History of the
Glenelg Football Club
affiliated South Australian National Football League

Biographical
George 'Blue' Johnston became Glenelg's second Magarey Medallist in 1934 and played a pivotal role in helping them win their first premiership that season. Glenelg had reached the finals for the first time, but had a most inauspicious first appearance in a League major round when they were badly beaten by Port in the second semi­final. However, they went on to defeat Sturt in the preliminary final and Port in the grand final, and Johnston played a leading role in this recovery, with his brilliant ruckwork and high marking.

Starting with Glenelg in 1927, he reached the peak of his career in the 1930's, and was famous for his high, finger-tip marking. Johnston was a force in league and interstate football in the years until he retired in 1940.

Glenelg supporters will remember him for two incidents in the closing stages of the 1934 grand final. After leading by 17 points at three-quarter time, Port had gained all the momentum and were closing the gap. They were launching another counter-attack from their backline and the ball seemed certain to reach scoring range, when Johnston, with a superbly judged turn, pulled down a one-hand mark in the centre of the field to restore the initiative to his side. Then, in the dying stages, after Port had drawn level on the scoreboard, he pulled down a towering mark and goaled in the goalsquare, to restore Glenelg's lead and no doubt inspire his teammates to hang on for a famous victory.

From 1934 until the end of his career in 1940, Johnston was the leader of the South Australian rucks in many games against Victoria and Western Australia. Capable of withstanding intense opposition in the crushes, he was the aerial artist in the State ruck, which had "Bull" Reval and Bob Quinn, two famous Port Adelaide players, as his partners.

In view of the part he played in Glenelg winning their first premiership, Johnston's Magarey Medal award was greeted enthusiastically by football followers in all districts. There was no better known player at that time and the award to him of football's highest honor was a fitting recognition of his contribution to the game in this State.
Based on article in The Tiger, 1962

Biographical
Jim Handby was the first Glenelg player to be awarded the Magarey Medal for the league's fairest and most brilliant footballer. His award came in 1928 in the eighth year of the Club's history as a League side.

Transferring from South in 1925, Handby gave Glenelg outstanding service until 1932. He was an ideal Magarey Medallist, combining football ability of a high order with scrupulous fairness. Strongly built, and with a fighting heart, Handby carried a heavy burden in the years he spent with Glenelg, because the side, although gaining strength, was never in the firing line when the finals came around.

Captain for a long time, he set his players a grand example by his powerful efforts to stem tides running against the Tigers.
The State selectors recognised his worth, having him on the half-back line in many stirring games , especially with Victoria.
One of the most thrilling interstate matches in which Handby played, was the tie with Victoria in 1928, his medal year. Opposed by Arthur Rayson, famous Geelong left-foot half-forward, the Glenelg man did a grand job that day in checking the brilliant Victorian. During the course of the game, both Handby and Rayson were knocked unconscious by the force with which they met in a violent collision as they were racing for the ball. It was typical of Handby's stamina that he was able to play with unimpaired vitality after receiving attention.

Although Handby never saw Glenelg reach the finals during his playing career, the Tigers were building up to their 1934 peak when he retired as a player in 1932. After his retirement, he maintained interest in the game for many years as a commentator and writer.
From The Tiger, 1962