1960 Preliminary final
Collingwood 2.1.13 6.4.40 7.5.47 9.11.65
Fitzroy 2.2.14 7.3.45 8.7.55 8.12.60
VENUE: MCG
DATE: Saturday 17 September
CROWD: 65,301
UMPIRE: Irving
PRE-MATCH
Having slipped into fourth spot with just 11 wins, winning a nail-biting struggle against Essendon in the Semi secured Collingwood’s berth in the 1960 Preliminary final
The Magpies’ opponents Fitzroy had been heavily criticized for their rampant use of the illegal flick-pass. It was a tactic that played a major part in them winning their last nine games of the regular season. Consequently, pressure was placed on umpires to rule against the hand over the fist. Len Smith, renowned as a student of the game, argued the flick-pass raised the game’s skill level and visual appeal. But he remained the lone exponent of a device that was seen as an unfair advantage by coaches on the receiving end. In some part due to the stricter interpretation, Fitzroy put in a very ordinary display in its Second Semi final whereupon their precise, game plan deserted them in a 62 point drubbing by Melbourne.
So with Fitzroy’s form reversal and Collingwood’s fighting win the previous week, what loomed as a mismatch two weeks earlier had changed complexion – even more so with the onset of wet, heavy conditions. That said, for the Magpies to seriously challenge Melbourne in a Grand final, it was felt that a six-goal plus win was a pass mark.
THE GAME
Symptomatic of the conditions, the opening ‘bounce’ saw umpire Irving’s attempt rise just eight feet, to which Gabelich thumped the ball four times as far. A disorientated Serong provided a comical element to the first term when he weaved past three opponents, only to spin around backwards and collide with umpire Irving. Despite the mishap, Irving made a statement by penalizing the Lions’ first dubious handball when they attempted to run the ball out of defence. Fitzroy matched Collingwood’s vigor in the opening quarter, and did everything but kick a goal. The Maroons’ first, through ‘Butch’ Gale, took 20 minutes whilst their ‘go in’ tactics drew a number of free kicks. Serious injuries to Dorman and Serong prematurely ended their seasons and put the ‘Pies’ chances on a knife-edge. The actual game itself, to quarter time, was an even tussle and despite heavy conditions, the standard was worthy of a final. Melbourne may have slowed Fitzroy’s running / handball game the week before, but against the ‘Pies their ‘A’ game re-emerged.
‘Butch’ Gale, in a fresh clean guernsey, assisted Kevin Wright for the ‘Roys’ third goal with the first drop kick of the game (such was the heavy going). With plenty of grit and determination Collingwood stayed close to Fitzroy, scoring four goals to the Maroons’ five, resulting in just a five point deficit at the long break. Compared to the rest of the grim battle, the second quarter was a scoring avalanche.
Aston and Knight gained the centreline ascendancy in the third quarter, as did rovers Abrahams and Campbell. The Maroons threw everything at the Woods, yet only led by eight points. For Fitzroy, the only concern was how much energy their tremendous third quarter exertions had expended. Meanwhile, hamstrung by injuries and no bench, the Magpies looked to be in dire straits.
Mud-splattered players continued to slog it out in a tense final stanza. Gabelich, along with Ken Turner in the centre, led the Woodsmen admirably as they instigated scores by Beers and O’Dwyer. Beers’ shot appeared true, but didn’t quite have the carry to clear the Lion defenders on the line. O’Dwyer made amends and registered a badly needed goal. Gabelich’s kick from a wide angle missed everything, followed by a miss by Harrison. The Maroons responded with two points of their own. A long kick to the square by Weideman was forced through for yet another minor score. Collingwood peppered the goals with little impact on the scoreboard; Beers contributing two more points. Just minutes to play, Collingwood led by the barest of margins. Finally, Keith Burns snapped a valuable goal to confer the Carringbush a seven-point break into time-on. The Lions could have stolen the game back. A perfect opportunity presented for Bruce McMaster-Smith, but his shot sailed out of bounds. At one point ‘Butch’ Gale was courageous in getting the ball on the forward line – his burst of speed outstanding given his exhaustive state. Two more shots by Campbell resulted in behinds before the siren sounded with the Magpies clutching a dramatic victory and a ticket to the 1960 Grand final.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Collingwood suffered two major setbacks in the first quarter. Brian Dorman was stretchered off when his knee collapsed in the motion of taking a simple shot for goal, requiring six trainers to stretcher him off the ground as Harrison ran on to replace him. Bill Serong then broke his collarbone, thus ending his game and season as well. With Dorman and Serong at the Alfred Hospital, no interchange in a cut-throat final was obviously a huge disadvantage. Ken Turner shifted from half forward to centre, taking Serong’s place, Weideman moved out to centre half forward for Dorman, whilst Willett took Weideman’s place at full forward. So many forced changes promised a massive challenge, yet there was an upside. Willett’s two vital goals was a bonus, whilst Turner was arguably best afield.
Burns’ goal, which put the ‘Pies seven points ahead, looked enough until Graham Campbell snapped a behind from a throw-in, and backed up with another point. Now with 28 minutes elapsed, the siren was imminent – but Fitzroy was now within striking distance. Bravely the Magpies held on to triumph in adversity.
AFTERMATCH
Collingwood’s famous fighting spirit claimed another finals victory. Fitzroy arguably displayed a superior brand of football supported by an edge in pace, but as the heavy conditions took their toll, the Woods’ strength and marginal height advantage came to the fore. In fact, had the conditions been more conducive, Collingwood’s superior aerial ability may have laid the game to rest far sooner.
Fitzroy’s would-be matchwinner Graham Campbell had a reasonable excuse for his errant kicking – a knock to his eye caused a burst blood vessel in the first term, in turn requiring three weeks off work due to blurred vision.
Speculation following the game centered around Serong and Dorman’s replacements. Would 1958 Premiership full forward Ian Brewer make a reappearance after half a season in waiting? Mick Twomey and Neville Withers were also gunning for a berth, whilst an out of form Kevin Rose was struggling to hold his place.
THE HERO
Ray Gabelich (Collingwood)
Strangely, despite ruckman Alan ‘Butch’ Gale being Fitzroy’s best player, it was the Magpie tandem ruck duo of Gabelich and Willett that was key to Collingwood’s win. With the game on the line in the final period, it was the lion-hearted Gabelich who stepped up and generated the play which saw his team gradually chip away and edge ahead.
POSTSCRIPT
Such was the precarious nature of serious knee injuries at the time, Brian Dorman’s mishap proved to be career ending.
Melbourne’s superiority and a tired and depleted Collingwood team conspired to produce a forgettable Grand final flop. Just two goals for the game in an eight goal thrashing, handing Melbourne their eleventh Flag.
Whilst a good number of Collingwood’s ’58 heroes remained, considerable experience and class had been lost. Gone was Lucas, Hamilton, Bill Twomey, Mann, Tuck, Kingston, Ron Richards, Sharp and Waller. And of the 1958-’60 recruits, none played more than 50 games bar Hutchesson, Kevin Rose and ‘Hooker’ Harrison. By the end of 1960, Merrett and Harrison also parted ways, further diminishing the list. It was no surprise the Magpies experienced a slide for the ensuing three seasons. At the end of 1961, having won just five games and averted the wooden spoon by a game and percentage, more players, some perhaps undeservedly, paid the price. There was no tolerance for failure, no matter the circumstances.
WHAT THEY SAID
“That’s my glory, my great moment.”
Keith Burns on kicking the winning goal and being carried from the ground by Murray Weideman and Mike Delanty.“I’ve played in a few finals and I’ve watched even more…but this was the bobby-dazzler.”
Lou Richards in his inimitable style.“The Magpies’ performance must not be assessed on the scoreboard margin, but how close they played to the standard possible in the conditions – and no team including Melbourne, could have played much better on Saturday.
Respected Age football analyst Percy Beams was impressed by Collingwood’s performance in the heavy going.
COLLINGWOOD
B Reeves Rosenbrock Henderson
HB K. Rose Thripp Delanty
C Gray Serong Hutchesson
HF Beers Dorman Turner
F Burns Weideman Fellowes
FOLL Gabelich, Willett, O’Dwyer
INT Harrison, Chapman
COACH Kyne
FITZROY
B MacKenzie Henders Murray
HB Lynch Barclay Hughson
C Aston Powell Knight
HF Abrahams Vernon McMaster-Smith
F Wright Ongarello Slocum
FOLL Gale, Harvey, Campbell
INT Hill, Bromage
COACH L. Smith
BEST
COLLINGWOOD – Gabelich, Reeves, Turner, Beers, Burns, O’Dwyer
FITZROY – Campbell, Gale, Barclay, McMaster-Smith, Slocum, Aston
GOALS:
COLLINGWOOD – Burns 3, Willett 2, Beers, Henderson, Harrison, O’Dwyer
FITZROY – Ongarello 3, Wright 2, Slocum, Gale, Abrahams
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