The CoodabeenChampions Quality Street
4 May 2002
Teenage life is tumultuous. For boys testosterone can be a dangerous substance. High risk activity. Experiments with fast women and slow horses and graffiti tags. The silent reading of the corn flakes packet at breakfast. The search for personal identity yet a need to belong to some group. There is a mixture of arrogance and deference. Football seems a long way from teenage minds.
Yet the red white and black panels have a long history of promoting teenagers. Some succeeded. Some found it hard to settle after a brilliant start. In 1909 the Saints played a 15 year old called Wels Eicke. The enormously talented Rod Owen made his senior debut at the age of 16 during 1983. The number 27 had problems at Moorabbin. Flashes of brilliance. Injuries. Stress. Rocket was a gifted athlete but he was still a teenager. Owen crossed to Melbourne then Brisbane. But a combination of ankle and knee recos plus a headstrong attitude restricted his games tally.
Also in 1983 St Kilda played a 17 year old against Geelong at Waverley. Tony Lockett. Mick Malthouse reckons that even as a kid at North Ballarat Plugger had the ability to intimidate the opposition. He did exactly the same as a teenager when pitted against experienced and tough full backs such as Tilt Carter and Kelvin Moore and Gary Malarkey.
During '86 the Sainters pushed up to senior level a 17 year old named Robert Harvey. No more need be said about one of the greatest most loyal footballers of all time.
The Linton Streeters gave a major gig to a 16 year old who didn't get many plaudits from the Moorabbin faithful. His name was John Georgiou. From southern district club Parkmore that produced Jayson Daniels. JG had a strong body for his age. 180 centimetres and 78 kilograms. The club gave him the number 32 jumper worn by Robert Muir and Damien Pierce.
Georgiou made his debut in 1992. Did well as an on baller. Not over endowed with pace but knew where the ball was and used clever handball through traffic. He could finish as well. Round 19. Hawthon at the Waveland. The teen showed courage under fire. Through the first half he fed off Lazar Vidovic at centre bounces. Georgiou fired out handballs. He was able to get his boot to ball with such speed that half forwards had time and space to lead. 20 minutes into the second quarter a 30 metre JG pass hit Mick Dwyer on the chest. He played on and goaled from 40. The J's clearances from centre bounces resulted in goals to Plugger 15 and 20 minutes into the third. In the closing minutes of the game provider turned recipient. Georgiou led from the forward pocket and received a skimming pass from Winmar. The youngster on a mild angle kicked a goal from 45. The last major of the match. Lockett six. Celebrated his hundredth of the season. Saints impressive winners. 19.16 to a miserly 7.13.
Johnny G was effective in other games as well. Gathered 7 games for 2 goals in his first year. Then he copped a thigh injury. He dominated in the twos and was rewarded with some senior action off the bench. Georgiou played another 9 to the end of '95. All up 16 games. He was then delisted.
The youngster joined VFA/VFL club Frankston. Georgiou prospered under the thoughtful guidance of coach Rhys Jones. The Dolphin won the 1999 Liston Medal by a large margin. A teenager that grew to greater maturity in another comp.