FIFTY YEARS AGO

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

Last night I had the pleasure of sitting at the same table at the club's Keith "Bluey" Truscott Trophy night with Frank Davis and his better half.

Back in 1964, Davis was a first year player who was fortunate enough to play in a winning grand final in his debut season. He later captained the club and also won a "Bluey" in 1970.

On this day in 1964 he played in Melbourne's 89 point second semi final victory over Collingwood in front of 93,010 fans.

SECOND SEMI FINAL

Melbourne 2.3.15 8.7.55 14.13.97 19.20.134

Collingwood 2.2.14 3.6.24 5.8.38 6.9.45

THE TEAM

B: Neil Crompton Bernie Massey Bob "Tassie" Johnson

HB: Tony Anderson Brian Roet Frank Davis

C: Brian Dixon Don Williams Frank "Bluey" Adams

HF: Bryan Kenneally Graeme Jacobs Barrie Vagg

F: John Lord Barry Bourke Ken Emselle

FOLL: Graham Wise Ron Barassi "Hassa" Mann

19/20: Ken Emselle Peter McLean

Goals John Townsend 5, Bryan Kenneally 3, John Lord 3, Barrie Vagg 3, Hassa Mann 2, Ron Barassi 2, Barry Bourke 1

Best Brian Dixon "Hassa Mann Brian Roet Barrie Vagg Don Williams Neil Crompton

Collingwood was confident coming into the game, having won eight games in a row and it started off on top leading kicking 2.2.14 before Melbourne troubled the scorer. After that it was all one way traffic as the Demons piled on the goals and coasted to what was then a record finals victory.

Rover John Townsend announced himself to the football world with a brilliant five goal haul and Melbourne was on its way to the grand final.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

So 50 years ago today, we were waiting while Collingwood and Geelong slugged it out in the preliminary final for the right to be runners up to the mighty Melbourne machine of 1964 ...

[Sir Why You Little 34,615]

That 2nd Semi must have been a truly glorious day!!

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

That 2nd Semi must have been a truly glorious day!!

Magical. I went to the game and immediately after was driven to Healesville where we were staying during the September school holidays. By the time we got there it was dark, gloomy and raining but I can remember watching a TV show (Channel 7 Pelaco Footy Inquest ?) with the panel extolling the virtues of the club and the brilliance of Norm Smith as a coach and tactician. We were certainties for the flag and we thought this would never end.

And look at us now.

[Chook 14,594]

And 49 years ago, Joeboy started supporting Melbourne. We've been atrocious ever since.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

Fifty years ago today, Melbourne won its 12th premiership defeating Collingwood by four points in an exciting action-packed grand final at the MCG in front of 102,469 fans.

GRAND FINAL

Melbourne 2.6.18 5.7.37 7.10.52 8.16.64

Collingwood 2.5.17 5.9.39 5.11.4 8.12.60

THE TEAM

B: Neil Crompton Bernie Massey Bob "Tassie" Johnson

HB: Tony Anderson Brian Roet Frank Davis

C: Brian Dixon Don Williams Frank "Bluey" Adams

HF: Bryan Kenneally Graeme Jacobs Barrie Vagg

F: John Lord Barry Bourke Ken Emselle

FOLL: Graham Wise Ron Barassi "Hassa" Mann

19/20: Ken Emselle Peter McLean

Goals John Townsend 3 John Lord 2 Barry Bourke Neil Crompton "Hassa" Mann

Best Brian Dixon "Hassa" Mann Brian Roet Frank "Bluey" Adams Bob "Tassie" Johnson Tony Anderson

Over the coming weeks, I will describe some of the events on that historic occasion when the Melbourne Football Club triumphed for the last time to date in a grand final on a day that ended with captain Ron Barassi holding the premiership cup aloft for the cheering Demon crowd. We didn't know then but he had played his last game for the club.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

At about this moment fifty years ago ... THE 1964 PREMIERSHIP IS OURS

[bush demon 1,900]

Fifty years ago today, Melbourne won its 12th premiership defeating Collingwood by four points in an exciting action-packed grand final at the MCG in front of 102,469 fans.GRAND FINALMelbourne 2.6.18 5.7.37 7.10.52 8.16.64

Collingwood 2.5.17 5.9.39 5.11.4 8.12.60

THE TEAM

B: Neil Crompton Bernie Massey Bob "Tassie" Johnson

HB: Tony Anderson Brian Roet Frank Davis

C: Brian Dixon Don Williams Frank "Bluey" Adams

HF: Bryan Kenneally Graeme Jacobs Barrie Vagg

F: John Lord Barry Bourke Ken Emselle

FOLL: Graham Wise Ron Barassi "Hassa" Mann

19/20: Ken Emselle Peter McLeanGoals John Townsend 3 John Lord 2 Barry Bourke Neil Crompton "Hassa" Mann Best Brian Dixon "Hassa" Mann Brian Roet Frank "Bluey" Adams Bob "Tassie" Johnson Tony Anderson

Over the coming weeks, I will describe some of the events on that historic occasion when the Melbourne Football Club triumphed for the last time to date in a grand final on a day that ended with captain Ron Barassi holding the premiership cup aloft for the cheering Demon crowd. We didn't know then but he had played his last game for the club.

2nd last game! They backed two weeks later v South Adelaide

[Demoneyes 562]

Not quite old enough to remember it but I would like to see another before my time is up!

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

2nd last game! They backed two weeks later v South Adelaide

OK but the last VFL game that really meant anything.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

From afl.com.au on the most outstanding individuals in the history of each of the clubs

MELBOURNE

Norm Smith towers over all other candidates for this mantle at Demonland, given his intimate involvement in 10 of Melbourne's 12 premierships in a golden 25-year period (1939-64). A brilliant, selfless full-forward, Smith led Melbourne's attack in four premierships (1939-40-41 and 1948). He bagged a game-high seven goals in the 1940 grand final against Richmond (just a fortnight after being knocked out by Tigers enforcer Jack Dyer in a second semi-final loss) and was arguably best-afield in both the 1948 drawn grand final and replay boilover against Essendon. Smith then embarked upon a phenomenal coaching career that netted six premierships in 10 seasons, including a record five flags in six years. Smith would emphasise to his charges: "You don't lose Grand Finals." He rarely did, losing just three (and drawing one) of the 14 he contested. Little wonder the medal for the player adjudged best afield in the grand final bears Smith's name. - Ben Collins

[Tim 2,861]

I went to the game and immediately after was driven to Healesville where we were staying during the September school holidays.

Jack - terrific recap of the 64 season. Did you get to the G early enough on GF day (9.15 start) to see the Demons lift another premiership at Collingwood's expense in the U19's, with Next Big Thing, Ken Jungwirth, kicking 5 for the Red and Blue? Our future seemed unlimited by the end of that afternoon.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

Jack - terrific recap of the 64 season. Did you get to the G early enough on GF day (9.15 start) to see the Demons lift another premiership at Collingwood's expense in the U19's, with Next Big Thing, Ken Jungwirth, kicking 5 for the Red and Blue? Our future seemed unlimited by the end of that afternoon.

Alas Tim, I did not and the explanation is simple and referred to in my occasional Demonland reports in the series I've entitled "Highway of Demons".

Back in 1964 I was a 15 year old and, unlike my counterparts these days who have iPads and FIFA games to play with, I had a Saturday morning job at a milk bar in Glenhuntly Road Elsternwick. At lunch time on the day of the GF, I dashed off to Channel 2 which was around the corner in Ripponlea where the doorman had promised me entry to watch the game in their studios (along with 100 or so residents from a local aged care facility so I can confidently claim to be the only remaining survivor).

As for Ken Jungwirth, I agree. He was probably one of our first post-Barassi false Messiahs. He showed great promise a couple of years later when he made his debut but he wasn't physically strong enough to make the transition to key forward at the highest level and his career petered out like so many others in the subsequent span of fifty years. The only true champion we produced in all that time was Robbie and there were a sprinkling of stars like Stan Alves, Gary Hardeman, Greg Wells, Garry Lyon, Jim Stynes, The Ox, Neita and now, the tragically underestimated Nathan Jones.