Dual Rochester Football Club premiership coach Noel McMahen holds a special place in VFL/AFL history.
When landing at the South Melbourne Football Club in 1962 after his days at Rochester he became the first ever full-time coach of a VFL (now AFL) club. He coached the Swans for three years.
McMahen passed away on July 10 at the grand old age of 95 and tributes have been flowing in since for the former distinguished player, coach and administrator.
Originally from Mordialloc, McMahen captained Melbourne’s premiership-winning teams in 1955 and 1956 and was also a member of the Demons’ 1948 flag-winning side.
He won state honours in 1952 and 1954 and was named a life member of the Melbourne Football Club in 1955.
He also won the club best-and-fairest award in 1951 and is a member of Melbourne’s Team of the Century and Hall of Fame.
McMahen’s contribution was immense both on and off the field.
In 1957 he made the move to the country to coach Rochester, then competing in the Bendigo Football League, recognised as the strongest in country Victoria.
In the club’s golden era, it made eight successive grand finals between 1958 and 1965 and won four flags, with McMahen leading Rochester to premierships in 1958 and 1959 and to runners-up in 1960 and 1961.
Rochester stalwart Bruce Major remembers playing in the 1961 runners-up side when he was a teenager and just starting his senior career with the club.
‘‘When he came to Rochester it created a lot of interest having such a high-profile player coaching a small country town,’’ Major said.
Major said McMahen ran a small café near the Rochester schools when he first came to the town, providing lunches for the students.
‘‘The following year he set up a grocery store and I worked for him. When he left Rochester I bought the store off him, which is still in my family today,“ Major said.
Major said as a player and coach McMahen was very physical, fearless but fair.
‘‘He played centre half back most of his time in Rochy but in the 1961 grand final he played in the ruck and forward pocket,’’ Major said.
After Rochester, McMahen coached South Melbourne for three years before stepping down.
During the late 1960s, McMahen continued his involvement in the club, as a board member, chairman of selectors and director of football.
He also went on to serve as vice president/director of business and chairman of coterie.