Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
11:28:29 AM Fri 21 March, 2003
It was 25 years ago . . .
The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" was rocketing to No. 1 on the music charts, while at Punt Road Oval, a pint-sized teenager was preparing to "Eat 'em Alive" at the start of what was to be a magnificent VFL/AFL career.
Dale Weightman's senior debut for Richmond was in the opening round of the 1978 season, against the arch enemy, Carlton, at the MCG.
The man affectionately (and most appropriately) known as "The Flea", was somewhat surprised when I mentioned to him recently that he was about to celebrate the "Silver Anniversary" of his league debut.
These days he's so busy in his roles as Richmond's Player Welfare/Development Manager, the Club's match-day runner and as father to three young boys that he seldom has time to reminisce on his playing career.
But there was no way I was going to let such an "Anniversary milestone" pass without some comment straight from the Flea's mouth . . .
"I remember coming off the premiership the year before (1977) in the under 19s. I had a pretty good ally there in Donny Davenport. He was the coach and he was pushing me up", Weightman said.
"Donny had mentioned me to Tony Jewell, who was coaching the seconds at that stage. He said, You've got to see this bloke, I reckon he's going to be a real good player."
"TJ saw me and "The General" (Mark Lee) playing and he thought I should have been riding in the first at Flemington! But I like the big bloke, he said."
Weightman's pre-season form in 1978 was impressive and no less a judge than big Neil Balme (dual Tiger premiership player and these days Collingwood's Football Operations Manager) gave him the thumbs up.
"The week before the season started Balmey said to me, "I reckon you'll be in the side (for the opening round clash with the Blues)". He just had a feeling that the selectors were going to give me a chance right from the start of the season."
Confirmation of his Round 1, 1978 selection came from an unusual source - a cleaner at the Club.
"Johnny Gost, who I was living with in Murphy Street, Richmond, ran the gym at Punt Road Oval and also had a cleaning business," Weightman said.
"His son, Stephen, who is now a doctor, was a student at the time and did some part-time work as a cleaner at the Club.
He came home on the Wednesday night, I think it was, and said, "Don't tell anyone, but you're in the side. It's up on the board in the match committee room . . ."
Sure enough, the next night my name was read out when the teams were announced on radio, as they were back in those days. I was rapt, but also a little bit in awe.
I thought, wow, we're playing Carlton, Richmond's arch rival, in my first game. Like a lot of young players making their debut, I wasn't sure how the other blokes were going to accept me.
But the likes of Balmey, 'Woody' (Bryan Wood) and 'Sheeds' (Kevin Sheedy) were really good and made me feel most welcome.
Balmey was probably the one that stood out. He said that he'd look after me, which was great.
I reckon I weighed about 65 kilograms at the time, so I probably could have ridden in the first at Flemington! It was certainly comforting to know that I had the full support of tough, experienced campaigners like Balmey.
richmondfc.com.au
11:28:29 AM Fri 21 March, 2003
It was 25 years ago . . .
The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" was rocketing to No. 1 on the music charts, while at Punt Road Oval, a pint-sized teenager was preparing to "Eat 'em Alive" at the start of what was to be a magnificent VFL/AFL career.
Dale Weightman's senior debut for Richmond was in the opening round of the 1978 season, against the arch enemy, Carlton, at the MCG.
The man affectionately (and most appropriately) known as "The Flea", was somewhat surprised when I mentioned to him recently that he was about to celebrate the "Silver Anniversary" of his league debut.
These days he's so busy in his roles as Richmond's Player Welfare/Development Manager, the Club's match-day runner and as father to three young boys that he seldom has time to reminisce on his playing career.
But there was no way I was going to let such an "Anniversary milestone" pass without some comment straight from the Flea's mouth . . .
"I remember coming off the premiership the year before (1977) in the under 19s. I had a pretty good ally there in Donny Davenport. He was the coach and he was pushing me up", Weightman said.
"Donny had mentioned me to Tony Jewell, who was coaching the seconds at that stage. He said, You've got to see this bloke, I reckon he's going to be a real good player."
"TJ saw me and "The General" (Mark Lee) playing and he thought I should have been riding in the first at Flemington! But I like the big bloke, he said."
Weightman's pre-season form in 1978 was impressive and no less a judge than big Neil Balme (dual Tiger premiership player and these days Collingwood's Football Operations Manager) gave him the thumbs up.
"The week before the season started Balmey said to me, "I reckon you'll be in the side (for the opening round clash with the Blues)". He just had a feeling that the selectors were going to give me a chance right from the start of the season."
Confirmation of his Round 1, 1978 selection came from an unusual source - a cleaner at the Club.
"Johnny Gost, who I was living with in Murphy Street, Richmond, ran the gym at Punt Road Oval and also had a cleaning business," Weightman said.
"His son, Stephen, who is now a doctor, was a student at the time and did some part-time work as a cleaner at the Club.
He came home on the Wednesday night, I think it was, and said, "Don't tell anyone, but you're in the side. It's up on the board in the match committee room . . ."
Sure enough, the next night my name was read out when the teams were announced on radio, as they were back in those days. I was rapt, but also a little bit in awe.
I thought, wow, we're playing Carlton, Richmond's arch rival, in my first game. Like a lot of young players making their debut, I wasn't sure how the other blokes were going to accept me.
But the likes of Balmey, 'Woody' (Bryan Wood) and 'Sheeds' (Kevin Sheedy) were really good and made me feel most welcome.
Balmey was probably the one that stood out. He said that he'd look after me, which was great.
I reckon I weighed about 65 kilograms at the time, so I probably could have ridden in the first at Flemington! It was certainly comforting to know that I had the full support of tough, experienced campaigners like Balmey.
