2 hours ago, Chelly said:

Here’s the 1964 calendar which matches the 2020 calendar so the days of the week are the same in both calendars.

well i'll be buttered on both sides

good catch, chelly

6 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

well i'll be buttered on both sides

... wouldn't be your first time,  would it 'dc'.   ☺️

can't wait for the next exciting update

i've only just read this thread and the anticipation in have for our glorious premiership is strong

Round 7, 1964

Melbourne vs Footscray 
Saturday 30 May 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 33,129

B Crompton Tas Johnson Williams 
HB Anderson Roet Leahy 
C Dixon H Mann Adams
HF Vagg Groom Kenneally
F Jacobs Bourke Townsend 
Foll Wise Barassi 
Rov Emselle
19/20 Lord Robbie 

The determined Doggies faced an in-form Demon outfit at the MCG and the visitors gave them a scare for the first half of the game. Melbourne trailed by a point when the siren sounded but Tony Anderson’s goal put the side in front at the main break. 

From there, the Demons asserted their domination scoring 5.9.39 to a single goal in the third quarter before they coasted home for a comfortable immediately ended any speculation about the result by kicking five goals to one to lead by 42 point victory to securely place them in the top four. The old guard of Dixon, Adams and Barassi were dominant while full forward Barry Bourke was on fire with five goals.

Melbourne 2.3.15 4.5.29 9.14.68 12.14.86

Footscray 2.3.15 3.6.24 4.6.30 6.8.44

Goals Bourke 5 Barassi 3 Emselle 2 Lord Townsend 

Best Dixon Groom Mann Barassi Tas Johnson Bourke 

Reserves Melbourne 12.9.81 defeated Footscray 8.12.60

Goals Bartlett 4 Leitch Watson 2 Carroll Lynch Matthews Wood

Best Watson Leitch Davis

Under 19s Melbourne 12.6.78 defeated Footscray 10.17.77 

Goals McNab Russell Schultz Wight 2 Bird Jones Marr Minton-Connell 

Best Millard McNamee Russell

7 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Under 19s Melbourne 12.6.78 defeated Footscray 10.17.77 

Goals McNab Russell Schultz Wight 2 Bird Jones Marr Minton-Connell 

Best Millard McNamee Russell

Very unMelbournelike result in the Under 19s.

I had always thought that Melbourne beat Hawthorn at Glenferrie in round 18 to clinch top spot, but that was round 17. Melbourne actually lost in round 18 to Footscray. The bigger loser was Geelong. Had the Cats beaten StKilda they would have finished top.

That means in 1964 Melbourne won pole position and the flag courtesy of a Geelong loss, then returned to the finals 23 years later courtesy of another Geelong loss. 

Round 8, 1964 

Fitzroy vs Melbourne 
Saturday 6 June 
Venue: Brunswick Street 
Attendance: 12,727

B Crompton Massey Miller
HB Williams Tas Johnson Leahy 
C Dixon Watson Robbie
HF Vagg Jacobs McLean
F Lord Bourke Townsend 
Foll Wise Kenneally
Rov Emselle
19/20 Carroll Matthews 

Skipper Ron Barassi made his coaching debut while  Norm Smith was in Adelaide coaching the Victorian team. Barassi himself was out with injury so Bryan Kenneally led the side onto the Brunswick Street Oval for what turned out to be an easy victory.

The team had a sluggish start but was well in control at the main break and held an 18 point lead which would have been more but for inaccuracy in front of goal.

With veteran wingman Brian Dixon and rovers John Townsend and Ken Emselle creating havoc, the Demons kicked 10.4 to nothing before taking the foot off the accelerator in the final term to record a 67 point victory.

The game provided a taste of what was to come in Barassi’s long, illustrious and fiery coaching career as the Lions accused him of him of trying to strike ruckman Max Miers in the heat of the second quarter.

Fitzroy 1.2.8 2.4.16 2.4.16 7.9.51

Melbourne 3.6.24 4.10.34 14.14.98 17.16.118

Goals Townsend 4 Emselle Jacobs 3 Kenneally Lord 2 Bourke McLean Vagg 

Best Dixon Jacobs Emselle Robbie Tas Johnson Townsend

Reserves Melbourne 14.10.94 defeated Fitzroy 9.11.65

Goals Carroll 3 Andrew Slade Vearing 2 Leitch Stone Winter Witsomki Zinko

Best Foster Carroll Slade

Under 19s Melbourne 13.27.105 defeated Fitzroy 8.6.54

Goals Russell 3 Pritchard Wight 2 Jones Lockwood McNab J Osborne K Osborne Schultz 

Best Reinholdt Bird Russell
 

what i'm finding interesting about this is that - unlike a lot of clubs who were successful from the 50s to the mid-00s - is that we really didn't seem to have a regular key forward target

it would seem to me that we played more of a 'modern' style game of football where the goals were shared around and it was more about the overall contribution of the team as opposed to have a clear 'target' up forward?

2 hours ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

what i'm finding interesting about this is that - unlike a lot of clubs who were successful from the 50s to the mid-00s - is that we really didn't seem to have a regular key forward target

it would seem to me that we played more of a 'modern' style game of football where the goals were shared around and it was more about the overall contribution of the team as opposed to have a clear 'target' up forward?

I think part of it was that we didn't have a big marking full forward like Peck, Wade, Waters, Ken Fraser etc so had to play a fast, swarming style game.

31 minutes ago, bush demon said:

I think part of it was that we didn't have a big marking full forward like Peck, Wade, Waters, Ken Fraser etc so had to play a fast, swarming style game.

yes, very 'modern football'

On 5/9/2020 at 3:47 AM, bush demon said:

I was just starting to barrack for the Dees at this time, and on that weekend my father - an Englishman who hated aussie rules but loved soccer - took me to Olympic Park to watch Everton defeat Australia 8-2..  If only the day before I could have gone to the G and seen the amazing demons play. It was mid-season a year later that  Saint recruits Cooper and Ditterich tore us apart, ending our reign. 

Wow, this brings back memories (the 8-2 ‘soccer’ match that is). Like you my Dad didn’t ‘get’ Aussie Rules and he took me to see any UK touring side that made it to Melbourne, so I was there that day too.

We’d emigrated to Aus in ‘60 and, after a spell in Sydney, settled in Williamstown where I had my first taste of ‘footy’ in the school playground. Back then, you followed your local team so most of the kids were Footscray daft. One day, Dad’s workmates were on at him to choose a VFL team to and he was leaning towards South as they played in red & white like his beloved Sunderland back in England. One loudmouth though (Pies fan, no surprise there) was pestering him to follow them but, knowing that Sunderland’s bitter rival Newcastle played in black & white and were also the Magpies, he wasn’t interested.  In fact, he told me he chose the Dees that day simply because they were Collingwood’s big rival. Thus started my love affair with the club and within days I had a brand new MFC guernsey and was soon pestering Dad to take me to games.

Anyway, I was there in ‘64.  Aged 8.  Only a few memories but each as vivid as if it happened yesterday. The noise, the foul-mouthed Collingwood fans in front of us abusing the bald John Lord, Ray Gabelich lumbering from the left H-F flank right below me to all but break my heart, Froggy Crompton popping up with his goal, the final siren that I didn’t even hear such was the noise and my Dad ripping into the Pie fans as they skulked away.

Returned to England in the seventies but still follow them - tv coverage is pretty good over here and I’ve been back twice with two wins each time. Just desperate for one more flag before I drop off my perch...

Melbourne’s next game was played on Queens Birthday which in 1964 was on 15 June. Not sure when they changed the holiday to the second Monday of the month but the next report will follow the 1964 calendar.

On 5/30/2020 at 6:05 PM, Tony Tea said:

I had always thought that Melbourne beat Hawthorn at Glenferrie in round 18 to clinch top spot, but that was round 17. Melbourne actually lost in round 18 to Footscray. The bigger loser was Geelong. Had the Cats beaten StKilda they would have finished top.

That means in 1964 Melbourne won pole position and the flag courtesy of a Geelong loss, then returned to the finals 23 years later courtesy of another Geelong loss. 

Yep was there that day we rested a lot of players as we had already secured top spot

I wasn’t happy as I to turn up at Nth Footscray State School and cop a lot [censored] on Monday 

13 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Melbourne’s next game was played on Queens Birthday which in 1964 was on 15 June. Not sure when they changed the holiday to the second Monday of the month but the next report will follow the 1964 calendar.

Where the Dees played the undercard to the Beatles in town for their only Australian tour.

The Queens Birthday holiday of 1964 happened on the third Monday of the month.

Round 9, 1964 

Melbourne vs Collingwood 
Monday 15 June 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 86,664

B Crompton Massey Miller
HB Williams Tas Johnson Leahy 
C Dixon H Mann Watson 
HF Vagg Jacobs Kenneally
F Lord Bourke Townsend 
Foll Wise Barassi 
Rov Emselle
19/20 McLean Robbie 

The Queen's Birthday holiday in 1964 was celebrated on 15 June before a crowd of 86,664 people at the MCG in what was to be a prelude of the year’s grand final. The spectacle was affected by windy conditions but it was a tough bruising battle that was controlled by the home team despite the narrow margin at the finish.

As was common for big games, skipper Ron Barassi was dominant on the ball and that was in spite of the fact that he was playing under an injury cloud. He was assisted by forwards Bryan Kenneally and Barrie Vagg as the team held a two goal lead at half time. The Magpie surge early in the third term was brushed aside despite some wasteful kicking for goal and the Demon defence held firm when the Pies threatened in the last quarter. Despite a few players carrying minor injuries, coach Norm Smith declined the use of his reserves leaving Peter McLean and David Robbie on the bench for the entire game.

Melbourne 3.2.20 5.4.34 8.10.58 10.13.73

Collingwood 2.1.13 3.4.22 5.9.39 8.15.63

Goals Bourke Jacobs Townsend Vagg 2 Emselle Kenneally 

Best Barassi Vagg H Mann Kenneally Williams Dixon

Reserves Collingwood 16.13.109 defeated Melbourne 8.5.53

Goals Carroll Vearing 2 Bartlett Beaton Matthews Zinko 

Best Davis Leitch Hill 

Report M Bartlett (striking - 2 week suspension)

Under 19s (played Saturday 13 June) 

Melbourne 8.10.58 defeated North Melbourne 7.9.51

Goals McNab 3 Schultz 2 Marr Stone 1 (one unknown)

Best Reinholdt Russell Griffiths

Second time during the season when both reserves sat out the entire game on the bench.

I just wanted to say that Australia have Yorkshire in trouble at Sheffield, with Yorkshire sitting at 5/85 on the second day after Aus. had declared at 8/295. Garth McKenzie has picked up two.

Back in the day, the VFL fixture provided for a rest weekend for teams in the middle of the season when interstate games were often played. On this day - Saturday 20 June, 1964 - Melbourne players and supporters had the weekend off with their team holding a 7-2 record for the season and eyeing the club’s 12th flag at the halfway mark of the season.

12 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Back in the day, the VFL fixture provided for a rest weekend for teams in the middle of the season when interstate games were often played. On this day - Saturday 20 June, 1964 - Melbourne players and supporters had the weekend off with their team holding a 7-2 record for the season and eyeing the club’s 12th flag at the halfway mark of the season.

Now, there’s an omen for you! It’s no different from 1964 this year as we’ve been given a week’s break to rest up for the run home.

I'm really enjoying this thread. As someone born 20 years after this and with pretty much just those few minutes of newsreel footage of the 64 grand final to go off it really helps reading the stories here! Keep it up!

Dash plaque on my car - like I need reminding

On this day in 1964 we were on top of the world

Round 10 1964

Melbourne vs Richmond 
Saturday 27 June 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 27,614

B Crompton Massey Williams
HB Anderson Roet Leahy 
C Dixon H Mann Adams
HF Vagg Jacobs Kenneally
F Tas Johnson Bourke Townsend 
Foll Wise Barassi 
Rov Emselle
19/20 Carroll Watson

The round 10 clash between Melbourne and Richmond saw Norm Smith pitted against his older brother Len in the respective team coaching boxes. Len Smith had suffered a heart attack in early 1964 and further health concerns saw him relinquish the coaching reins at the Tigers early in 1965. This clash saw the younger sibling record the biggest win of his coaching career — by a mammoth 113 points.
 
The Demons applied relentless pressure from the start and never eased up after leading by 27 points at quarter time and 57 points at the main break before passing the 100 point barrier during the final term. 

Skipper Ron Barassi led from the front with a four goal performance matched by forward Graeme Jacobs in the comprehensive victory that left Melbourne second on the ladder with a huge percentage break on top team Geelong. Wingman Brian Dixon celebrated his election to state parliament for the seat of St Kilda that evening.

Melbourne 4.5.29 11.13.79 16.16.112 23.18.156    

Richmond 0.2.2 3.4.22 5.7.37 6.7.43

Goals Barassi Jacobs 4 Townsend 4 Emselle 3, Bourke Kenneally Tas Johnson H Mann Vagg Wise 

Best Barassi Roet Townsend Adams H Mann Jacobs 

Reserves Melbourne 21.14.140 defeated Richmond 15.7.97 

Goals Lord Matthews 4 Lynch Vearing Zinko 3 Andrew Leitch McNabb Witomski 

Best Matthews Lynch Andrew

Under 19s  Melbourne 18.14.122 defeated Richmond 9.7.61

Goals Stone 5 Minton-Connell Russell Schultz 3 Jones Marr Osborne Reinholdt 

Best Marr Feldman Schultz

Was it around this time that both Carlton and Richmond were secretly courting Norm Smith/Barassi?

8 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

On this day in 1964 we were on top of the world

Round 10 1964

Melbourne vs Richmond 
Saturday 27 June 
Venue: MCG 
Attendance: 27,614

Melbourne 4.5.29 11.13.79 16.16.112 23.18.156    

Richmond 0.2.2 3.4.22 5.7.37 6.7.43

Goals Barassi Jacobs 4 Townsend 4 Emselle 3, Bourke Kenneally Tas Johnson H Mann Vagg Wise 

Best Barassi Roet Townsend Adams H Mann Jacobs

What I would give for a 113 point win against anybody?

As Americans celebrated the 188th anniversary of their independence, we went down to the lakeside oval to celebrate another Demon victory 

Round 11, 1964 

South Melbourne vs Melbourne 
Saturday 4 July 
Venue: Lake Oval 
Attendance: 10,490

B Crompton Massey Williams
HB Anderson Roet Leahy 
C Dixon H Mann Adams
HF Vagg Jacobs Kenneally
F Tas Johnson Bourke Zinko
Foll Wise Barassi 
Rov Townsend 
19/20 Emselle McLean

After a thumping win over the Tigers, the Demons went in as overwhelming favourites against the lowly Swans, but though the home side was vastly outmatched they restricted the damage to 46 points, carried by a purple patch in the second quarter that had them seven points ahead at the main break.

It took an eight goal to one third quarter to break the shackles as the Demons were led by their dynamic on ball division of Barassi and Townsend who fed Graeme Jacobs to a tally of five goals.

The Demons has now played all teams in the competition and were eyeing the coming return clash with Geelong in the battle for leadership of the competition.

South Melbourne 1.2.8 6.8.44 7.10.52 12.11.83

Melbourne 4.7.31 7.9.51 15.14.104 18.21.129

Goals Jacobs 5 Townsend Zinko 3 Vagg 2 Barassi Emselle Tas Johnson Kenneally Leahy

Best Barassi Kenneally Townsend Adams H Mann Jacobs

Reserves Melbourne 18.10.118 defeated South Melbourne 5.10.40

Goals Carroll Lynch Reinholdt Vearing 3 Robbie 2 Andrew Leitch Lord Slade 

Best Lynch Rowe Davis

Under 19s Melbourne 15.23.113 defeated South Melbourne 8.3.51

Goals Schultz 6 McNabb 3 Marr 2 Jones Pritchard Russell Stone 

Best Russell Schultz Feldman