Wayne Schimmelbusch
Encyclopedia
Wayne Schimmelbusch is a former Australian Rules Football
er in the (then) Victorian Football League
(VFL).
A courageous wingman and inspirational speedster who seemingly never knew when to give up, Schimmelbusch played in 306 games, including 29 finals games, for the North Melbourne Football Club
. He was recruited in 1973 from the Brunswick Football Club
(formerly of the VFA) where he won the 'Field Trophy', the VFA second division's best and fairest, in 1972. Legendary coach Ron Barassi once dropped Schimmelbusch as a spur for him to improve, and he was not dropped from of the senior side again until his forced retirement in 1987, due to a shocking knee injury sustained during a match against the Sydney Swans
. Until that moment, Schimmelbusch looked likely to play a few more seasons, which may have seen him break the 350 game mark.
Given the opportunity to coach North Melbourne Football Club in 1990, Wayne Schimmelbusch inherited a team of experienced players interspersed with some young, up-and-coming future champions. However, the side's performances did not improve under his leadership and turmoil began to brew at the club. The 1993 pre-season for North Melbourne was poor and many players were rumoured to be unimpressed with the club's leadership and lack of professional facilities that could potentially improve matters. The apparent lack of application by the players and their poor fitness was evident in the club's pre-season cup match against the recently formed Adelaide Football Club at Football Park, Adelaide, where the 'Crows' thrashed the North Melbourne Football Club by over 100 points. Angry members and supporters demanded answers and finally Schimmelbusch was replaced by Denis Pagan (ex-North under-19 coach and Essendon
reserves coach) and 21 year old Wayne Carey was appointed Captain, replacing Matthew Larkin. From that point, the side gradually improved enough to make the finals at season's end and just three years later achieved its third premiership, and first under Pagan, in 1996.
Wayne Schimmelbusch's brother Daryl
also played for North Melbourne Football Club but could not match the brilliance of his brother Wayne. On a curious and humorous note, during the 1970s at Arden Street, the Public address system would occasionally play a song called "The Ballad of Wayne Schimmelbusch" during half-time break. A legend was born, however the song and artist is still unknown.
In 1997 Schimmelbusch was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
.
Player honors:
Coaching record:
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the (then) Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL).
A courageous wingman and inspirational speedster who seemingly never knew when to give up, Schimmelbusch played in 306 games, including 29 finals games, for the North Melbourne Football Club
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
. He was recruited in 1973 from the Brunswick Football Club
Brunswick Football Club
Brunswick Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA from 1897 until 1990. They were originally nicknamed the Pottery Workers before being renamed the Magpies and were based in Brunswick, Victoria. The club wore black and white guernseys...
(formerly of the VFA) where he won the 'Field Trophy', the VFA second division's best and fairest, in 1972. Legendary coach Ron Barassi once dropped Schimmelbusch as a spur for him to improve, and he was not dropped from of the senior side again until his forced retirement in 1987, due to a shocking knee injury sustained during a match against the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
. Until that moment, Schimmelbusch looked likely to play a few more seasons, which may have seen him break the 350 game mark.
Given the opportunity to coach North Melbourne Football Club in 1990, Wayne Schimmelbusch inherited a team of experienced players interspersed with some young, up-and-coming future champions. However, the side's performances did not improve under his leadership and turmoil began to brew at the club. The 1993 pre-season for North Melbourne was poor and many players were rumoured to be unimpressed with the club's leadership and lack of professional facilities that could potentially improve matters. The apparent lack of application by the players and their poor fitness was evident in the club's pre-season cup match against the recently formed Adelaide Football Club at Football Park, Adelaide, where the 'Crows' thrashed the North Melbourne Football Club by over 100 points. Angry members and supporters demanded answers and finally Schimmelbusch was replaced by Denis Pagan (ex-North under-19 coach and Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
reserves coach) and 21 year old Wayne Carey was appointed Captain, replacing Matthew Larkin. From that point, the side gradually improved enough to make the finals at season's end and just three years later achieved its third premiership, and first under Pagan, in 1996.
Wayne Schimmelbusch's brother Daryl
Daryl Schimmelbusch
Daryl Schimmelbusch is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the VFL. He is the younger brother of Wayne Schimmelbusch....
also played for North Melbourne Football Club but could not match the brilliance of his brother Wayne. On a curious and humorous note, during the 1970s at Arden Street, the Public address system would occasionally play a song called "The Ballad of Wayne Schimmelbusch" during half-time break. A legend was born, however the song and artist is still unknown.
In 1997 Schimmelbusch was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
.
Career highlights
Playing career:- North Melbourne 1973-1987 (Games: 306 Goals: 354)
Player honors:
- North Melbourne captain 1979-1987
- North Melbourne club leading goalkicker 1976
- North Melbourne premierships 1975, 1977
- North Melbourne Team of the Century
- Victorian representative (7 games, 12 goals)
Coaching record:
- North Melbourne 1990-1992 (66 games, 31 wins, 35 losses).