Flying Tom Cats

Andrew Mathieson
TWO Cats men, different eras, vastly different backgrounds but equally a part of Geelong’s premiership folklore.
Tom Harley and Bobby Davis share so much in common, but also reflect the changing times from the 44 years of the club’s longest premiership drought.
Harley, who held the 2007 premiership aloft with Bomber Thompson, is a born and bred South Australian.
But a Cats fan would have to travel far to find a man who talks the Geelong football name more eloquently.
So cool is Harley, they say he can mix socially with the heads of big business just as easily as with a blue-collar worker.
“We represent everyone,” Harley says.
“We represent the club, the players, the staff, the town, the people, the works.
“That is one unique thing about the Geelong Football Club is we do have a real community feel about what we do.
“This town is starting to get a bit blue and white mad now, which is great, and we are certainly playing for them.”
It has been a remarkable rise for Harley, who was playing Norwood reserves the year before making his one and only appearance for Port Power.
Less than a decade later, the defender rose to be captain of a ruffled Cats’ side that the year before missed out on the 2006 finals, only to guide them to an elusive flag where others had failed.
Harley said the players are lapping up the public consciousness and being under the intense scrutiny.
“I don’t think there is less buzz now than last year,” he says.
“There has been a steadier build-up.
“Expectations have been really high all season, and if you ask anyone in the town, this is what they have been waiting for.”
Harley is thrilled Davis will present the premiership cup should Geelong defeat Hawthorn in tomorrow’s AFL grand final.
Davis, on the other hand, until last year was known as the Cats’ last living premiership coach, or as he this week decreed, “now the oldest premiership coach”, could never be more relaxed or cheerful.
Even when coaching the ’63 team from the sidelines.
Davis came to Geelong in 1948 from Clunes and even his coaching philosophy proves that you can’t take the country out of the boy.
“When I happened to be appointed coach, we had been last for four years,” Davis says.
“I just went away and genuinely hand-picked a team of country boys apart from (Polly) Farmer – when we put him in that was the crowning jewel.
“I always felt that the boys we had in ’63 could have done anything.”
A regular watcher at most Cats’ training sessions, Davis is amazed at the skill and pace of the drills, sometimes forcing the Geelong flier to wonder would he still get a game.
“I get asked often which is the best team – this and last year’s side or from the ’51 and ’52 and who would win,” Davis says
Davis lets others have their say for a minute or so, then he considers the result.
“I suppose they would just beat us,” Davis would say.
They are usually shocked at the admission.
“Heavens, Bob, we never thought we’d hear you say you would get beaten,” would be the response.
Davis, of course, is quick to reply, but not without a hint of dry wit.
“Yeah, but you have to realise we’re all over 80 now.”