Ovens and Murray: Neville Hogan selects his best Wangaratta Rovers team from 1970s
The Wangaratta Rovers had a formidable line-up in the 1970s, which included champion player and coach Neville Hogan. Find out who he includes in his dream side.
Wangaratta Rovers savoured a decade of dominance in the 1970s — winning seven flags and playing off in another two grand finals.
They developed the blueprint for success by appointing Collingwood champion Bob Rose and South Melbourne enforcer Ken Boyd as coaches before changing tack and going internal for a coach.
Neville Hogan started his brilliant career with the Rovers playing under Boyd and reluctantly took on the coaching job in 1970.
He said Boyd was a major influence on his coaching despite having differing styles.
“Ken was very positive and go-the-shortest-way-home type of coach, but I was much more defensive,” he said.
“As far as training and being fitter than the opposition, that probably came from him.
“I pleaded with the club to go after (Hawthorn premiership captain) Graham Arthur, but they wouldn’t do it.”
After losing to Myrtleford in his first season, the Rovers won three of the next four flags with Yarrawonga the vanquished each time.
In 1971, Hogan was voted best on ground and helped heap more grand-final pain on Yarrawonga the following season.
In the 1974 final, Hogan parked himself in a forward pocket and kicked six goals.
The Rovers won again under Hogan in 1975 against North Albury.
As well as being a brilliant player, Hogan possessed all the attributes for coaching success: dedicated, ruthless and innovative.
His teams warmed up on the ground before a match decades before AFL clubs did so.
He also had some champion players including fellow O&M Hall of Famers Daryl Smith, Merv Holmes, Andrew Scott, Norm Bussell and full forward Steve Norman, who booted more than 1000 goals.
Mick Nolan and John Byrne later became VFL premiership players with North Melbourne after playing in Rovers’ flags coached by Hogan.
NEVILLE HOGAN’S DREAM TEAM
Back: Des Flanigan, Daryl Smith, John Byrne
Halfback: Neville Pollard, Merv Holmes, Greg O’Brien
Centre: Peter Booth, Neville Hogan, Eric Cornelius
Half-forward: Andrew Scott, Phil Doherty, Tony Hannan
Forward: Norm Bussell, Steve Norman, Phil Stevenson
Followers: Mick Nolan, Rick Sullivan, Terry Bartel
Interchange: Leigh Hartwig, Barry Dellavedova, Mick Brenia, Roly Marklew
Emergencies: Bob Atkinson, Eddie Flynn, Dennis Hill
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