Born and bred in Yarrawonga, the now 87-year-old was back in town to catch up with grandson Sam Ferguson who is coaching Tungamah this season.
“Our daughter-in-law Fleur Thompson organised the trip,” he told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
Pointing to the immaculate J C Lowe Oval, McCarthy, a forward, said: “This is the best ground I ever played on. St Kilda’s ground was always heavy, waterlogged.”
McCarthy was joined at St Kilda by Pigeon Peter Clancy who played 19 games and kicked 18 goals for the Saints in 1955 and 1957. Didn’t that pair have a lot of fond memories in Melbourne, as evidenced immediately they caught up with each other at the J C Lowe Oval!
Long term past president at Pigeonland, Glenn Brear said the whole McCarthy family was so well known and contributed greatly to the town.
“Brian’s father Jack McCarthy was a famous orator of poems and sheep handler around the district,” he said.
“Brian travelled with Peter Clancy to St Kilda and afterwards coached South Warrnambool to two premierships and sent ’Cowboy’ Neale to the Saints. And the name Clancy is so well known too.”
Yarrawonga’s Bob Flanagan had the honour of being part of the club’s first premiership in the O and M, in 1959 under captain coach Billy Stephen.
The centre-half-forward or full-forward played 198 games with Yarrawonga from 1948 to 1960.
Ian McDonald played a similar number of games for Yarrawonga, the back pocket player chalking up 192 games. Pat O’Kane, forward pocket, rover type represented the Pigeons in 120 senior games.
The five stars enjoyed a chat with another star, Yarrawonga’s new coach, triple Geelong premiership player Steve Johnson.
