So famed did Steve Taubert come within the inner sanctum of the Sydney Swans as a ruck coach he became deferentially referred to as the “Ruck Whisperer”.
Over a period from 1999 when he assumed the role at the club until his retirement after the 2017 season, Taubert, a former Swans ruckman himself, was largely responsible for the improvement of the cadre of ruckman at the club.
His star pupil was former Canadian international rugby player Mike Pyke who under “Taubo’s” tutoring became a premiership winning ruckman in 2012.
The “Ruck Whisperer” will reveal all at this year’s NSW Australian Football History Society Lunch on Friday 6 October at Magpies Sports Club.
He will be joined on the panel by former team-mates Rod Carter and David Murphy.
All three had illustrious careers at the Sydney Swans followed by coaching local clubs in the Sydney Football League.
Rod “Rocket” Carter, after 293 VFL/AFL games with Fitzroy and the Swans and one goal, retired in 1990 and took on coaching Sydney University in 1992 leading the Students to their first senior grade premiership in his first year at the helm.
Following his retirement from the game he took on the Development Manager’s role with NSW AFL as well as coaching state junior representative teams. His perpetual legacy is the Paul Kelly Cup, the biggest schools-based sporting competition in NSW for boys and girls.
Stephen “Taubo” Taubert had a colourful 123-game career with Richmond, Essendon, and the Swans, including fourth-place in the 1984 Brownlow medal and like his great mate, “Rocket”, moved to Sydney in 1982, and never left.
He was appointed coach of St George in 1987 and led them into the tumultuous grand final against Campbelltown that was lost in controversial circumstances
David Murphy was recruited to the Swans from Turvey Park in 1984, where he been transferred as a bank clerk from his hometown, Finley. He played 156 games for the Swans and booted 92 goals.
Representing NSW at the 1988 national carnival in Adelaide “Murph” was named on the wing in the All-Australian team based on players from states and territories.
“Murph” became captain-coach of Campbelltown but due to suspension, the first and only one ever in his career, he had to coach the Blues to the flag from the sidelines.
However, it was his role as head coach of Riverview college senior XVIII in the Sydney Independent Schools Association that has David has really left a stamp on the game. Over a period of fifteen years he almost single-handedly raised the status of the game in the private schools.
NSW Football History Society
RALPH ROBERTSON ANNUAL LUNCH
When: Friday, October 6 11:30am onwards
Where: Magpies Social Club, 40 Hampden Street, Croydon Park
What's on:
- Football awards
- Book launch
- Panel discussion
Sydney Swans members and guests welcome. Entry is free.
