The Berwick Miners in the Beginning…..

1986

In September of ’86 a group of young players got together at Hemmings Park, Dandenong with the vision to start a gridiron Club in the Dandenong area (Dandenong Buccaneers). Two American college teams UTEP MINERS & WYOMING COWBOYS had just played at Waverley Park and the first serious interstate Gridiron match between NSW and the Victoria Brumby’s had just been played. Unfortunately the team did not eventuate and about 5 of the players (Frerker, Shaw, Ackoui, Wilson and Beer) played for Frankston Razorbacks in 1987.

1988

At the end of the ’87 season the Miners originals commenced plans to start their team in 1988. Playing for Frankston had given the team experience and able them to recruit more players from Frankston to name a few were Dale Warren, Andrew Downs and Mark Holcroft. Another coup for the club was securing the Frankston coach to the MINERS in 88. Lou PRATT was an Ex Marine having served in Vietnam and also spent a short time on the Oakland Raiders roster prior to Vietnam. Coach PRATT was able to instill the Heart, hardness and never say die attitude that would be the envy of other clubs in years to come. He was idolized by such players as Brett ‘COCO’ Chambers and Darren SHAW.

There were hiccups for the Buccaneers with Dandenong Council’s refusal to allocate a ground the club found itself located in the Shire of Berwick where we are today. There were no lights and players had to erect makeshift training lights prior to each training session. The current canteen was the change room.

Just prior to the clubs first pre season the UTEP MINERS College were approached by the club for help. They provided playbooks and a ball; a decision was then made to change the name to MINERS as a result of their help. UTEP MINERS Defensive Coordinator Denny DOORNBOS was part of the 1986 College team tour to Australia. *** See Season 2006.

Originally our colors were to be the same as UTEP’s Orange, Blue and White similar to that of the Denver Broncos. When the original set of uniforms were picked up they were Orange, Black and White, this is how we came to be black and orange.

The original helmet was white with black and orange stripes down the center with a crossed pick and shovel on the sides. Some years later players decided on changing the helmet to it’s current Bengal design.

To this day both Gary Wilson (team founder) and Darren Shaw who organized the first uniforms believe they were sabotaged by the Croydon Rangers who had strong links with the uniform makers in Croydon. So started the first intense rivalry for the club, this was strengthened when Croydon was paid a dubious TD in the dying minutes of the Clubs first ever game resulting in a 3 point loss for us. We returned the favor in the last game of the season and unveiled a league first with the Team song sung after that sweet victory. The hatred of Croydon has never ceased and should never cease it is a Collingwood V Carlton similarity. This rivalry became intense hatred in the mid 1990′s when after 3 straight Croydon Bowl (Pre season comp.)Wins by the MINERS the Rangers never invited us back, allowing them a chance of winning it. The 1988 season ended with only 1 victory but valuable experience for a growing club.

1989

This season saw a new head coach and many new additions to the team including Richard Burns who tried out for the Chicago Bears. The season was a success seeing us play in a semi final for the first time the finals experience provided a solid foundation for the players and a desire to go one step further the following year. . In this year the much feared Miners defense of the 1990 was born. . The basic skills and attitude coached by PRATT in the first season was starting to pay off with half a dozen Miners playing for state and two for Australia touring Europe. With success came expectation and saw the addition of many players to the Miners playing squad and an increase volume player at the gym.

1990

A new season bought with it a new Head Coach. Mark ‘Penguin’ Levin was appointed the head coach and quickly brought in a new Defensive Coach Michael Litt. Michael was an American ex college player/coach from the early ’60′s. Michael Litt coached defense and quickly became a father figure to the D. Michael soon became highly respected as he followed in attitude of Lou Pratt and thus the players took to him very quickly. Mark and Michael’s attitude quickly translated to the players and performance. The defense took on this persona and the roots of the Miners punishing defense was truly born. With players such as Brett Chambers, Ron Kantelburg, Sean Beer, Andy Downs, Rob Laida taking Defense to a new level being led by Kevin Peters and Darren Shaw. The Defence set defensive records which teams for years would be measured against. 1990 was also the birth of the Miners Offense which combined the size of such players as Peter Frerker, Steve Babinczky and Wally Sanders with the Speed of Paul Avers, the Power running of Steve Szabo and elusiveness of Branko Topal 1990 became the launching pad for the VGFL Team of the nineties, a team of the ages the undisputed “Masters of the game”. The defense leading the way with their own brand of pure capital punishment and ferocity The team lost their finals campaign but this was not seen as a defeat, it became motivation for the next year and the drive to go the final step.

1991

This was to become the season that unleashed a wave of terror amongst other teams for 6 years and set standards for years to come. As seen by some as the best team to have played in the VGFL, the Miners would dominate every team they faced for the year. With record numbers of players, the Miners commenced the season with approximately 55 players. With numbers of players came greater competition to play, this translated into the best Team playing each week. The size, speed and sheer aggression of the Miners would see the demise of the once great teams of the late 80′s. Coach LITT unveiled his cunning plan by bringing out his son Rob who played for Oregon University as a Star Quarter Back and who also had spent time with Joe MONTANA to lead the Offense. Rob LITT bought finesse and raised the level of confidence on an up and enable players such as Paul AVERS to demonstrate his freakish speed and abilities at wide receiver. This was complimented by the amazing agility of running back Branko TOPAL and the power of Steve SZABO. To fall by the wayside after being crushed by the Miners Black and Orange wave, were the reigning back to back Champions Doncaster Devils, Old champs Brighton Outlaws and the Melbourne Hornets, all were to fold after being savaged by the rampaging MINERS of ’91. . The defense increased their aggression and confidence often outscoring their opponents with defensive touchdowns. Led by Team Captain Kevin Peters, Offensive Captain Andrew Marson and Defensive Captain Sean Beer the Miners would go on to crush the Vikings (Western Crusaders) in one of the most lopsided games ever played in a Grand final. In Front of a Crowd of 5000 people and a pregame speech by Sydney Kings Basketball Coach Brian Gorjian, Paul Avers took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a TD and set the scene for the game. In 4 seasons the Miners had established a powerhouse that was to become the leader in everything for the VGFL. Sponsorship grew to allow the importation of American players, all games were videotaped and analyzed all resulting in a dynasty.

1992

The season started with new coaching staff Bryan EVANS stepping up from Offensive coordinator to Head Coach and Grant Langmaid arriving as Defensive Coach and Paul Hardwick as Offensive Coach. Mark Levin left for interstate and unfortunately Mike LITT was sent overseas by his employer. Evans continued to instill confidence and leadership in the offensive blasting away opposition teams. Grant Langmaid being the new addition settled into the position having big shoes to fill after LITT. This he did by providing leadership, passion for winning and a never ever say die attitude to an already hostile and aggressive defense. With an already rampaging and marauding group on Defense, Grant gave the likes of Downs, Chambers, Peters, Laida, Shaw and Kurfurst arguably the leagues hardest hitters a license to destroy. With the finesse of Warren and Downs in the Defensive backfield that’s exactly what they did to all opposing teams. The offensive line was ever so nasty with the likes of Babinczky, Marson, Frerker and company literally placing people on their butts. The Miners lived up to their reputation established the previous year and dominated the league, finishing on top of the ladder. The Grand final saw some questionable calls and a heart wrenching knee injury to AVERS before halftime. In a tight game the Miners would eventually go down to the Kew Colts, who were an amalgamation of 3 teams. Not deterred, but more determined the Miners would go into the following season as hungry as ever.

1993

1993 saw the same Coaching staff return and a group of players training harder and more committed to take back what was theirs. Coach Evans instigated the importation of American players and the training squad grew to exceed 50 players. Throughout the season more records were broken by the Offensive dynamos in Paul AVERS, Branko Topal and Steve SZABO. Troy DAVIS was maturing as a homegrown QB and was improving every week to take out the Club Champion trophy but throwing some deep passes to Receivers Glenn WARREN, Ian EVANS and Aaron NEILS. Playing the Colts in the much awaited rematch, the Miners would again come up short in the Grand Final. A lesser group of players would have fallen in a heap, the MINERS got in the gym ably led by grandpa SZABO keen to resurrect themselves and win back the title.

1994

1994 saw the player group exceed 60 and a desire that almost blew the roof of the Club rooms. All returning Coaches were in their glory with new recruits John MURPHY and Jason BURKS. Offense and Defensive players joined forces in the gym (Church) training 6 days a week. They all improved under the guidance of Steve SZABO. Those to benefit from the training were DAVIS, SHAW, TOOHIM, MARSON, DOWNS and the list goes on. Freeway sports Center was never short of a Miner or two in 1994. Culminating in at least 20 Miners a night pumping iron leading up to finals football. The season saw new recruit Eric ERICKSON a QB from UTAH take the reins and aid in Troy Davis’ development. Unfortunately due to personal problems Eric was unable to play finals. The MINERS best QB was born; DAVIS was thrown into finals and guided the team into the Grand Final for a fourth straight year. Such was Troy’s desire and motivation to succeed it wasn’t until Tuesday night that he informed the team that he had sustained a serious shoulder injury. The MINERS fought on, on the way to the Final the team bus stopped off to allow DAVIS to have an injection in the shoulder and allow him to play.

The final was a hard-hitting affair against the Sharks, not an inch was given and scores were tied 14-14 with 1 minute to go. Defense stepped up to the plate and the cool head of Dale WARREN swooped on a fumble outside the Sharks End Zone turning the ball over on the 2 yard line after a severe hit by SHAW and CHAMBERS. The offense moved the ball 20 yards with Branko TOPAL cutting and weaving his way through the Shark defence when the clock was down to ONE SECOND. The order came in from Coach EVANS to take a knee and go into overtime, but the MINERS offensive huddle looked at each other with knowing eyes, the Miners NEVER take a knee. DAVIS with a shoulder that was now throbbing with pain disobeyed the order, called a pass play and Dale WARREN demanded the ball, a safer pair of hands in the circumstances did not exist. The experienced line stared out the opposition, SZABO looked for a victim and Grant Lamb was set to make the block of his life having substituted for TOPAL due to a ripped shirt. At the snap of the ball the line held firm and Szabo took out the first Linebacker around the corner. All of a sudden the Sharks Freight train Middle linebacker Dave FARRAR broke through and was two steps from DAVIS when LAMB stepped up to the plate giving away at least 30Kg he floored the Shark allowing DAVIS to throw the ball up the middle.

30 yards away WARREN ran into TRIPLE coverage and all looked doomed as the Sharks Strong Safety appeared to take the catch, but that man WARREN wrenched the ball from the squeezing jaws of that shark and ran 50yards to the Championship winning TOUCH DOWN and a legend was born and a dream came true. Job complete.

1995

The season began much the same as the previous four, with great expectation and a greater hatred of anyone not wearing the Miners colors. The Coaching Staff was extended with Wally SANDERS at Line Coach and Dutch import John Leijten as Defensive Assistant. However the core members of the team did not see that this was the year that the changing of the guard commenced. As good as they were, the team was not winning by big scores as had been the norm in previous seasons. The toll of playing in 4 consecutive Grand finals was beginning to show. But the great players stood up, TOPAL was ever elusive as usual and SZABO well, he just kept hurting linebackers. DAVIS ably led from the front and the defense still terrorized everyone. Grant LAMB got more of the ball and began to show his skills and under the tuition of TOPAL and became another awesome Miners product. The Miners made their fifth consecutive Grand Final and in a shootout were denied on their last drive by the Sharks to lose by 6 points.

Also over the 1994-1995 Season the Junior Team was created with the age group being 15 to 21 with 3 player’s up to 23 years old. With this mix the Miners fielded their first junior team with 27 players with Dale Warren as Head & Offensive Coach, Peter Frerker Defensive Coach and Steve Babinczky as Special Teams Coach they went thru to the Semi Finals to lose against the Raiders whom were now coached by a returned Mark Levin.

1996

1996 saw the new era of Coaching with Head Coach Mel Martin joining the Berwick Miners from the Sharks, Grant Langmaid as Assistant Head Coach, Mike Protopopoff as Offensive Coach, Wally Sanders as Line Coach and Kevin Peters retiring after stellar career as a player, a Captain and Leader now to defense as a coach. It also saw the season change from a winter season to spring season. Unfortunately this had a huge impact on the league and each Team experienced a loss of players. None more than the Miners who saw numbers drop to 41 players. It also saw a lot of past players retire and move on. The challenges faced by the team and coaching staff were not new but the Miners were still determined to reach the finals and retain the title that they lost the previous year. The year also saw the emergence of new players who took on a greater responsibility and bigger output. The Miners were still successfully reaching the Semi – Finals but falling short. The final score truly reflected what a tough game it was with the game being decided by 2 field goals with the final score being 6-0 in favor of the bulls.

The Junior team of 1996 saw Dale Warren still at Head Coach, while John Murphy and David Miller took on Defensive Coach roles. The junior team gained their own identity by re introducing the Burnt orange as their uniform. Players such as Besim KRAJA, Lee LINDSAY, Stuart “Rudy” GILLIES and Daniel OTIS lead the way to get the Miners team to the Semi Finals once again, but lost in a hard fought battle with the Wolf pack 6 to zero.

1997

Reinvigorated and still with a burning desire the Miners approached the season still striving to reach the top. With the same group of core players the Miners warmed up the season with a practice match against the Florida All stars which comprised of High School students all with scholarships to Division 1 and 2 Universities in the USA. In a tough and physical battle where the Miners were without 6 senior players, finally went down 24 – 2 and gained much credibility and respect from their opponents. This was a great launch for the season and refocused the team and gave them new goals. Punter and Tight End David Wing who joined the Miners in 1992 left to go overseas in which he tried out with the Detroit Lions only to be cut in the second training camp and ended up with the SCOTTISH CLAYMORES in the “World League”. But with a loss came a gain as John Fuchs joined the Miners to add to the list of the leagues hardest tacklers & hitters.

With player numbers reducing to around the 30 mark Head Coach Mel Martin, Kevin Peters and Mike Protopopoff rallied the players to once again have a successful season with a 7-4-1 Win-Loss-Draw record, but just fell short of reaching the Semi Final.

Because of the change of seasons the Juniors break was extended until the following year.

1998

In the Miners 10 year anniversary, the team started to face some of the biggest challenges that would be ongoing over the coming years – Player numbers, with the retirement of several players including Darren SHAW. It saw various players having to go back to play both offence and defence. This however had a positive impact on the players and the performance as it saw a very close group of players take the field each week to take on any team regardless of the numbers or where they were on the ladder. In the 10 year Anniversary the Miners took the field with 26 players and in the end finished with 11 players not all fit but nearly pulling off an upset against the Rangers in the Semi Final. The team was competitive winning 8 of 12 games. This typified the way the Miners played the season where they may have been outnumbered but never outgunned and really installed the team environment in the Club. Reaching the finals the Miners once again fell short loosing a tough fought battle where they turned the ball over 3 times to loose the game. The team fought the season out but once again came up short. Along the way creating a great rivalry with various teams that would last to current days. It also saw Mel Martin & Mike Protopopoff leave the coaching ranks.

But on the other hand the Juniors had a stellar season winning 5 games and drawing once to go onto win their FIRST Championship Trophy defeating the Rangers 18 to 14. The Coaching Staff in John Murphy at Head Coach, Dale & Glenn WARREN as Offensive Coaches and John Fuchs as Defensive Coach were ecstatic with the result which had been in the making over the last few years. Players such as Daniel OTIS, Jamie STAFFORD, Neil OLIVER, Mark PETANA, Josh LUKE and Lee LINDSAY dominated their positions to assist in a successful year for the juniors.

1999

Pat CORRIGAN become the Miners head coach, with a background in Canadian football he brought a new enthusiasm and a change in style to the team. With various juniors coming through, saw the numbers once again reach mid 20s. The players once again winning their fair share of games, with 6-6 Win Loss record, the Miners once again reached the finals. In a break out year, Grant Lamb (I think) broke the TD record set by Paul Avers at Running Back. It also saw a new QB lead the team in Daniel OTIS and with various other juniors stepping up and playing a big role, it saw a new team culture created that would hold true for the year. The Miners reached the Semi-final but in stifling heat saw the Miners fall short losing 23 to 6.

The juniors stayed strong retaining the same coaching staff only to come up short in the Semi Final as well losing to the Panthers in a tight one 12 to 6.

2000

The season started of strong with 32 players under Head Coach Kevin Peters, with Mike Protopopoff returning as Offensive Coach and John Murphy as Player Defensive Coach. Mike brought with him an enthusiastic Quarterback Ritchie Wedderburn who was the Sharks Quarterback from 1994 era. The Love hate relationship between Ritchie and the team tookit toll eventually and was left to Dale Warren to return to the quarterback spot with up and coming quarterback Neil Oliver as back up. The season was a disaster from a win loss point of view winning only 1 game and losing 10 with one draw, but the main thing was that the Team and Club survived, we finished with 18 players that year.

The juniors however went from strength to strength which was good for the Club as they would soon become senior players. With the Same Coaching Staff except no Fuchs, but gaining Stuart GILLIES as Receivers Coach and Grant Lamb as Running Back Coach, John MURPHY drove the boys to another Grand Final appearance after an undefeated Season winning 7 straight. But the Rangers were too strong in the Riddell Bowl defeating the Miners by 28 to 6.

2001

To be completed

2002

To be completed

2003

Over the last few years the Berwick Miners were a struggling team. This year Mark LEVIN returned to the coaching platform. The Miners had won just 3 games in three seasons and finished the last season with just 11 players. Our first preseason practice we had 7 guys, 5 returning players and 2 rookies. Over the course of preseason we built our numbers up to a playing roster of 25 players. This included 5 guys who had played under Coach Levin at other clubs anything up to 7 years previously but hadn’t played Gridiron for about 3-4 years, 11 rookies, and 9 returning Miners from the previous season.

It was a rocky start to the year. We were horribly underdone defensively in fact had spent very little time apart from practicing technique and talking basic roles and responsibilities. We had a practice scrimmage with the defending champions 2 weeks prior to the start of the season and we lost both middle linebackers One had a season-ending knee injury. Offensively with 3 out of the interior 5 O Linemen rookies and a rookie Tight end and Full Back we looked ordinary, but when we did execute we hurt them.

We lost the first game of the season 34-7 after being down 8-7 at half time to the number 2 ranked side (we were ranked 5 out of 5) The following week we went down 32 – 20 to the number 1 ranked side this after being down 24 nothing in the first quarter. The following week against the 3rd ranked side (tough opening to the season 2-1-3 ranked) we lost 14-12. So an 0-3 start and things were on the scoreboard at least were not looking to good. The guys were improving but we really needed a win. We played the 4th ranked side and came from behind to secure our first win in Round 4. From then till the end of the season we won every game except against the top ranked side to finish with a 4-4 regular season and Third place on the table. Number 1 ranked Croydon Rangers finished the regular season undefeated 8-0 so were granted automatic entry into the Vic bowl XIX The second placed Western Crusaders (5-3) and ourselves had to play off for the right to meet them.

We came out and spanked the Crusaders in the semi leading with 4 mins to go 30-6, but we let in two late TD’s and scored another ourselves to win it 38-20. As rank underdogs we went into the bowl having gone from the bottom of the pile for 3 years to the final and yes we pulled it off winning the Vic bowl XIX 36-28 in one of the best games the league has witnessed in a championship final. Grant LAMB won the league MVP rushing for over 1700 yds in 10 games for 21 TD’s rushing and 2 passing.

2004

To be completed

2005

To be completed

2006

Well what a season, its been 10 months since the Team had a Club meeting in which Dale WARREN decided to take on the Head Coach role. Assuming that he would have to Coach the senior team himself, he appointed Darren SHAW to run the Defence.

So with that in mind the Club would to thank two important people who enabled the Miners to be reinvigorated, Dale’s wife

Lorraine and Darren’s wife Sharon for without their acceptance of the Coaches commitment the team we would still be in Dire straits.

Dale, Darren, Tony ALDRIDGE and Donte NEWTON brought passion, technique, skill and substance back into the team and it’s

been invaluable. Our team has re found the gang tackling skill that we were once re-nouned for.

The Coaches, Players and Committee have taken the Club from the brink of folding to another Semi Finals birth. This is only the start of something special, and all Players, Coaches and Committee should be proud of what we achieved this year.

From Head Coach Dales point “it was a pleasure to Coach the rookies and the developing players who stepped up to the senior

team”. Training started with 20 odd players, slimmed down to about 5 or 6 players at one stage, and then finished with 27 players out of the 29 player squad as the Finals loomed. All in all we had 45 players on the roster.

A big part of our Club evolvement has been our web site, which Dale called on a friend to assist him set up . Once it was set up

Mark PETANA and Dale have been able to keep the pages clicking over, which has set a new benchmark for the other teams in the league to follow.

As a Club we would like to thank 1422, Nitro Gym and the City of Casey for supporting us this year it has been invigorating for

Team moral.

Off Field we have a fantastic support staff recognized throughout the league. From President Harry HUTCHINSON and his contribution with time and merchandise is unbelievable. Lorraine STYLES who looks after our injuries and Committee,

John STYLES who always takes on what is necessary to set up the side lines, along with Tony NEALE and Paul DWAN taking

care of the Chains, Lindsay WILSON for rubbing the boys aching muscles, Christine DALAIS & Rashid MALIMAR for

Videoing and Josh aka FLICKER for the photos. And finally Tony QUIXLEY for looking after game day operations and his patience for collecting players fees.

Some of the stats for the year were:- Matt Jolley and Jamie Stafford were the only players to play all 13 games,

Main Scorers – Steve Baker 3 TD’s, Matt O’Connor 3 TDs, Chops 4 TD’s, Jamie 5 TD’s, and Cameron 8 TD’s

The Most Tackles- TBA

The Most Interceptions- TBA

The Most Sacks- TBA

Over the last 19 years we have gone from bottom of the ladder to the top and back down again, and with this year’s result

there is only one way we want to go and that is UP. We currently have a third of the players in the Gym bulking up for

Season 2007.

Next year we head into our 20 Year Anniversary and intend on seeing all of you there with some new recruits to take on Vic Bowl 23.

During the start of the year we were visited by Veteran Player Jason KURFURST who played Strong Safety always had a goal and that was to be a Fitness Advisor and maybe head overseas to instruct. Since his retirement he has studied hard and was recruited by a Northern Territory Basketball team as a Strength Coach. From here Jason has accepted a contract with NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY,USA, as a Strength & Conditioning Coach, including the Football Team at NIU. On this Football team is Defensive Coordinator DENNY DOORNBOS who was part of the MINERS beginning, as he toured with the UTEP MINERS in 1986.

APPENDIX

Names such as Miners, Warriors and Rangers are the survivors in the league, names such as Seahawks, Crusaders, Blackhawks, Buccaneers as some of the newly formed teams, but names such as Outlaws, Hornets, Devils, Wildcats, Sharks, Panthers, Cowboys, Raiders, Saxon Chiefs, Hurricanes, Thunder, Wolf pack, Knights, Rams, Bulls, Razorbacks, Pirates, Colts and Steelers are all just memories……

Some of the records that have been achieved by Miners are Grant LAMB 200 Plus Touch Downs (24 TD in one year), Paul AVERS 99 Touch Downs in his career, Dale WARREN 13 Interceptions in one year and playing 222 games. Peter FRERKER, Grant LAMB & Jason KURFURST making the Australian Team.

The Miners would like to thank their committee, coaching staff and supporters including wife & Girlfriends over our long history especially to Team Manager Tony QUIXLEY who has been assisting the Club since 1995, John MURPHY who has coached the Junior squad since 1998 and to Dale WARREN who has always been their either playing, coaching, committee, marking the Field or equipment organizing since 1988.