On Sunday June 4, Banyule Junior Football Club held a 50th Anniversary Function with past and present players and families attending.
It was great to see representation from all eras, with a large crowd of approximately 400 in attendance. Amongst live music, entertainment for the kids and a food van, the club held formalities with past Presidents, Larry Stephens and David Doherty speaking, along with current President, Rod Ebbage.
Current Essendon footballer and seven time Banyule Junior Football Club best and fairest winner, Brent Stanton, was interviewed by Football Operations Manager, David Witchell and presented with a commemorative jumper, which both Colts teams wore on the day in home matches prior to the function commencing.
The highlight of the day was the naming of the Team of the First 50 years. Criteria for selection was either winning at least four best and fairest awards at Banyule Junior Football Club or playing VFL/AFL football.
The team was as follows:
ADAMS, Peter 6 senior matches with Collingwood in 1986-87
BEERS, Tony 5 matches with Collingwood in 1982-1983
CARAFA, Adam Current day player with 5 best and fairest awards at BJFC
CARTER, Rod 76 matches for Fitzroy from 1974-79 & 217 matches for Sydney from 1980-1990.
CAVEN, Peter 39 games at Fitzroy from 1991-93, 18 games for Sydney form 1994-1995 and 82 games for Adelaide from 1996-2000, which included the 1997/98 flags for Adelaide.
CHURCH, Jamie 5 consecutive BJFC B&Fs
CLAYTON, Mark 5 consecutive BJFC B&Fs
CLIFFORD, Stephen 38 games for Collingwood
EPIFANO, Daniel 4 consecutive BJFC B&Fs
GILES, Luke 6 consecutive BJFC B&F awards
HURLEY, Michael 130 games so far for Essendon
MCGRATH, Craig 58 games with Fitzroy from 1984-89 and 15 with West Coast in 1990-1991
NETHERCOTE, Ben 5 time BJFC B&F winner
PHILLIPS, Yory 5 consecutive BJFC B&Fs
SHEEAN, Luke 5 BJFC B&Fs
SHEPHERD, Tom 6 BJFC B&Fs
STANTON, Brent 7 consecutive BJFC B&Fs and current Essendon player with 255 games so far.
STEWART, Dave 6 consecutive BJFC B&Fs
TAYLOR, Chris 5 BJFC B&Fs
WHITCROFT, Greg 4 games for Collingwood in 1978
WILLIAMS, Abe 5 BJFC B&Fs
YIN, Stuart 4 BJFC B&Fs
COACH: ANDERSON, Cliff Coached an unprecedented 5 premierships at BJFC.
