IN the next instalment of MG Moments, Port Adelaide premiership ruckman Bob Philp recounts the moment the legendary Bob McLean taught him the importance of winning at Alberton.
Philp recalled that after playing in the Magpies senior colts premiership in 1955 he and some teammates tried to get into the clubrooms at Alberton to celebrate with the seniors.
“They had the show (at Alberton Oval) – we’d won the premiership, the B grade won the premiership and the A grade won the premiership,” Philp remembered.
The lads were met at the door by Bob McLean – who forged his name as both an intimidating ruckman and administrator for the Magpies.
“(Bob) came over and he said ‘So you won?’” Philp reminisced.
“I said ‘Yes, Bob, we did’.
“‘Well, you have a win, you come in’.”
Philp described it as an incredible moment for a young footballer, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dave Boyd, Foster Williams and the other Port figures in the midst of an Australian record six premierships in a row.
However, the next year, after losing the senior colts premiership, Philp encountered a very different reception from McLean when he and his teammates again tried to join the senior celebrations.
“‘If you don’t win, you can’t come in’,” he remembered with a smile.
The importance of winning while representing Port Adelaide was influential in Philp’s career with the Magpies as he went on the play starring roles in the club’s 1962, ’63 and ’65 premiership sides.
Watch the ‘Win and you’re in’ episode of MG Moments above and stay tuned to portadelaidefc.com.au for more every Tuesday and Thursday as Port Adelaide celebrates its 150th year.
