Cobram premiers and champions of 1984 set for Easter reunion

The 1984 season was a successful one for the Tigers, with all four grades finishing on top of their respective ladders at the finish of the home-and-away season.

The senior, reserves and junior teams all went on to win the premiership at the Tocumwal Football Ground.

The four teams were coached by Les Mogg, Don Batty, Joe Shelley and Jim Weeding, respectively.

The football club gained the community’s interest in November 1983 when the committee, led by 1974 premiership player Peter Ennals as president, appointed the late 50s and early 60s coach and former North Melbourne player, Les Mogg, as a non-playing coach.

Les Mogg had previously coached Cobram to the 1955, 1959, 1960 (undefeated) and 1961 premierships in a golden era for the club.

He returned to coach the Tigers at the age of 54, almost as a reminder to the area of how good he was in the role.

By the end of the 1984 season, his status as the club’s most successful coach was enhanced.

Les Mogg had his team extremely fit, and the close-knit 1984 team needed every bit of that preparation as it won on the last kick of the day by five points.

As fate would have it, the goal was kicked by Mogg’s oldest son, Peter.

The 1984 team was completely local.

Fifteen of the team members attended Cobram Secondary College during their school years.

The others had moved to the area after their school days were over. Dual O’Dwyer Medallist Terry Wells was the captain of the team and led from the front with his football ability coupled with determination and fitness.

The team was a very even group with the added advantage of having a strong reserves team providing plenty of depth.

Midfield high possession winners, who were conditioned to run all day, included Wells, Allan Moffat, Dean Valente, Greg Kinross, Trevor Mills, Phil McIntyre, David Brooks, Peter Mogg and Brendan Brooks.

The backline was both close-checking and attacking. They included Robert Williams, Michael Hoban, Ron Downie, Anton Mogg with John Downie and Andrew Shacklock in the two key defensive positions.

Up forward, the Tigers were led by the late Michael Rodger and 100 goalkicker and teenager at the time, James Weeding.

Bill Jones and Paul Baldi were also dynamic forwards.

The tall-man department was left in the capable hands of Gary Denson and Buddy Morris.

There were many outgoing characters around the club at that time.

These included the Ennals brothers, Gary and Peter, trainer the late Ronnie Kennedy, social club leader the late Laurie Meehan, Speedy Milovitch as the runner, Phil O’Dwyer as a selector and a host of supporters to add to a year to be remembered for its football and netball success.

“Port Melbourne Hill” was very vocal every week.

Players’ revues were attended by over 200 people and the committee members, players, netballers and supporters filled the clubrooms every Saturday night as well as the pubs and restaurants after the clubrooms,

“We trained very, very hard, but after every game, it was just one big party with everyone seemingly getting on very well,” Peter Mogg said.

“No doubt we were very close-knit.”

The football club was also given a civic reception by the then Cobram Shire for its outstanding contribution to the local community and area.

Event organisers Gary Denson and Terry Wells have been very busy working with the present day committee to make sure the reunion is a well-attended event.

“We are expecting at least 17 team members to return as well as others who played and were involved that year,” Mr Denson said.

“Anybody interested is welcome to come to the festivities.”

The 1974 premiership team will also be celebrating its 50 years reunion with the 1984 team.

The weekend will begin this Friday with a casual get-together at the Top Pub at 5pm.

A gathering is also organised for 11.30am at the Cobram Football Club rooms, where there will be a few speeches, and the 1974 and 1984 teams will be presented to the audience.

Cobram will play Barooga at home on Saturday, so with the locals, holiday crowd, and the 1974 and 1984 “boys”, Scott Oval is the place to be this Saturday.