By DAVID NAGEL
A FAMILIAR figure cast an eerie shadow over the Doveton Football Club on Saturday as the team took to the field for its South East Football Netball League clash against Pakenham.
But unfortunately for his family, friends and members of the club that loved him, it was just a silhouette of John ‘Meatloaf’ Calthorpe, who passed away on Sunday 26 June, aged 58.
The club paid respect to one of its great characters and supporters with a minute’s silence in front of a cardboard cut-out before the senior game against the Lions.
Meatloaf has been a regular at Doveton since the late 1970s after switching across from the Doveton Lions Junior Football Club.
He was a handy footballer who turned his attention to being a trainer, doing so for at least 20 years from the early morning games through to the seniors.
Once finished with his training, Meatloaf found a regular seat in the Doveton clubrooms where he became one of the more familiar faces in the local football league.
There are some great stories about Meatloaf, like the time he was sitting in his seat drinking a lemon, lime and vodka instead of his usual beer. When quizzed by the football writer of the time, Brad ‘Tangles’ Kingsbury, Meatloaf leaned out of his seat and replied.
“Tangles, the doctor told me I need more fruit in my diet.”
After another game against Tyabb at Robinson Oval, which was dominated by Tyabb’s champion ruckman Mark Redmond, Meatloaf stuck his head out the window and yelled at Redmond.
“Hey big fella.”
Everyone turned around expecting Meatloaf to continue with a verbal barrage.
“I don’t know what they’re paying you, buddy, but you’re worth every dollar. Well played.”
Well played to you, too, Meatloaf -you’re going to be sadly missed.
