The Glory of '04

As part of an ongoing peek back into Uni Blues history and with an eye fixed on this Saturday’s reunion for the 2004 Triple Premiership, we relive events in September 2004 (courtesy of the season’s final edition of “Blues Brief”)…

SENIORS

The University Blues football club completed its dominant 2004 season on Sunday, beating St.Bernards in the A Grade Grand Final. For the players, it was a feeling of exhilaration and joy, for the support staff, a sense of relief that after 44 years of Uni Blues wilderness we had finally one the big one again.

The first five minutes of the game was a solid arm wrestle, with both teams trying to enforce their own style of play on the game. It was Uni who got their run working first resulting in our captain Boots kicking the first goal of the game after all this excitement and hoopla. The game was on and the Uni Blues were here to play. Matt Torney - The Panther (which I will now refer to him as) - was a shining light up forward and he had two goals beside his name early. Mark Paterson - Thunder and Lightning - was using his superhuman strength to dominate the packs. James Hayter - Peter Hore, J.Pest, Party Boy - was being a real pest to Dan Jordan down back. I've never played on J.Pest but I reckon it would be like having a really cold shower with someone pouring vinegar over a big graze on your bum, and chewing on a big ball of foil: annoying. Anyhow, by quarter time we had skipped out to a 5 goal to 3 lead - an above par start considering we were kicking into a relatively stiff breeze.

Seniors

Uni Blues turned at the half way mark of the season in the four and three wins on the trot. Disappointingly, they couldn't continue their good form on the Trott. The Harry Trott, that is, where Collegians managed to take the four points. The purple outfit was fired up after a couple of big losses and Uni Blues were the unlucky opposition. Veterans Andrew Lowcock, George de Crespigny and Mark Paterson were among the best for the Blues, with captain Lowcock taking home the UCLA t-shirt. Al Neville showed some class in his second game in the black and blue strip with 3 goals and the rangy Pat Smith also kicked a bag of 3. Mick Lewis continued his good form and Paddy Hayes kicked a goal in his first senior game. The loss leaves the Blues 5 and 5 with some important games coming up.

University Blues:  12 - 16 - 88

Collegians:          19 - 9 - 117

Best: A.Lowcock, G.de Crespigny, M.Lewis, M.Paterson, P.Smith, M.McLeod

Goals: A.Neville 3, P.Smith 3, G.de Crespigny 1, A.Lowcock 1, C.Shaw 1, D.Nicholson 1, M.Lewis 1, P.Hayes 1

 

In September 2004, Uni Blues made history - delivering three premiership pennants to the Pavvy including an elusive A-Section senior flag.
 
2004 was a golden year for the Blues which saw the club riddled with talent and depth. Coach Kanis (the inventor of themes such as ‘Blue Collar Blues’ and ‘Hiroshima Blues’) held the reins in his rookie season. Then Club captain Quinton Gleeson likened the senior team's campaign to Lonhro's run in the 2004 Australian Cup http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_r8W0i3JYE  - "...we were the best in the field and although we ran into a couple of minor roadblocks during the run to the line, it wasn’t long before we let down and did away with the opposition..." Gleeson said in a recent interview.

On Monday evening Jurnee will host a sponsored event providing team members with complementary Body Composition Measurements using state of the art Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis by Tanita. The analysis will give you your weight, segmental body fat percentage and lean muscle mass of each arm, leg, and trunk, water hydration level, bone mass, visceral fat reading, and basal metabolic rate. These measurements can provide a powerful tool to maximize your training and performance. Diet, training, and rest are all critical factors contributing to your performance. Jurnee can continue the complementary testing to allow you to follow your changes in lean muscle gain, hydration levels, and body fat percentage that comes from proper diet and hard training through the season! Speak with your team organizer to book in for measurements on Monday night.

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Although a brief foray to training over pre-season 2009 whet the appetite, Luke North has not been seen gracing the Main Oval since 2006. An integral part of the 2004 premiership, North has been living the dream for the past two and a half years. There have been sightings on every continent. Heads swivel as he brushes by. Husbands live in fear. Where will he show up next??? Intrepid reporter Perry Hesslop caught a quick flight to Central America, then a chicken bus to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala where he caught up with North and asked him some tough questions.

Our Man in Asia hits the ground running

Uni Blues stalwart Michael “Bomber” Thomas slipped back into Melbourne recently after a 12 month stint toiling in Kuala Lumpur. To the mild surprise of the Uni Blues coaching brains trust, Bomber was “match fit” when he touched down at Tullamarine courtesy of a brief but decorated playing career with Asian AFL powerhouse, the Malaysian Warriors.