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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

1975 Grand Final: The White Boots Affair

1975

1975 Grand Final: The White Boots Affair

1975

    The 1975 Grand Final became infamous for St George captain, coach and star-player, Graeme 'Changa' Langlands and his white football boots.

    Langlands entered the final carrying a season's worth of of injuries. He was given a painkilling injection before the match, but rather than merely deadening the pain it made his whole leg numb. This was a disaster for St George, whose strategy was to rely on Langlands' long-range kicking skills to keep Easts pinned in their own half. But without their kicker, St George could not contain Easts. To make matters worse, Langlands had signed a contract with Adidas to wear bright, white boots. Since players at the time all wore dark boots, every mistake Langlands made was magnified and he stood out like a beacon on the field in what has since been called 'The White Boots Affair'.

    Easts won the premiership for the second successive year with a record score of 38-0. Legend has it that Langlands threw his white boots over the crossbar in England at the end of 1975.

    Courtesy of
    Cinesound Movietone Productions

    The 1975 Grand Final became infamous for St George captain, coach and star-player, Graeme 'Changa' Langlands and his white football boots.

    Langlands entered the final carrying a season's worth of of injuries. He was given a painkilling injection before the match, but rather than merely deadening the pain it made his whole leg numb. This was a disaster for St George, whose strategy was to rely on Langlands' long-range kicking skills to keep Easts pinned in their own half. But without their kicker, St George could not contain Easts. To make matters worse, Langlands had signed a contract with Adidas to wear bright, white boots. Since players at the time all wore dark boots, every mistake Langlands made was magnified and he stood out like a beacon on the field in what has since been called 'The White Boots Affair'.

    Easts won the premiership for the second successive year with a record score of 38-0. Legend has it that Langlands threw his white boots over the crossbar in England at the end of 1975.

    Courtesy of
    Cinesound Movietone Productions
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