Lyall Ribbons

Lyall began playing colts for Ngallo in the late 1960s but was hampered by a ‘gammy’ leg after contracting Polio when he was younger. Young Lyall was determined to play footy and when Ngallo junior coach Ken Schroeder (who would later become Lyall’s father in law) would not pick him he went to Pinnaroo North to get a game. Lyall began to show promise and in 1974 went to Adelaide to play under 17s with Norwood.

Lyall returned home in 1975 and rejoined Ngallo on hearing that North Adelaide ruckman Garry Sporn was coaching. Lyall had a standout year making the interleague team against Murray Lands where he was high in the best players. His clever play and exciting high marking were assets that made Lyall an integral part of the 1975 premiership team.

Lyall played in 7 flags for Ngallo during his 200 plus game career as a tough inside midfielder with electrifying pace. Lyall loved to run and carry the ball and a single passage of play in the 1978 grand final stands out in everyone’s memory when he kicked a goal after taking six bounces. Lyall also liked to fly high for the spectacular mark, land on his feet and take off. Later in his career he played across half back with an outstanding ability to read the ball coming into the opposition forward lines and was able to intercept and rebound.

Lyall retired briefly during the 1980s and considerably lowered his golf handicap. He bravely coached the Ngallo D Grade netball team to premierships in 1981 and 1982. Lyall also coached the Ngallo C grade team to a premiership in 1982 with his wife Faye as wing defence. Dianne Heintze was also a member of that team and recalls that Lyall worked them hard but the girls all responded positively to his unique coaching techniques. Dianne still believes that Lyall was one of the best coaches she ever had and she didn’t think she heard him use one swear word all year.

Lyall missed the entire 1991 season as a result of being reported in the 1990 grand final when he retaliated after team mate Gary Menzel had his jaw broken. Video evidence which was not admissible at the time was later produced to prove Lyall’s innocence but that was cold comfort after he had missed a year of football.

He returned to football the next year and took on the role of senior coach. This was always going to be a challenge after Ngallo had already won three premierships in a row. Lyall’s football knowledge and the meticulous planning that he put into each game was like a new beginning for the Ngallo players. Ngallo went on to win their fourth premiership on the trot with a resounding fifteen goal victory.

Lyall only coached the seniors for the one season but was appointed colts coach in 1994 for two seasons. He was then reappointed as A grade coach in 1996 for two seasons however numbers were low and Lyall didn’t enjoy the same success the second time round. Lyall completed his career in B grade and added another highlight to his already impressive football resume when his son Shaun played his first senior game alongside his Dad in 1995.

Lyall was awarded life membership of the Ngallo Football Club in 1999 and was A grade assistant coach to Aaron Oakley in 2000. Lyall was a Ngallo committee member in 2001 when the difficult decision to disband was made.

Lyall’s two sons, Shaun and Dylan and daughter Sarah have followed in their father’s footsteps and had productive sporting careers. Shaun is currently an assistant coach with the Central District under 18s. Dylan plays country football for Nuriootpa after playing with the Adelaide Crows SANFL development squad in 2016. Sarah has excelled as an accomplished equestrian and as an AFLW footballer.