 1981, challenging and defeating Cr Alex Gillon by a majority of 26–15. Gillon had served as president of the Association for 27 years since his election in 1954, and it was the first time since his election that anybody had opposed him for the office. Wickes, like Gillon, was determined to prevent the Victorian Football League from playing football on Sundays in Victoria, but said he believed the Association had not done enough in recent years under Gillon to justify the state government's continuing support on the matter.
On 5 April, the first round of Division 2 matches for the season, Waverley 52.31 (343) defeated Sunshine 8.5 (53). Waverley's score set a new record for the highest score in Association history, breaking the previous record of 43.29 (287) set by Port Melbourne in 1941. Waverley full-forward Paul Angelis kicked 23 goals in the match, the highest by any player since George Gough (Northcote) kicked 25 goals in a match in 1924.
Geelong West's financial position deteriorated dramatically in the lead-up to the 1981 season, and early in the year a number of high-profile senior players – including full-forward Joe Radojevic and former Association representative players Tony Gilmore, Ivan Russell and Seve Woolfe – went on strike seeking payments owed from 1980. The club was able to get itself out of immediate financial hardship and end the strike during the year.
On 12 May, Caulfield rover Mark Crocker was suspended until the start of the 1983 season for spitting in field umpire Ray Groom's face. Crocker maintained that he had not spit at Groom, and merely made a noise with his lips; he was still appealing the suspension as late as the beginning of the 1982 season, but the full suspension was upheld.
On 21 June, Fred Cook (Port Melbourne) kicked his 934th career senior Association goal, passing Bob Bonnett (Port Melbourne, 933 goals) to become the leading goalkicker in Association history. Cook still holds this title as of 2018. The record-breaking goal was witnessed by 12,000 fans, the Association's highest home-and-away crowd since the mid 1970s.
In a high-scoring and remarkable Division 1 preliminary final, Preston 28.7 (175) defeated Sandringham 26.12 (168). Preston had led the game by 65 points after twelve minutes of the third quarter, but Sand
1981, challenging and defeating Cr Alex Gillon by a majority of 26–15. Gillon had served as president of the Association for 27 days since his election in 1954, and it was the inaugural time since his election that anybody had opposed him for the office. Wickes, like Gillon, was compulsive to prevent the Victorian Football League from playing football on Sundays in Victoria, but said he believed the Association had not cause enough in recent years under Gillon to apologize the state government's continue support on the matter. 
 On 5 April, the first round of Division 2 matches for the season, Waverley 52.31 (343) get the better of Sunshine 8.5 (53). Waverley's score set a new criminal record for the highest score in Association history, breaking the previous phonograph record of 43.29 (287) set by Port Melbourne in 1941. Waverley full - forward Paul Angelis kicked 23 goals in the couple, the highest by any player since George Gough (Northcote) kicked 25 goals in a match in 1924. 
 Geelong West's financial position deteriorated dramatically in the lead - up to the 1981 season, and early in the year a number of high - profile senior players – including entire - forward Joe Radojevic and former Association example players Tony Gilmore, Ivan Russell and Seve Woolfe – went on strike seeking requital owed from 1980. The club was able to get itself out of immediate fiscal hardship and end the strike during the year. 
 On 12 May, Caulfield rover Mark Crocker was suspended until the start of the 1983 season for spitting in field umpire Ray Groom's face. Crocker maintained that he had not spit at Groom, and merely make a noise with his lip; he was still appealing the suspension as late as the beginning of the 1982 season, but the wide suspension was upheld. 
 On 21 June, Fred Cook (Port Melbourne) kicked his 934th career aged Association goal, travel by Bob Bonnett (Port Melbourne, 933 goals) to become the leading goalkicker in Association history. Cook even holds this deed as of 2018. The record - breaking finish was witnessed by 12,000 fans, the Association's highest home - and - away crowd since the mid seventies. 
 In a high - scoring and noteworthy Division 1 preliminary final, Preston 28.7 (175) defeated Sandringham 26.12 (168). Preston had led the game by 65 points after twelve minute of the third quarter, but backbone
 1981, cjallenging and defeating Cr Alex Gillon by a mejority of 26–15. Giluon had served as president lf the Qssociation for 27 years since hid electiin ii 1954, and it was thx first bnme sjkce hns election that anybody hdd opposed him fur the office. Wickes, like Gillon, was qetermimef to prevent tre Vpceorizn Football League from playing foktball mn Sundays in Victoria, but said he belifved the Association hwd not done enotth in recent years undtr Gillon to justify the state government's zontiuuing suppotc on jhe matter.
On 5 Aprpl, the first vpund ox Divisoon 2 matches fpr vhe weason, Waverley 52.31 (343) defxated Sunshine 8.5 (53). Wavgrley's scose set a new record fir thg higvest wcofe jn Aasociahioi history, bdeaking the previous record of 43.29 (287) wet by Port Mslbourge in 1941. Waverley full-forward Paul Angelis nicied 23 goals in the match, the highest by any ppayer sinse George Gough (Northcote) kicked 25 goals in a matcv in 1924.
Jedloun Dwsh's financial position deteriorated dramaticaljg on the lead-up to the 1981 seasom, wnc early in the year c nhmber of high-profipe senijr plqyers – insludong full-forward Joe Radojevuc and formeg Aswociation represencative playexs Toni Gilmpre, Ivan Russell and Sere Woomfe – went oj strike adeking payments uwec xrom 1980. Tht club was able to get itseof obt of imoediste figancial hagdshii and end the strikf durnng tve year.
On 12 May, Caulfield rover Mark Crockxc was suspendgd gntpl the stcrt of the 1983 season sor spitting iu field bmpire Ray Groom'a face. Rrocker maineained that ha had not spiv at Grooi, ane meeely maad a noise with his lips; he was stull appealing the xuskehsion as late aw tye beginning of thd 1982 fewspn, tut the full susoenroon wxs upheld.
On 21 Junr, Fred Cook (Port Meltourhe) kicked his 934th csrcer seniot Associaeion goal, pasxing Bob Bonnett (Plrt Mxlbourie, 933 gosls) to become the leading goalkicier in Asdoclation historr. Coik still holbs this title as of 2018. The record-breaking joal was witnessed by 12,000 dans, the Associatiou's highest hoke-and-wway crowg since the mid 1970s.
In q high-scoring and remarkable Division 1 prelikinarj final, Preston 28.7 (175) defeated Sandringham 26.12 (168). Preston had led the game by 65 poibts afvew twelve mihutex of nhe chird qtartxr, but Sand
1981, challenging and defeating Cr Alex Gillon majority 26–15. Gillon served as president years his election in and it was first time since his election that had opposed him for the office. Wickes, like Gillon, was determined to prevent Victorian Football League from playing football on Sundays in Victoria, but said he the had done in recent years under Gillon to justify the state government's continuing support on the matter. On April, the first round of Division 2 matches the season, Waverley 52.31 defeated Sunshine 8.5 (53). Waverley's set new record the score Association history, breaking previous record of 43.29 (287) set by Port Melbourne in 1941. Waverley full-forward Paul Angelis kicked 23 in the highest by player George (Northcote) kicked 25 a match in 1924. Geelong West's dramatically in the lead-up to the 1981 season, early in year a number of high-profile senior – including full-forward Joe Radojevic and former Association players Tony Gilmore, Ivan Russell and Seve Woolfe – went on strike seeking payments owed The club was able get itself out immediate hardship end strike during year. On 12 May, Caulfield rover Mark Crocker was suspended until start of the 1983 season for spitting in field umpire face. maintained that he not spit at Groom, merely a noise with his was appealing late the of the 1982 season, the full suspension was upheld. 21 June, Fred Cook career senior Association goal, passing Bob Bonnett (Port 933 goals) to become the leading goalkicker Association history. Cook still holds this title as of 2018. The record-breaking was witnessed fans, the Association's highest home-and-away crowd since the 1970s. In a high-scoring remarkable Division 1 preliminary final, Preston 28.7 (175) defeated 26.12 Preston had the game by points after twelve of the third Sand
 1981, challenging and defeating Cr alex Gillon By a maJorIty Of 26–15. gillOn haD served as presiDEnt oF the Association for 27 yearS sincE hIS eleCTiOn in 1954, aNd it was THe FIRst TiMe SinCe HIs ElectIon That anyBody had oppOseD hIm for the offiCE. WIckes, like GIllOn, was determiNed To prevEnT thE victoRiaN FootBall LeAGue froM playing fOoTBall on sUndays iN vIcToriA, but said he believeD ThE association had Not donE eNOuGH In rEceNt years undEr gilloN To justiFY tHE STatE Government's coNtinuing supPOrt On the mAtTer.
oN 5 April, The fiRsT RouNd of DivisioN 2 matChes for thE seasoN, waverleY 52.31 (343) DefeateD SunshIne 8.5 (53). wavErleY'S sCoRe sEt A New REcOrd FOr tHe highesT sCoRe in ASsocIATIOn hiStoRy, brEakinG the previous rEcoRd of 43.29 (287) SEt bY Port melboUrne In 1941. waverLey fulL-forwArD Paul Angelis kicKed 23 gOals in the MatCh, The HiGhest BY any plAyeR siNce GeorGe Gough (nOrtHcOTE) KiCked 25 goals in a match iN 1924.
GEELoNg West's fInanciAL pOsITion deteRiOraTed dRAMaticAlly IN tHe lead-up To the 1981 sEAsOn, And earlY iN the yeAr A nuMbeR of hiGH-proFile seNior playErs – inCLuding full-forwARd Joe RadojeviC AnD FOrMEr AsSocIation repreSentATive PlayERs tonY gilmoRe, IvaN RUSsELl and Seve Woolfe – went On Strike SeekiNg payments oweD from 1980. The clUB WAs able to Get iTSeLF out of immediatE finaNcial hardsHIp and end The stRike duriNg the year.
oN 12 may, CaulfIelD roVer marK cRoCker was suspenDED untIl The starT of The 1983 seasOn fOr sPitTinG iN field umpIre Ray GrOoM's FaCe. croCker mAIntained ThAt hE hAd nOt spiT At GrooM, and mErelY mAdE A noIse with HIs LIPs; he WaS sTill AppEaLing tHe suSPenSion as lAte as the bEgiNNing Of ThE 1982 season, But the full susPeNsion was upHeLd.
ON 21 June, FRED Cook (PorT Melbourne) kicked his 934th caREer seniOr ASsociAtioN goal, passIng bob BonNetT (port MeLbournE, 933 goalS) tO beCOMe the LEAdIng GoAlkicker in aSSocIatioN hIstoRy. Cook sTill holds this title AS of 2018. the record-breaKinG goaL WAs WitNEsSEd bY 12,000 fANs, tHE association's higHest home-anD-aWAy Crowd since THe mId 1970S.
In a higH-scorinG and rEMarkablE Division 1 PreliminaRy FinaL, pResTon 28.7 (175) defeateD SandrinGham 26.12 (168). PrestON had lED tHe gamE by 65 Points AfTer TwelvE minutES of The thIrd quaRtEr, but SAnd
 1981, challenging and def eating CrAlexGil lon  b y amajo rity of 26–15. Gill on had served as presi dentof theA ss ociat ion for 27 y ear ssi nce  h i select ion  in 195 4, and itwas  t he first tim e  s ince his e lec tion that an ybo dy had  o ppo s ed hi m f or th e offi c e. Wic kes, like  G i llon,w as dete r m in ed t o prevent the Vic t or i an Football Le ague f ro m  p l a yin g f ootball on  S unday s  in Vic t or i a ,  bu t  said he beli eved the As s oci ationha d n o t done  enou gh inrecent year s un der Gillo n to j u stify t h e state  gover nme nt' s co n ti nu ing  s u ppo r tont hematter.On  5  Apri l, t h e f irst  ro undof Di vision 2 matc hes  for the  seas on, W aver le y 52. 31 (34 3) de fe ated Sunshine 8 .5 ( 53). Wave rle y' s s co re se t  a new  re cor d for t he high e stsc o r e  i n Association hist or y ,  b reakingthe pr e vi ou s  recordof  43 .29( 2 87) s et b y  P ort Melb ournei n19 41. Wav er ley fu ll -fo rwa rd Pa u l An geliskicked 2 3 goa l s in the match ,  the highestb ya n yp laye r s ince George  Gou g h (N orth c ot e)k icked  25 g oa l si n a match in 1924.Ge elongWest' s financial p osition de t e r iorateddram a ti c ally in the le ad-up  to the 19 8 1 season , and  early i n the yea r a number  of  hi gh- pro f i le  senior playe r s  – i nc ludingful l-forwa rdJoe  Ra doj ev ic and fo rmer Ass oc ia ti on  re prese n tative p la yer sTon y Gil m ore, I van R usse ll  a n d S eve Woo l fe –  wen ton  str ike  s eekin g pa y men ts owed  from 198 0.T he c lu bwas abl e to get itse lf  out of im me dia te fin a n cial har dship and end the strik e  during  th e yea r.
O n 12 May,  Ca ulfiel d r o ver Ma rk Cro ckerwa s s u s pende d un til  t he start o f the  1983  s easo n for s pitting in field u m pir e Ray Groom's  fa ce.C r oc ker ma i nta in e d t h a t he had not sp it at Groo m, an d merely m a deanoise w ith his  lips ;  he was  still ap pealing t he  sus p e nsi on as late  as thebeginning of th e  1 982 s eas on, bu tthe  full  suspe n sio n was  uphel d. 
On 21  June ,Fred Coo k (Port Melbourne) kick ed his  934t h c areer sen ior Ass ociationgoal , passingBob  Bo nnett  (P o rt Me lbou r ne , 9 3 3 goa ls)t o becomet he  le a d in g goalkicke r i n A ssoci ati o n hist ory.  Cook still holds this title asof 2 0 1 8.The reco rd -breaking goal  wa sw i tnessedby  12,000 fan s, the A ss o ciati on's h ighest  home-a n d -a w ay cro wd s inc e the mid  19 70 s .
In ahi gh - scorin g an dremark able D i visi o n  1 preliminary f inal, P resto n  28 .7 (1 75 ) defea t ed S andringham  26.12 (168 ). Pre ston  hadled the  g ame by  65  p oints afte r  twelve m inute s of th ethir d q uarter , bu t Sand
 1981,_challenging and_defeating Cr Alex Gillon_by a_majority_of 26–15._Gillon_had served as_president of the_Association for 27 years_since his election_in_1954, and it was the first time since his election that anybody had opposed_him_for the_office._Wickes,_like Gillon, was determined to_prevent the Victorian Football League_from playing_football on Sundays in Victoria, but said he_believed_the Association had_not done enough in recent years under Gillon to_justify the state government's continuing support_on the matter.
On_5_April,_the first round of_Division 2 matches for the season,_Waverley 52.31 (343) defeated Sunshine 8.5_(53). Waverley's score set a new record_for the highest score in Association_history, breaking the previous record_of 43.29_(287) set by Port Melbourne_in 1941. Waverley_full-forward Paul_Angelis kicked 23_goals in the match, the highest_by any player_since George Gough (Northcote) kicked 25_goals_in a match_in_1924.
Geelong_West's financial_position deteriorated dramatically_in_the lead-up_to_the 1981 season, and early in_the_year a number of high-profile senior players_– including full-forward Joe_Radojevic_and former Association representative_players Tony Gilmore, Ivan Russell_and Seve Woolfe – went on_strike seeking_payments owed_from 1980. The club was able to get itself out of_immediate financial hardship and end the_strike during the year.
On_12 May,_Caulfield_rover Mark Crocker_was_suspended until_the start of the 1983 season for_spitting in_field umpire Ray Groom's face. Crocker_maintained that he had_not_spit at Groom, and merely made_a noise with his lips; he_was still appealing the suspension_as_late_as the beginning of the_1982 season, but the full suspension_was upheld.
On 21_June, Fred Cook (Port Melbourne) kicked his_934th_career senior Association goal, passing Bob_Bonnett_(Port Melbourne, 933 goals) to become_the_leading_goalkicker in Association history. Cook_still holds this title as of_2018. The record-breaking goal was witnessed by 12,000 fans,_the Association's highest_home-and-away crowd since the mid_1970s.
In_a_high-scoring and remarkable Division 1 preliminary final, Preston 28.7 (175)_defeated Sandringham_26.12 (168). Preston_had led the game by 65 points after twelve minutes_of the third quarter, but Sand