Some history from Professor Joker. (Grab a drink, this will take a while)
Scots Old Boys were never an issue till 1982.
In 1981 Joeys won the premiership by beating Scots on the bell with a field goal. That day Joeys boys (and even Marist Brothers) invaded the field and celebrated. Worse than Newington in 2015! But it was just students, not old boys. Scots were gutted with the result. Many refused to shake hands. Even when the Joeys coach and captain went to the Scots change room afterwards they were told to "f%$k off" by the coach and the door slammed. (Joeys coach told me) Whne I met Colin Scotts in 2009 I rmentioned to him I was there that day and he suddenly went from being a friendly guy to very dark. He told me I was "Catholic Scum" and stormed away. Scots have claimed since 1981 that Joeys held back the clock. This is of course was stupid. The delay were due to three injuries in the game there saw 6 minutes lost which was tacked on at the end of the second half. The clock reflected this and was stopped during this injury time. The issue was Scots did not stop their watches and hence it looked like Joeys were adding additional time. Anyway, it resulted in the start of the issue we now see.
To explain more...
In 1982 Joeys traveled to the Death Star to play the final game of the season. Both teams were undefeated at the time with Scots actually having scored more points, but Joeys were solid in defense. In the lead up to the game (this btw has all come from a Scots staff member who was there) the Scots boys made a huge all-out effort of support. Mandatory cheering practice, banners made, bunting provided, flags made and bagpipes inflated. The school even flew in Ron Barrasi for pysch up sessions with the 1st XV. The Old Boys were called upon as well to turn up in force to support and the "old hill" was covered with old boys and the street outside was littered with beer cans before the game had even started. Most Old Boys there were the Class of 1981 who had been "robbed" by the "Micks" and 'Papists" the year before.
The Joeys team were ready to enter the field at 3.10pm as per program for a 3.15pm start. They had been given dressing rooms this time in the bowels of the gymnasium and not under the libray as had been done in the past. This meant climbing steep stairs and walking across Kirkland Oval to the Northern end of the ground. There were assembled many Scots families and students and the team had to push their way through to the dead ball area. The referee blew his whistle and then...the Scots A Pipes and Drums band started up on Kirkland Oval, people parted and entered the Main field. The marched and played across the field for about 10-15 minutes while Joeys cooled their heels on the sidelines. The even started doing some ball drills in the dead ball area as well to stay warm as the cool southerly wind blew. The Joeys coaches were livid as well as the normal coach seating for them (which used to be in front of Main building touchline and beside thee Scots bench) was now not available. So they had to walk around to the Joeys boys crammed into the small bleachers on the eastern rim. Some poor boys lost their seats as the coaches needed one. A couple of parents then found some folding chairs for them to sit on. The 2nd XV players had to lay down on the cold ground.Since then Joeys coaches have never sat on this side of the ground. Other schools do, but not Joeys.
Finally the band left (strangling cats...that it what bagpipes sound like) and the game was ready. The Joeys boys then walked/waddled out as is tradition. What was not tradition was the rain of abuse and hate coming from the Scots Old Boys on the hill and the actual "boo's" from the Scots community. Joeys headmaster at this time was seating with the Scots head on the royal balcony, surrounded by Scots dignitaries including Ken Catchpole! No one said anything Silence made it worse as what was being said by the Scots Old boys was crystal clear. The Joeys boss was livid so he left his seat and excused himself to go to the bathroom. He never went back, even though he said the spread was pretty good!. He then appeared at the Joeys side and sat in the eastern bleachers with the boys (I was behind him). He explained later that he was not going to sit with the Scots community who's silence condoned such behavior. He said no one made not one remark condemning what was happening below by the students (who was emboldened by the Old Boys) and those on the hill.
The Joeys team waited patiently in the middle and then Scots change rooms threw open their doors. They started to enter the field. The students rushed the field to make the longest tunnel I have seen (bigger than View's and I have seen a few) as the students had been made to attend. This was compulsory! From the new change room under in the southern wing of the main building the team appeared with banners, bag pipes and the biggest cheers. On the road the car horns blasted on the cars and the old boys cheered loudly. Beer sprayed in the air. It was insane! The Scots boys eventually made it to the middle and the game started. Scots bellowed the old customary three cheers which echoed around the ground. The Joeys boys returned with a polite chorus. The battle then began.
Not to bore you with the game details, the game was a cracker with both sides giving their all. When Joeys scored in the second half they were running to the old boy hill end. When line out were taken in the West side of the field, the Joeys boys were abused by Scots Old Boys. This had never been seen or heard of before. It was a shock to all on our side at the level of hate spewing from the sideline. A Joeys penalty was missed as car horns suddenly blared from the hill on the point of impact. Joeys were running out of time with Scots ahead by 2. Deep into the game with Joeys boys pressing and Scots struggling to get out of their half, a wayward pass was thrown by the TSC 10 and the Joeys 12 swooped on it and scored, pretty much in the same position the winner was scored in 2018. This put Joeys in the lead with no time left really. Joeys erupted (NO pitch invasion) and the Scots crowd were silenced. Then as the conversion was being taken from the western side of the field, a lone voice in the silence was clearly heard yelling out "F%$king Joeys poofters" followed by laughter from the Scots old boys and community. The conversion though was successful and the premiership secured.
Then it was time to go home. The Joeys boys were told to leave the grounds via Cranbrook lane and walk up Cranbrook Road to Victoria Road to catch the armada of buses. This saw the Joeys students having to walk through the Scots Old Boys who were now seething mass of hate on the side of Cranbrook Road, above the hill. I was petrified. Empty beer cans were strewen everywhere. Scots Old boys were pissing in public. As we walked through the Scots Old boys, we were verbally abused, jostled and smaller boys were pushed over, some even had stuff dumped on them. A Scots teacher (who I now call friend) appeared and told the old boys off for what they were doing. He was then abused by them too. On return to the College some smaller boys were visibly upset, some in tears.I myself stayed close to my smaller brother who had to contend one drunk Old Boy screaming, "are you going to f@#k each other tonight?"
This was when the Scots Old Boys issue began I feel. Before 1982 it was never an issue for any school really. Yes, a bit of hazing and some drunker odd idiot, but this was a whole new level. The silence of the management and the lack of any repercussion has only encouraged this behavior to continue. It has now become ingrained within the Scots Old Boys.
This was all told me by a number of people. Firstly, in 2011 during dinner with Mr (formerly Brother) Geoffrey Joy who was Joeys Headmaster that day in 1982. The Joeys 1st XV coach Brother Geoffrey Schwagger confirmed many details too in 1987. Finally Ken Catchpole himself in 2008 when he said that day made him embarrassed to be a Scots Old Boy. After that day he rarely went back.
PLEASE NOTE
It is also important for you to know that the Joeys Deputy Headmaster, Br Anthony Boyd made a very poignant observation to the Joeys boys at a recent assembly. He spoke about the actions of some Old Boys at the recent Riverview game entering the field of play before the final whistle. He mentioned how disappointed he (and many others) were that their undisciplined actions tarnished the wonderful result to the game. He spoke about how such unruly and potentially dangerous behaviour shows a lack of respect to the opposition and how the safety of all players and spectators is compromised. Hopefully, the message will be adhered to in future games. Next season Dr Hayes will work with the President of the OBU to send out a similar message to all in our community.
Scots Old Boys were never an issue till 1982.
In 1981 Joeys won the premiership by beating Scots on the bell with a field goal. That day Joeys boys (and even Marist Brothers) invaded the field and celebrated. Worse than Newington in 2015! But it was just students, not old boys. Scots were gutted with the result. Many refused to shake hands. Even when the Joeys coach and captain went to the Scots change room afterwards they were told to "f%$k off" by the coach and the door slammed. (Joeys coach told me) Whne I met Colin Scotts in 2009 I rmentioned to him I was there that day and he suddenly went from being a friendly guy to very dark. He told me I was "Catholic Scum" and stormed away. Scots have claimed since 1981 that Joeys held back the clock. This is of course was stupid. The delay were due to three injuries in the game there saw 6 minutes lost which was tacked on at the end of the second half. The clock reflected this and was stopped during this injury time. The issue was Scots did not stop their watches and hence it looked like Joeys were adding additional time. Anyway, it resulted in the start of the issue we now see.
To explain more...
In 1982 Joeys traveled to the Death Star to play the final game of the season. Both teams were undefeated at the time with Scots actually having scored more points, but Joeys were solid in defense. In the lead up to the game (this btw has all come from a Scots staff member who was there) the Scots boys made a huge all-out effort of support. Mandatory cheering practice, banners made, bunting provided, flags made and bagpipes inflated. The school even flew in Ron Barrasi for pysch up sessions with the 1st XV. The Old Boys were called upon as well to turn up in force to support and the "old hill" was covered with old boys and the street outside was littered with beer cans before the game had even started. Most Old Boys there were the Class of 1981 who had been "robbed" by the "Micks" and 'Papists" the year before.
The Joeys team were ready to enter the field at 3.10pm as per program for a 3.15pm start. They had been given dressing rooms this time in the bowels of the gymnasium and not under the libray as had been done in the past. This meant climbing steep stairs and walking across Kirkland Oval to the Northern end of the ground. There were assembled many Scots families and students and the team had to push their way through to the dead ball area. The referee blew his whistle and then...the Scots A Pipes and Drums band started up on Kirkland Oval, people parted and entered the Main field. The marched and played across the field for about 10-15 minutes while Joeys cooled their heels on the sidelines. The even started doing some ball drills in the dead ball area as well to stay warm as the cool southerly wind blew. The Joeys coaches were livid as well as the normal coach seating for them (which used to be in front of Main building touchline and beside thee Scots bench) was now not available. So they had to walk around to the Joeys boys crammed into the small bleachers on the eastern rim. Some poor boys lost their seats as the coaches needed one. A couple of parents then found some folding chairs for them to sit on. The 2nd XV players had to lay down on the cold ground.Since then Joeys coaches have never sat on this side of the ground. Other schools do, but not Joeys.
Finally the band left (strangling cats...that it what bagpipes sound like) and the game was ready. The Joeys boys then walked/waddled out as is tradition. What was not tradition was the rain of abuse and hate coming from the Scots Old Boys on the hill and the actual "boo's" from the Scots community. Joeys headmaster at this time was seating with the Scots head on the royal balcony, surrounded by Scots dignitaries including Ken Catchpole! No one said anything Silence made it worse as what was being said by the Scots Old boys was crystal clear. The Joeys boss was livid so he left his seat and excused himself to go to the bathroom. He never went back, even though he said the spread was pretty good!. He then appeared at the Joeys side and sat in the eastern bleachers with the boys (I was behind him). He explained later that he was not going to sit with the Scots community who's silence condoned such behavior. He said no one made not one remark condemning what was happening below by the students (who was emboldened by the Old Boys) and those on the hill.
The Joeys team waited patiently in the middle and then Scots change rooms threw open their doors. They started to enter the field. The students rushed the field to make the longest tunnel I have seen (bigger than View's and I have seen a few) as the students had been made to attend. This was compulsory! From the new change room under in the southern wing of the main building the team appeared with banners, bag pipes and the biggest cheers. On the road the car horns blasted on the cars and the old boys cheered loudly. Beer sprayed in the air. It was insane! The Scots boys eventually made it to the middle and the game started. Scots bellowed the old customary three cheers which echoed around the ground. The Joeys boys returned with a polite chorus. The battle then began.
Not to bore you with the game details, the game was a cracker with both sides giving their all. When Joeys scored in the second half they were running to the old boy hill end. When line out were taken in the West side of the field, the Joeys boys were abused by Scots Old Boys. This had never been seen or heard of before. It was a shock to all on our side at the level of hate spewing from the sideline. A Joeys penalty was missed as car horns suddenly blared from the hill on the point of impact. Joeys were running out of time with Scots ahead by 2. Deep into the game with Joeys boys pressing and Scots struggling to get out of their half, a wayward pass was thrown by the TSC 10 and the Joeys 12 swooped on it and scored, pretty much in the same position the winner was scored in 2018. This put Joeys in the lead with no time left really. Joeys erupted (NO pitch invasion) and the Scots crowd were silenced. Then as the conversion was being taken from the western side of the field, a lone voice in the silence was clearly heard yelling out "F%$king Joeys poofters" followed by laughter from the Scots old boys and community. The conversion though was successful and the premiership secured.
Then it was time to go home. The Joeys boys were told to leave the grounds via Cranbrook lane and walk up Cranbrook Road to Victoria Road to catch the armada of buses. This saw the Joeys students having to walk through the Scots Old Boys who were now seething mass of hate on the side of Cranbrook Road, above the hill. I was petrified. Empty beer cans were strewen everywhere. Scots Old boys were pissing in public. As we walked through the Scots Old boys, we were verbally abused, jostled and smaller boys were pushed over, some even had stuff dumped on them. A Scots teacher (who I now call friend) appeared and told the old boys off for what they were doing. He was then abused by them too. On return to the College some smaller boys were visibly upset, some in tears.I myself stayed close to my smaller brother who had to contend one drunk Old Boy screaming, "are you going to f@#k each other tonight?"
This was when the Scots Old Boys issue began I feel. Before 1982 it was never an issue for any school really. Yes, a bit of hazing and some drunker odd idiot, but this was a whole new level. The silence of the management and the lack of any repercussion has only encouraged this behavior to continue. It has now become ingrained within the Scots Old Boys.
This was all told me by a number of people. Firstly, in 2011 during dinner with Mr (formerly Brother) Geoffrey Joy who was Joeys Headmaster that day in 1982. The Joeys 1st XV coach Brother Geoffrey Schwagger confirmed many details too in 1987. Finally Ken Catchpole himself in 2008 when he said that day made him embarrassed to be a Scots Old Boy. After that day he rarely went back.
PLEASE NOTE
It is also important for you to know that the Joeys Deputy Headmaster, Br Anthony Boyd made a very poignant observation to the Joeys boys at a recent assembly. He spoke about the actions of some Old Boys at the recent Riverview game entering the field of play before the final whistle. He mentioned how disappointed he (and many others) were that their undisciplined actions tarnished the wonderful result to the game. He spoke about how such unruly and potentially dangerous behaviour shows a lack of respect to the opposition and how the safety of all players and spectators is compromised. Hopefully, the message will be adhered to in future games. Next season Dr Hayes will work with the President of the OBU to send out a similar message to all in our community.
