Eddy’s latest book a stroke of “Brillance”

PROLIFIC Leongatha-based author Dr Dan Eddy released his latest book Brilliance and Brutality at the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club Library at the MCG on Wednesday. 

The publication –Eddy’s 17th book in nine years –explores the fierce rivalry between Carlton and Richmond during the 1960s and 1970s, with particular focus on the 1969, 1972 and 1973 grand finals.

“I remember being fascinated by the 1972 grand final as a kid,” Eddy said. 

“It was as pure a game of football as you’d ever see, with both teams hellbent on kicking as many goals as possible.”

The Blues kicked the highest grand final score that day, 28.9 (177), to stun the Tigers, whose 22.18 (150) equalled the previous highest score in a grand final.

“Then, such was the disappointment and embarrassment of everyone at Richmond, the following year they sought revenge by any means possible,” Eddy added. 

“Two of the more notable and controversial incidents involved Tiger forward, Neil Balme, who landed blows on two Carlton defenders, Geoff Southby and Vin Waite. With Carlton’s defence devastated,

Richmond set up a match-winning lead and exacted revenge for the previous year’s debacle.”

Such is the esteem Eddy is held in within football circles, he was joined at the launch by both Balme and Southby, among other notable players from both clubs. 

The who’s who of football royalty included David McKay, Barry Richardson, Peter ‘Percy’ Jones, Robert Walls and Vin Catoggio.

Maureen Hafey, whose late husband Tom was Richmond’s coach during the period, and Jan Richmond, widow of famous Tiger secretary Graeme Richmond, were also in attendance.

It was clear that old wounds still sting. 

When Eddy interviewed Southby alongside Balme, the champion Carlton full-back said, “I never respected Neil as a player, but I respect what he’s since done in football.” 

Balme, to his credit, accepted that he had overstepped the line. 

“But football was different back then. You’d never get away with that stuff today,” he said. 

 The former on-field foes then shook hands, a special moment some 50 years in the making.

With acclaimed biographies on Australian Football Hall of Fame Legends, Dick Reynolds (King Richard), Peter Hudson (A Football Genius) and former Hawthorn captain Peter Crimmins (Crimmo), as well as club histories on Essendon, Geelong, North Melbourne, Carlton and Hawthorn, Eddy has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected authors. 

His long-time publisher Geoff Slattery praised Eddy’s ability as a storyteller who builds connections with his subjects, which often sees them sharing never-before-told stories. 

This was again the case with Brilliance.

“I was privileged to interview so many of the key figures from the era, including the legendary John Nicholls, Kevin Bartlett, Alex Jesaulenko, Brent Crosswell, Ian Stewart, Kevin Sheedy, and even the Grand Final umpires in Bill Deller and Ian Robinson,” Eddy said. 

“I wanted to paint a picture from all angles, which is why I interviewed players from both clubs, coaches, family members, umpires and supporters. I also conducted exhaustive archival research to find previous interviews with deceased subjects. I wanted everyone to have a voice in the story.”

Brilliance and Brutality: Richmond, Carlton and the Grand Finals of 1969, 1972 and 1973, is available through daneddybooks.com and books.slatterymedia.com.