1964 and all that ...

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

It was a dark day for the Dees in the final home and away round of 1964 but the team still finished on top of the ladder.

Round 18 1964

Footscray vs Melbourne 
Saturday 22 August 
Venue: Western Oval 
Attendance: 20,553

B Crompton Massey Tas Johnson
HB McLean Williams Davis
C Dixon H Mann Adams
HF Vagg Foster Kenneally
F Jacobs Bourke Emselle
Foll Wise Barassi 
Rov Townsend 
19/20 Leitch Watson 

The Demons came into the final round with the double chance assured but they were hit by injuries and were forced to field a weakened side for the final home and away game against the eighth placed Bulldogs at the Western Oval. 

Footscray held sway early by dint of its accuracy in front of goal that helped it to a 19 point half time lead despite having one less shot on goal. After the break the Demons narrowed the gap, mainly through the persistence of their experienced wingmen Dixon and Adams who kept pushing the ball into attack but the forwards were off target. The result was a six point deficit at three-quarter time despite controlling the play for most of the term.

Skipper Ron Barassi was having a bad day while his nemesis Ted Whitten was on fire and with the Bulldogs cruising to a runaway 40 point victory, he was able to claim the title of “Mr Football”.  To make matters worse, it was the club’s lowest score since early in 1960 and the third time in the last four rounds that the team had failed to score 60 points. 

Footscray 3.0.18 6.1.37 7.1.43 12.6.78

Melbourne 1.4.10 2.6.18 4.13.37 4.14.38

Goals Townsend 2 Foster Jacobs 

Best Dixon Jacobs Townsend Adams H Mann P McLean

Melbourne held onto top spot by virtue of sixth placed upsetting Geelong, a result which pushed the Cats into fourth position and allowed Collingwood to steal the double chance going into the finals.

Reserves Melbourne 10.13.73 defeated Footscray 7.6.48 

Goals Robbie 3 Bartlett Wood 2 Unknown 3 

Best L Mann Robbie Miller

Under 19s Melbourne 14.15.99 defeated Footscray 10.3.63

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

First Semi Final  Day 1964

Geelong dominated the second half of the first semi final in front of a crowd of 92,231 at the MCG winning with a score of 12.12.84 to 10.5.65.

Otherwise, Saturday 29 August, 1964 was a quiet day for Demon fans. 

 

[Bitter but optimistic 21,150]

Was the twentieth man Graeme Watson the cricketer ? I simply do not remember.

[bush demon 1,875]

How many A grade footballers did Melbourne recruit between their 1960 flag and their collapse in 1965? Bourke and Townsend? Now compare with the champions the other clubs were accumulating during that period. 

[Elwood 3184 1,263]

6 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

First Semi Final  Day 1964

Geelong dominated the second half of the first semi final in front of a crowd of 92,231 at the MCG winning with a score of 12.12.84 to 10.5.65.

Otherwise, Saturday 29 August, 1964 was a quiet day for Demon fans. 

 

 

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

6 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

First Semi Final  Day 1964

Geelong dominated the second half of the first semi final in front of a crowd of 92,231 at the MCG winning with a score of 12.12.84 to 10.5.65.

Otherwise, Saturday 29 August, 1964 was a quiet day for Demon fans. 

 

When I first heard this song and again when first seeing this clip, I just could not believe how talented these two were in their own rights. This is very much the MFC theme and the thematic so expressed. Thanks, WJ. Right on the eve of destruction.

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

4 hours ago, bush demon said:

How many A grade footballers did Melbourne recruit between their 1960 flag and their collapse in 1965? Bourke and Townsend? Now compare with the champions the other clubs were accumulating during that period. 

One problem back in those times was that we had such strong teams across all lines and it was so hard for players to break into the team. The drive and incentive to recruit wasn’t there and we weren’t prepared for the inevitable when a number of players retired or left the club. There was no proper succession plan in place and by the time we woke up, other clubs overtook us in terms of professionalism in every aspect of running a football club.

[Mister Ed 269]

16 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Was the twentieth man Graeme Watson the cricketer ? I simply do not remember.

Yes - gave up the footy for cricket and also had a few injuries. Watson passed away a few months ago.

 

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

Demon fans enjoying heaven ...

Second Semi Final 1964

Melbourne vs Collingwood 
Saturday 5 September 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 93,010
    
B Crompton Massey Tas Johnson
HB Anderson Roet Davis
C Dixon Williams Adams
HF Vagg Jacobs Kenneally
F Lord Bourke Townsend
Foll Wise Barassi 
Rov H Mann 
19/20 Emselle McLean
 
The strongest rivalry of the 50s and 60s was that between Melbourne and Collingwood and the 1964 Second Semi Final saw the teams evenly matched in the eyes of the football public. The Demons had been the dominant team for most of the season but the Magpies were coming fast. They won the last eight home and away games in a row to set up the match up in the game to determine which side would be first into the grand final.

Collingwood jumped out of the blocks early to kick 2.2.14 before Melbourne scored. Bryan Kenneally kicked two goals to put the Demons in front by the narrowest of margins at quarter time but they followed that up with six goals to one in the second term. 

Melbourne had winners all over the grant and extended its lead to 59 points at the final break and was unrelenting in its dominance in the last. The final winning margin was a massive 89 points, the biggest win to that point of any final in the history of the competition. Rover John Townsend starred with five goals, Kenneally and John Lord with three goals each. Brian Dixon and Hassa Mann joined Townsend in the best three on the ground as the Demons booked their place into their first premiership decider in four years. 

It was a day for the ages as the rampant Demons put together a string of exciting passages of play that left the Magpies lamenting and licking their wounds and their own fans full of anticipation for an important date in two week’s time.

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

Goals Townsend 5 Kenneally Lord 3 Vagg 3 Barassi H Mann 2 Bourke 

Best Townsend Dixon Mann Vagg Williams Crompton 

It wasn’t all bad news for the Magpies as they did taste victory earlier in the day.

1964 Under 19s Semi Final

Under 19's Semi Final, 1964 
Melbourne vs Collingwood 
Saturday 5 September 
Venue: MCG 

B Bird Millard Jones 
HB Adams Brodie Griffiths 
C Rineholdt Feldman Leigh 
HF Coutts Stone Pritchard 
F Minton-Connell McNab Wight 
Foll Russell McNamee Schultz 
19/20 Roberts Little 
Emg J. Osborne Rowarth Lockwood

Melbourne led for much of the game but was overpowered in the final quarter. Best for the Demons was Neville Stone.

Melbourne 3.2.20 7.5.47 10.7.67 10.10.70

Collingwood 1.5.11 6.8.44 8.10.58 11.13.79

Goals McNabb Schultz 3 McNamee Minton-Connell Stone Wight

[forever demons 1,795]

On 8/29/2020 at 8:13 AM, Bitter but optimistic said:

Was the twentieth man Graeme Watson the cricketer ? I simply do not remember.

yep

[Supermercado 2,609]

Long shot, but does anyone have the Sporting Globe report on the Grand Final in a scrapbook or similar? I'm hoping to get to the State Library and view it in person when it reopens but if somebody's got it and can send me a scan/pictures that would be fantastic.

[bush demon 1,875]

On 9/5/2020 at 10:15 PM, Supermercado said:

Long shot, but does anyone have the Sporting Globe report on the Grand Final in a scrapbook or similar? I'm hoping to get to the State Library and view it in person when it reopens but if somebody's got it and can send me a scan/pictures that would be fantastic.

My friend's sister in Warragul has a ripping round by round scrapbook of 1964 culled from the papers. I am more than happy to help you out. She went to training one night and got the players' autographs as well.

[old dee 22,802]

Even though I was lucky enough to be there I am tired of the subject It almost a life time ago for me.

 

[bush demon 1,875]

From The Age, Monday 21 September.

[bush demon 1,875]

[bush demon 1,875]

[bush demon 1,875]

[bush demon 1,875]

[layzie 28,473]

I wish every game of the 1964 season was in the archives fox footy style because I'd be watching them all right now.

[Supermercado 2,609]

8 hours ago, bush demon said:

My friend's sister in Warragul has a ripping round by round scrapbook of 1964 culled from the papers. I am more than happy to help you out. She went to training one night and got the players' autographs as well.

Ace, I will DM you.

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

The Cats led Magpies through the first half of the 1964 Preliminary Final and, but for their inaccuracy in front of goal, would have set up a grand final encounter with Demons. In the end, the scoreboard told the story and the season was over for the 1963 premiers - 

Collingwood 7.6.48 defeated Geelong 5.14.44.

Earlier in the day, it was the Demons’ greater accuracy for goal that saw them into the Under 19s grand final with an 18 point win over the Tigers.

1964 Under 19s Preliminary Final

Melbourne vs Richmond 
Saturday, 12 September 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 87,091
    
Melbourne 1.4.10 6.5.41 10.6.66 14.7.91

Richmond 4.4.28 7.7.49 8.11.59 10.13.73

B Bird Millard Stewart 
HB Adams Brodie Griffith 
C Rineholdt Feldman Pritchard 
HF Minton-Connell T Leahy Stone 
F Jones McNab, Little 
Foll Russell McNamee Schultz 
19/20 Rowarth D'Arcy 
Emg J Osborne Coutts Lockwood Wight

Goals Little 4 McNab Schultz 3 Russell 2, Feldman Jones 

Best Adams Little Feldman

[Pinball Wizard 271]

Busting to find out what happened on Saturday 19 September, 1964. 

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

Grand Final, 1964 

Melbourne vs Collingwood 
Saturday 19 September 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 102,471

B Neil Crompton Bernie Massey Tassie Johnson 
HB Tony Anderson Brian Roet Frank Davis 
C Brian Dixon Don Williams Frank Adams 
HF Barrie Vagg Graeme Jacobs  Bryan Kenneally
F John Lord Barry Bourke John Townsend 
Foll Graham Wise Ron Barassi (c) 
Rov Hassa Mann 
19/20 Ken Emselle Peter McLean

Coach Norm Smith

Melbourne went into the Grand Final as red hot favourite against a wounded Collingwood but the game turned out to be nothing like the demolition job of two weeks earlier when it won by a massive 89 points. 

The Pies came out with a determined attitude and they kicked the first goal against a slight breeze before John Lord responded for the Demons. From there, it was an arm wrestle for the rest of the term with Melbourne forging ahead by a solitary point at the end of the opening quarter.

Fortunes fluctuated in second quarter with the Demons on top early in the term but the Magpies steadied to kick three goals to take a narrow two point lead into the second half.

Melbourne took control after the main break and dominated the third term booting two goals three behinds to a couple of points and, when the siren sounded for three quarter time, it held a lead of 11 points. 

The Dees remained in control in the early stages of the final quarter but wasted several scoring opportunities with three behinds in a row to extend their lead to 14 points. The persistency of the Magpies paid off with a goal to Tuddenham which was followed by two more behinds to Melbourne who were struggling to grasp the opportunities presented to seal the game.

It was at this point that Collingwood’s giant ruckman Ray Gabelich struck a purple patch with two sensational goals to turn the game on its head. His first came at the 17 minute mark with a kick from a boundary throw in and moments later, the second put his team in front came after he took the ball and had four bounces as he carried his bulky frame towards the goals. Gabelich kicked truly after almost losing the ball during his run and suddenly the Magpies held a three point lead.

Melbourne’s inaccuracy continued when the usually reliable Hassa Mann marked and missed from almost directly in front leaving his team two points in arrears. With the game in the balance, veteran winger Brian Dixon gathered the ball at half forward and booted it goalwards where it was thumped from the pack and spilled to the ground. Incredibly, it found itself in the hands of Demon back pocket Neil Crompton who made no mistake as he threw the ball on his boot to kick his only goal of the season. He had only gone forward because he followed his opponent upfield, a move that would normally not necessarily have pleased coach Norm Smith. 

Melbourne now led by four points as the game ticked into time on and, in the frenetic final moments, full forward Barry Bourke took a telling mark in defence to repel one of Collingwood’s final attacks. The siren sounded and players of both sides were strewn to the ground with exhaustion. The Demons had won the premiership. 

Best players for the Demons were veteran Brian Dixon , Hassa Mann and Brian Roet. Norm Smith was elated at the performance of his charges and described the final term as "the most agonising I have ever experienced in football". And spare a thought for 20th man Peter McLean who spent the entire match sitting on the bench. 

It was Melbourne’s sixth premiership in ten seasons but it was also the last game played by two champions in Ron Barassi and Frank “Bluey” Adams. It also marked the end of a long reign as the competition’s dominant team. Although the Demons did win their first eight matches of the following season they faltered in the last half of the year amid the controversy of Smith’s sacking and division within. They failed to make the finals for another two decades and the glory days of 1954 to 1964 have never returned.

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 Townsend 3 Lord 2 Bourke Crompton H Mann 

Best Dixon H Mann Roet Adams Tas Johnson Anderson 

1964 Under 19s Grand Final

Melbourne vs Collingwood 
Saturday 19 September 
Venue: MCG 

B Bird Millard Stewart 
HB Griffiths Brodie Adams 
C Reinholdt T Leahy Pritchard 
HF Minton-Connell Feldman Stone 
F Little McNab Jones 
Foll Russell McNamee Schultz 
19/20 Rowarth Darcy 
Emerg: Coutts Lockwood J Osborne White

The Demons began the day winning a premiership in the Under 19s, also against Collingwood using their superior pace and teamwork to beat the Magpies by 14 points after trailing by that margin at half time.

Melbourne 2.3.15 5.9.39 9.13.67 12.16.88

Collingwood 3.4.22 8.5.53 9.6.60 11.8.74

Goals McNab 5 Schultz 3 Feldman Little Russell Stone

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

Thanks to bush demon for the colour footage of the grand final.

[Leopold Bloom 279]

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