Don Star reflects on his time spent at Granya, Wodonga, South Melbourne and Jindera

BRENT GODDE: You were born and bred in Bungil?

DON STAR: I lived on the Koetong Creek which is not far from Granya.

BG: You made your senior debut for Granya as a 13-year old in the early 1940s?

DS: I used to be the boundary umpire but I had to fill in when they were short on numbers one weekend.

BG: What are the memories of your debut?

DS: I played on the wing and used my pace to get a few kicks.

BG: You played rugby league at school?

DS: I played rugby at grammar school, so I wasn't afraid to get on the ground when I played footy and lay a few tackles.

BG: Granya was literally the 'family club' with a couple of families comprising the majority of the club?

DS: There were eight Webbs, six Stars and four Gards. Norm Webb was a star and played 48 matches for Footscray in the VFL.

BG: For those who didn't see you play, how would you describe yourself as a footballer?

DS: I thought I was a handy player but I will let other people be the judge of that.

BG: What did you consider as your biggest asset?

DS: Probably my leg speed which helped me find time and space.

BG: Did you ever win a best and fairest?

DS: I finished third in the Tallangatta league best and fairest in 1953. But Granya didn't have a club best and fairest back then so I missed out.

BG: How long did you play for Granya?

DS: I played for Granya from 1943 to 1949 before joining Wodonga.

BG: You played in a couple of premierships early in your career?

DS: I played in back-to-back flags with Granya in 1946-47.

BG: Any particular reason you crossed to Wodonga?

DS: Two of my brothers, Tom and Jim, were playing for Wodonga.

BG: You were one of seven kids?

DS: I had five brothers and a sister but sadly they have all passed on.

BG: All your siblings played football?

DS: Everyone except for Maurice who gave it away after a few games

BG: Wodonga players and officials were involved in a horrific bus crash on the way home from playing Wangaratta in 1949?

DS: I didn't play that day because I was still waiting on a clearance from Granya but I was on the bus.

BG: What happened?

DS: It was pouring rain but our bus with 30 players and officials on board slammed into a broken down fruit truck near Chiltern.

BG: The tragic accident claimed the lives of three Bulldogs?

DS: Harold Phefley, 50, who was a committeeman and Robert Howlett, 31, who was our trainer and Ted West who was a star for the Bulldogs were all killed. Six others were seriously injured and had to be taken to hospital.

BG: It could have been a lot worse?

DS: One side of the bus was ripped off in the collision.

BG: The bus driver wasn't at fault?

DS: We found out later that the truck driver had left his truck by the roadside while he went to Wodonga for spare parts.

BG: Several of your brothers were on the bus as well?

DS: My brothers were going to drive but as we were leaving to go to Wangaratta there were plenty of spare seats, so they jumped on the bus as well.

BG: There were six Stars on the bus?

DS: There were four of my brothers, Tom, Jim, Maurice and Arthur and myself and our cousin Frank.

BG: It was obviously a tragic day for the football club and everybody involved?

DS: It ruined our side because there were half-a-dozen players seriously injured.

BG: Jack Eames who was a star player and captain-coach of the Bulldogs won the Morris medal in 1949?

DS: We played Wangaratta in the grand final. Jack couldn't play because he broke his thumb in the bus accident.

BG: You played in the grand final?

DS: Mac Holten was coach of Wangaratta and they beat us by five goals. My brother Jim was our best player. The Magpies were a powerhouse and won four flags in-a-row. No other club in O&M history has been able to achieve the feat.

BG: You also played against Bob Rose throughout your career?

DS: Everyone rates Bob but there were a lot better players than Bob Rose running around in my opinion. Marty McDonnell who played for Footscray and coached Yarrawonga was one the most brilliant players that I saw.

BG: You and your brothers returned to Granya when there was talk of the club folding due to a lack of players?

DS: There were quite a few of us that left Wodonga and went back to Granya in 1953.

BG: You moved down to Melbourne after that?

DS: I got a job as a cleaner in an eight-storey building in Lonsdale Street. I used to live on the top floor.

BG: You were looking for somewhere to play football?

DS: I packed my footy boots but had no idea where I was going to play.

BG: The old Koetong publican who you knew put you onto South Melbourne?

DS: He knew the South Melbourne president at the time and gave him a call and told him I was going to come down for a training run.

BG: So you lobbed up for training and history says you played 20 matches and kicked 16 goals from 1954-55?

DS: I played in the forward pocket and changed on the ball a bit.

BG: Despite being only 178cm, you also played a bit at centre half-forward?

DS: I know it's a bit hard to believe but I did. I kicked four goals on Norm Johnstone one day who was a champion for Fitzroy.

BG: You also played on Footscray legend Ted Whitten?

DS: It wasn't for the whole match but Teddy was running riot against one of my team-mates and I had to switch onto him and try to tag him.

BG: Your VFL career was short-lived?

DS: My father bought the family farm that I live on now at Bungowannah. He gave me a call and said 'son I need you home so we can pay off this farm.'

BG: What do you consider the highlight of your VFL career?

DS: I took a screamer over Geoff Luke and went back and kicked it straight through for a goal.

BG: You rejoined Wodonga?

DS: Des Healey was coach and had previously played 149 matches for Collingwood.

BG: After one season at the kennel, Jindera approached you with an offer to captain-coach?

DS: I was watching TV with my wife and there was a knock on the door. There were four blokes standing there that I had never seen before.

BG: You didn't know what was going on?

DS: Turns out they were from Jindera and wanted to have a chat with me about coaching the club in 1960.

BG: History says you took the job?

DS: I was 30 at the time and probably at the end of my O&M career so I thought I might as well head bush. I was fairly busy on the farm as well and had less time for football.

BG: It proved to be a smart move by Jindera because you led the Bulldogs to back-to-back flags in 1960-61?

DS: I recruited my two brothers Tom and Jim. Jindera had some handy players running around like John Murray and Phil Molkentein.

BG: Who was the best player out of the Star brothers?

DS: We were all fairly even. Old Jim was tough and would run through a brick wall. Tom was one of the best tap ruckmen of his era. He wasn't that tall but had a huge leap on him. Harold only played for Granya but could have played at a much higher standard.

BG: You beat Balldale in the grand final in 1961?

DS: Balldale were tough to beat because they had half the Albury Tigers playing for them. They had three Ratcliffe's and 'Boola' Mannering. Les Waldron was a handy player as well.

BG: 'Boola' was an entertaining bloke?

DS: He was always good for a laugh, especially when he was umpiring.

BG: What's your favourite memory of 'Boola'?

DS: He was umpiring Howlong one day and there was an all-in-brawl. 'Boola' ran in blowing his whistle and said 'you guys don't know how to play footy, somebody give me a jumper and I will show you.'

BG: You captain-coached Jindera for three years?

DS: We finished runner-up to Balldale in the grand final in 1962. Bill Barton replaced me as coach the following year.

BG: You recommended Barton to Jindera officials?

DS: I was too busy on the farm to coach for another year so I told them to go and have a chat with Bill.

BG: It proved to be a smart appointment?

DS: We won back-to-back flags in 1963-64 under Bill. Bill was a legend and as a coach knew how to get the best out of his players.

BG: How did you find the challenge of coaching?

DS: It was a lot easier back then compared to today. I enjoyed the challenge and when you have success the beer tastes a lot better.

BG: You were plagued by a knee injury during your time at Jindera?

DS: I did my cartilage in the first game against Walla. I had to strap my knee every Friday night. For some reason if I didn't strap it on the Friday night it used to come off during the game.

BG: It was a golden era for the Bulldogs?

DS: I played in six consecutive grand finals for four flags.

BG: Harry Gardiner also coached Jindera?

DS: A lot of people rate Harry as one of the best players they have seen play in the bush. But he didn't trouble me when I used to have to play on him.

BG: You rate the 1961 flag highly?

DS: Balldale were raging favourites but it was sweet to be able to knock them off.

BG: How many matches did you play throughout your career?

DS: I don't know exactly but it would have been more than 350.

BG: What would you consider the highlight of your career?

DS: I'm proud to say I played at the elite level at the time in the VFL.

BG: Have you got any regrets?

DS: I would have loved to have won a flag with Wodonga. We had sides capable of winning it but never did. Especially in 1949, if Jack Eames didn't break his thumb, we would have won for sure.

BG: Who do you consider your home club?

DS: Jindera because I've lived close to there for most of my life.

BG: Did you ever get reported?

DS: Never.

BG: Did you ever suffer any serious injuries?

DS: I copped a fractured cheekbone and jaw against Footscray when I copped a knee in the head.

BG: You were also badly eye gouged against Collingwood?

DS: One of the opposition players put his finger in my eye and it popped out of the socket. The doctor couldn't do much other than pop it back in. My right eye has never been the same.

BG: Did you go on any memorable footy trips away?

DS: There were a few good ones with Wodonga. I also went to Adelaide one year when I was with South Melbourne. We were meant to have a practice match under lights over there.

BG: You missed out on playing?

DS: I was still recovering from my fractured cheekbone and jaw and it swelled up, so I couldn't play unfortunately.

BG: Did you get paid much throughout your career?

DS: Very little in my opinion and I didn't want it.

BG: After retiring you had a stint as president of Jindera?

DS: I was president for six years. It was a frustrating job and it was hard to find good volunteers.

BG: The Jindera best and fairest award is named after you?

DS: That is an honour that I'm proud of.

BG: You were also a long serving league delegate?

DS: I was for two decades. I spent most of it trying to introduce reserves into the Hume league. Finally in 1976 it came to fruition.