12 good reasons

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

If you want to buy the 1957 GF number plates, Bobby Mac has them for sale I believe. 20 bucks for the set, in good nick.

Problem is, they are sold with the car. the car is worth 30 grand.

I'll make a discount for Demons supporters. How about $25 k ? Love your humour DeeVoted.

[old dee 23,792]

Might not to working by the time it made the trip from Perth to Melb.

I had one many moons ago, the second toughest car I have owned, I have confidence in it.

[DeeVoted 583]

I had one many moons ago, the second toughest car I have owned, I have confidence in it.

They don;t make them like that any more. I had an EH that I spent over 10 grand on. (lot fo $$ back then) It came with 2 bibles, just in case the 1st one failed.

One of. if not the quickest 6 cyl in melb. But is another story for another day.

[DeeVoted 583]

No 10 of 12 :

After a "minor' glitch in '58, the Demon juggernaut was back to its all conquering best.

1959 Grand Final Results Saturday, 26th September ,M.C.G

MELBOURNE 1.4 8.5 11.10 17.13 (115)

ESSENDON 3.5 7.8 10.10 11.12 (78)

Umpire: Barbour

Attendance 103,506

MELBOURNE

B: J. Beckwith (Capt.), P. Marquis, C. Wilson

HB: K. Carroll, D. Williams, I. Thorogood

C: I. McLean, L. Mithen, B. Dixon

HF: G. Tunbridge, R. (Tassie). Johnson, P. Brenchley

F: R. (Bob) Johnson, A. Webb, F. Adams

FOLL.: R. Fenton-Smith, R. Barassi, I. Ridley

RES: T. Gleeson, N. Crompton

Goals: Barassi 4, Rowarth 4, Adams 3, R. Johnson 3, Mann, Ridley, Tunbridge.

Best: Barassi, McLean, R. Johnson, Dixon, Jones, Beckwith.

COACH - Norm Smith

ESSENDON

B: Shearman, Towner, Sampson

HB: Epis, Shelton, Hebbard

C: Murdoch, Burgess, Capuano

HF: Peucker, Fraser, Sewell

F: Shaw, Evans, Birt

FOLL.: Leek, Mitchell, Clarke (Capt.)

RES: Mackie, Leydin

Goals: Sewell 4, Clarke 2, Evans 2, Shaw 2, Fraser.

Best: Shearman, Birt, Epis, Sewell, Shaw, Clarke.

COACH - Dick Reynolds

For the fifth consecutive season, Melbourne finished on top of the ladder, this time half a game ahead of Carlton, with Collingwood third and Essendon fourth.Melbourne, naturally, was the hot flag favorite, especially after its 44-point thumping of Carlton in the second semi-final. Essendon, which had made the finals just half a game ahead of Fitzroy, defeated Collingwood by 38 points in the first semi-final and then surprised the football world in defeating Carlton by seven points in the preliminary final. Melbourne therefore was almost unbackable for the flag as the Dons were considered a little better than average side, whereas Melbourne had star players on every line.

The Bombers reveled in their underdog status and took the game right up to Melbourne in the first quarter, deliberately using their pace in an effort to burn off the opposition. The tactics worked, except that poor shooting for goal left Essendon with just a 13-point buffer after so much exertion.

Melbourne coach Norm Smith, realising he had to something about Essendon's pace, instructed his players to hit hard and often. And the Demons had the perfect man to set the example in Ron Barassi, who ran tagger Hugh Mitchell off his feet in causing mayhem. Melbourne led by three points at half time and the pendulum had swung its way.

Essendon kept troubling Melbourne over the third quarter, but a late lapse in concentration allowed Demon forward Bob Johnson to kick two time-on goals. Melbourne led by just six points at the final change, but its ferocious tackling took its toll on Essendon over the final quarter. The Demons cruised home by 37 points to win their fourth flag in five years.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

No 9 of 12:

Our 2nd 3peat. We are flying.

1957 Grand Final Results Saturday, 21st September , M.C.G

MELBOURNE 6.2 9.9 12.11 17.14 (116)

ESSENDON 2.3 4.4 7.8 7.13 (55)

Umpire: Nash

Attendance: 100,324

MELBOURNE

B: J. Beckwith, P. Marquis, Trevor Johnson

HB: D. Williams, N. McMahen (Capt.), K. Carroll

C: F. Adams, K. Melville, B. Dixon

HF: J. Sandral, C. Laidlaw, L. Mithen

F: R. Johnson, A. Webb, I. Ridley

R: Denis Cordner, R.D. Barassi, S.Spencer

RES: T. Gleeson, R. Lane

Goals: Barassi 5, Ridley 4, Webb 3, R.Johnson 2, Tunbridge 2, Case.

Best: Denis Cordner, Barassi, Melville, McLean, McMahen, Marquis

COACH - Norm Smith

Remember those goals well, but I just can't remember what position I played.

[DeeVoted 583]

Remember those goals well, but I just can't remember what position I played.

That data has had the wrong team listed for a number of years. I have amended that, so you are confirmed as a 1/2 forward flanker. Well done.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

That data has had the wrong team listed for a number of years. I have amended that, so you are confirmed as a 1/2 forward flanker. Well done.

I'm glad about that. I wondered whether Tunbridge had kicked two goals from the coaches box. Was Sandral the incorrectly named half forward flanker?

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

Loving this thread DeeVoted - thanks! .................... but unfortunately I'm going to briefly [censored] the balloon of positivity.

I still grieve that we missed a Flag in '58. We were clearly the best team at the end of the the H&A season, and strong favorites to make it four in a row. The Sporting Globe explained the third quarter (the defining quarter in the match) in the following way: "An explosive third quarter, featuring fights aplenty, saw Melbourne slip out of the game. Too many Melbourne players concentrated on evening-up, while the Magpies - with Weideman and Harrison the main instigators - shrewdly began the incidents, but left the rattled Demons to finish them. Melbourne's champion team was thoroughly out-manoeuvered."

The great Ron Barassi himself acknowledged that if he and half of his team-mates had not been sucked-in to retaliating to the Collingwood knuckle, we would have won comfortably.

The one that got away, and the foremost reason I will take my fervent hatred of Collingwood to the grave.

Edit: Surely you can pric(k) a balloon without being offensive (lol)

Edited February 20, 2015 by Deeoldfart

[DeeVoted 583]

Was Sandral the incorrectly named half forward flanker?

At some stage when I was compling the data for the Grand finals, my cut and pasting screwed up. The '57 Melb team list and best players for Ess were wrongly listed. I have since corrected those errors. While I am here, I would like to thank wherever I sourced the data, a thank you. *pop*

Edited February 20, 2015 by DeeVoted

[DeeVoted 583]

Loving this thread DeeVoted - thanks! .................... but unfortunately I'm going to briefly [censored] the balloon of positivity.

I still grieve that we missed a Flag in '58. We were clearly the best team at the end of the the H&A season, and strong favorites to make it four in a row. The Sporting Globe explained the third quarter (the defining quarter in the match) in the following way: "An explosive third quarter, featuring fights aplenty, saw Melbourne slip out of the game. Too many Melbourne players concentrated on evening-up, while the Magpies - with Weideman and Harrison the main instigators - shrewdly began the incidents, but left the rattled Demons to finish them. Melbourne's champion team was thoroughly out-manoeuvered."

The great Ron Barassi himself acknowledged that if he and half of his team-mates had not been sucked-in to retaliating to the Collingwood knuckle, we would have won comfortably.

The one that got away, and the foremost reason I will take my fervent hatred of Collingwood to the grave.

Edit: Surely you can pric(k) a balloon without being offensive (lol)

Yes, we were well and truely sucked in. Harrison and Weideman and a couple of others, decided the only way to beat us, was not playing football, but play the man. A few of our players were getting the rough end of the pineapple. After 1/2 time, we decided to even up the ledger. (bad move) I am suprised Smith didnt make them aware of doing that. (perhaps he did). I read somewhere on any given day in '58 Melbourne would beat the 'filth' 9 times out of 10.

[DeeVoted 583]

No 11 of 12 :

1960 Grand Final Results Saturday, 24th September , M.C.G

MELBOURNE 4.3 5.7 7.11 8.14 (62)

COLLINGWOOD 0.0 1.0 2.0 2.2 (14)

Umpire: Jack Irving

Attendance 97,457

MELBOURNE

B: Beckwith, R. "Tassie" Johnson, Trevor Johnson

HB: Case, Lord, Thorogood

C: Dixon, Mithen, Kenneally

HF: Tunbridge, Laidlaw, H. Mann

F: R. (Bob) Johnson, Rowarth, Adams

FOLL.: L. Mann, Barassi (Capt.), Ridley

Res.: Leahy, Nilsson

Goals: Adams 2, H. Mann 2, R. (Bob) Johnson 2, Rowarth, Tunbridge.

Best: Mithen, Lord, L. Mann, R. (Bob) Johnson, Tunbridge, Dixon.

COACH - Norm Smith

COLLINGWOOD

B: Reeves, Rosenbrock, W. Twomey

HB: K.Rose, Thripp, Delanty

C: Gray, Henderson, Hutchesson

HF: Turner, Weideman (Capt.), Beers

F: Fellowes, Willett, Burns

FOLL.: Gabelich, Harrison, O'Dwyer

Res.: Brewer, Chapman

Goals: Gabelich, Henderson.

Best: Burns, K. Rose, M. Twomey, Thripp, Reeves, Gabelich.

COACH - Phonse Kyne

The Melbourne juggernaut rolled on in 1960, the Demons again finishing on top of the ladder, this time ahead of Fitzroy (coached by Len Smith, brother of Demon coach Norm), Essendon and Collingwood. Melbourne again was the flag favorite, but there was no doubt Fitzroy was the sentimental favorite as it had not been in a grand final since winning in 1944. However, the Demons obviously did not believe in sentiment and thrashed the Lions by 62 points in the second semi-final. Then, in the preliminary final, Collingwood pipped Fitzroy by five points. It was to be yet another Melbourne-Collingwood grand final. This time, however, the Magpies were given only an outside chance of upsetting the power team of the competition, especially as Collingwood had to contend with very heavy conditions in the preliminary final. Melbourne, on the other hand, was fresh from a week's rest.

Conditions for the grand final were atrocious. Rain had pelted down for 48 hours and, ironically, this raised Magpie spirits as the bog at the MCG undoubtedly was a leveler. However, Melbourne dominated from the start, diving on the ball at every opportunity to create packs and generally playing perfect wet-weather football. Melbourne kicked four goals to nil in the opening quarter and even the most optimistic Collingwood fan could not envisage a fightback.

In fact, Collingwood kicked just two goals - the first from a Ray Gabelich toe-kick from just five metres early in the second quarter and the second from a John Henderson set-shot from 40 metres in the third quarter. Melbourne cruised home by 48 points. It was the Demons' fifth flag in six years, and its seventh straight grand final - a phenomenal effort underlining that this indeed was the club's golden era.

Edited March 1, 2015 by DeeVoted

[old dee 23,792]

This was the first I saw. Went to the game with my father. we were there when the gates opened and waited at the standing room fence all day.

Great day

[Nasher 33,616]

Actually, I would have thought that what is acceptable and what is not could be controlled by the user/administrator... that is, there would be an editable file containing words and "D ick" would be in there by default.

Give this man the prize.

I've removed "Dick" from the filter. If anyone ever finds silly words in the filter that need removing, PM me rather than just hoping we might stumble on it in the thread.

[dpositive 1,665]

Most names pretty familiar but FF Rowarth doesn't ring any bells and cant remember Keneally on the wing, probably just overlooked them while watching Dixon and Big Bob do their thing.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Most names pretty familiar but FF Rowarth doesn't ring any bells and cant remember Keneally on the wing, probably just overlooked them while watching Dixon and Big Bob do their thing.

Dark hair hairy legs left footer not tall and hit the post as much as he put through the centre. No. 2 if my mind hasn't completely diminished. Used to kick 2-3 goals consistently.

Alan Rowarth edit.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Pig Dog

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

Correct if wrong, but I recall that Rowarth was a decoy FF, leading the FB out to the half-back line so Big Bob could drop into the goals. Johnson must have enjoyed that, because I recall he ended his career as a top FF in the VFA.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Alan Rowath No. 2 Collingwood 6 footer or smaller. Dark hair and Gary Lyon hairy legs.

I nick named him the poster. Because he hit the post as many times as he put it through

Bryan Kenneally was No. 22 tallish wingman for the day. A grammarian of the Melbourne variety.

Very fast and long kick. A favourite of mine from the moment he put foot on the ground.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Correct if wrong, but I recall that Rowarth was a decoy FF, leading the FB out to the half-back line so Big Bob could drop into the goals. Johnson must have enjoyed that, because I recall he ended his career as a top FF in the VFA.

Top Ff for Oakleigh. Played as Captain coach unti 40 odd.

His big arse was so huge the full backs never stood a chance.

[DeeVoted 583]

The last and perhaps the most memorable? for a number of reasons.

1964 Grand Final Results Saturday, 19th September , M.C.G

MELBOURNE 2.6 5.7 7.10 8.16 (64)

COLLINGWOOD 2.5 5.9 5.11 8.12 (60)

Umpire: Brophy

Attendance: 102,469

MELBOURNE

B: Crompton, Massey, R. "Tassie" Johnson

HB: Anderson, Roet, Davis

C: Dixon, Williams, Adams

HF: Kenneally, Jacobs, Vagg

F: Lord, Bourke, Townsend

FOLL.: Wise, Barassi (Capt.), H. Mann

Res.: P. McLean, Emselle

Goals: Townsend 3, Lord 2, Bourke, Crompton, H. Mann.

Best: Adams, Dixon, R. "Tassie" Johnson, Wise, H. Mann, Williams.

COACH - Norm Smith

COLLINGWOOD

B: Reeves, Potter, Steer

HB: Hill, Mahon, Wright

C: Watt, Henderson, Chapman

HF: Tuddenham, McLean, Norman

F: Waters, Graham, Dalton

FOLL.: Gabelich (Capt.), K. Rose, Bone

Res.: Urquhart, Turner

Goals: Gabelich 2, Waters 2, Bone, Dalton, Steer, Tuddenham.

Best: Hill, Steer, Bone, Potter, Henderson, Dalton

COACH - Bob Rose

This was the last, and undoubtedly the most memorable, of all the Grand Final encounters between Melbourne and Collingwood. The two sides finished first and second respectively at the end of the home and away season, and the rivalry which had dominated the decade was set to continue.

With Hassa Mann ensuring Melbourne?s place in the finals with a last minute winning goal in the second last match, the side was set for its eleventh consecutive finals series. An 89-point win over Collingwood in the second semi-final set Melbourne in the box seat for Grand Final Day.

The Magpies led by two points at the long break, but a sluggish third term saw Melbourne leading by eleven points at the last change. So it came down to a last gasp effort from both sides in the final term. First, Collingwood?s Ray Gabelich cemented himself in football folklore with a 50 metre run and goal that put the Magpies ahead by two points. But then Melbourne back pocket Neil Crompton went one better, following his man up the ground and kicking the goal that won Melbourne its twelfth VFL flag.

[DeeVoted 583]

That was the last time we lifted the Premiership cup. 50 plus years later, we wait for another. One could blame being complacent or perhaps after the success of the 50's, it was just expected to keep rolling along.

You could point the finger at a lot of things that are to blame for a lack of success since 1964. Many great players have been and gone since then.

1987 - 88 might have been seen as our best chance to add another cup. But the planets didn't align.

There is still a lot to be proud of, many players that played in those premierships were out and out champions. Names we have heard mentioned and praised but we never had the privilege of seeing them play in the red and blue.

One thing that stands out for me, apart from having the talent to begin with, the 2 most successful coaches, demanded discipline and teamwork, hard work and ruthfullness, one only has to reflect back to the winning margins in some of those wins, we just didn't win, we made a statement.

It is ok to reflect back, and admire, and read our past victories, but it's well overdue we stood up as a club and demand nothing less than being the most respected and feared club / team in the AFL.

We all follow the Melbourne footy club now for various reasons,12 flags is more than most clubs, we have all had our heroes along the way.

12 Premierships is a good start to love this club, and there are many many more reasons why we do.

I hope those that read how we won those 12 Premierships got an small insight in how mighty this proud club achieved their success. For me, some absolute legends have played for the red and blue, we are doing them all a disservice if we don't demand to be the best.