History of the ‘RAZORBACKS’ through the eyes of Nanette Mazey

In 1985, the Eastern Suburbs Gridiron Club, with the colors of maroon and white and with the nickname ‘Razorbacks’ along with three other clubs and officials of course, formed the foundation of the South Australian Gridiron Association.
With off field guidance from a bevy of enthusiastic people, and on field from Sharpe McCullough, an American with coaching experience, about 50 wannabe players took to the field training at Devitt Oval – without equipment. This was to arrive shortly before the start of the first season, January 1986.
On January 11th 1986 at 8pm, with the team mascot and a bevy of beauties as our cheerleading squad, we lost our first ever game of gridiron to the Breakers. But the tables turned and we didn’t lose another game for the season and became the first South Australian champions. This win earned us the right to play against the Victorian premiers the SABA Outlaws in the 1986 Jubilee Bowl. We won this game resoundingly 66 – 7.
With the first season over, the club became an incorporated body on 18th April 1986. At Christmas time of that year, as we were based in the eastern suburbs, we joined the Norwood pageant, players and cheerleaders proudly displaying the pennant and cup for all to see.
With a 5th team being added to the league the season started earlier and losing 2 games for the season, both to the Breakers – who would become our arch rivals – we played the new comers and beat them with a shutout in the semi-finals. This took us to the grand final and we beat the Breakers in the game that mattered – but only by the narrowest of margins.
With the first ever tied game, between us and Spartans in the 87/88 season, we went on to face each other in the grand final, this time we were shutout by the Spartans.
Our comeback in the next season was to be undefeated minor premiers and go on to beat the Breakers, again, in the grand final.
We failed, the first of only 3 (to date), to get to the grand final in 89/90, and in 90/91 only managed to win 2 games for the season – but socially we had a great year.
With grand final wins over the Oilers the next 2 seasons - we were going for a 3peat in 1994 and we were facing the much fancied, undefeated, Breakers in the grand final, the first and only one (I think) that had 15 minute quarters (it was like playing 5 quarters in a regular season game) – we were victorious much to the chagrin of the Breakers.
After losing to the Razorbacks in 2 grand finals the coach of the Oilers, Mark Lieberenz, was coaxed across to lead the Razorbacks and since then, along with Mark Yaeger, both have done a stellar job.
He took over the reins in 94/95 and coaching his first grand final with us we lost to the Breakers. The next 3 seasons saw us do a 3peat again – trying for a fourth grand final in a row in 1999 we succumbed to the Chiefs in the preliminary final.
The next seven seasons, from 2000 – 2006 saw us in the grand final on all seven occasions – winning five of them, with a controversial grand final (with us losing it, I might add) thrown in for good measure.

Of the 21 seasons that have been played - we have had 18 grand final appearances, winning 14 of them, 2 seasons we got to the playoffs but didn’t get to the grand final and 1 season we didn’t make the playoffs – and over these years the philosophy of the Razorbacks has always been the same – first instilled in the team by coach McCullough and passed on to all the other coaches - A RAZORBACK football player is someone who strives for excellence on and off the field. This along with the rest of the philosophy and rules and the 10 commandments – has helped make the Razorbacks a formidable presence in gridiron in South Australia.

In between all this we fielded a flag football team for 2 years and in 2004 under the guidance of head coach, Simon Pollitt, we fielded our first junior contact team and in 2006 we played in the grand final against the Eagles – the game ended in a draw.

We have had plenty of social events, promotional events and fund raisers over the years including – Halloween nights, quiz nights, ladies nights, gentlemen’s nights, Miss Razorback quests (seeing the coach in a dress, oooh, ooooh, ooh and especially in a swimsuit!!!!!!), bbq’s, Christmas gatherings to include Razorbacks Olympics, car washes (of course these were always a good fund raiser – and why not, with one of our cheerleaders, in tight shorts and T-shirt, leaning over your car to wash it – wouldn’t you pay money!!!! ;-) ), our 20 year anniversary – where there was a gathering of old and new and a lot of reminiscing, our cheerleaders promoting the game at Globe Derby and at Wheelchair rugby.

The sponsors we have had that have kept us going over the years have been many and varied and their contributions have been greatly appreciated.

On the organizational front we have had many people contribute to the running of the club and we thank them ALL sincerely – for without those people there would be no Razorbacks. A few of these dedicated people have been made life members of the club – Non players - Sharpe McCullough, Doc Tucker, myself, Sue Northway, John Lewis, Kath Lewis (deceased) & Kaye Pridham. Players who have been a part of running the club - Brian Pridham, Simon Pollitt, Sante Centofanti and Andy Noel and finally players who stuck around for the all/most/part of the long haul – Mark Yaeger, Mike Raftery, Mick Kleemann and Kym Slatter.

And going on from there, there have been quite a few from the club that have gone on to be a part of the league – as chairmen - Gordon Tuft (9 years), Brian Pridham (2 years), and Ashley Knighton (2 years). I also did a few odd jobs for the league!!! Whenever the league needed help – we were more often than not there to help. And for dedication and work for the league – Gordon, Brian and I were honored with life membership.

We have had our fair share of representative in state teams and also at national level.
We also have the distinction of having the only 2 players that have played more than 200 games for the association – Mark Yaeger and Mike Raftery.

There are so many people that have been a part of this great club that there is not enough room to mention them all – BUT THEY ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE!

1986 team above and 2006 below.