ANNIVERSARY - THE LAST PREMIERSHIP by Whispering Jack

The rivalry between Melbourne and Collingwood has always been strong but in the middle of the twentieth century it was a t fever pitch. It ended with the 1964 Grand Final played exactly 46 years ago today.

The two clubs finished first and second respectively at the end of the 1964 home and away season but it took a last minute Hassa Mann snap from a pocket at Hawthorn in the second last round to deliver the Demons' place in the finals for the eleventh consecutive year.

The Demons demolished the Magpies by 89-points in the second semi-final and was firm favourite to beat the same opponent in the Grand Final.

A dour Collingwood was a more difficult opponent in the big game. They trailled by a point at quarter time and held a two point lead at half time. Melbourne grabbed the lead in the "premiership quarter", keeping the Pies goalless to lead by eleven points at the final break.

The Magpies bounced back in the final term and Ray Gabelich's long run and goal that seemed to last an eternity put the Collingwood in front by two points. In a dramatic finale, Melbourne's back pocket player Neil "Froggy" Crompton following his man up the ground and kicked the goal that put his team in front. There was more excitement in a frenetic nail-biting finish as Demon full forward Barry Bourke took a saving mark in defence.

The siren sounded and Melbourne had won its twelfth and last (to date) premiership.

Frank "Bluey" Adams and skipper Ron Barassi Junior who had been involved in exactly half that number had played their last games in the red and blue. Adams retired and Barassi crossed to Carlton in the off season. It was the end of an era.

Melbourne 2.6.18 5.7.37 7.10.52 8.16.64

Collingwood 2.5.17 5.9.39 5.11.41 8.12.60

Goals

Melbourne Townsend Lord 2 Bourke Crompton Mann

Collingwood Gabelich Waters 2 Bone Dalton Steer Tuddenham

Best

Melbourne Adams Dixon "Tassie" Johnson Wise H Mann Williams

Collingwood Hill Steer Bone Potter Henderson Dalton

Crowd 102, 469 at the MCG

Field Umpire Noel Brophy

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Crompton Massey "Tassie" Johnson

Half backs Anderson Roet Davis

Centreline Dixon Williams Adams

Half forwards Kenneally Jacobs Vagg

Forwards Lord Bourke Townsend

Followers Wise Barassi (captain) Mann

Reserves McLean Emselle

Coach Norm Smith

COLLINGWOOD

Backs Reeves Potter Steer

Half backs Hill Mahon Wright

Centreline Watt Henderson Chapman

Half forwards Tuddenham McLean Norman

Forwards Waters Graham Dalton

Followers Gabelich (captain) Rose Bone

Reserves Urquhart Turner

Coach Bob Rose

THE DEMONS OF 1964

Coach: Norm Smith 21.11.1915 183 cm 82.5 kg - the greatest coach of them all, Smith started his career the hard way playing 40 reserves games before breaking into the Melbourne senior side in 1935. He played 211 games and kicked 540 goals and played a big part in the club winning three flags in a row from 1939 to 1941 retiring from the club after the 1948 premiership win over Essendon to captain coach Fitzroy. He returned to coach the Demons in 1952 and gradually developed one of the most outstanding teams in League history coaching them to 11 consecutive finals appearances, six premierships and eight grand finals. Smith was sacked in sensational circumstances in mid 1965 but was reinstated and coached the club to the end of 1967. In all, he was involved as a player and coach with ten of Melbourne's twelve premierships.

Captain: Ron Barassi 27.02.1935 178 cm 83.5 kg 1953-64 204 games 195 goals Jumper No. 31 Position Ruck Rover - Melbourne's most famous player who may not have had the most talent but possessed a fierce determination and will to win. The son of a former Demon player of the 30's who lost his life in World War Two, Barassi was taken under the wing of coach Norm Smith. He began as a half forward flanker but soon revolutionised the game in the position of ruck rover. He established himself as a leading personality in modern football's most successful side and was appointed captain in 1960 winning the club champion award in 1961 and in the premiership year - 1964. The grand final win in that year was his sixth premiership and last game for the club. Barassi broke the hearts of many young Demon supporters when he transferred to Carlton at the start of 1965 to take on the role of captain coach. He became a successful coach with the rejuvenated Blues and then the Kangaroos before returning for a less than successful stint as coach of Melbourne in the eighties. Recently left the Swans' Board and is back in the fold as a Demon supporter.

Vice Captain: Harold "Hassa" Mann 10.10.1940 177 cm 76 kg 1959-68 178 games 193 goals Jumper No. 29 Position Rover - came to Melbourne from Rutherglen as a half forward flanker but soon found a niche in the centre. Mann played in premiership teams in his first two years at the club and won the Bluey Truscott Medal as club champion in 1962 and 1963. Norm Smith switched his star centreman to a roving role in the 1964 finals series and the move came up trumps as the prolific ball winner was named in the best three players in both games. When Barassi left to captain-coach at Carlton, Mann was appointed skipper and won another best and fairest in 1967.

Frank "Bluey" Adams 12.06.1935 168 cm 72 kg 1953-64 164 games 180 goals Jumper No. 6 Position Wing - from Echuca, Adams played in six winning grand final sides and was one of the fastest players in the competition having made the final of the Stawell Gift and the Bendigo 1000. He was involved in a famous collision with Collingwood winger Des Healey in the 1955 grand final. Adams retired at the end of 1964 and became a TV commentator and also joined the MFC committee.

Tony Anderson 31.01.42 183 cm 82.5 kg 1963-69 75 games 2 goals Jumper No. 11 Position Half back Flank - recruited from University Blacks, Anderson was a courageous defender who represented Victoria in his club's premiership year.

Barry Bourke 14.09.1943 179 cm 77 kg 1963-73 175 games 154 goals Jumper No. 14 Position Full Forward - originally from Neerim South, Bourke stated with Melbourne Under 19's and broke into League football in 1963 when he was the team's leading goal kicker. Over the years was a versatile player and later in his career was an excellent back pocket. Represented his state in 1966, 1969 and 1970.

Neil "Froggy" Crompton 16.08.1937 178 cm 78.5 kg 1957-66 99 games 24 goals Jumper No. 5 Position Back Pocket - a reliable back pocket player from Ormond, the late "Froggy" Crompton became famous for following his man downfield and kicking the winning goal in the 1964 grand final. He was also a tremendous batsman for his state. Frank Davis 25.08.1944 178 cm 72.5 kg 168 games 2 goals Jumper No. 40 Position Half Back Flank - a first year player who broke into the side and acquitted himself well for one who was so inexperienced. David went on to represent his state and captain the club from 1970-2. Brian Dixon 20.05.1936 175 cm 70 kg 1954-68 252 games 41 goals Jumper No. 9 Position Wing - a prolific possession winner for the Demons for over a decade in its most successful era, Dixon joined the club from Melbourne High School in 1954 winning the club champion trophy in 1960 and Tassie Medal for best and fairest in the 1961 National Carnival. Dixon played in five premiership victories for Melbourne and went on to become a State parliamentarian and coached at North Melbourne.

Ken Emselle 17.06.1944 174 cm 73 kg 1962-69 97 games 109 goals Jumper No. 10 Position 19th Man - a clever and talented rover whose father Richie was back pocket in three successive Melbourne premiership teams from 1939, Emselle worked his way through the ranks having started with the Under 19's and started on the bench in the 1964 grand final.

Graeme Jacobs 06.03.1944 189 cm 84.5 kg 1964-67 36 games 49 goals Jumper No. 20 Position Centre Half Forward - Jacobs was a talented 20 year old from East Burwood who walked into the club asking for a game and came into the side in its premiership year as a forward/ruckman and proved a dangerous customer around the goals. Was cleared to the Swans over what was believed to be a disciplinary matter.

Bob "Tassie" Johnson 02.12.1937 189 cm 89 kg 1959-69 202 games 20 goals Jumper No. 8 Position Back Pocket - a long kicking defender originally from North Launceston, "Tassie" stood out of football in 1958 so that he could join the Demons in the following season. He was equally home at full back, centre half back, centre half forward, in a pocket or as a pinch hitter in the ruck. Played full back in the 1959 and 1960 premiership sides and held down a back pocket in 1964. A regular Victorian representative, Johnson captained his team in 1969.

Bryan Kenneally 26.03.1942 180 cm 78.5 kg 1959-69 171 games 68 goals Jumper No. 22 Position Half Forward Flank - a long kicking utility player who came into the side as a raw 17 year old in 1959. Kenneally had two/three premierships and close to 100 games under his belt and was deputy vice captain by the time he played in the 1964 Grand Final. Took over Barassi's ruck roving role in 1965 and represented Victoria in 1967.

John Lord 02.04.1937 188 cm 92.5 kg 1957-65 132 games 80 goals Jumper No. 4 Position Forward Pocket - Lord was a strong tall key forward who played in four premiership teams - 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964. After a season interrupted by a shoulder injury incurred in the 1963 finals campaign, Lord made it back into the team for the finals of 1964.

Bernie Massey 12.08.1939 184 cm 85 kg 1960-67 99 games 0 goals Jumper No. 37 Position Full Back - a tremendous close checking defender whose strength at full back meant that opposing full forwards were always in for a tough time when they came up against the Demons. Once turned up to training sporting a moustache and was promptly ordered to shave it off by coach Smith.

Peter McLean 06.05.1941 187 cm 85.5 kg 1964-5 28 games 2 goals Jumper No. 36 Position 20th Man - a strong defender, McLean spent the entire 1964 grand final on the bench. Left the Demons for Carlton at the end of 1965 and went on to sit on the bench for the Blues in their 1968 premiership win.

Brian "Doc" Roet 02.11.1939 187 cm 82.5 kg 1961-5, 1968 88 games 1 goal Jumper No. 18 Position Centre Half Back - recruited from the amateur ranks in 1961 Roet stepped straight into the all important key defensive role, a position in which he starred for a number of seasons. Roet combined his football with a medical career and was one last of those able to combine that profession with football. Returned for a final season in 1968 after missing two years through overseas commitments.

John Townsend 16.06.1943 171 cm 70 kg 1962-72, 153 games 182 goals Jumper No. 16 Position Forward Pocket - a brilliant rover from St Pats Sale whose career peaked in the 1964 finals when he kicked five goals in the semi for a best on ground performance and another three in the grand final. Won the club best and fairest in 1965 but suffered a knee injury late in the season and this marred his career until 1969 when he was again club champion.

Barry Vagg 21.01.1943 182 cm 73 kg 1962-69, 115 games 132 goals Jumper No. 32 Position Half Forward Flank - recruited from Shepparton in 1962, Vagg was a clever and elusive will-o-the-wisp flanker who often bobbed up to kick an all important goal and was a consistent goal kicker for the club in the 1960's.

Don Williams 03.11.1935 182 cm 79.5 kg 1959-60, 1964-68, 205 games 5 goals Jumper No. 35 Position Centre - a brilliant half back flanker from Elsternwick Amateurs, Williams played in the 1955-7 premierships sides but was so miffed at being played on the bench in the winning grand final of 1959 that he moved to West Perth before returning to coach at Sale in 1963. Returned to play in the centre of the ground in the 1964 premiership team before a knee injury ended his career in 1968.

Graham Wise 13.10.1942 188 cm 82.5 kg 1963-66, 40 games 1 goal Jumper No. 23 Position Ruck - a shortish ruckman Wise took time to settle into the tempo of League football but was a valuable contributor in the Demons' following division in its premiership season. Left the club after 1966 to coach in Tasmania.

Amazing how short most of the team were!!