Chadwick reflects on the kick of a lifetime

HE kicked one of the most famous goals in Tasmanian football history and for a week after Tony Chadwick did not have to pay for a single beer.

It was a miracle snap kicked in the wet, on his wrong foot in the dying seconds of the 1979 TFL grand final against Clarence’s arch enemy, a Peter Hudson-led Glenorchy.

By 8.30am, every seat at North Hobart Oval was taken as an all-time Tasmanian football attendance record of 24,968 packed the venue.

“The atmosphere was amazing and it was the biggest crowd for a sporting event for many years until V8 supercars outdid it,” Chadwick said.

Just before the 2pm bounce, Clarence players and supporters were incensed when Glenorchy raised its banner that read “Roos Are Soles” — think about it — which only fuelled the intensity of the clash.

Chadwick, who started on the wing and was benched at quarter-time, went on midway through the last quarter to replace an injured teammate, when Glenorchy led a sodden arm-wrestle by two points.

Then came the moment he became a red and white hero. The ball was driven into Clarence’s forward line where bigman Andrew Vanderfeen shot out a handball to Chadwick.

“I yelled at him about three times. He didn’t want to give it. He came round on to his left foot and I’m sure he wanted to kick it,” Chadwick said. “He had some pressure on him so after about my third call he flung it out to me.

“I was running around on my left side — I’m a rightfooter, I don’t usually kick both feet — but I kicked it with my left foot as hard as I could.”

The kick went high and far enough to sail between the big sticks. Clarence won only its second flag, coached by Noel Leary, and consigned Glenorchy to its fourth consecutive grand final loss.

Chadwick said it was probably the only time he kicked on his left foot all season, and though Hudson won 1979 TSL Goal of the Year, he reckoned it should have gone to the little Roo.

The 65-year-old retired paramedic will relive those glory days at a 40th reunion for Clarence’s 1979 premiership team at Blundstone Arena today, while they watch the modernday Roos play a State League game against Launceston.