Ron Marney was one of the great inspirational players of TFL football in the 1960s. He played for Glenorchy for nine seasons and retired at the end of 1968. Prior to playing with Glenorchy he played in the Southern Tasmanian Amateur Football Association for Lindisfarne winning the club Best and Fairest medal in 1956 and 1957.
He also was the proud recipient of the Walter Howard medal for STAFA Best and Fairest tow years running in 1956 and 1957.
He played in the 1957 Lindisfarne premiership team which defeated Ogilvenians 12.14.86 to 6.8.44.
Ron captained Glenorchy between 1965 to 1968 inclusive, and took them to a State premiership in 1965. Ron wore the State jumper in 1961 and 1964, in which the State side defeated Western Australia and Ron took the field with a depressed fracture of the cheek bone.
Ron was a quiet and unassuming man who tore into the packs, tackled furiously and earnt the respect of men twice his size. His football skills were impeccable and a object lesson for all who watched the game.
Glenorchy's Ron Marney was a football antithesis. Off the field he was easy going and didn't care much for anything except his footy. During a game however it was a different story. Marney was one of the TFL's best players with a determination to match.
Ron Marney started his senior football career under coach Jack Rough in 1959. Things were pretty tough back then and the Magpies finished with the wooden spoon during his first two seasons. Marney however showed he had what it takes and quickly gained the respect of opposition players. A fearless rover, with an uncanny ability to get the hard ball and drive it goalwards, made him match winner.
This ability didn't go unnoticed. At club, league and state level Marney played as if his life depended on it and his playing record is nothing short of remarkable.
He captained the club to the 1965 premiership in which they overwhelmed North Hobart to win by 31 points. That side later went on to take the coveted State premiership against Scottsdale. He three times won the club's best and fairest award and played 208 games in 12 seasons in the league. Included in this total were 12 TFL representative matches and 14 State appearances. What is all the more remarkable is that Marney played only one reserve game in his entire career. He captained Glenorchy from 1965 to 1968 and lead Tasmania against Victoria in 1967, losing by just 17 points to the powerful "Big V." Also amongst his achievements is the Weller Arnold medal in 1967.
In 1969 Marney went bush and coached Kermandie for two years; taking them to a flag and winning an association best & fairest (Ivan Short Medal) as well. He returned to Glenorchy in 1971 to play but 5 games under Trevor Sprigg before injury forced his retirement. Following that Marney had a go at coaching the juniors and was rewarded with premierships with both the Glenorchy reserves and under 19's before leaving football forever. Among his underage disciples was a talented youngster named Denis Cornish. Marney described him as the best junior he had seen. Cornish had just signed with Richmond in the AFL, before a car accident damaged his shoulder and ruined his career - "A cruel
shame" Marney lamented. "He was a natural."
Great players from his era included Hobart's Dennis Powell, Burnie Payne
and Trevor Leo; Stuart Spencer
from Clarence; while Sandy Bay's Bobby Holmes was as elusive as any. Among his teammates ruckman Kevin Baker, forward Barry Strange and the two Max's - Griffiths
and McMahon were match winners.
Marney is a butcher, and these days sells the best meat in Glenorchy. He rarely goes to the footy due to business commitments and his other Saturday passion - horse racing. On today's football "there is no doubting the skill, fitness and ability of today's players. It is just that the AFL, with the mariners concept, have it all structured for their benefit - the good ones disappear before we get a good look at them and they lose that club loyalty that was so vital in my day. What they should do is have state footy run by the AFL. Then everyone would get a piece of the cake."
Ron Marney is still as laid back as ever, perhaps because there is not a game of football at stake. His recollection of his record is a long way short of the facts. But take it on trust, none were more competitive, and few have got the record to match one of Glenorchy's and Tasmania's most talented and tenacious rovers in Ron Marney.
Ron has the rare distinction of being chosen in the Team of the Century for two clubs - Lindisfarne and Glenorchy.
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Ron Marney - a Tasmanian Football Legend
