Langwarrin Football Club names its team of the century

Raw emotion filled the room as Langwarrin Football Club’s greatest ever team was unveiled. It was stacked-full of champions.

Mark Baguley spoke of his love of Langwarrin footy club.

Gary Zeuschner cried.

So did Gavin Artico.

The stories were legendary, told by these Langy legends as they accepted their medal as part of Langwarrin Football Club’s team of the century.

Garry Ridout, the modest champion who kicked 628 goals, was named captain and was proud as punch.

As a kid in the early 1980s David Holyhead would ride his bike down to the footy ground on a Saturday arvo to watch Wally Sienkiewicz dazzle for Langwarrin; on Sunday they became teammates in Langwarrin’s greatest ever team.

The illustrious team was announced during an emotion-filled function at Lloyd Park on Sunday afternoon.

Langwarrin's team of the century, 1920-2020.

Each member, or their family representative, spoke superbly, of the pride in being from Langwarrin, the family-like bond the club has built and the wonderful memories of Langy days gone by.

The great Ernie Zeuschner, named on a half back flank, was a star defender but also helped build the club’s pavilion in the early 1970s. Only late last week, the old building was demolished to make way for a new club house to take the club into the future.

Langy’s 1969 premiership hero Ray Orchard was named in the side. He got up and spoke tremendously well, recalling the wonderful people at the club when he started playing as a kid in 1960, and said he’d never fogotten the generosity of a club official who gave him a free pair of footy boots. Ray went on to play for Richmond in 1966-68 but returned to Langwarrin to inspire the club to its historic ‘69 flag.

Langy champion Shayne Howes was named at full-back. He recalled the day, during a game, he felt the need to (firmly) point out some home truths to a couple of recruits who had erred.

Stuart Bath, tough and admired, remembered the days in the late 1980s when Langwarrin battled to win a game. And he recalled his deep pride when the club lifted itself up to win the premiership in 1993.

Gary Zeuschner.

Loyal Gary Zeuschner paid tribute to his best mate Dave Holyhead; the pair started their careers together in the juniors at Langwarrin in the early 1980s and would have played 500 games alongside each other. Blue and white runs through their veins.

Gav Artico received the massive honour of being named team of the century coach. He was overcome with emotion. Artico was a star player at Frankston YCW when he came to Langwarrin in 2005. In his first season he coached Langy to a flag and now regards Langy as home.

Gavin Artico.

Dan Wehner was another Stonecat who joined Langwarrin and achieved great things.

Alan Wickes, a Frankston footy legend who played for Collingwood, was immensely proud to accept a team of the century medal on behalf of his late father Jim, who was named on a wing. Jim played for Langwarrin in the 1920s and ‘30s, and coached the club. Alan said his dad was one of the fastest players on the Mornington Peninsula and nearly made a Stawell Gift final.

The legendary John Cleary has given over half-a-century of service to Langwarrin football as a player, trainer and timekeeper. A much loved figure, he received a rousing ovation when he was named as the side’s trainer.

Ron Watson, a great Langwarrin man, was the side’s team manager.

Three members of the Moore family were named in the team. Ian, a tireless worker who was club president for 11 years, was installed as vice president, while his sons Brad and Ash — both dual premiership players and best and fairest winners — were named in the centre and at full-forward respectively.

The Bosse family, one of Langwarrin’s finest, was well represented, with Maurie and Graeme making the side.

Lee Palmer in action.

“Leaping” Lee Palmer, one of Langy’s most exciting players to pull on boots, was named in a back pocket, with the silky-skilled 1993 premiership star Robbie Kirk in the other pocket.

Dashing defender Glen Nicholls, who started as a kid at Langwarrin with his mates “Zooey” and “Holy’’, was named at centre half back.

Andrew McEvoy, who won three best and fairests in the 1980s, was named as the side’s ruckman. Currently overseas, he recorded an interview that was played at Sunday’s functon and well received by the audience.

The club’s founding president and life member Doug Nisbet was named club president. He spearheaded the formation of the Nepean Football League and was project manager/builder of the “Old Tin Shed’’ and the Langy pavilion.

The speeches were raw, honest and from the heart.

Shayne Howes, Rob Kirk, Stuart Bath, David Holyhead and Gary Zeuschner.

Rohan Gazzard did a brilliant job MC-ing the event. It was more than just a gig for the polished comedian; he, too, is part of the Langy family, a former player from the eighties and nineties and he had everyone laughing — and crying — at different times.

The team of the century was organised by Marty Roberts and Chris Bosse, the pair doing years of research and preparation tracing the history of the club.

Chris was awarded club life membership. His dad Maurie was named in the team of the century.

Baguley, the only member of team who is still playing, was part of Langwarrin’s 2005 flag win and won the club best and fairest that same season.

He, of course, kicked on to have a fine AFL career with Essendon — and now he’s back to finish his career at Langwarrin, revealing this would likely be his last season.

A premiership would be a fitting full stop on a great career.

Langwarrin team of the century 1920-2020:

Back pocket: Lee Palmer. Full back: Shayne Howes. Back pocket: Robert Kirk.

Half back flank: Ernie Zeuschner. Centre half back: Glen Nicholls. Half back flank: Shane Paterson.

Wing: Stan Peters. Centre: Brad Moore. Wing: Jim Wickes.

Half forward flank: Garry Ridout. Centre half forward: Ray Orchard. Half forward flank: Daniel Wehner.

Forward pocket: Graeme Bosse. Full forward: Ash Moore. Forward pocket: David Holyhead.

Ruck: Andrew McEvoy.

Ruck rover: Mark Baguley.

Rover: Maurie Bosse.

Team manager: Ron Watson.

Trainer: John Cleary.

Interchange: Gary Zeuschner, Stuart Bath, Wally Sienkiewicz, Phil Kidgell.

President: Doug Nisbet.

Vice president: Ian Moore.

Coach: Gavin Artico.

Club captain: Garry Ridout.

Vice captain: Ray Orchard.

Deputy vice captain: Maurie Bosse.