The Road Spring 2020_online

Br Herrick, Val with parents and Daryl with parents
FOR LOVE OF THE JUMPER
ALUMNI STORY
Vladimir “Val” Perovic, Class of 1968, is a former Australian rules
footballer who played with St Kilda and Carlton in the Victorian
Football League (VFL). Val was born in Croatia and emigrated to
Ballarat with his family in 1958 at the age of four. He attended St
Columbus Primary School, where he learned the game of footy and
called North Ballarat home for many, many years.
During his time at St Paul’s Technical College, Val continued honing
his football talents while also gaining valuable skills that he would
rely on during his building career later in life.
The boys of St Paul’s were coached and mentored by Christian
Brother DS Herrick. Br Herrick was at St Paul’s from 1964 until 1969.
He was College Principal from 1966 until 1969. As a coach he
taught not just the skills of the game but also encouraged all his lads
to show good sportsmanship. He was thrilled when the St Paul’s 1967
team were victorious, bringing home the premiership shield to the
College.
The 1967 premiership team was captained by Val and vicecaptained
by Daryl Maher who were presented with special trophies
by Br Herrick in front of their parents—a treasured moment for all of
them.
After leaving St Paul’s, Val continued to shine as a footballer and was
recruited from his North Ballarat team to play with the VFL St Kilda
team in 1973. As a wingman for St Kilda, Val was widely regarded
as one of the recruits of the year. During this time, Val continued
to live and work in Ballarat, but two days a week he commuted to
Moorabbin for training. “In those days we played for love of the
jumper,” said Val. “The guys today don’t know how good they have
got it,” he continued.
After 77 league games for the Saints, Val found himself getting
disillusioned with the sport. He had a run in with a couple of the
club’s officials and with just three games to go in the season, Val
broke his hand, so he bought an old van and took off to tour
Australia. “Call it escapism, or whatever you like. But away I went,”
said Val.
When he returned to Victoria, Val was told he would have to live
in Melbourne if he wanted to continue playing for the Saints. Val
gave notice and hoped to play for Geelong, but in a surprise move
he found himself traded to Carlton for football legend Alex “Jezza”
Jesaulenko. Val moved to Carlton at the end of the 1979 season.
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