson. Son of popular thirds committee man Len, Max retains his place on the list for 1957. He hands over his 19 jumper to Eric Guy and takes over the 24 vacated by Bill Gleeson a rover who played 14 games in 1955 and 56.
25. Keith Drinan (Captain). After winning the Saints Best and fairest in 1956 Keith pulls on the boots as Captain for his 14th and final year. He has captained the Saints in 5 of those 14 yrs, won the Best and Fairest twice and represented Victoria 8 times, he is truly a Saints legend.
26. Not issued in 1957, Robert Watt moves to number 42.
27. Jim Guyatt. New recruit Jimmy Guyatt is handed the 27 jumper . Recruited from Maffra, Jimmy is to have an immediate impact at the club being part of the formidable half back line of Guyatt - Roberts - Guy. This line is to form the nucleus of the team to take the Saints to the finals in 1961. Jim replaces Colin Bock who after one season with the Saints for 3 games returns to the bush.
28. Jim O’Brien. Another new recruit, from Old Xaverians, Jimmy is to establish himself as a regular with the Saints over the next 6 yrs despite needing to take the time to complete his law degree. Ray Barrett is not listed after one season .
29. Bryant Hocking. Bryant is recruited from Golden Point. He is to play 13 games in 1957. He replaces Allan Callow at number 29 who after 4 seasons with the Saints for 32 games moves on.
30. Brian Gleeson. The boy from Berrigan continues with jumper 30 after a great 1956 season. He nearly gives it all away in the first game of the night series in 1956 after being brutalised by the opposition Swans players. Alan Killigrew speaking to Gleeson tells him he will win a Brownlow. The following is a quote from Brian Gleeson written in an article for a local magazine just a few years ago.
“What many did not realise, is that Alan Killigrew also had a great skill in making his point with an individual player at moments when they were most receptive. As an example, I recall a conversation after the first night game at South Melbourne in 1956. Under low quality lights I had been brutally treated throughout the game. This crescendoed when I was KO’d, and culminated into a brawl involving 30 players.
After the game I was sitting alone, contemplating whether I ever wanted to play football again, when Alan Killigrew approached me. He knew how I felt. He praised my courage and perseverance in the adverse circumstances and encouraged me to hang in. He said “You’ve got enough of what it takes to win a Brownlow Medal”.
31. Bruce Murray. Recruited from Geelong in 1956 remains on the list despite representing the Saints in only a few games.
32. Not issued, Geoff Jones who had the jumper in ’56 moves on after 19 games in 3 seasons.
33. Brian McCarthy. Continues with the 33 jumper after a promising 1956 debut.
34. William Waldron. Bill continues on the list after a first year marked by only a few games.
35. Graham Minihan. By now a permanent fixture on the wing in Saints teams Graham saddles up for his 5th season.
36. Jack Roberts. A new recruit Jack is handed the 36 jumper. Mike Giblett moves on after 3 seasons and 17 games.
37. Geoff Feehan. Geoff arrives from Wodonga after earlier having played with Elwood. He is known as a rugged defender/Ruckman and he is expected to make an impression at the club. The number 37 is relinquished by Brian King who played 6 games in 1956 his one year with the Saints.
38. Milne McCooke. Milne continues into 1957 after missing most of the ’56 season.
39. Issued to R. Smith (not Ross) a listed player who did not debut at VFL level for the Saints. This was possibly Ron Smith who played a few games for the Roys in 1955/56.
40. Issued to B. Archbold a listed player who did not play a senior game for the Saints. This was Barry Archbold who played 2 games with Carlton in 1955.
41. Neville Linney. A wonderfully talented player who was beset by his demons and did not achieve the greatness he was capable of. Number 1 in 1956 he was handed 41 in 1957.
42. Robert Watt. Bob has been with the Saints since 1952 for an average of about 8 games per year. He is maintained on the list as a back up Ruckman. He moves from number 26.
43. Frank Hanrahan. Still only 19 Frank is in his second season.
44. Not issued in 1957. Graham Peck moves on after 3 games in 1956.
On 27 July 1957 the following team was named for the Saints:
Backs: R. Kupsch K. Drinan E. Guy
Half Backs: H. Davies N. Roberts B. Walsh
Centres: J. Coffey R. Walton B. McCarthy
Half Forwards: J. Mulrooney G. Feehan A. Jeans
Forwards: B. Moloney W. Young G. Minihan
Rucks: B. Gleeson B. Annand
Rover: P. Dodd
19th and 20th were to be named on the day.
This team played Hawthorn in this round and after being behind all day kicked away in the last quarter to record a 16 point win. It was the Saints third win of the season and in the next 8 rounds they recorded 5 more wins. They finished the season 9th on the ladder. Hawthorn the team they beat were knocked out in the preliminary final and finished 3rd.
Brian Gleeson polled votes from the umpires in ten rounds and won the Brownlow medal, Bill Young again kicked 56 goals and finished second in the goal kicking and Harold Davies polled 14 votes in the Brownlow in a stellar year. St Kilda Under 19s coached by Saints legend Bob Wilkie won the premiership and was seen as the training ground for future stars. The Saints were on the march and season 1958 was already being seen as the Saints year to move into the final four.
Brian Gleeson recalls:
“My Brownlow was the first by a St Kilda player since Colin Watson some 32 years earlier. I think the win was significant in that it proved that St Kilda can achieve at the top end of the competition.”
Alan Killigrew was working his magic and the Saints faithful downtrodden for so many years were alive again.
