rythdale cardinia football club

rythdale cardinia

From the early 1920’s through to 1938 Rythdale and Cardinia United played as standalone clubs including for a few years Rythdale and Tooradin played together wearing black and white vertical stripes. It was in 1938 that Rythdale and Cardinia would play as a combine. For some reason in 1947 they played home games at Pakenham. The club hit its straps in the early 1950’s showing great improvement with several top four finishes including a memorable one-point victory in a semi-final against Dandenong. In a major recruiting coupe before the start of the 1953 season Rythdale Cardinia recruited Pakenham champion Norm “Widow” Jackson. A brilliant player in any position, Jackson won the SWGL best and fairest in 1954 and then returned to the Lions in 1955. In 1955 the Club won its first (and only premiership) by defeating Cranbourne in the mud at Officer. Post the 1955 premiership the club would struggle in the 1960’s, however they came good in 1969 and 1970 finishing fourth both years and being very competitive. Some of the names that played in the seventies were Ian Banks, Leo Kubiel, Bill Toner, Ned Hobson, Peter “China” Holland, John “Chooka” Fowler. In 1974 West Gippsland FL star Darryl Young came across from Pakenham in 1974 as playing coach and was a standout.Rythdale Cardinia played its final season in 1976 and amalgamated with the Officer football club to become the Rythdale Officer Cardinia Football Club.
PremiershipsSenior: 1955Reserves: Thirds:
League MedalistsSeniors1954 W Jackson 1955 G Savory 1956G Savory 1957 G Savory 1960 J Watson 1967 L Kubiel
Reserves 1965 I Ridgeway 1966 I Ridgeway 1968 I Ridgeway 1973 G Wilkie
Thirds 1955 J McMaster 1976 A Ellett

Rythdale cardinia FC honor board

rC FC honor board

1955 premiership

Rythdale Cardinia won its inaugural premiership in the South West Gippsland Football League in 1955 defeating Cranbourne at Officer. Rythdale Cardinia 10.6 (66) defeated Cranbourne 7.8 (50). The Rythdale Cardinia team (pictured): Standing: A Hobson, A Orr, T Beilby, K Colville, G Blackwood, I Watson, L Webster, G Rosetti, F Lansdowne, M Garbellini, A Glover, J Beazley, R Lansdowne.Front Row: K Kent, R Littleton, K Ridgway, R Blackwood, N Walker (Pres), G Savory (Capt), C Watson (VC), B Shelton, I Ridgway, K McCormick, B Monaghan. After a successful home and away season, Rythdale Cardinia won its way into the Grand Final at Officer against Cranbourne in conditions which were described by the Gazette as “a torrid mud battle”. The Dale got away to an early lead kicking 4.1 to 1.3 in the first. Cranbourne fought back to take a five-point lead at half time with Savory, Watson and Shelton playing well. The third quarter was a see sawing affair with the Dale down by four points at three quarter time. The Dale lifted in the last quarter kicking three goals to Cranbourne’s solidary behind to run out winners by sixteen points. Leading from the front, Savory inspired his team and was awarded best afield. Other good players were Keith Ridgway, McCormack and Col Watson with Shelton kicked five goals in tough conditions In a very unique situation, the SWGL President Norm Walker was the 19th man for Rythdale coming on in the last quarter.

special moments

presentation of premiership cup

This photo shows the presentation of the premiership cup in 1955 to Rythdale Cardinia Captain and Coach Gil Savory. The 1955 Grand Final was played at the Officer Recreation Reserve and this photo was taken in front of the original change rooms which today is approximately where the current playground is (near the tennis courts). Maurie Littleton who was injured late in the season with a broken ankle and couldnt play in the Grand Final took this picture on crutches with his box brownie.

1951 finals series

After finishing fourth in 1950 and playing finals, Rythdale Cardinia had another good season playing finals again. Fronting up against what were large towns in the day comapred to themselves, they defeated Mulgrave and Noble park to make teh Grand Final. The 'Dale played Cranbourne in the Grand Final and went down gallantly by 19 points. All the finals that year were played at the Dandenong Showgrounds.