A Tribute: John Priestley

By Bob McLellan

John Priestley was, and still is, our finest ever Full Forward.

John played 126 games for our Club and kicked a total of 515 goals, an average of just over 4 goals per game.

In 1980, we finished top of the ladder in C Grade, moving into B grade for the very first time in 1981. John was the VAFA’s Leading Goal Kicker in C Grade that year with a superb, record breaking 117 goals. He was also Runner Up for both the VAFA Best & Fairest Award for C Grade, as well as the Club Best & Fairest, won by Tony Gedye.

Drew Bellmaine, who will be mentioned here in the future, unbelievably produced the first 40 (yes 40!) years of our Club’s statistics. His records tell us that John kicked 26 goals in 7 State Games, including a bag of 10 vs. WA in 1981.

A mention certainly must be made here of our Club’s first Senior Premiership in 1977, lifting us into C Grade. John played a key role in this Premiership too, kicking 71 goals for the season.

That famous year, Nobby Forster was President, Bill McGrory coach and Ian Paroissien Captain. In the Grand Final, Jon Shepherd kicked 8 goals, Gary Jones 6 and John 5.

In 1977, our Reserves were runners up too – a team with many familiar names who are still involved at the club today.