Inspiration

Submitted by Dolphin on
Just though a positive thread might add to our lives. What I was thinking was thread for peoples recolections of inspirational acts over the year or years. Came to mind after the Frankston Willy game on the weekend. Big Daniel (Norm) Clark badly dislocated a finger in the first quarter. Played out the Q after the Dr couldnt get it back in. The physio went at it and still couldn't move it. Another physio in the huddle tried and it wouldn't budge, and the doc had another crack. By this time the big guy had had enough. The Doctor gave up and when I saw it at quarter time it wasn't pretty. Was reasonably straight, but looked like the old Lightning Bolt logo. He got changed and went off to the hospital to get it XRayed. Just as the 3Q time siren went the big guy re-entered the arena and made straight for the rooms. Half way through the break an almighty cheer went up from the hill as the big guy charged out of the rooms, in his gear and ran straight across the middle of the ground to the huddle. He went straight to the Physio and without a word of explanation shoved his hand at the Physio and said something to the effect of "tape it". With the finger back in, and taped like a mini mummy, Norm charged to the first bounce of the Q much to the delight of the crowd. The bloke with the drum got it out for the first time in probably 3 years and the crowd went into a huge "Noooorrmmmmmeeee" chant that reached an impressive peak when he smashed the first bounce. Possibly one of the guys finest moments in a career that spans some 10 years. Its funny, the guy at his feet in that contest was 8 years old when Norm arrived at Frankston Park, and for him to get top the club games record this year will be huge. There has probably never been a more revered figure at the club, and if all things go as planned, he should get to the record in the Round 14 clash at home against Werribee. Would the club rest him for a week if he misses one between now and then and would be due to break the record at an away game? You would have to consider it. There are millions of these stories. Post away. That's what this competition is all about. The characters and the stories and the non-sterile footy that we love.
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Season 2006
blackrocker Tue, 30 May 2006 - 09:36
I was at the Frankston on Sunday and went out to the Dolphins 1st Q huddle and saw the action trying to get Normies finger back. I agree with Dolphin, his efforts and courage were inspirational. He is one of the greats of the present era of our code.
bcarbonaro Tue, 30 May 2006 - 17:33
Daniel Clarke is a great player and even those who don't support the Dolhpins would with me that he has been one of the best players in the VFL. What baffles me is the lack of opportunity he receive at Melbourne. Can anyone explain to me why he didn't get much of a go... did it have anything to do with Jim Stynes being there at the same time?
magpie Wed, 31 May 2006 - 14:24

This was a great day. The ground looks a treat and the art deco restoration of the old grandstand is outstanding. Families having fun - jumping castle, camel rides, balloons, face painting and then there was the football. Normie is inspirational! Everything that is good about football in the VFL he personifies. We wondered why he had gone off, but you cannot keep a good man down. Does anyone know how serious the injury was to the young Williamstown (Collingwood) player in the second half - it looked nasty.
vfa Wed, 31 May 2006 - 17:32
The Frankston Hill supporters went beserk everytime big Normie went near the ball. They chanted Normie, Normie, Normie and banged on those drums. Great atmosphere.
cisco Wed, 31 May 2006 - 20:36
Clinton Proctor was the player hurt he showed immense courage. He will miss a week but he will be ok thank goodness.
bcarbonaro Fri, 2 Jun 2006 - 16:37
vfa wrote:The Frankston Hill supporters went beserk everytime big Normie went near the ball. They chanted Normie, Normie, Normie and banged on those drums. Great atmosphere.
Are these the ones who have been involved in aledged throwing of full beer cans and the like?
franga Fri, 2 Jun 2006 - 18:18
the person that threw a stubbie has been stripped of his membership he was a new bloke never seen him before and i have followed frankston for 15 years i stand near the hill and im glad he wont be back the hill may say a few words and be loud but they would not do that go dolphs
jb Wed, 19 Jul 2006 - 14:57
Just back on this topic, thought I'd mention Brad Lloyd in 1995. Bad year for Willy, losing every game by an average 12 goals. Came down to last game of season at home to Werribee and we all rolled down there thinking this could well be 'towns last game in the VFA. Not sure how it worked but Lloyd was presumably a supp list player for Footscray and was called on to play for the Footscray 2's on the Saturday. But he still fronted up for Willy again on the Sunday. He would have been about 19 or 20. Ghazi and Pastore stuck with the club during this year while many others left for money elsewhere, which is a gutsy effort in itself, while a young Troy West battled in defence. Think this was why he became an excellent backman- he had heaps of practice during this year.