Gordon Hynes: North Shore coaching great picks his best team

Gordon Hynes was captain-coach of a remarkable North Shore era, at the helm of six GFL premierships. See who made his “dream team”.

The Weekly Times has chosen North Shore’s Gordon Hynes to launch a series of country football coaching legends selecting their “dream team” from the multiple premiership sides they coached.

Gordon Hynes discovered early on what was required to win a premiership.

In his first VFL season at senior level, Hynes kicked three goals in Geelong’s 1963 grand final-winning team over Hawthorn alongside some all-Cats greats including Graham “Polly” Farmer, Brownlow Medallist Alistair Lord and full-forward Doug Wade.

1963 Geelong premiership team. Back row (from left): Colin Rice, John Sharrock, John Watts, John Yeates, Geoff Rosenow (emergency), Roy West, Tony Polinelli. Middle (from left): Gordon Hynes, John Brown, Paul Vinar, Doug Wade, Ken Goodland, Peter Walker, Ian Scott, Hugh Routley. Front (from left): Graham “Polly” Farmer, Alistair Lord, John Devine, Bob Davis (coach), Fred Wooller (captain), Stewart Lord, Billy Goggin. Copy picture.

He retired at the age of just 24 with North Shore to be the major beneficiary of his brief time at the highest level.

Hynes was appointed coach of the Seagulls in 1972 and over the next 12 seasons they won six flags from nine grand final appearances.

The premiership run began in 1974 in the Geelong District league and finished in 1983 in the Geelong league.

Hynes has opted not to pick himself in the team, but for the record he won the club’s best and fairest seven times and was the league best and fairest winner in 1978.

North Shore champion Rod Aylmer.

He chose one of two century goalkickers in the team, Colin Lutrell, as captain with the other, Rod Aylmer, chosen on the wing.

His star-studded side includes Seagulls’ Hall of Famers Ken Ivermee, Bill Dixon, Claude Gasparini, Wayne Thomas, Max Giddings, Steven Mathisen and Alan Marsh.

North Shore champion centre half-back John Albon, left.

“We had a policy of no train, no play,” Hynes said.

“We trained every Sunday morning to get our injuries fixed.

“Our players also had to take their turn of umpiring games in the little league competition that was held on a Sunday.

“It’s how we got to become a really powerful club.

“The players were so close and just wouldn’t leave.

“It was their second home.”

Fourteen players chosen by Hynes went on to coach premiership teams.

GORDON HYNES’ DREAM TEAM

B: Barry Smith, Steven Abbott, Bill Dixon

HB: Ken Ivermee, John Albon, Max Giddings

C: Rod Aylmer, Michael Todd, Claude Gasparini

HF: Wayne Thomas, Daryl Julien, Steven Mathisen

F: “Herbie” Mathews, Colin Lutrell, Terry Scott

FOLL: Leo King, Geoff Boothroyd, Robert McManus

INTER: Greg Dennis, Alan Marsh, Brett Torney, Geoff Vesey

EMERG: Alan Floyd, Phillip Dennis

Originally published as Gordon Hynes: North Shore coaching great picks his best team