November 19, 2024
RALPH'S NEW ROLE
O'Shaughnessy is Xavs' Footy GM
A Century of the Red & Black
Sursum Corda! we are reminded. Xaverians are implored to lift up our hearts, but these hearts were heavy last Friday afternoon when we learned of the passing of the legendary Peter 'Porky' Rhoden at age 86.
Peter's death was not unexpected. He had battled health problems over the past couple of years, yet had managed to get along to games as recently as last season’s finals with the aid of his son-in-law David Bourke. He summoned up the energy and drew on his long football memory to address both men’s and women’s teams before crucial contests. And there they were, boys and girls, Rhoden's juniors by at least sixty years, but yet all ears and eyes.
The positive effects of Rhoden’s short talks did not surprise 300 gamer, six-time premiership player and Life Member, David Landrigan.
“When Porky spoke, you listened. The respect we had for this great man is immense. The club has lost a great person,” he said.
Peter Rhoden’s Old Xaverians football CV included 60 games as a player, seven years as a senior coach, fifteen years as a committeeman and two years as club Secretary.
His influence and contribution to the club’s wellbeing, however, extended years beyond his completion of those duties.
Peter was the bridge between Xavier College, its alumni and their sporting clubs, working for many years in the College’s Development Office. It was a role he never really relinquished, despite creeping years and ill-health.
One of his successors in the office, former OXFC President and now OXA Executive Officer, Davina Calhaem said that as recently as a few weeks ago, “Pete had kept me on my toes with ideasand suggestions on what needed to be done to continue to foster the connection of so many Xavier people with one and other and the school”.
A Prefect and Under Officer in the Cadet Corps, his love of Xavier and commitment to the cause began early. He was selected in the First XVIII at age 15 and was vice-captain of the 1955 APS Football premiership team in his second season, earning accolades as “the most brilliant player of the year.”
He was highly regarded as a player and was invited by Hawthorn to try out in 1957, by which time he was already entrenched as a 2nd XI cricketer at Richmond, having captained the XI and taking 8/31 vs Geelong Grammar.
But it was with the Old Xaverians he made his sporting mark. His ball-getting ability and prodigious dropkicks offered glimpses of future stardom, but he took a big hit in 1961 that led to premature retirement. He’d played under four different coaches in five seasons and seen the club go from B Section to A and back again.
He took the coaching reins himself the following year, at the age of 23 and led the club to its second B Section premiership. Such was the esteem in which he was already held that he was also appointed Big V Coach that same season and held the role again in 1963.
Rhoden took the Xavs to the A Section Grand Final in 1964 but the team failed by just a few points to grasp the LA Adamson Cup. Big V champion and club captain Peter Slattery missed the game through sickness and he was sorely missed.
Former club President and long-time supporter Jack Bowen found Rhoden an outstanding coach. “He was inspiring, a coach we wanted to play for, as much as we wanted to play for the red and black,” he said.
Six-time OXFC Best and Fairest winner and Life Member Mitch McKenzie recalled one of his early games under Coach Rhoden.
“After a painful encounter with a huge Old Paradians ruckman, who was all elbows and knees I said to Porky that it had been pretty tough. He told me that bloke was one of the worst I’d come up against and that he had been thinking of warning me, but had decided to let me work it out for myself, McKenzie said..
Life Member Tim Meehan has early memories of Rhoden as a player but recalls more about him as a coach. “I watched many games that Peter coached and to a young boy he seemed very strong and determined. I think that’s what he wanted of his players.”
In 2021, Peter was interviewed for the OXFC's first Hoorick Hoorah podcast. You can listen below.
The OXFC played a major role in Porky's life, but his true love was his family. He married Trish Woolcott in 1965, and they had two daughters, Melissa, born in 1966 and Sally three years later.
Sally would recall Saturdays at Como Park wearing their Old Xavs jumpers, and when asked at school which footy team the sisters followed, they responded “the Old Xavs”.
The Rhodens developed many friendships through the OXFC and when Trish became terminally ill, many of those friends supported the family through this difficult time.
The sudden passing of Melissa in 2001 was devastating for Porky and the family, compounded by the loss of Trish some four weeks later. The support and friendship of the Xavier Family gave Porky the strength to prevail through what must have been unbearable grief.
Melissa’s three children James, Matthew and Eliza Forrest all played for the Xavs, with Eliza being one of the original members of the WOX.
Sally’s two sons Patrick and Hugh Bourke attended Xavier and Patrick played for the OXFC winning an U19 (Div 1) premiership in 2018. Porky encouraged his other granddaughter Olivia to pull on the Red and Black jumper, but to no avail.
Seeing his grandchildren grow up gave Porky much joy. He and his partner Marg Condon spent their weekends at various sporting events, supporting and encouraging them to participate at all levels, knowing that community sport is a solid foundation for future relationships and success.
Longtime U19 Development guru Brendan O’Sullivan said that Peter was vitally interested in his immediate family and never missed an opportunity to watch them play.
“He would just appear, usually sitting near the fence. If he didn’t make it for some reason, he would often call to check in on their progress.
But Rhoden kept his eye on others too, as O’Sullivan added: “He would often comment, you have a good one here: a future senior player.”
‘Porky’ encouraged hundreds of young men at Xavier to have a kick with the Red ‘n’ Blacks beyond their days at Barkers Road and he watched them progress through the ranks.
Michael Fitzgerald recalls a time at the VAFA when he asked Rhoden whether the Xavier boys were excited about their upcoming APS season. “Oh yes, he said, and, even more than that, they can’t wait to play with the Old Xavs next year.”
A couple of months ago, the Men’s Senior Coach’s trophy was fittingly renamed the Peter Rhoden Medal in recognition of his service and his record seven years as senior coach 1962-68.
Rhoden was also a Life Member of the VAFA, an award he received in 2009. As well as coaching the Big V, he was involved with umpires’ appointments (1964-1966), was a VAFA Selector (1964-65), and served for an astonishing forty years as a Member of the VAFA Tribunal (1977 to 2016).
Peter received the the prestigious Xaverian Award only a few months ago, his life truly reflecting the Jesuit ideal ideal of Men for Others.
Old Xavs President Matt Cosgrave said "‘Porky’ Rhoden’s contribution to the Old Xavs and to Amateur football spanned nearly 70 years. His service was as significant as it was lengthy.
“Our club has been extraordinarily fortunate over the years to have had so many committed to our cause. We have seen many giants in red and black through the years, but none stand taller than Peter Rhoden.
“On behalf of all at our club, I offer my deepest condolences to the Forrest, Bourke and Condon families, and to his many close friends and all those he has influenced,” Cosgrave said.
oldxavs.com.au is grateful to David Bourke and others for their contributions to this obituary.
If you'd like your words added to the following, please email Michael Fitzgerald and we will add them.
A true champion of the club. It was his eagerness to ensure people got the best out of themselves and the club, which sticks in my mind. He always wanted people to experience the Xavier way and was always happiest whenwatching other people achieve success.
– Lachlan Ford, Life Member, two time senior premiership captain
Peter was a wonderful friend and confidant. A man of absolute class who loved, good food and wine, conversation, and his friendships with so many females. He could talk sport, sport and more sport, but also discuss the finer things in life and showed immense care and interest in those he met
– Davina Calhaem
Porky Rhoden was my mentor for over 60 years. He was a very good man throughout his life. Loyal and loving to his family in sickness and in health, he met personal tragedy bravely and set a great example to his family and all of us who knew him.
– Jack Bowen
A top coach and a fine man.
– Mitch McKenzie
I got to know him in my coaching stint 2005-07. Always supportive, a true gentleman, and loved the success that we all enjoyed.
- Barry Richardson, three-time premiership coach and Life Member
Peter’s genuine love for the Club is matched by only a few. As an elder statesman of the longest standing, he seemed to me more mellow than he had been as a coach.
– Tim Meehan
Porky was always a gentleman, always welcoming and always smiling. My favourite memory of him was from the night he was awarded Life Membership of the OXFC. His acceptance speech was short, full of emotion and to the point. “God, I love this f***ing Club,” he roared.
– Stephen Curtain, Life Member
Peter was an amazing man who supported me throughout my Presidency. He would check in on me and he was always very thoughtful. His presence and standing within the Xavier community was unmatched.
- Simon Hunt, longtime President and Life Member.
Porky was always the voice of reason for me, from my school days at Xavier through my coaching days. He gave me encouragement and positivity when things weren’t going well and wasn’t afraid to provide reality checks when needed. He lived life to its fullest.
– Tim O’Shaughnessy, three-time premiership coach and Life Member
Just a couple of weeks ago, Graham Sharp, Commo McCormack and I took Porky to lunch. We reminisced about the good times, the silverware and linen the club had collected while we’d all been involved. Porky struggled a bit and texted me that night telling me he hadn’t played his best game that day. He said that at our December get together he’d be aiming for the three votes as BOG.
– Terry Landrigan, Life Member
Back in 2002, there wasn’t much enthusiasm about launching a club website, but Peter was all for it. He summoned me to Barkers Road one day and handed over boxes of amazing historical information, old photographs and a few seasons’ worth of club newsletters. "See what you can do with this," he told me. This provided the real impetus and we went live a couple of months later.
- Michael Fitzgerald, Webmaster
I had the privilege of many conversations with Porky over the years regarding the Hawks, Old Xavs and our own sporting abilities or lack thereof. One such day in 2002 as I was chatting with Porky, we were watching the First XI play. Luke Ball was captain that year, while I had led the XI fifteen years prior. I asked Porky if given the choice, he’d choose Bally or me first. With a straight face, he looked at me and replied "Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball - and I can afford to play one short!”
- David King, Crocodiles' Legend, Life Member
