VFL Rewind Radio Program

The NRL style place kick was once used in the AFL.Still legal in the AFL and last used in the 1950’s by Fitzroy player Tony Ongorello.

It was a kick used in Australian rules but hasn’t been used in a VFL/AFL game for 70 years.

As many AFL fans marvel at the accuracy NRL players have when kicking after a try it’s often forgotten that this exact same method of kicking was used the VFL now AFL until the 1950’s.

Tony Ongarello has the distinction of being the last player to do it in an official game.

Tony was very skilled at this type of shot for goal and kicked 247 goals in his AFL career.

The last time this shot at goal was attempted was 1955 round 4 at Brunswick street oval. Tony Kicked 5 goals that day.

After struggling to kick goals the conventional way Tony looked for alternates and attempted the place kick. His view was that at close distance this kick could be very accurate as it takes ball drop out of the equation and solely relies on a fluent kicking motion.

Tony had success with this style of kick. Then Is was lost forever. A kick we never seen or heard from again in the AFL for 70 years.

Rugby players often kick at over 80% accuracy with this kick after scoring a try so it’s not something that’s crazy to think it still has a place.

The kick is still legal in the AFL and was never officially outlawed. The biggest question is will we ever see it again. It would take a courageous full forward to attempt this method in a game, but if they were to become very skilful at it you’d think many would copy it.

A long forgotten rule but a quirky one. The place kick in the AFL.

Hawthorn & Box Hill. Like Peas and Carrots. 30 years. A alignment in the VFL that works

When the AFL & VFL reserves merged in 2000 there was some bold alignments. Sydney & Port Melbourne come to mind.

But there in the leafy eastern suburbs was Hawthorn and Box Hill. Two clubs that had their fair share of financial struggles.

With the news yesterday that both clubs would continue an alignment until it least 2029 signalled an amazing journey that has transformed both clubs for the good.

Box Hill the perennial struggler of the VFA of the 60’s-80’s kept alive by husband and wife team Barbara and Rob Gibbs and Hawthorn the club that 3 years earlier had been saved from merging with Melbourne thanks to a loyal group including Ian Dicker.

As the end of 1999 rolled around the Alignment was signed and Box Hill Mustangs would be renamed the Box Hill hawks, play at Box Hill City oval and wear the brown and gold like both clubs had for decades. It was the perfect alignment. Both needed each other.

Box Hill wore the brown and gold and hawthorn wore the brown and gold, both were in the eastern suburbs and Hawthorn needed a venue to play games at which Box Hill club provide. It was almost the perfect fit.

Fast forward to today and the alignment is as strong as ever as it’s signed off that both clubs will stay in an alignment until at least 2029.

Since 1999 the rise of both clubs have been unimaginable. Hawthorn have moved to Dingley from the rabbit Warren at glenferrie & Box Hill is set to get the keys to a brand new world class facility at Box Hill next year.

Both Box Hill & Hawthorn are financially strong and it’s been so good to see their progression from strugglers to the strong clubs of the VFL & AFL on and off the field.

Although the Mustang name may be gone the box Hill history is as strong as ever thanks to club Legend John Ure.

Well done to Box Hill & Hawthorn on a great partnership