Ash Barker - My Redan Story
August 2024
What are your earliest memories of playing footy?
I remember back to my Under-12 days. Specifically, my Mum recalls a story from my first game. She looked out onto the ground to find me, and there I was, climbing up the goal post while the ball was in play.
What were some of your junior career highlights?
I played my junior football at North Ballarat from Under-12s through to Under-16s, before transitioning to Redan in the Under-18s with several of the boys. During that period, we experienced a lot of success, winning a few premierships.
Tell us about the formation of the ‘Redan Roosters’ Under-18 side.
Having come through the juniors at North, Redan was our arch-rival and also a very strong junior side. We went head to head through the junior ranks.
When some of the boys a year older than me went to Redan, we pretty much followed the year after, forming the Redan Roosters. We had a very strong and talented outfit, winning the Under-18 Premiership and Championship. We had some unreal talent in that side.
Who were some of the players who went on to become senior premiership players?
There were a number of players who followed through to senior footy success: Gibba, Bomber, Buzz Simpkin, Kinga, Luke Cooney, Rick Cummins, Chris Mathews, to name a few.
Tell us about your first senior game and can you recall your opponent?
I recall a few of my initial senior games. One, in particular, was against Bacchus Marsh, where I lined up on the wing against a guy whose name I can't recall, but he had the look of someone about to rob a 7-Eleven.
Just as the umpire was about to bounce the ball for the first center bounce, I thought it would be a good idea to push him in the square. The umpire blew the whistle, and we got the free kick out of the middle. It’s fair to say after that, he politely told me that if I ever did that again, he was going to kill me. I then moved over to the other wing.
Describe yourself as a footballer.
Lively and loved a bit of theatre. I worked hard on my skills, loved having the footy in my hands, and backed my disposal.
You played under some terrific coaches during your time at the club. In what way did they help you reach your full potential?
Each coach definitely had an impact on me. I gained a lot of insight from their diverse football backgrounds and how they conducted themselves outside of the footy environment.
They were all strong leaders in their own right, and I thrived on their delivery, planning, and focus on the game. Their guidance pushed me to continually improve and play my role to the best of my ability.
What are some of the funniest and great moments you have witnessed on and off the footy field?
1. “PLAY YOUR ROLE” - There have been a lot. One game, Gibba, Fieldy, and I decided to give each other a job to do during the game. Fieldy’s job was to yell at a boundary stoppage, "SNAKES IN THE GRASS!! SNAKES IN THE GRASS!!!"
I remember absolutely cracking up on the field, with the opposition thinking it was some kind of boundary set play and wondering who to man up on. My role was to flash a moonie at the crowd during a boundary throw-in. Box ticked. Gibba’s, I can't remember.
2. “THE RUSSIAN” - I remember leaving a game at Melton Rec Reserve after we had played. It had poured rain all day, and Melton has a fair incline around the ground when parking. We had a player named Vladimir Tankov who had parked up against the fence, at a 45-degree angle, and it was very, very slippery.
Vlad would have weighed at least 150 kg, and his missus in the car was probably about 40 kegs. As we looked over to see how he was going to back out, him and the missus had some choice words before we saw Vlad jump in the driver’s seat and watched her push! I think the car is still there.
3. “THE COUPLE” - Myself and Kieran Murrihy "Muz" were on the pine one day at the City Oval, where we had a couple of characters, "Popsy" and "Burnie," sitting in front of us. Burnie perched up on Popsy’s knee to have a snuggle about 10 minutes into the last quarter.
Muz leaned over and said, "C’mon, enough of that." Not hearing him, they then decided to open up the gills with a big tongue kiss. It’s fair to say Muz spoke a bit heavier then: "C’mon, get that out of here!!!"
4. “BONES GIBLETT” - Gibba, known for his wiry frame and ability to perfectly time a good old-fashioned shirt front, once ran through a young kid during a game at Ballarat and collected him well. The Ballarat players came in firing at him, with one player shouting, "Why don’t you go after someone your own age?" His name was Mark Nunn, the same age as Gibba.
Well, it’s fair to say that on the next play, Mark went for the ball, and yep, Gib smashed him to bits. The sound alone was sickening. Mark let out a little fart as he went down, which took the air out of him. He took some time to find his feet and eventually went off the ground. Careful what you wish for... We had a fair chuckle. Glad he was okay.
5. “THE PEEKABOO” – “Peekaboo” was pretty special years ago in one grand final. I had thought the night before a celebration after a goal would be great with the right timing either early on in the game or late if we are up. Well, it happened in the space of about 2 minutes, a nice snap for goal leading into the Eastern Oval Grand Stand which was packed and out came the “Peekaboo” I wanted something different other than the usual fist pump or finger in the air.
It come off well, a Sunbury player then tried to collect me and when I looked back it was ON!. A good old fashion donny! Players everywhere having a good old Country Footyball wrestle. I jumped in myself and like others through a few that missed. It was ON, blokes coming from everywhere, Grand Stand packed people roaring it was a great Country Footy Moment.
6. “THE CITY OVAL RACE” -Dru Quinlan and I used to have a race after training in our cars, first out the Mair St Gate. It was a "one car in, one car out" type of exit. I had the White Knight, and Dru had the Silver Dolphin. Often, one of us would pull out, and victory would be marked by a fist pump out the window. Until one night, Dru smashed into the side of the White Knight. Luckily, the dent popped out. I only had third-party insurance.
7. "WHITE KNIGHT V’s THE SILVER DOLPHIN” - one Sunday sesh. We had many of them. Nothing beats a Sunday Sip. Me and the boys decided it would be good to have a race to the bottle shop at the old Creswick Plaza, where Bunnings is now, for you young whippersnappers. Well, I had a car full, and Dru had a car full. Ready, set, go! I took off, and Dru just casually took off. When we got there, I had pole position parked out the front.
Unbeknownst to me, Dru had other plans and proceeded to pull straight into the automatic doors leading into the Creswick Plaza. He would have gotten through if not for the side mirrors. He placed it in park, and we slid over the bonnet to collect the drinks, only to return to about 30 people staring in amazement, unable to get out.
8. “THE STING” -One of the earlier Grand Finals against Sunbury I found out after the game that Prior to the Game a few of the Sunbury faithful had their hands out looking for a bet on Sunbury to win the Grand Final, a few of them putting up a couple of hundred, you know the types chest out waving it around.
Anyway, Dad come along, and said put up and lets make it a Gorilla! They shit themselves and had a few of them scrambling. Anyway they come up with the cash once they did a wip around. We got the Victory and I don’t recall a sling.
9. "THE CALVIN KLEINS"
Many Mad Mondays have come and gone, and they’ve produced some of the best benders I’ve ever been on. One in particular stands out: we were a few days in, and a bloke named Ray Chow, or “Chowie,” was feeling the effects of several sleepless nights on the beers.
We were at Dru’s house when Dru walked in to find Chowie rummaging through his top drawer. Dru asked, “Chowie, what are you up to?” Chowie replied, “I’ve bloody shit meself, Joffie—I need some fresh undies.” So, Dru—who we call “Joffie”—says, “Well, go clean your underdacks, and here’s a fresh pair of Calvins to put on.”
Chowie took the offer, and the day carried on. A few days later, Joffie got a knock on the door. It was Chowie, holding the Calvins in a plastic bag. “Here you go, Joffie,” he said. Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m not giving back a pair of undies that’s been through a four-day bender—it would make your eyes water! Joffie replied, “I’m right, thanks Ray—you keep them.”
10.
There are many more stories, and a lot that can’t be written down—like the frozen car windscreen that cracked one Tuesday morning from a brown steamer, or the bag of carrots stolen from Wilsons Fruit and Veg. But I can tell you, I’ve had some of the best times over my period in the Maroon and Gold.
Who are the best Redan players you’ve played alongside and your toughest opponent?
That’s tough. There are so many that stand out, and a lot I only played a few years with. Jez Edwards, Julian Field, Matt Walsh, Dru Quinlan, Leigh Ryall, Sam Ellis, Sam Giblett, Paul McMahon, Brendan Peace, Matt Dwyer, Ryan Waight, Nath Blomely to name a few and current Lachie George, Khy Jess unreal talent.
The toughest opponent would be a guy from Darley, Dave Young we had some great battles, we gave to each other often. Another guy also from Darley comes to mind, I didn’t catch his name, but he used to punch the crap out of me all game. He gave me hell.
I remember thinking one day right that’s it! One more punch in the back and its on! Well yep, BANG right in the back of the kidneys, I turned around and said that’s it c… and before I knew it he punched me straight in the throat—good punch too. I couldn’t even come back with a response to tell him to get f....
What can you recall of the 2002 premiership, and at what stage that season did you believe the side could break its premiership drought?
2002 was special. It was about mid-year when we gained momentum and confidence, and we knew we could match it with the top sides. It was an unbelievable year. The fun then followed.
Having played in all six senior Redan premierships this century, is there any one in particular that stands out as having even more significance?
The first one stands out, but the last one also, as I took the time to soak it in after the siren and purely enjoy the moment.
What made those sides so successful over such a long stretch?
It was the bond we formed over the years, both on and off the field. We played hard off it, but we made sure we could deliver when it came to it on the field. We thrived on each other’s abilities and knew each other’s games really well.
What have been some of the greatest wins you have been a part of during your career?
A final at Melton to get us into the Grand Final. We were behind going into the last quarter and dug deep to win. That one stands out.
Your wife Hayley has also made a huge impact on the club as a player and A Grade coach. What makes her such a great leader to our young netballers?
Mrs. B, or Munners to most, has a huge care factor. She's responsible, a bit of a nerd, and she always loves seeing the best out of people. She loves all those girls and just wants success for all of them. I feel a lot of them look up to her and the way she conducts herself.
She works very hard behind the scenes with Ruby. I occasionally chip in with some "Little Feet" or "Happy Feet" girls. She loves my netball input. I’ve offered my services to speak to the netball group, but Hayley doesn’t think it’s a good idea. I do often tell her remember who has siiiixxxxx.
You’ve made a comeback to the reserves this year. How have you found playing again, and what will reaching the 300-game milestone mean to you?
Making a comeback to the ressies has been a great experience, though I’m still not sure how many goals it takes to get back into the ones! But seriously, I’ve loved every moment of it this year. It’s a fantastic group of lads with immense talent and strong leadership, not just from the coaches, but also from guys like Lachie George, who’s been a star in guiding the younger players.
At the start of the year, my kids were asking, “Why don’t you play anymore? Can you play?” I thought, why not give it a go? I went to training and found the group to be just a great bunch of fellas, so I decided to give it another shot. I’ve really enjoyed it—being around the boys, the banter, and the laughs. When you’re not playing, you really miss that camaraderie and the buzz. The atmosphere in the rooms, the boom box, the smell of liniment—it all gets you going.
I recommend anyone wanting to get involved to get down to the club and get amongst it. Reaching 300 games, I’m really looking forward to achieving it at an unreal club and being able to get around everyone, for us to have a really good day. I am really looking forward to running out with Hugh and Ava it will be very special to me.
Do you have any aspirations to coach in the future?
Absolutely. I would love nothing more than to coach Redan FC. Look out Gaz!!! No, one day I would love to.
What advice do you have for the junior players starting their football careers at Redan?
Get stuck in, both on and off the field. Build connections, shake some hands, and savour your time in the maroon and gold, it goes by quicker than you think. Everyone says it, and it’s true. I’d love nothing more than to relive those good times. So, enjoy the present moment, work hard, relish the wins, and celebrate every success.
Take pride in your skills, and bring the best version of yourself to the game. That way, when you look back, you’ll know you made the most of every opportunity.
