The Under 19 Premiership team of 1979.
The Spirit of Carlton (Past Players) will be hosting a 40-year reunion of members of the Bryan Quirk-coached 1979 Under 19 premiership team, on Saturday, July 20, at Marvel Stadium.
The ’79 victory over Fitzroy – 9.18 (72) to 8.9 (57) – completed back-to-back Premierships for the team under Quirk’s watch, with centreman Mark Hegarty booting the sealer. Savouring victory were team members David Glascott, Mark Buckley and Spiro Kourkoumelis, who later represented the club at senior level.
Also invited to the reunion function are surviving members of the Carlton 49ers – the Under 19 team which knocked Geelong over by 11 points in the 1949 Grand Final.
The ‘49ers were coached by 1938 Premiership player Jim Francis and captained by Alan ‘Alby’ Mangels (the father of Carlton’s 88-gamer Alan jun.), Their ’49 triumph also completed back-to-back Grand Final victories for the team, whose members also included Ian Clover and Dick Gill, the sons of Carlton greats Horrie Clover and Frank Gill respectively.
Another team member was the long-time radio caller Don Hyde AM. Brunswick-born and bred, and an old St Joseph’s North Melbourne boy, Hyde later represented the Kangaroos at reserve grade level because he was residentially tied to the club. He also chased the leather at Deniliquin and Maryborough, during which time he began to pursue a career in radio.
“I remember one day at Deniliquin the manager said to me ‘Our main commentator is not available – you play, so you must be able to broadcast’ – and that’s how it all started,” Hyde said in a previous interview.
Members of Carlton’s 1979 and ’49 Under 19 Premiership teams are urged to contact Shane O’Sullivan – shane.osullivan@carltonfc.com.au or 0412 179797 – ASAP.