|
|
The only Melbourne player to appear in both of that club's most recent grand finals (1988 and 2000) Steven Febey gave excellent service to the Demons in over 250 senior games, many alongside his twin brother Matthew. Originally from Devonport, Febey at one stage appeared more likely to succeed at basketball than football but ultimately it was the oval-shaped ball which provided the greater allure. Not the most highly skilled of players Febey nevertheless gave greater value than most because of his courage, determination and immense discipline. |
Back to Tasmanian Team of the Century Team List
|
|
A
half forward during the bulk of the Tasmanian phase of his career with City-South,
Verdun
Howell was transformed by St Kilda into a prototype of the modern
attacking full back. He played 159 games for the Saints between 1958 and
1968 and was second on a countback for the Brownlow
in only his second season. Thirty years later the VFL saw fit to award him
a medal retrospectively.
Despite his venturesome spirit which manifested itself in a tendency to leave his man in order to embark on dashing runs upfield Howell seldom conceded many goals for the simple reason that whenever he pursued the ball he normally got it. In short, he transformed the backing of one's judgement into an art form. As Howell's VFL career progressed he made a gradual journey back to the forward lines. He was on a half back flank when St Kilda won its only senior flag in 1966 and, as vice captain, combined with skipper Darrel Baldock to provide the Saints with a unique, all Tasmanian on field leadership team. As his career drew to a close Howell frequently played on the forward lines and was highly effective; in one game against Hawthorn he booted 9 goals. However, it was as a defender that he rose to his greatest heights, winning St Kilda's best and fairest award in 1959, representing the Big V on 9 occasions, and, to all intents and purposes, re-writing the chapter in the manual of footy entitled "How to Play Full Back". |
Back to Tasmanian Team of the Century Team List
|
Left Back Pocket - Bob 'Tassie' Johnson (North Launceston, Melbourne, Box Hill) |
|
|
|
After
two seasons in the NTFA with North
Launceston, where he played mostly as a
forward, Bob Johnson was forced to stand out of football for the whole of
1958 while seeking a clearance to VFL club
Melbourne. Once the clearance
formalities were out of the way Johnson was swiftly re-moulded by the
Demons into one of the VFL’s top defenders. At full back in Melbourne’s
1959 and 1960 premiership teams ‘Tassie’ (as he was called to
distinguish him from the other two Johnsons at the club, ‘Big Bob’ and
Trevor) had moved to the back pocket by the time of the 1964 flag win. His
coolness under pressure, strength, good judgement and superb drop kicking
made him equally successful in either position. A regular VFL
representative between 1960 and 1967, Johnson showed his versatility later
in his career when, with Melbourne’s fortunes in decline, he embarked on
frequent stints on the ball or in the forward lines in bids to lift his
teammates by example. In his final VFL season, 1969, this inspirational
quality to his play was formally recognised when he was appointed club
captain, only for the Demons to suffer the rare indignity of a wooden
spoon, their first since 1951. ‘Tassie’ Johnson’s VFL career thus
came to a somewhat ignominious end, but he had accomplished more than
enough in earlier seasons to be remembered with affection and esteem as
one of Tasmanian football’s greatest exports.
Johnson ended his playing career as captain-coach of VFA 2nd Division side Box Hill. |
Back to Tasmanian Team of the Century Team List
