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1960 Premiership Reunion

The Stigga
The Stigga
in Melbourne Demons

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I know last year was a right off but last year was 60 years since the 1960 premiership and I'm unsure if they still have these events with the surviving members.

I can't recall any mention of it last year, not criticising, but thought I'd open it up for discussion.

In my view, line by line, perhaps our greatest ever team?

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      On 02/03/2021 at 07:58, The Stigga said:

    I know last year was a right off but last year was 60 years since the 1960 premiership and I'm unsure if they still have these events with the surviving members.

    I can't recall any mention of it last year, not criticising, but thought I'd open it up for discussion.

    In my view, line by line, perhaps our greatest ever team?

     

     

    One would have to establish it being the best of the 6 flags In the glory years then compare with the single ones in 1900 1926 and 1948 and also the three peat in 1939,40 and 41.
    There wasn't much difference in the1955 56 57 59 and 60 teams and 64 was an end of successful era one that  is a bonus for us. 
     

    If a reunion was not achieved last year of the 1960 flag  then I would encourage it to be held during this season. 

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    • Demonland changed the title to 1960 Premiership Reunion

    I attended the 50th anniversary of the 1964 flag in 2014. Most of the players were there but they were looking old and some were frail.

    Suggest that a 60th of 1960 might mean that many could not make it. Perhaps its too late.

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      On 02/03/2021 at 07:58, The Stigga said:

    I know last year was a right off but last year was 60 years since the 1960 premiership and I'm unsure if they still have these events with the surviving members.

    I can't recall any mention of it last year, not criticising, but thought I'd open it up for discussion.

    In my view, line by line, perhaps our greatest ever team?

    Thanks The Stigga-you got me keen to go back and look at  the selected sides and stats-gee 1959 and 1960 teams were so good. I can't pick between them. Was also amazed when I saw the emergencies for 1959 - players who didn't make the team-what a  line up:- Athol Webb  Trevor Johnson and Neil,Crompton :)


    Team
    B: John Beckwith (c), Tassie Johnson, John Lord
    HB: Geoff Case, Dennis Jones, Ian Thorogood
    C: Ian McLean, Laurie Mithen, Brian Dixon
    HF: Geoff Tunbridge, Clyde Laidlaw, Hassa Mann
    F: Ron Barassi, Alan Rowarth, Ian Ridley
    R: Bob Johnson, [censored] Fenton-Smith, Frank Adams
    S: Don Williams, Peter Brenchley
    Emg: Trevor Johnson, Neil Crompton, Athol Webb
    Coach: Norm Smith

    Scoring
    Barassi 4.3, R. Johnson 3.1, Tunbridge 1.2, Rowarth 4.1, Adams 3.1, Ridley 1.0, Mann 1.2, Rushed 0.3

    1960 

    Melbourne

    B:John Beckwith Tassie JohnsonTrevor Johnson

    HB:Geoff CaseJohn Lord b1937Ian Thorogood

    C:Brian DixonLaurie Mithen Bryan Kenneally

    HF:Geoff TunbridgeClyde Laidlaw Hassa Mann

    F:Bob B JohnsonAlan Rowarth Frank Adams

    Foll:Len Mann Ron Barassi Jnr  Ian Ridley

    Reserve(s):Brian Leahy Ray Nilsson

    Coach:Norm Smith

     
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      On 03/03/2021 at 06:17, Demons3031 said:

    Thanks The Stigga-you got me keen to go back and look at  the selected sides and stats-gee 1959 and 1960 teams were so good. I can't pick between them. Was also amazed when I saw the emergencies for 1959 - players who didn't make the team-what a  line up:- Athol Webb  Trevor Johnson and Neil,Crompton :)


    Team
    B: John Beckwith (c), Tassie Johnson, John Lord
    HB: Geoff Case, Dennis Jones, Ian Thorogood
    C: Ian McLean, Laurie Mithen, Brian Dixon
    HF: Geoff Tunbridge, Clyde Laidlaw, Hassa Mann
    F: Ron Barassi, Alan Rowarth, Ian Ridley
    R: Bob Johnson, [censored] Fenton-Smith, Frank Adams
    S: Don Williams, Peter Brenchley
    Emg: Trevor Johnson, Neil Crompton, Athol Webb
    Coach: Norm Smith

    Scoring
    Barassi 4.3, R. Johnson 3.1, Tunbridge 1.2, Rowarth 4.1, Adams 3.1, Ridley 1.0, Mann 1.2, Rushed 0.3

    1960 

    Melbourne

    B:John Beckwith Tassie JohnsonTrevor Johnson

    HB:Geoff CaseJohn Lord b1937Ian Thorogood

    C:Brian DixonLaurie Mithen Bryan Kenneally

    HF:Geoff TunbridgeClyde Laidlaw Hassa Mann

    F:Bob B JohnsonAlan Rowarth Frank Adams

    Foll:Len Mann Ron Barassi Jnr  Ian Ridley

    Reserve(s):Brian Leahy Ray Nilsson

    Coach:Norm Smith

     

    Every one of those guys are legends of the Melbourne Football Club.  That was a long time before I was born but they are Demon premiership heroes and should never be forgotten.

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    Hi P2J   Yes-legends for sure. I was born in 1950 and sop lucky that Dad used to take me to matches at the MCG to see these guys-they have given me so many memories to carry through the years. I would love to meet some of them before we all pass on. :)

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    Ha Ha..Fenton Smith just got censored again. Maybe if we called him Doc or Duck instead of [censored] it might get through?

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    Very respectful of that era & one could only wish current members & supporters could  witness those flags..our last premiership Captain just turned  85.....

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      On 03/03/2021 at 06:17, Demons3031 said:

    Thanks The Stigga-you got me keen to go back and look at  the selected sides and stats-gee 1959 and 1960 teams were so good. I can't pick between them. Was also amazed when I saw the emergencies for 1959 - players who didn't make the team-what a  line up:- Athol Webb  Trevor Johnson and Neil,Crompton :)


    Team
    B: John Beckwith (c), Tassie Johnson, John Lord
    HB: Geoff Case, Dennis Jones, Ian Thorogood
    C: Ian McLean, Laurie Mithen, Brian Dixon
    HF: Geoff Tunbridge, Clyde Laidlaw, Hassa Mann
    F: Ron Barassi, Alan Rowarth, Ian Ridley
    R: Bob Johnson, [censored] Fenton-Smith, Frank Adams
    S: Don Williams, Peter Brenchley
    Emg: Trevor Johnson, Neil Crompton, Athol Webb
    Coach: Norm Smith

    Scoring
    Barassi 4.3, R. Johnson 3.1, Tunbridge 1.2, Rowarth 4.1, Adams 3.1, Ridley 1.0, Mann 1.2, Rushed 0.3

    1960 

    Melbourne

    B:John Beckwith Tassie JohnsonTrevor Johnson

    HB:Geoff CaseJohn Lord b1937Ian Thorogood

    C:Brian DixonLaurie Mithen Bryan Kenneally

    HF:Geoff TunbridgeClyde Laidlaw Hassa Mann

    F:Bob B JohnsonAlan Rowarth Frank Adams

    Foll:Len Mann Ron Barassi Jnr  Ian Ridley

    Reserve(s):Brian Leahy Ray Nilsson

    Coach:Norm Smith

     

    I rate myself very lucky to have been been around in our 'glory years', and mention of the names from that era bring the memories flooding back.  To coin a modern day phrase, I'm still 'proud to belong'.  I have a wife, 3 kids and 5 grand kids, all of whom share my passion (they had little choice on that!).  I only hope that they, and all Demonlanders who have not had the privilege, will soon experience the joy of #13.

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      On 03/03/2021 at 10:50, Deeoldfart said:

    I rate myself very lucky to have been been around in our 'glory years', and mention of the names from that era bring the memories flooding back.  To coin a modern day phrase, I'm still 'proud to belong'.  I have a wife, 3 kids and 5 grand kids, all of whom share my passion (they had little choice on that!).  I only hope that they, and all Demonlanders who have not had the privilege, will soon experience the joy of #13.

    My first year as an official supporter. First year I went with my dad. Sadly was not there but listened on 3KZ. 

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    I was blessed to see all 6 flags and the 58 travesty. I was sitting on the fence in 1963 when Roger Dean threw himself to the ground after RDB missed him by a foot right in front of me. That censored [censored] got Ron suspended at the tribunal and  undoubtedly cost us another flag. I have hated Richmond ever since.

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    Interesting to look at the names in 59 & 60. 

    These teams had something. They were great teams, with team spirit, belief, grit and determination and mobility. They loved Norm who was inspirational and a great tactician. It only took a Norm Smith roast for the team to come out and lift after half time. 

    They had great players and leaders on the field.

    However, what strikes me is that the teams were also made up of good ordinary players. Not stars but players clearly playing a role. Players like Alan Rowarth, Dennis Jones, Trevor Johnson, Fenton Smith,  Len Mann, Clyde Laidlaw, John Lord, Brenchley etc. Some like Lord, Trevor Johnson and Fenton Smith were good overhead but slow on the ground. 

    I guess I am just thinking that you don’t have to have a team of stars to win a flag but you do need a champion team (sorry for the cliche). We sometimes think that the great Melbourne teams were composed of champions but this was not the case. 

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      On 04/03/2021 at 01:28, hemingway said:

    Interesting to look at the names in 59 & 60. 

    These teams had something. They were great teams, with team spirit, belief, grit and determination and mobility. They loved Norm who was inspirational and a great tactician. It only took a Norm Smith roast for the team to come out and lift after half time. 

    They had great players and leaders on the field.

    However, what strikes me is that the teams were also made up of good ordinary players. Not stars but players clearly playing a role. Players like Alan Rowarth, Dennis Jones, Trevor Johnson, Fenton Smith,  Len Mann, Clyde Laidlaw, John Lord, Brenchley etc. Some like Lord, Trevor Johnson and Fenton Smith were good overhead but slow on the ground. 

    I guess I am just thinking that you don’t have to have a team of stars to win a flag but you do need a champion team (sorry for the cliche). We sometimes think that the great Melbourne teams were composed of champions but this was not the case. 

    Any group of players that win 6 flags in 11 years and make the 4 all 11 times in a row play in 7 successive grand finals and 8 out of 11 seasons In the GF has players Who are deserved of being called champions In the true sense of the word.

    Also the team was an outstanding group of players and indeed probably the best Team to have success over a long period. Greatest Team in other words.

    Wouldn't it be great  If we could start a dynasty of al least 2 or 3 flags which to be fair are Far harder to win these days.

    I get the feel Something special is building with our group but it's the hardest thing to do and requires much grit teamwork and talent plus that bit of luck during a season and finals Games  also. 
    Let's start with 2021 setting a standard in all areas honouring our 4 year plan and exceeding it in the process.

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      On 04/03/2021 at 01:28, hemingway said:

    Interesting to look at the names in 59 & 60. 

    These teams had something. They were great teams, with team spirit, belief, grit and determination and mobility. They loved Norm who was inspirational and a great tactician. It only took a Norm Smith roast for the team to come out and lift after half time. 

    They had great players and leaders on the field.

    However, what strikes me is that the teams were also made up of good ordinary players. Not stars but players clearly playing a role. Players like Alan Rowarth, Dennis Jones, Trevor Johnson, Fenton Smith,  Len Mann, Clyde Laidlaw, John Lord, Brenchley etc. Some like Lord, Trevor Johnson and Fenton Smith were good overhead but slow on the ground. 

    I guess I am just thinking that you don’t have to have a team of stars to win a flag but you do need a champion team (sorry for the cliche). We sometimes think that the great Melbourne teams were composed of champions but this was not the case. 

     

    Well said Hemingway. I liked Alan Rowarth..Could play half forward flank and kick goals and the swing to full forward and do likewise.  I guess he really filled in after Athol Webb retired. Norm Smith seemed to use him abit like he did wth Barry Bourke a few years later-a small decoy full forward but one who could still kick goals.

    Thoose were the days of black shorts for home games at the G and I remember Alan coming out one day in shorts that must have been bleached as they had lost their black colour and turned  grey.

    Dad got Denis Jones' signature for me on his photo which also said "Keep your eyes on the ball Tim "

    All of the players you mentioned hold memories for me. The versatile John Lord who was such a strong mark.and Clyde Laidlaw-great CHF.

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      On 04/03/2021 at 09:01, Demons3031 said:

    Well said Hemingway. I liked Alan Rowarth..Could play half forward flank and kick goals and the swing to full forward and do likewise.  I guess he really filled in after Athol Webb retired. Norm Smith seemed to use him abit like he did wth Barry Bourke a few years later-a small decoy full forward but one who could still kick goals.

    Thoose were the days of black shorts for home games at the G and I remember Alan coming out one day in shorts that must have been bleached as they had lost their black colour and turned  grey.

    Dad got Denis Jones' signature for me on his photo which also said "Keep your eyes on the ball Tim "

    All of the players you mentioned hold memories for me. The versatile John Lord who was such a strong mark.and Clyde Laidlaw-great CHF.

    I like your comments. 

    Lord took huge  pack marks despite punishment from opponents. Like The Rock of Gibraltar. Laidlaw was underestimated being a very smart player in the air and on the ground. And what about the speed of Bluey Adams and Brian Dixon, the ball magnet of the team. 

    Remember that Norm himself in his playing days was used as a small decoy full forward to the likes of Mueller, Cordner and others. It’s forgotten that Norm was a great player who despite his decoy role kicked a bagful of goals. So it is not surprising that he used small decoy type full forwards as a coach. Webb, Bourke and Rowarth. 

    There was a gulf bigger than Carpentaria in the tactical genius of Smith to other coaches of the day. Probably still is, if you know what I mean. 

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