Jul 11 2013

SHOC “Small forward with a massive heart” to play his 400th game

Noddy 400 SHOCFC games

Justin Ganley pens a few words in recognition of Neil “Noddy” O’Dea’s impending 400th game…

Neil “Noddy” O’Dea started his playing career at SHOC in 1988 (in perspective – the same year Jack Fosdike was born). Since that time he has played 399 magnificent games, initially as a midfielder before settling slowly into a permanent “small forward with a massive heart” role.

On July 20 in Round 15 at SHCMS he will play his 400th game, putting him within hands reach of the all time record of 401 games played by “The Bushranger” Tony Whennan.

A  breakdown of this magnificent career.

  • 61 A grade games (unlucky not to have been more but went through with many once in a generation players (Moroney/Marling/Sweatman etc) that kept him out of a spot)
  • 103 B Grade games
  • 110 C Grade games
  • 107 D Grade games
  • 18 E Grade games
  • 2 x D Grade Premierships – Coach and Player.  (2006/2007)
  • Coached 196 games
  • 315 career goals
  • 3 x leading goal kicker – including bagging a massive 27 in the 2006 premiership year.
  • 0 x Best and Fairest – further evidence of his unwavering team first approach.
  • Has the ROC vs SHOC medal and the under 18 club medal named in his honour.

Noddy declares the best players he has played with as Tony Proud, Pete O’Brien and TG (Griffin).

A strict diet of chop and eggs 5 nights per week, a Schnitzel on Thursday at the BMER and Roast on Sunday sees his cholesterol count currently sitting slightly higher than his career average disposals.

Career highlights

  • Winning the years supply of Crust Pizza raffle, but has yet to extend beyond the Ham and Pineapple option
  • Effectively smothering All Australian Amateur SPOC Centreman John Ker in the 1996 Div 2 Grandfinal.  An physically and emotionally exhausted Ker was heard post game to remark “It feels like Ive just been bitten by the Peterborough Prairie Dog”
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  • As a coach he is credited with instituting the infamous D Grade ‘lock in’ after the final minor round D grade game where the principles of sensible alcohol consumption are totally ignored.

  • By Season 2005 after 3 unsuccessful premiership tilts it was starting to look like the elusive SHOC premiership might finally avoid him. However the lion hearted little coach stood up at 3 quarter time and delivered the legendary “Catholic Justice” speech which was lauded as lifting the weary D grade outfit to a Herculean last quarter effort to snatch victory…. Steve Schmid kicking 5 with a busted hamstring also helped.

  • A conscious and selfless decision to forgo the opposite sex has seen him married to the football club for years.  Had the SHOC Netball club formed 10 years earlier who knows what hideous carnage this prince of SHOC Bachelors may have wreaked upon the hapless group of young women.

In summary, Nod is a once in a lifetime fellow whose honesty, selflessness and dedication to the SHOC Football Club has been a large part of the longevity and success of the club over the past 25 years.  Heartfelt congratulations Noddy and good luck in your milestone game.  May you continue on for another 400.