Life Members
Football/Netball Life Members:
Jim Monfries (T-Bone)
Rod Bain (Bainy)
Tony Richter (Guru)
Sandy Richter
Peter Lindner (Loghead)
Tim Lange (Flange)
Jon Caputo (Bushpig)
Brett Hornhardt (Horny)
Brian Partington (Parto)
Kym Clarke (Truck)
Lindy Clarke
Steve Jacobs
Andrea Freeth
Merv Rogers (Swervyn)
Michael Hoffman (Hoffy)
Cameron Green (Greeny)
Kylie Green
Lachlan Hewett
Megan Crawford
Cricket Life Members:
D McInerney
D Pfitzner
G Secker
J Trewartha
R Hornhardt
D Lloyd
G Roberts
B Partington
D Leonard
M Hoffmann
C Nichols
A Harris
R Geraghty
S Prior
Life Member Stories
Jim Monfries (T-Bone)
Without doubt the most colourful person to be involved with the ODFC would be Jim "T-Bone" Monfries.
He was the original founding member and virtually single handily started the club back in 1987.
Originally from Tumby Bay Jim moved his young family to Olympic Dam with his transport business in search of fame and fortune in the outback mining industry.
Jim was the coach in 88 and 89 and helped formed the 1987 team which was put together with a "bunch of contractors" and anyone who could kick a footy.
In the early days, Roxby District FC were the cream of the crop and OD was the left over scum, but in reaching the 1987 Grand final the plan was not to play pretty football it was to smash the Roxby players anytime they got near the ball! What was dubbed the "blood bath of 87" under the guidance of Neville Growden and Jim OD won its first Grand Final.
In 88 Jim took on the role of Treasurer and again from 94 to 96, Secretary in 89, 90 and 91 and club Patron from 2001 to 2004 when he finally left for greener pastures in the states South East.
In all Jim was on the committee for 18 years and seen it grow from the back of his beer garden to the thriving club room and business it is today.
Always recognisable in his redwings boots, stubby shorts, blue Whenan Waste T shirt, cap, wry wit and humour there is always this aura that follows Jim wherever he goes.
He was heavily involved with the construction of the club house and was one of the biggest pranksters in the club. The most infamous prank was when the boys dismantled his rumpus room wall, drove his car next to the billiard table then reconstructed the wall and door. He then returned the favour by putting a car on Pete Lindner’s roof, a huge cow in Tim Lange's back yard, tying up a tarpaulin around Tim's car while Parto and Tim were drunk asleep in it, painting Kev Mansfield's backhoe bucket pink every morning for a month and so on!
In 1997 Jim was awarded Life Membership to the ODFC for his outstanding service and commitment.
Rod Bain (Bainy)
Rod Bain started playing football for Olympic Dam back in 1991 under coach Gary Growden.
Rod had just finished playing for Central Augusta FC in the Spencer Gulf League and previously with Solomontown FC in a distinguished career of over 200 games.
In his first year with OD Rod won the WDFL Mail Medal. His ability to read the play, experience, running and ball skills made him a stand out for OD playing predominantly as a ruck rover.
Rod also was chosen for the WDFL Mortlock Shield team in 1991 and 1992, winning best player for WDFL for the Carnival in 1991.
In 1992 Rod took over the coaching reigns and marked his style on the football club with some great recruitment, a more professional stance and his hard approach to training, something OD wasn't quite used to. This was the turning point for OD that seen us develop into a force of the 90's.
That year OD won the flag undefeated, had dual Mail Medallist, leading goal kicker and lightning carnival winners - every award went to OD that year.
In 1993 Rod coached again to another premiership only losing 1 game for that year. Rod played 58 games for OD.
From 1996 he jumped on board with the committee taking on the role of President for 6 years and later staying on the committee till 2001.
His knowledge and experience in his trade was a corner stone in the development and implementation of the clubrooms your are now sitting in spending countless hours in the construction and suppling of labour and equipment to build the ODFC.
Rod's tireless work was rewarded with Life Membership of the ODFC in 2000.
Tony Richter (Guru)
Tony started with Olympic Dam back in 1989.
Tony was quite a sportsman, never saying too much but letting his footy do the talking.
Fit, smart and skilful Tony showed his potential right from the start captaining the club in 89, 90 and 91, winning best and fairest in 90 and 91 and the WDFL Mail medallist in 1990.
In 1990 Tony also coach the WDFL Mortlock Shield Team in Pt Lincoln and played in the combined team from 89-94.
Tony played in many positions on the ball and up forward and was always in the goals winning the leading goal kicker in 91 for the club.
He played in 6 winning premierships with OD being 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, and is the 2nd highest game player with 152 games for the ODFC.
In 1995 Tony was President of the club and served on the committee for many years.
With his nick name "Guru" he had a cult following with his elusive skills on the footy field which had calls from the crowd saying" Who's on the Guru" when ever he had the ball in his hands.
It would be fair to say that Tony would be the most humble and decorated player over the life of the club winning many awards for best player through lightning carnivals, grand finals and the clubs awards.
Tony finished his playing career with OD in 2003 and held the position of WDFL Patron in 2000.
In 2000 Tony was awarded Life Membership to the ODFC for his outstanding service and commitment.
Sandy Richter
Sandy is the wife of Tony Richter so she arrived in 1989 with her 2 daughters Nicole and Anna.
As any supporting wife Sandy was involved in the ladies committee from the start cooking foods, running raffles, running canteens, washing the jumpers and helping out in every social function that came along.
OD had won the contracts to run the canteen and bar on the hill in the early 90's in which Sandy was an integral part of this operation.
Always wanting to be part of team Sandy then offered her services as a water girl and trainer in which she did for 6 years, loving every minute as she rubbed shoulders with the boys in the change rooms catching an eye full of bare bums and bodies!
Spending many hours helping the club Sandy then took on the role as voluntary bar manager in the early start of the footy club before it became a business where it required full time staff to run. Sandy then turned to the kitchen to help set up the meals service at the club.
Sandy was a member of the committee for several years and to say no ODFC function was the same without Sandy's presence would be an understatement!
Sandy holds the privilege of being the first woman Life Member of the ODFC and this was bestowed upon her in 2000.
Peter Lindner (Loghead)
Peter Lindner started playing football for Olympic Dam in 1990.
Pete had moved from Campbelltown in NSW after playing the hybrid football game called Rugby League, the game of throwing the ball backwards!
A tall, strong, well built bloke Pete was pretty green having never played the game before but had a huge work rate and loving the physicality of the game, this made him a shoe in for position of ruck.
Pete's development was amazing and each week the improvements were showing to the point where Pete was Runner Up by 1 point to our 2 joint WDFL Mail Medal winners in 1992.
Pete also played in the Mortlock Shield competition in Pt Lincoln in 1992, 1993, 1994 representing the WDFL.
He played in 5 winning premierships with OD being 92, 94, 96, 97, Captain in 98 and played 121 games for the ODFC.
By the end of his career, Peter had had more reconstructions than the bionic man! 2 ankles, 2 shoulders and a dickie knee, which ended his colourful career.
Winning several awards for the club Pete was on the committee in 1991 right through to 2005 making him one of the longest serving committee members in the club.
Pete has held positions of Secretary in 1992, chairman for the next 9 years and then President for 4 years before standing down in 2005.
Without a doubt you would not be celebrating this night in the magnificent clubrooms we have if not for Pete's tireless and dedication to build a dream like the ODFC.
His administration skills, astute brain along with his stubbornness ( hence the nick name Loghead ) has made us a professional club, successful business and set the bench mark that is the envy of every other football club in the WDFL and arguably any other country football club in South Australia.
Pete's love of the Aussie Rules game in Roxby Downs then took him to the position of WDFL President in 2006, a position he still holds today.
In 2000 Peter was awarded Life Membership to the ODFC for his outstanding service and commitment.
Tim Lange (Flange)
Tim started playing football for Olympic Dam in 1992.
Tim had moved from the bright lights of Adelaide after completing his studies as a surveyor but was originally a "west coast" boy growing up and playing football in the Kyancutta area.
A tall, dark, handsome, well built bloke Tim was pretty unassuming at first on the footy field but showed he was a straight head player with great determination and stood out as a top performer in his first year of 1992.
Tim developed into a rebounding backman in the years to come but had a love of kicking goals when the opportunity arose and would constantly sneak forward to show that the backman could do it as good as the forwards!
So much so that he finally got moved to the forward lines and won the clubs leading goal kicker in 2 years as well as the WDFL leading goal kicker!
Tim played in the Mortlock Shield competition in Pt Lincoln in 1992,1993 and 1994 representing the WDFL.
He played in 6 winning premierships with OD being 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, Captain the club in 93, 94, 95 and holds the record of 172 games for the ODFC.
Tim served on the committee for many years and held the position of Secretary for 3 years from 93 94 95.
In 2002 Tim took on the role as coach for 3 years achieving 3rd place in 2002, 2nd in 2003 and finally in 2004 reached the pinnacle of coaching by winning the 2004 premiership.
Tim also has a fascination with statistics and by his own efforts has collated the history of the club's players, statistics, scores since its inception in 1987!
Tim is the consummate, dedicated clubman who "owns" the floor when he has a microphone in his hand as he works the crowd with his Master of Ceremony skills.
In 2002 Tim was awarded Life Membership to the ODFC for his outstanding service and commitment.
Jon Caputo (Bushpig)
Jon Caputo started with Olympic Dam in 1992 after a 10 year career playing with the Solomontown FC in the Spencer Gulf League in Port Pirie.
A boom recruit and good mate of Rod Bain's, who was quick, skilful, nuggetty and renowned for his fending off skills which made him difficult to tackle, saw Jon kick 49 goals in the first seven games with OD playing half forward and full forward before snapping his Achilles tendon.
Jon also represented WDFL in the Mortlock Shield team at the Pt Lincoln Carnival in 1992.
The next year Jon recovered and resumed playing for OD and was part of the 93 and 94 grand final wins.
In 1995 Jon went back and played for Solomontown FC for 1 year which seen them win an undefeated premiership in the SGL, a first for that League.
In 1996 Jon returned to OD and was appointed coach for the next 3 years which brought 3 premierships to the club, 2 undefeated years in 96 and 97 along with Mail Medallist in all 3 years.
From 1992 - 1998 Jon was involved with a grand final in each year, 6 with Olympic Dam.
Jon continued playing and later coached in 2001 in which the club only managed 3rd position for that year.
Jon also was an active member on the committee for 6 years taking on roles of secretary, treasurer, social secretary, chief BBQ cook - nothing was ever too hard to do or organised when it came to the ODFC.
He played 107 games for Olympic Dam over a 10 year period.
Jon's efforts and commitment was rewarded by Life Membership of the ODFC in 2002.
Brett Hornhardt (Horny)
Brett Hornhardt started playing football for Olympic Dam in 1991.
Brett had moved from Whyalla after playing football for the Roopeena FC in the Whyalla Football League for 10 years.
His main positions where centre half forward, half forward flank and full forward and with his tough, no nonsense approach seen him win the clubs goal kicking awards many times as well as in the top goal scorers in the WDFL.
Brett also played in the Mortlock Shield competition in Pt Lincoln in 1992, 93 and 94 representing the WDFL.
He played in 6 winning premierships with OD, both 3 in a row, 92, 93, 94, and then in 96, 97, 98.
In coming years Brett was heavily involved with the Junior football, coaching the young stars of today and nurturing his 2 boys Rian and Tyson through the ranks until he became only the second father/son combination to play with his son Rian at the ODFC.
Brett became involved with the ODFC committee for 2 years in 03 and 04 and was the clubs Football Operations Manager in 03, 04, 05.
In 2005 Brett was awarded Life Membership to the ODFC for his outstanding service.
Brian Partington (Parto)
Brian Partington started playing football for Olympic Dam in 1990.
Brian had moved from Tumby Bay after playing football for the Tumby Bay FC in the Great Flinders Football League on the West Coast of SA.
A lean, dashing blonde player Brian played on the ball but seemed to excel on the wing when playing for OD.
Brian also played in the Mortlock Shield competition in Pt Lincoln in 1991 representing the WDFL.
He played in 4 winning premierships with OD being 92, 93, 96, 97 and played 109 games for the ODFC
Brian has assisted with the Junior football association with his 2 sons being involved, Luke and Mitchell.
"Parto" has been a stalwart on the committee for many years and has held the position of Patron for the last 3 years.
His larrikin style around the club is legendary and his trade as a "chippy" proved very useful as he committed countless hours in the construction and maintenance of the clubrooms.
A true clubman Brain is never short of offering his services to help out the club in any way and still continues this fine spirit to this day.
In 2005 Brian was awarded Life Membership to the ODFC for his outstanding service.
Sadly in 2015 Parto died in a workplace accident at Olympic Dam Mine. Still a devil the club memorialises him in the annual “Parto Zeppy” match against the Roxby Miners each year.
Kym Clarke (Truck)
Kym Clarke found his way to the ODFC back in 1992.
Related to the Richter's and being a footy player with Crystal Brook FC he enquired about work after finishing his apprenticeship at the Port Pirie Smelters late in 1991.
After marrying wife Lindy he packed up the day before her 21st birthday and made the trek to Roxby in his beloved red Datsun 200 B.
He made his mark as a big burly fullback then later on moving up to the full forward positions due to his strength and bulk and with his red hair the name Fire Truck came into play.
Kym played in the Mortlock Shield competition in Pt Lincoln in 1992, representing the WDFL.
He played in 4 winning premierships with OD being 92, 93, 94 and 2004 and is only 1 of seven players to have played 100 games or more for the ODFC.
Dogged with injuries through out his career he has had 2 knee operations, 2 dislocated elbows and countless hamstrings but finally reached the milestone of playing 100 games in 2005.
Kym if not playing footy was always assisting in fundraisers, footy trip organising, BBQ's, bar work and many working bees in the construction of the club house.
Often at the end of any function you can bet that it will be "Truck" holding up the fort once Parto and Jakey have collapsed into a heap!
Kym took on the role as President in 2006.
Belinda (Lindy) Clarke
Lindy arrived at the ODFC in 1992 having relocated from Crystal Brook with new Husband Kym.
Lindy quickly found her niche in the club and, along with a few likeminded ladies, involved herself with many aspects of the club including working bees, netball, ODFC social club, golf days, ladies nights, trips to Leigh Creek, table dancing and general sporting club life.
Lindy found herself in many roles within the club, starting on the social club, representing the social club on the committee, serving on the committee for several years and then taking on the role of secretary. During this time Lindy still involved herself with the social aspects of the club and was pivotal in starting up the Devils basketball sides.
Lindy left the role of secretary in 2005 and moved more heavily toward the on field endeavours of the club. She completed a sports training course and by the end of match days rivaled some of the players for deep heat odour and kilometres covered.
Lindy then moved into the team manager’s position until the end of 2009 as well as being part of organising groups for specific occasions such as the club’s 21st celebrations.
Lindy continued to be involved in the club until the family moved to Crystal Brook in 2010. She enjoyed the company of the people she met during her time at OD
Steve Jacobs
Jake joined the ODFC, with wife Cheryl, at a time in the 90’s when the club was enjoying a great deal of on field success and had extensive plans off it.
Jake proved to be a determined and successful footballer and a great clubman. He quickly became a popular member of the club, often leading the charge at working bees and social occasions.
The countless hours he volunteered during the build of the clubrooms proved essential in completing the project. He committed his time and resources to ensure the ODFC was something everyone could be proud of and enjoy. Once the clubrooms were built Jake turned his attention to maintaining and improving the facilities.
He joined the committee in 2006 assuming the role of secretary and took a lead role in club administration.
Jake tried to hang up the boots on several occasions but found himself playing many games, often with little or no preparation whenever he received a call.
Whether he was the nervous groom marrying Waydos in the club’s mock wedding, putting on impromptu fireworks displays, demonstrating his unusual table sliding skills or beating the sun to bed on football the Quorn football trip (Yamba) he loved to be a part of any activity the club was involved in.
Jakey’s spirit passion for the club and its members embodied what it means to be a Devil. Jake was awarded life membership in 2010.
Andrea Freeth
Andrea was the one of the mainstays of ODFC’s rise in the Roxby Downs netball league. Andrea spent years on the committee championing the cause of the many women that wanted to be play netballer for the club, being their voice within the club’s leadership.
To say Andrea had a full time job at OD would not be too much of a stretch. Not only was she a committee member, Andrea took on the roles of Netball liaison, coordinator and manager while all the time coaching a side and mentoring the many Olympic Dam stars.
Andrea was often the voice of reason at committee meetings, constantly encouraging and managing to draw out a more professional, measured approach from newer committee members she was elected with. Andrea’s contribution to a quite transitional part of the club’s history was invaluable.
While all this was going on Andrea also had two boys, Mark and Shaun, making their mark in the club and league. Andrea managed to be there to encourage them, share in the successes they had and support them when things went astray.
The same reflexes that made Andrea an elite netballer allowed her to multitask within the club and help move it toward being a more professional and inclusive organisation.
Merv Rogers (Swervyn)
Breaking into the team in 1989, Merv was not a renowned footballer for the Devils – managing only 3 games over two seasons. However, it is not his playing skills that make him such a valuable member of the devils. On and off since 1989, that is 28 years for those counting at home, Merv has been continually dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of our club and facilities.
He has held many roles with the OD Football Club over the years including player, member, committee member and most recently patron. He is the longest serving patron of our club. He was passed the role by Parto for the 2008 season, which is worrying for many that are interested in taking on the role. It seems that Red Tin consumption is massive part of the eligibility for the job. Always a man to put his hand up and take on the hard tasks, a community man through and through he has also spent an extensive time on the community club committee – most recently as president before stepping down in 2016. The skills he gained there we eagerly used out at our clubrooms in assisting in lifting the standard of bar management, negotiating legislative requirements with “ease” and ensuring the doors weren’t closed due to not crossing t’s or dotting I’s.
Above everything, he is most valuable with the work in maintenance, repair and improvement that he performs in and around the clubrooms. The gardens, the painting, air conditioning, refrigeration, the outdoor tables and chairs – the list is seemingly endless. It continues to grow as Merv notoriously has very little trust in anyone else to perform any work at the club. What has been pivotal for the club with Mervyn operating in the maintenance role is his inane ability to seek out “smelly” deals. He will have saved enough over the years to pay for Barry Mitchells retirement.
A consummate club man, his legacy is continued through his two sons Daniel and Scott who have both gone on to play for the Devils. Both sons surpassing their old man’s game record early, and his eldest taking home a Mail Medal – Mervyn has certainly stamped his mark on the Devils in his time in town.
Merv Rogers was awarded life membership in 2012 for his outstanding and continuing service to the Olympic Dam Football Club.