Round 5 1984
Collingwood 3.3.21 5.8.38 9.11.65 10.16.76
Carlton 2.3.15 5.6.36 8.10.58 9.17.71
VENUE: VFL Park
DATE: Wednesday 25 April
CROWD: 68,082
UMPIRES: Sawers, Cameron
PRE-MATCH
After early season wins over Melbourne and St Kilda, pressure mounted on Collingwood as the ANZAC Day clash against Carlton approached. A dispiriting ten goal loss to Essendon prompted Don Scott, who had been touted as a prospective coach, to blast the players in the media for their lack of discipline and wasting their talent. Even Daicos wasn’t spared. Worse followed – a three point defeat to Sydney the previous Saturday at Victoria Park. Described as ‘disgraceful’ by club officials, coach John Cahill questioned the players’ character. Adding to the anguish was that the loss was masterminded by former club favourite Billy Picken, who had disappointingly left the Magpies after his Copeland Trophy year of 1983.
In the second season of the tumultuous ‘New Magpies’ administration, high priced recruits Geoff Raines, David Cloke, Mike Richardson, Gary Shaw, Bruce Abernethy and Greg Phillips were expected to deliver the goods. Blended with established players the calibre of Daicos, T Shaw, McCormack, Barham, Williams and Taylor, Collingwood had the makings of a highly competitive outfit. Recent performances were falling well short of expectations.
With just three days break, the Magpies welcomed the return of the mercurial Daicos after two weeks suspension. Missing was glamour recruit Mike Richardson, defender Graeme Allan, and ruckman Wes Fellowes. About the only factor in Collingwood’s favour was the short break; a test for the Blues’ older legs.
Not surprisingly, the Blues entered the game firm favourites, Carlton’s 20 players boasting a total of 1852 games whereas Collingwood fielded a side with 600 games less experience. Notwithstanding, Carlton were dealt a blow just prior to the game – in addition to the injured Sheldon, Ashman and English, the withdrawal of key players Hunter and Maclure made for a close to even money affair.
THE GAME
Slippery conditions greeted the combatants from the opening bounce, debutante Ron McKeown copping an early knee to the head but gratefully accepting a free to settle his nerves. Like Dean, Montgomery gave away a free to McAllister for the same thing, though was unlucky given the Magpie forward’s slide caused the clash. Coming off a career best 7 goals McAllister confidently converted to bring up the first of the match. Banks soon followed when he goaled from a skilful grab that paid no heed to the greasy ball. Despite the slickness of Barham, Daicos and Raines, Collingwood went into the first break with just a slender one goal lead.
Carlton hit the front within two minutes of the recommencement however this was to be the last time they inched their nose in front for the remainder of the match. The Magpies, benefiting greatly by the return of Daicos, held a two point margin at half time – though again it should have been much greater. The ‘Macedonian Marvel’ led the way with 17 possessions collected all over the ground. Tony Shaw, who came of age in 1984 as a successful ball-winning tagger, began well on Blues’ matchwinner Wayne Johnston, and Phillips was far too good for Maclure’s replacement Scott Howell. Similarly, old-stagers Doull and Perovic were proving major obstacles for the ‘Pies’ forwards.
Three quick goals in the space of nine minutes by Collingwood early in the third term extended the lead to 20 points. A vigorous shepherd by McAllister put Carlton wingman Glascott on a stretcher later in the quarter, and instantly the stakes were raised. Again the three quarter time margin wasn’t reflective of Collingwood’s greater control, with Abernethy and Raines failing to capitalise on the backline’s fine rebound. Indeed, the whole game was proving to be a battle of the backlines – Blues’ full forward Warren Ralph struggled for opportunities whilst Collingwood relied on usual on-baller Mark Williams to keep the scoreboard ticking. Without Fellowes, Cloke was seconded to battle much taller ruckmen such as Justin Madden (but did so magnificently to finish second in the Brownlow Medal), leaving forward targets who lacked physical presence such as Morwood and Woodhall. Little wonder Doull and Perovic continued to repel many Collingwood attacks.
A stalemate ensued in the early stages of the final quarter, play locked in Carlton’s forward line. Finally Collingwood extricated the ball and Morwood marked within range. His shot hit the post, the resultant Carlton clearance ended in Scott Howell’s gettable attempt also going astray. Rain began to tumble on a floodlit Waverley, the ball continuing to rebound between half forward lines. Daicos scouted the pack within close range but aberrantly his left foot stab was wide. Big Howell was presented another opportunity and this time converted on the run, 40 metres out on a tight angle. An easy shot was missed by Meldrum which would have applied a blowtorch to the Magpies. Johnston now looked dangerous up forward, whilst McConville was proving a handful. Meldrum again roved the pack and incredibly missed another sitter from just 20 metres. Murray Browne took his eleventh mark in defence to repel again, Williams forced the ball forward to Andrew Smith who centered to the goal square. To the crowd’s disgust an obvious infringement on Daicos was ignored. Barham began to have an influence, however there were still no targets on offer. Blackwell missed another one for the Blues, 30 metres out all on his own.
Geoff Raines put Collingwood a point in front when his customary accuracy abandoned him also. With ten minutes remaining, a greasy ball didn’t stop Ralph taking a sure mark on the boundary. His shot failed to draw back and the scores were level again. Cloke’s long pass found Neville Shaw who in turn spotted Morwood at centre half forward. His kick hit Williams, who at the same time was hit very hard by Justin Madden – duly reported for his crude attempted spoil. A welcome 15 metre penalty ensured Williams’ fifth, and with 23 minutes gone, most timely. By now the field played like an ice rink, players slipping and sliding in desperation. A great clearance by Daicos and Barham should have been better utilized by Morwood, alas the eventual Williams miss at least achieved a 7-point buffer entering time-on. Carlton still had plenty of runners and took the ball the length of the ground, only to have McConville’s menacing shot deflected through by McCormack. The ball was now camped in Carlton’s half forward line, whereupon a throw-in saw a long kick by Maylin to a contest between Ralph and McCormack. An extremely dubious free kick was awarded for high contact on Ralph. The siren sounded at just 27 minutes and 43 seconds, Ralph with a close shot from a 45 degree angle – eminently kickable yet no ‘gimme’ under the pressure and conditions. Collingwood players gathered behind the mark, jumping about wildly, desperate to distract the Blues’ full forward. Ralph pushed his shot just to the right and the goal umpire had no hesitation in signaling a point – and a stirring Collingwood victory.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
A key to the win was Tony Shaw’s sensational job in tagging Wayne Johnston out of the game. Johnston usually saved his best for the ‘Pies, but not this time.
Ralph’s slight miscue will forever be recalled fondly by Magpie supporters. Only one goal apiece had been scored, so a short quarter was on the cards. Collingwood could almost taste victory when the ball went out of bounds on the Blues’ forward flank. Maylin sharked the throw in beautifully and threw the ball on his boot, long to the side of the square. It was a brave decision by Rowan Sawers to award the free to Ralph, who’d been soundly beaten by McCormack.
“I didn’t hear the siren. As I was lining up my kick, Spiro Kourkoumelis came up to me and said something about it being over, then I saw some kids jump over the fence…I thought the angle they put me on was a bit rich, but I was reasonably confident of kicking a goal.”
As Ralph lined up the kick, Collingwood coach John Cahill was trudging dejectedly up the players’ race, unable to look.
“I knew if I’d watched it, he would kick it” he was quoted as saying. The injured Craig Davis had to chase him up the race to deliver the good news!
AFTERMATCH
The delirious reactions of the Collingwood players and supporters when the goal umpire gave his verdict was akin to winning a premiership. The media’s spin on the game wasn’t so clear cut. Some said that the ‘Pies should have won handsomely, but their makeshift forward structure was always going to render kicking a winning score a challenge.
As the Magpies celebrated, a Carlton official in the changerooms shielded Ralph from a media pack pressing for interviews with the dejected full forward.
Coach John Cahill thought there was room for improvement, but given recent form, gratefully accepted the four points. The conditions perhaps suited the Magpies, who were big on heart and not as exposed for their lack of height, although at the same time more could have been expected of Carlton’s small brigade. Certainly, the backline was outstanding, and their constant attacking rebound was responsible for putting Collingwood in a winning position.
THE HERO
Mark Williams (Collingwood)
Crossing to Collingwood in 1981 from Port Adelaide, the son of legendary Port player and coach ‘Fos’ Williams was one early ‘eighties investment that did pay dividends. Assuming Daicos’ role in the centre in his first season, the move was profitable for both players. Williams was a courageous captain who led by example, albeit sometimes misunderstood by those around him.
After a seven goal haul the previous week, ex-QAFL star Dale Woodhall was ineffective. With Daicos required on the ball, Cloke in the ruck and Richardson out of the side, Williams picked up the slack of a severely inexperienced forward line. Williams knew how to kick a goal; five out of the side’s ten a matchwinning performance.
POSTSCRIPT
Having missed September action in 1982 and 1983, Collingwood’s ‘foreign legion’ finally gelled enough in 1984 to land a finals berth, finishing fourth. But it was a volatile season on and off the field, The Club lurching from one controversy to the next. Off the field, debts were mounting fast, ruckman Glenn McLean was poached from Melbourne amid legal action by the Demons and threats from the VFL, Sydney would not pay for ex-Magpie Picken, a game was lost to Footscray in embarrassing circumstances, consistent media ridicule, violent storms lifted part of the roof off the Ryder Stand, players were being suspended left right and centre (including reserves player John Bourke’s ten year ban for assaulting an umpire), and after two stirring finals wins, the coup de grâce was a humiliating 133 point capitulation to Essendon in the Preliminary final. Phew! If nothing else, the gutsy ANZAC Day win over Carlton, in addition to the Semi final triumph over the arch enemy, was something for the beleaguered New Magpies administration to hold onto. It was hardly surprising Cahill rounded off the turbulent year by bidding a hasty retreat back to South Australia.
WHAT THEY SAID
“There’s no point sulking, we’ve got to the stage where the mental toughness of the players will be challenged.”
John Cahill’s version of the riot act, prior to the game.“I was dismayed when he only put up one hand.”
After a fortunate free, Ralph was disappointed with the angle he was put on and the goal umpire’s decision. Known as ‘Gonzo’, Ralph had kicked 128 goals in the WAFL for Claremont the year before.“Losing hurts a lot of people connected with the club but only a coach knows the real feeling of despair and loneliness brought on by losses like last Saturday against the Swans. Others get over it more quickly.”
Coming into the clash against the Blues, the loss just four days previously still resonated with Cahill.“It was just desserts in the finish for what we didn’t do during the game…I was resigned to losing a long time before that. If we had drawn the game it would have been an injustice from Collingwood’s point of view.”
Carlton coach David Parkin’s frank assessment of the result on a rare occasion in 1984 where the football gods sided with Collingwood.“Being ANZAC Day, we decided to make it a courage day, to do all the hard things. I thought the discipline was exemplary. The commitment to chase, tackle and man-up was as good as I’ve seen.”
Cahill commends his team for answering their critics by channeling the spirit of the ANZACs.
COLLINGWOOD
B Taylor McCormack Twomey
HB Browne Phillips Miles
C Barham Raines Abernethy
HF Morwood McAllester Daicos
F Williams Woodhall M Beers
FOLL Cloke, T Shaw
INT McKeown, G Shaw
COACH Cahill
CARLTON
B Austin Southby Hunter
HB Doull Perovic McConville
C Glascott Johnson Harmes
HF Meldrum Maclure Alvin
F Madden Ralph J Buckley
FOLL Jones, Kourkoumelis, Marcou
INT Montgomery, Blackwell
COACH Parkin
BEST
COLLINGWOOD – Browne, Williams, Daicos, T Shaw, McCormack, Phillips
CARLTON – Doull, Perovic, J Buckley, Marcou, Blackwell
GOALS
COLLINGWOOD – Williams 5, McAllester 2, Abernethy, M Beers, Morwood
CARLTON – Blackwell 3, Marcou, Ralph, McConville, J Buckley, Howell
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