Collingwood's 50 Most Sensational Games

By Jeff Dowsing

Remember that game when....

So many a footy discussion in the pubs, offices, homes and clubrooms across the nation has kicked off this way.

Each season is a journey, a roller-coaster ride of emotions for the Magpie faithful. No other supporters take defeat to heart so acutely, and to the chagrin of everyone else, no other celebrates with such gusto.

Ever since Melbourne’s most deprived suburb spawned The Club, a passing parade of champions, honest battlers and everything in between have made Collingwood what it is today; steeped in a rich, sometimes turbulent history, and most certainly never dull.
Here, fifty of Collingwood’s most sensational games have been identified, described and analysed for posterity. Historical snapshots that go some way to explain the Magpie mystique, and why for so many their choice of team is black and white.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeff Dowsing
• Release date: Mar 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458168610

Jeff Dowsing

Currently working in marketing for a children's charitable organisation running corporate bike events across Australia. For several years Jeff wrote as a freelancer for Inside Sport magazine and The Age newspaper.Now, for something completely different, Jeff has released his first fictional work, the genre bending Undercurrents.Besides storytelling, another of Jeff's passions is the Collingwood Football Club (Australian Rules) which spawned his first book, Collingwood's 50 Most Sensational Games.

Book preview

Collingwood’s 50 Most Sensational Games

By

Jeff Dowsing

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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Enquiries should be addressed to Jeff Dowsing

The publisher has made every effort to acknowledge the source of any copyright material used in this book. Please contact the Editor if you feel any acknowledgement has been overlooked, so that it might be corrected in future editions of the publication.

PUBLISHED BY

Jeff Dowsing on Smashwords

Collingwood’s 50 Most Sensational Games

(c) Jeff Dowsing 2011

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This book is dedicated to all of the Collingwood Army’s true believers who have, side by side, stuck by the Magpies.

Also, to the many servants of The Club who have devoted so much time and energy in the quest for glory.

Finally, to all the players who have steeled their minds, sacrificed their bodies and inspired us with your spirit –

without your efforts there would be no stories to tell.

INDEX

GREAT ESCAPES

True grit

Round 10, 1970

Stayin’ alive

1980 Preliminary final

Hafey’s heroes march on

1981 First Semi final

A push and a rush and the game is ours

Round 4, 1987

Birds on a wire

1990 Qualifying final

It’s a… Collingwood win!

Round 7, 2003

Some goals are bigger than others

2009 Second Semi final

Saved by the Nick of time

2010 Grand Final

HEROES

The ‘Bradman of football’

Round 12, 1930

Todd’s awesome repeat performance

1939 Preliminary final

Tuddy’s magnificent seven snatches Semi

1966 Second Semi final

Macca on song with his sweet 16

Round 19, 1969

Greening’s game return

Round 9, 1974

Sav stands tall in the trenches

Round 5, 1995

Too much Licca spoils Port

2002 Qualifying final

SIXTEEN PERFECT DAYS

Launch pad to a league of our own

1896 VFA Grand Final

Cakewalk

1902 Grand Final

Wilson reports for duty, ‘Pies on the double

1903 Grand Final l

Controversy and Collingwood reign

1910 Grand Final

Battle of the ‘burbs

1917 Grand Final

We know how to play the game

1919 Grand Final

Whisky, milk and bubbly

1927 Grand Final

Coventry the Great

1928 Grand Final

The Sting

1929 Grand Final

The Machine’s rush to immortality

1930 Grand Final

Swans’ luck takes a dive

1935 Grand Final

Side by side, back to back

1936 Grand Final

Band of brothers avenge the Cats

1953 Grand Final

Magpies slay Demons in Grand heist

1958 Grand Final

At last; bound for glory

1990 Grand Final

Saints smothered by The Machine MkII

2010 Grand Final Replay

RISING TO THE OCCASION

‘Roys flick passed in ‘bobby dazzler’

1960 Preliminary final

Good times bad times

1970 Second Semi final

Close encounters of the Fabulous kind

1977 Second Semi final

Two tribes go to war

1978 First Semi final

Cats miss the boat (and bus)

1981 Preliminary final

Taming the Lion kings

2003 Qualifying final

Young guns earn their stripes

2007 Second Semi final

‘Total football’ rocks Cat empire

2010 Preliminary final

Ball provides gripping prelude to big dance

2011 Preliminary Final

FOR A FEW MOMENTS MORE

Tied and exhausted

1977 Grand Final

In Harmes’ way

1979 Grand Final

Respect

2002 Grand Final

GLORY DAYS

Rout of the Blues

Round 4, 1969

The game that had everything

Round 11, 1972

A star is born amid Saints’ hell

Round 4, 1979

Happiness is beating the Blues

Round 5, 1984

Persistent ‘Pies enjoy the silence

Round 13, 1992

Last hurrah for amazing Dakes

Round 2, 1993

Waiting for the siren’s call

Round 8, 2002

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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INTRODUCTION

Remember that game when….

So many a footy discussion in the pubs, offices, homes and clubrooms across the nation has kicked off this way.

Each season is a journey, a roller-coaster ride of emotions for the Magpie faithful. As so accurately illustrated by John Morrison’s short story Black Night in Collingwood, no other supporters take defeat to heart so acutely, and to the chagrin of everyone else, no other celebrates with such gusto.

Ever since Melbourne’s most deprived suburb spawned The Club, a passing parade of champions, honest battlers and everything in between have made Collingwood what it is today; steeped in a rich, sometimes turbulent history, and most certainly never dull.

And Magpie fans are indeed a devoted bunch, who cherish the memories of the games close to their heart – such as their first ever match, a favourite player’s day out, or maybe when their offspring confirmed their black and white allegiance.

Here, fifty of Collingwood’s most sensational games have been identified, described and analysed for posterity. Historical snapshots that go some way to explain the Magpie mystique, and why so many proudly and defiantly proclaim themselves true believers.

And as proven in 2010, simply the biggest show in town.

May there be many more worthy inclusions in years to come, and of course, carn the ‘Pies!

Jeff Dowsing

GREAT ESCAPES

True grit

Round 10 1970

Collingwood 0.3.3 2.10.22 7.16.58 14.23.107

St Kilda 6.6.42 11.8.74 14.9.93 15.10.100

VENUE: Victoria Park

DATE: Saturday 6 June

CROWD: 30,000

UMPIRE: Jolly

COLLINGWOOD

B McKenzie Clifton Waters

HB Eakins Potter O’Callaghan

C Watt Price Greening

HF Tuddenham Dunne Britt

F Jenkin McKenna Pettigrew

FOLL Thompson, M Richardson, W Richardson

INT Dean, Tully

COACH B. Rose

ST KILDA

B Lawrence Murray McIntosh

HB O’Dea Neale Besanko

C Trott Davis Manzie

HF Breen Ditterich Ward

F Evans Griffiths Rae

FOLL Mynott, Payze, Moran

INT Colling, Pascoe

COACH Jeans

BEST

COLLINGWOOD – W Richardson, Eakins, M Richardson, Tuddenham, Dunne, Clifton, McKenna

ST KILDA – McIntosh, Payze, Ditterich, Griffiths, Davis, Lawrence, Murray

GOALS:

COLLINGWOOD – McKenna, W Richardson 5, Eakins, Tuddenham, M Richardson, Price

ST KILDA – Griffiths 4, Moran, Ward 3, Payze 2, Breen, Evans, Manzie

PRE-MATCH:

Collingwood entered the ‘Seventies amid serious internal acrimony, following a bitterly disappointing end to 1969 (finishing top and exiting in straight sets to Carlton and Richmond). The arrival of Peter Eakins from WA threatened to tear the Magpies apart – a divisive scenario that would inform Michael Williamson’s stage play (and later film), The Club. Captain Des Tuddenham and captaincy had been handballed to Terry Waters and Wayne Richardson.

In these circumstances it was somewhat surprising Collingwood won their first eight games. The ‘Pies performed brilliantly with standouts being Jenkin, Greening and McKenna (who had become a goalkicking machine). At the new VFL Park, the ‘Pies came from behind to beat Carlton in Round 8, however talk of an unbeaten season was premature when they succumbed to Essendon at Windy Hill by a goal. Interestingly, on a number of occasions victories were recorded coming from behind – the irony of which would haunt them later in the season. As they entered their Round 10 clash against a powerful St. Kilda combination at Victoria Park, pushing for a win to reclaim the winning habit, no one could have predicted the classic about to unfold. Or from how close to the brink a team can climb back off the canvas.

THE GAME:

Ditterich won the toss and chose the Yarra Falls end. Both sides had opportunities early in the piece, but it wasn’t until the ninth minute that the Saints notched the first goal via Moran, who roved a pack and snapped truly. St Kilda began to take control, stirred by the felling of Mynott by Thompson behind play. Ward, Moran and Breen followed to partake in a four goal blitz in as many minutes. Griffiths added to the Pies’ woes with a long goal from a free, the Saints extending the margin to 32 points at just the 14 minute mark. Griffiths had another opportunity, however Payze went one better to register their sixth for the quarter. After a scoreless 15 minutes, Dunne kicked a behind for the Woods, followed by McKenna with another minor score. When McKenna marked a fraction after the siren had sounded, he uncharacteristically slung the ball back at umpire Jolley in frustration. Playing with vigor, pace and confidence, St Kilda had simply been too good. The Saints were strong in defence and forced the Magpies into errors. Whatever Allan Jeans said in his prematch behind-closed-doors lecture certainly worked.

Collingwood attacked early in the second term but to no avail. Griffiths scored his second goal from a free; a magnificent angle shot, to extend the margin to 43 points. Bob Rose began moving players around in an attempt to buy a goal; Greening to the centre, Price to a forward flank and Britt to the wing. O’Dea limped off, replaced by Colling, but it was a minor setback for the Saints.  Magpie tempers flared, Britt and Rae’s clash notable. Griffiths was proving a handful, juggling a mark and then converting. Finally, after 50 minutes, from the flank McKenna posted the ‘Pies’ first.  St Kilda’s dominance continued when Ditterich tapped to Ward for the Saints’ ninth. Collingwood crowded St Kilda’s forward zone in an attempt to stem the hemorrhaging, but Payze goaled anyway and when Evans did so on the run, the margin was ten goals entering time-on. Wayne Richardson and Dunne added to the Woods’ inaccuracy, but the former goaled before the half was out, reducing the margin to a still significant 52 points. The previous week’s malaise had deepened.

Collingwood’s season had reached flashpoint.

Rose rearranged about seven deckchairs on what had become a Titanic struggle to get back into the contest. Eakins and Ditterich exchanged pleasantries but were cooled by the umpires. After some early chances, the Pies finally goaled through McKenna, courtesy of a pass by Waters (who had been shifted to centre half forward). The Black and Whites slowly cranked into gear and they continued to attack, but the mood was still dark on the terraces as they Bronx cheered Thompson for winning a rare kick. McKenna and Eakins were both free kicked and both converted within a minute. After 16 minutes the difference was a more respectable 32 points. Ward kicked a long one on the run but the Magpies kept chipping away. Manzie steered a long punt home before Tuddenham replied. Both teams continued to trade goals, the Saints through Moran, then the Magpies through McKenna. A five goal quarter was a vast improvement for the home side, but the three goals scored by St Kilda rendered the difference a still daunting 35 points at the last change.

St Kilda stood firm against the Magpie charge, McIntosh the chief road block. A torrid battle ensued, which alluded to a feeling that it was still ‘game on’. Eakins marked spectacularly in defence but the rebound from Thompson to Greening went out on the full. McKenna then looked to have a certain goal, only to have Murray launch himself and knock the ball through for a behind. McKenna soon made amends and the margin was reduced to 20 points. Again Collingwood stormed forward for Wayne Richardson to goal – only to have everyone holding their breath as the goal umpire theatrically chased Jolley up the field to obtain an ‘all clear’ before running back to wave the flags.  After 17 minutes the ‘Pies had the Saints well and truly in their sights. St Kilda lost their poise and were making mistakes, as the Woods’ irrepressible charge continued through Price’s running goal. When Wayne Richardson burst through a pack at the 23 minute mark, the difference was just a solitary point. Again Richardson tormented the Saints, marking in the pocket and converting to give Collingwood the lead. The game wasn’t over though, with Griffiths reclaiming the lead for St Kilda via a strong pack grab. As the timekeepers began to shuffle in their seats, Wayne Richardson marked about 20 metres out, and again put the Magpies in front. Thompson extended the margin to six points with a soccer off the ground and Wayne Richardson scored a decisive point when he hit the post.  When the siren sounded, hundreds of supporters couldn’t resist the temptation to run onto the ground to celebrate what remains The Club’s greatest ever comeback.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:

Heads hung low in the dressing room at half time as Bob Rose prepared to let fly with a few home truths. Had organized betting been in vogue in 1970, odds of 100-1 wouldn’t have been out of the question.

From here on, the Magpies defence stubbornly closed ranks, and the attack became more desperate. With a six goal deficit at the last change, there was still plenty of work to be done.  Though it was a team effort, Wayne Richardson kicked the goals that counted, hauling the Woods over the line.

AFTERMATCH:

Collingwood’s remarkable victory was made possible by the fact the team was a superb combination, and also that the players idolized Bobby Rose and would walk over hot coals for him.  To let him down so appallingly could have only elicited one response. Even the most optimistic of supporters would have expected little more than a gallant fightback and some scoreboard respectability. As Rose’s men were to find out, almost anything is possible in football.

Much was made of St Kilda’s tremendous pace, especially in their dominant first half.  It seems they spent all their petrol tickets too early – when their chief weapon was expended, they were vulnerable.

Collingwood’s task was aided to some extent by umpire Don Jolley, who awarded 15 frees to six in the final quarter. Indeed, Jolley’s umpiring was a discussion point after the game. Yet The Herald’s Alf Brown contended that if anything, it was inconsistent wavering between technical and liberal application of the rules which was frustrating, and Jolley’s difficulty in keeping up with the pace of the game. Said Alf Brown;

"No St Kilda official of importance is complaining about umpire Don Jolley’s display at Collingwood. Which is good… St Kilda lost because they tired, not because of adverse umpiring decisions. Statistics which claim Collingwood had 60 free kicks to St Kilda’s 41 do not mean anything. Half-way through the third quarter, when St Kilda became leg-weary, they began to play from behind and scrag. They gave away free kicks."

Another discussion point was the unruly behaviour of the Collingwood supporters. As umpire Jolley walked off at half time, a can hurled from the frustrated crowd just missed his head. The natives were indeed restless – police intervened when a pole with streamers attached to it belted Saints’ full back Bob Murray on the back during the third quarter. Then in the final term, a farcical situation occurred when a girl ran onto the field and hit Murray! What Murray did to attract such unwarranted attention is not known.

THE HERO:

Wayne Richardson (Collingwood)

Wayne Richardson (Collingwood)

Not only did Richardson kick four of his team’s last five majors, he had to kick the winning goal twice – at the 25 minute mark to put the ‘Pies five points in front, and at the 28 minute mark after Griffiths’ goal. Then, to quash any remaining possibility of a final twist, his poster at the death secured the ‘W’.

POSTSCRIPT:

The four points stolen against the Saints were duly handed back in a remarkable game the following week against South at the Lake Oval. The Magpies surrendered a 19 point lead nearing time-on in the last quarter. As the game headed for its climax, many of the venue bursting crowd of 35,000 surged onto the ground to halt proceedings. With order restored, Collingwood had one last foray into attack. Only problem was the siren had blared just a split-second before McKenna could be awarded a mark, leaving the Swans to celebrate an astonishing one point victory. The pill was a fraction more bitter, for Magpie nemesis Norm Smith was coaching South.

The mid-season slump continued with a narrow win against lowly Footscray, followed by losses to Richmond and Hawthorn.

Nevertheless, to this day, the St Kilda comeback match of June 1970 ranks as one of the greatest come-from-behind wins in League history.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"I’ll take any player off the field who refuses to contest every issue with the Saints. I’ll finish the game with only 14 men if I have to! This was the most disgraceful performance I’ve seen from a Collingwood team as a player and a coach."

Bob Rose tears strips off his players at half time. It worked.

"It was the greatest fight-back I have ever seen. It was a display of Collingwood guts and never-say-die spirit at its best.

Alf Brown was full of praise for the Magpies’ resurrection.

"They yell, scream, moan and throw things when the Magpies are being beaten…I have seen some strange decisions favour Collingwood on the grandstand side of the ground…The police must do something about some of those erratic Collingwood supporters."

Brown was not so impressed by the Carringbush supporters, nor their powers of persuasion.

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Stayin’ alive

1980 Preliminary final

Collingwood 3.5.23 6.8.44 12.10.82 13.15.93

Geelong 2.2.14 5.5.35 9.8.62 13.11.89

VENUE: VFL Park

DATE: Saturday 20 September

CROWD: 75,526

UMPIRES: Deller, Smith

COLLINGWOOD

B Magro McCormack Ireland

HB Byrne Picken Morris

C Twomey Daicos Carlson

HF Kink Stewart Low

F R Shaw C Davis Young

FOLL Moore, Ohlsen, Wearmouth

INT A Shaw, Woolnough

COACH Hafey

GEELONG

B I Nankevis Malarkey Middlemiss

HB Bos Hawkins Yeates

C Turner Featherby Whitcomb

HF Bright Reed Clarke

F Lunn Johnston Smith

FOLL Blake, B Nankervis, Floyd

INT Reed, Taylor

COACH Goggin

BEST

COLLINGWOOD – R Shaw, Stewart, Byrne, Moore, Wearmouth, McCormack, Woolnough

GEELONG – Turner, Featherby, Clarke, Bruns, Taylor, Yeates

GOALS:

COLLINGWOOD – Wearmouth, R Shaw, Davis 3, Young, Stewart, Moore, Daicos

GEELONG – Bruns, Clarke, Bos 3, Johnston 2, Bright, B Nankervis

PRE MATCH:

Having knocked Richmond off top spot in the final round, big things were expected of a Geelong outfit that recorded some marvelous results through the year. Such as Round 20’s three goal win over the ‘Pies at Kardinia Park in which John Mossop (five goals) was a trump card. Yet when Mossop and club stalwart Sam Newman both flopped in the First Semi loss to Carlton, both were hastily dropped.

Collingwood blustered into the Preliminary final with an exciting eight point victory over finals nemesis North Melbourne, followed by a 50 point thrashing of Carlton. The Blues’ win sparked typical Magpie hysteria. But to make the Grand final, the Magpies had to do what no other team had done since the Final Five was introduced in 1972, although the way they took care of the reigning Premier was cause for optimism. Even Rene Kink was in the form of his career, showing his versatility on the ball with 20 kicks and three goals. After a middling season ‘Hafey’s heroes’ had timed their run well.

Geelong made three changes to their selected side – Reed, Smith and Lunn in for Neal and the aforementioned Mossop and Newman. The latter was named, though aware his 300 game career was over - thus enduring a painful charade. Collingwood lost Barham to his perennial hamstring injury, replaced by youngster David Twomey. This was a blow to the ‘Pies as Barham was in peak form, with four goals in the previous week’s Second Semi. Barham was particularly looking forward to his duel with his close friend Michael Turner.

Collingwood oozed determination however the Cats’ boasted an edge in speed and skills, as well as a strong defence. Hafey noted after the game his concerns in that Geelong boasted nine players of interstate quality, and that they had beaten the Magpies twice at VFL Park since 1977. The game promised to go down to the wire, and that it certainly did.

THE GAME:

Umpire Kevin Smith won over the majority of the (pro-Collingwood) crowd at the five minute mark in awarding a dubious mark to Ray Shaw after it appeared Ian Nankervis had the stronger claims. When Nankervis disputed the decision, Smith took control and awarded a 15 metre penalty to guarantee the conversion. Shaw ran onto a loose ball to slot another in the first term, as did Stewart who provided a focal point. The ever reliable Ray Byrne was also playing soundly, and thankfully Kink was switched on. Bruce Nankervis and Bruns brought up Geelong’s major scores whilst Turner, Yeates and Bright excelled.

Johnston marked six-minutes into the second period and put the Cats in front for the first time. He should have widened the margin when he marked, but missed a sitter from just 12 metres out. The defences reigned supreme – especially Picken, McCormack and Byrne for Collingwood and Ian Nankervis and Taylor for Geelong. Through Bruns the Cats extended their lead to 11 points. At the halfway stage of the term Geelong had control with Featherby also at the fore. Craig Davis came to the rescue, threading a fine goal after some courageous work upfield. This ignited the side, with a further two goals added by Shaw and Young. Rovers Ray Shaw and Bruns were the avenues by which their teams conjured a couple more goals in the suffocating contest. At the 21-minute mark Shaw kicked his third and regained the lead for the Woods.

Geelong continued to follow coach Goggin’s instructions to open up the goal face with short passing, even when a shot beckoned - ultimately resultant attempts were botched anyway. Clarke kept the Cats in touch though with a couple goals, and Bos also found the target. Clarke’s move onto the ball after the long break proved significant, and he kicked his third in time-on as the Cats clawed back to within two points. Collingwood’s forward line then enjoyed their most prolific quarter with Davis and Wearmouth goaling twice and Moore and Daicos another two. Magpie big men Moore, Kink and Stewart all lifted, and brought about a comfortable 20 point buffer at the final change.

Wearmouth delivered a big last quarter, typically dashing down the field and accumulating seven kicks, including Collingwood’s first and only goal. For Geelong, a freewheeling Turner was even more prolific, and just as influential. The intensity lifted as the Cats made a desperate bid to make their first Grand final in 13 years. Davis flew for a big grab in the goal square, dropped the mark, picked up the spoils, and then missed a snap over his shoulder. It would have extended the margin beyond three goals but all it did was hyper extend his knee. Collingwood’s composure slipped, blasting away hoping for a big match-winning grab near goal. With just five minutes remaining, the Magpies should have had a Grand final birth sown up but Whitcomb, Bruns and Blake inspired a late Geelong challenge. The ball catapulted from end to end before Bright found space and kicked a superb running goal at the 23 minute mark. Play was fast and furious – Johnston reached high and plucked a fine mark over Picken but a fortunate free and 15m penalty was a Godsend. Geelong were saving their best football for last, and a scrambled kick found Bos who split the middle to bring the difference to within a kick. With just a minute on the clock Bruns blindly threw ball on boot from 30 metres out. Just a behind was registered to the gasps of the Collingwood throng. Kink appeared to mark from the kickout but umpire Smith froze and took the easy option of a ball up – only to make it up to Kink with a timely free. His mongrel punt took the ball out of the danger zone and a scramble ensued before the siren kept the dream alive for another week.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:

During the time on periods of the second and third quarters the Magpies booted six of their 13 goals. A couple key injuries, lapses in concentration and belated moves also stymied the Cats. Key defender Gary Malarkey went down in the first term and Jack Hawkins was done by three quarter time. Dropping Sam Newman possibly came back to bite the Cats. Geelong took far too long to move Hawkins onto the influential Craig Stewart, and David Clarke might have been shifted onto the ball much earlier. In fact, given his ball winning ability in the midfield, Clarke should have not been played at centre half back in the first place.

Hafey’s faith in his players often won dividends. Carlson appeared totally exhausted after the game, and no wonder having fruitlessly chased the Geelong number 9 all day long. Crucially though, he had one personal victory - in the frantic final moments of the match, Carlson won a vital contest against Turner just before the siren. Had Turner prevailed, there was plenty of space and just enough time for Geelong to steal the show.

Tommy shows a lot of faith in his players. I tried to do my best for him and Collingwood…I was very pleased to get that touch, said a relieved Carlson after the game.

AFTERMATCH:

The game can best be summed up in verse by The Age’s football writer of the day Geoff Slattery;

Short or long should the Game be played?

"Give it a roost" as Tom Hafey bayed

Not for the Cats – they played it around,

Using every inch of the great big ground

Quarter by quarter the Magpies led,

And up in the stands, Geelong fans bled

A handpass, a kick, and a goal for the Pies,

The Collingwood game turns statistics to lies

Thirty more times the Cats had the ball,

But when the ‘Pies had it, they gave it their all

Cut out the fiddling and kick towards goal,

That damned short game just destroys the soul.

One last burst the Cats did try

To cut out four points, it was do or die,

But the siren sounds, Geelong is done,

Not Collingwood, but Hafey and the long game won.

The fighting win epitomized the period – deficiencies in speed or class overcome by sheer persistence and determination. Geelong rued some costly mistakes but really never looked like winners, apart from a brief period in the second quarter. The Cats tended towards the spectacular, and although a more skilful outfit, neglecting the percentages brought them undone.

The umpiring came under some scrutiny, in particular Smith for marks awarded to R Shaw (first quarter) and Picken (last quarter), and for several times halting the Cats’ momentum in the third term with contentious penalties. And of Collingwood’s 38 frees, Smith paid 27 of them! Umpiring Director Harry Beitzel dismissed criticism of the umpiring thus;

I’m more interested in next Saturday’s umpiring. I’m not a negative person who looks back.

Geelong coach Bill Goggin wouldn’t be drawn into the umpire debate.

The umpires were not relevant to me. If the media have ideas on them, I wonder they don’t print them.

Having already taken up his displeasure with umpires’ boss Harry Beitzel the week before, Goggin was actually offered the opportunity to nominate his officials for the game – Smith and Deller being two of his favoured four. Despite a 38-26 free count in its favour, the Magpies were also on the wrong end of some strange decisions, including several obvious frees not paid by Deller in Collingwood’s scoring zone in the final quarter.

THE HERO:

Ray Shaw (Collingwood)

Geelong’s champion wingman Michael Turner was arguably best afield with 27 kicks and five handballs, though he drew some criticism for his errant kicking. For the winners, Craig Stewart’s marking and strength in the packs was highly influential, however Shaw led by example in a great captain’s display. With 19 kicks and three goals, Shaw provided the inspirational dashes and finishing that helped carry the ‘Pies into the 1980 Grand final.

POSTSCRIPT:

Odds aside, Collingwood was desperate to snatch a Flag in any way possible. With Hafey instilling great belief in his players, they responded in kind. On the back of the perfectly timed release of the Collingwood based feature film The Club, Magpie euphoria once again gripped Melbourne. Even the haters couldn’t help but find a soft spot for such an underdog. Richmond, despite a horrible Thursday night training session, had other ideas. Clearly a stronger side, and with Bartlett in unstoppable form, the fresh Tigers ran the Pies ragged and another fairytale was squashed in brutal fashion – a record Grand final loss of 81 points shearing the gloss off what was a tremendously gutsy effort through most of the 1980 finals series.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"It was the greatest disappointment of my career. I was out of form, my age had nothing to do with it. Billy said he was trying to go for a bit of pace on the big ground, I would like to think I would have been able to contribute…I think I might have made the difference. That’s just my opinion, ah well."

Sam Newman, despite being named in the team, was told of his omission on the Wednesday night and had effectively played his 303rd and last game the week before against Richmond.

"Unless we’ve got fellows 100% fit we don’t want them. He might have been the one who let us down."

Collingwood had its own selection crisis, with speedster Ricky Barham failing a fitness test on the morning of the game. A fit Barham may have quelled a rampant Michael Turner. Interestingly, Hafey’s philosophy on injured players wavered for Peter Moore in the 1981 Grand final.

"The biggest problem for us today was to get ourselves up mentally."

Perhaps a telling insight into the psyche of Rene Kink, likely speaking more for himself than his teammates.

"You’re away from the pressure during the week. When you come down here you’re calm and just play your own game."

Ex-Cat Michael Woolnough was afforded the luxury of