South Melbourne Made
- Tom Hogan
- Nov 7, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2019
It is difficult to summarise someone's life. Difficult is probably an understatement. It is impossible to chart the highs, the lows and the achievements of a person's life. But like most things with Kevin Hogan, it's best described in his own words.
"It's been one bloody hell of an involvement."
I've never heard something more accurate.
It was a warm autumn day in Sale, Victoria. 84 year old Kevin Hogan, my grandfather, is sitting opposite me at his cluttered kitchen table.
In front of him is an enormous leather bound scrapbook.
Weighing in at 5 and a half Kilos, The scrapbook contains nearly every article, document and photograph related to the football careers of him and his five brothers.
On the that sunny afternoon we went through the scrapbook together.
Kevin was born in Violet Town in 1934. The rural northeast Victorian village is a tiny place even today. There was little to do and so like many small country towns, sport was it's beating heart.
The Hogan boys, Pat, Kevin, Frank, Johnny, Norman and Terry, all grew to make names for themselves in cricket or football. While their Mum collected whatever newspaper clippings she could and squirelled them away in the scrapbook.
Kevin broke into the senior team for Violet Town football club in 1950 at 15 years old. Hogan quickly established himself as a 'star rover' on the field. The Local paper's coverage of his stellar performances were accompanied with speculation about which VFL team would snatch up the talented youngster. His older brother, Pat had been playing for South Melbourne Football club, making his senior debut in 1953. And so for Kevin all signs pointed to South
Kevin ended the 1953 season with Violet Town booting three goals in the premiership loss to Benalla. He finished second in the club best and fairest count for the third year running. His mind may have already been on next season, as he was buried up to his neck in playing offers.
During the season Kevin and younger brother Frank had both promised Hawthorn secretary William (Bill) Newton to attend a training session the following year. The boys both received a signed invitation from Newton in February 1954.
By the time the 1954 season came around Kevin decided to sign with Benalla, despite Newton's "cordial invitation". He was in contact with South officials and his older brother too but was determined to play for Benalla who'd been chasing his signature for two seasons.
The inscription at the bottom of the page reads;
"I would like to see you down here for the early practice matches, Kevin, so will you please advise me if you can make it. We will look after you."
—South Melbourne Secretary, Joe White. 1954
Kevin was slow to take up the chance to play in the red and white.
In April 1954 Kevin was selected to play for South as an injury replacement for his brother Pat, despite being cleared to play for Benalla FC at the time.
However Kevin was never notified of his selection for the practice match.
South Officials posted his selection in the daily paper under the impression Kevin would read the paper in the days prior to the match. Unfortunatley, rural Violet town published a different version to the metropolitan papers. Eliminating the teamsheet for the weekend's match.
As a result Kevin was only made aware of his selection when his brother contacted him the friday night before the game and was unable to make arrangements to play.
Unknown to Kevin, he had foiled the plans of rival club North Melbourne to 'snatch' him away upon his arrival at spencer street.
The Article goes on to explain North Melbourne officials and star half-forward John Brady were waiting the shadows of Spencer Street station for the Euroa diesal train. They hoped to sign Kevin to North before South even had a chance. Brady was a Benalla Native and had been trying to 'sell' North Melbourne to Hogan on a few occasions.
Kevin received yet another chance to play for south the following week. His brother suggested he should make the trip to melbourne for the match against Richmond but it took a serious logistical effort by the S.M.F.C officials to finally get Kevin to South Melbourne.
The sporting papers praised the young rover's perfromance and couldn't resist retelling his break-neck trip from Violet Town to Melbourne. The officials were so impressed by Kevin's performance they signed him to the club within days of his one and only practice match.
Following a backflip on his previous decision to play for Benalla, Kevin had to ask the Benalla committee to refuse the cleareance application he had placed only the week prior.
By the 17th of April 1954, 19 year old Kevin was a VFL footballer.
Kevin began his life in South Melbourne as quickly as his arrival to the practice match.
South Melbourne club officials had lined up a job for him at a motor firm on Queensbridge street. This was Devon Motors located at 93 Queensbridge street, now the site of an english language training center.
Kevin moved into 7 Wynard Street with his Grandfather. Both were convenient locations for Kevin's training. He was never more than a 12 minute tram ride away from Lakeside stadium.
"It (Devon motors) wasn't far from the ground, I used to catch the tram and go straight to training after work."
—Kevin Hogan. Interview August 2018
Kevin began the season playing for the South Melbourne seconds team after signing to the club in April 1954. Kevin appeared for the seniors as an unused substitute on July 3rd against Geelong and again on July 10th against Carlton.
Kevin made his long awaited senior debut for the Swans in the round 15 clash against Richmond, incidentally the same team which he had played in his impressive practice match in April.
Telegraphs flooded in on the 7th of August as friends and family from home sent their congratulations.
Unfortunately the 35 point loss to the tigers in front of a 12000 strong crowd (which included richmond supporting cousins) at Punt Road was a less than ideal debut.
However the following week the Swans produced the upset of the season when they defeated reigning premiers Collingwood on their own turf.
After trailing by 34 points at half-time the pacy South Melbourne side staged a great recovery to down Collingwood. — The Sun, Monday, Aug 16th, 1954
Every player in the south side found an extra effort in the second half following a fighting speech by coach Herb Matthews.
—The Age, Monday, Aug 16th, 1954
Kevin would go on to play over 68 games in his 6 years at South. During this time Kevin would score 34 goals and win two consecutive Premierships in the inaugural VFL Night premiership series. Later Joined by younger brother Frank at South in 1958, Kevin's popularity in the dressing room was demonstrated when he was appointed the player's advocate on the South Melbourne Committee. A posistion which Kevin held until he left the club in 1960.
Kevin was a regular feature in match reports. Reporters praised his speed, accurate passing and determination regardless of the outcome of the match. Unfortunately Kevin's playing was limited as knee troubles began to plague his career. Often missing much of the beginning or end of the season.
In the 1957 season Kevin missed the first 5 rounds through injury. Regarded as his greatest season with the Swans, Kevin finished second to Jim Taylor in the club's most outstanding player awards.
"Had Hogan not missed those early games, He may have topped the poll". - The Record 1957
In 1957 Kevin was kicking goals off the ground too, meeting the lovely Xavier Heffernan. Kevin would frequent the Heffernan Newsagency on Victoria Avenue, Helping the family out after games on the busy Saturday nights.
The sporting globe was the one everyone was after, the shop was usually packed and a lot of them had been to the game so i could talk to them all about it. —Kevin Hogan, Interview August 2018
The girls who worked at the shop would often tease Kevin about the amount of time he was spending there. Luckily the teasing didn't phase Kevin and he and Xavier married in 1960.
That year after further trouble with knee injuries Kevin decided it was time to move on from South. He received 196 pounds ($5,480.46 adjusted for inflation) from the VFL upon his retirement from the league.
After a brief search for coaching jobs in Adelaide, he and his young family settled in Sale, East Gippsland.
The life they would go on to build there is a story for a whole other article.
Full Interview here.
For Pop, You are a shining example of gentleness and wisdom. The world has lost a true gentleman. I am grateful to have been a part of your life.
1934-2019
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