It’s exactly 25 years ago today – August 6, 1983 – that
The event was celebrated with a week of activity, culminating with
Richmond, coached by Bartlett’s teammate in five Tiger premiership triumphs – Francis Bourke – had a 6-12 record going into the game and was in 11th place on the ladder, while Collingwood, with a 9-9 record, was just outside the top five (as it was back then), in sixth spot.
The Tigers looked like celebrating KB’s magic milestone in style when they led by seven points at three-quarter time of a low-scoring battle, but the Magpies finished stronger in the final term to run out 10 point winners.
Nothing, however, could detract from Kevin Bartlett’s super-special day.
Tigerland, indeed the whole football world it seemed, was caught in the grip of “Bartlettmania”.
Here’s how leading ‘Herald’ sports writer of the time, Peter Stone, reported KB’s amazing achievement, on the publication’s front page that day . . .
“Kevin Bartlett was king of the MCG today.
And didn’t every one of the 80,000 fans let him know it.
They rose to give a standing ovation to
The little man they call “Hungry” ran through a guard of honor of
He jogged slowly through the banner and stumbled as he came through the massive wad of crepe paper. He was quickly on his feet and again the hands were raised in a victory salute.
Even the Collingwood cheer squad banner paid tribute to him.
The Magpies’ banner read: “Kevin Bartlett sporting history in the making congratulations on your 400th game.”
Earlier
No one, it seemed, who had come in contact with Kevin Bartlett wanted to let the day pass without a personal greeting.
Former State Premier, Lindsay Thompson, phoned, a telegram from Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, was there somewhere among the hundreds.
The telephone rang incessantly, the well-wishes just wanted to congratulate him, the humble champion, on an achievement none before him had contemplated.
Telegrams and cards, some from the
The little guy who walked across the road to get a game of football 20 or so years ago prepared almost nonchalantly for his 400th VFL match.
While his three energetic children served breakfast, Kevin Bartlett lay in bed to contemplate all those years in the number 29 guernsey.
Last night was the earliest he was in bed for the week. And, even then, it was 11.30pm, after being the guest of honor at the
The clock beside
But there was no way
“There are very few times in your life that you get the chance to be first at anything,”
“I’ve been given that chance, and it’s fantastic satisfaction.
“No record stands the test of time, but maybe with my achievement it will help inspire other people to the same heights.
“It’s great to feel that it was you who broke down the barriers.”
It could well have been Edmund Hillary or maybe Bjorn Borg talking.
But
The man they call “Hungry” will retire after the last home-and-away match this season. He will have no regrets when that happens as his has been a wonderful contribution to the lives of so many Victorians.
He said he will have “been there and done that” and then it will be time to embark on something new.”
That telegram from Prime Minister Bob Hawke read:
“Congratulations on your splendid record with the Tigers and for the VFL.
Best wishes for your historic 400th senior game next Saturday.
Whatever the outcome, your magnificent achievement will cement your place in Australian sporting legend.”
Post-match, Kevin Bartlett said:
“I’m really proud of Australian Rules football . . . it was a fantastic reaction today. It felt great to be part of the VFL and
It was disappointing to be beaten, but I was proud of my team-mates. They gave their all . . .
It might sound a bit corny, but I have been like a little bright-eyed kid with a new toy – it’s an impossible-to-describe magical feeling.
How can one man be so lucky to have so many good things happen to him.
It has been the most hectic week in my life and – along with the
I’ve been flat out and I’ve lost count of the media interviews and appearances I’ve done and the number of people with whom I’ve shaken hands.
The gifts, the cards, the telegrams from supporters and friends have been fantastic and they’ll just about fill a room at my place.
A lot of people asked me how nervous I was at the start of the game, but I can honestly say I felt fairly calm.
I don’t think the occasion affected my play and I thought I went okay.
But there was plenty of pressure and the atmosphere was just like a final out there with a crowd of nearly 82,000.
I had a minor hitch by tripping through the huge banner.
They had used thicker tape to withstand the wind and I slightly misjudged the circled weaker spot near the bottom where I jumped through.”
The
Kevin Bartlett
Greg Conlan
Phil Egan
Dan Foley
Tim Gepp
Jim Jess
Merv Keane
Graham Landy
Mark Lee
Alan Martello
David Palm
Neil Peart
Maurice Rioli
Michael Roach
Barry Rowlings
Paul Sarah
Greg Strachan
Matthew Wall
The Collingwood team that day was:
Graeme Allan
John Annear
Dennis Banks
Ricky Barham
Ray Byrne
David Cloke
Peter Daicos
Wes Fellowes
Tony Kelly
Greg Phillips
Billy Picken
Michael Richardson
Tony Shaw
Andrew Smith
Craig Stewart
Michael Taylor
Graham Teasdale
David Twomey
Phillip Walsh
Ironically, four members of that Magpie line-up – Annear, Cloke, Stewart and Walsh – later crossed over to
KB had seven kicks in the first quarter and finished with 16 for the match, but for the first time in 27 games, didn’t manage to score a goal.
Ray Byrne, his Collingwood opponent on the day, said to KB as they lined up before the game: “Fancy all these people coming along to see you play on me.”
Later that night, KB received an envelope from Ray with a toothless comb inside!
Match details
Collingwood 5.0 7.2 9.5 13.11 (89)
Goals –
