1964 VFL Grand Final

The 1964 VFL Grand Final took place on September 19, 1964 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between VFL clubs Collingwood and Melbourne. Melbourne were competing in the finals for the 11th consecutive season and won the 1964 Grand Final by 64 points to 60. It remains their last premiership win.

With Melbourne leading by 11 points at the final break the match is remembered for its thrilling last quarter. In the early stages Melbourne had plenty of opportunities to kick goals but could only manage behinds and it was Collingwood's Des Tuddenham who kicked the first goal of the term.

17 minutes into the quarter Collingwood trailed by 9 points but were within a kick when Ray Gabelich kicked goal from a boundary throw in. Gabelich kicked another to put them in front soon afterwards, a goal that is now regarded as one of the most famous in grand final history. He had received the ball near centre half forward and due to Melbourne having spent the previous minutes in their own forwardline and Collingwood moving the ball upfield quickly, there were no defenders ahead of Gabelich. A 109kg ruckman, Gabelich ran towards the goal, bounced the ball four times, nearly losing it on each occasion, and with Melbourne players gaining on him put it through the big sticks.

Collingwood were now 3 points up and time on was nearing. After the restart Melbourne's Barry Bourke kicked the ball into their 50 and it was marked by rover Hassa Mann. He was directly in front and only 20 metres out but his shot for goal came off the side of his boot and he could only manage a behind. Melbourne had another chance to win the game however when they kicked the ball towards the goalsquare. A big pack of players went for the ball but it spilled to the ground where Melbourne defender Neil Crompton gathered the ball and kicked a goal. It was his only goal of the season and he had only been forward because he'd followed his opponent up field.

Just over 5 minutes remained and Collingwood had the ball in their forward line during the final minutes.Collingwood's Ian Graham had a chance to goal with a difficult snap from the boundary but missed. Melbourne held on against intense pressure from Collingwood until the siren sounded leaving Melbourne winners by 4 points.

Teams

Aussie rules team old| title = Melbourne
backpocket1 = Neil Crompton
fullback = Bernie Massey
backpocket2 = Tassie Johnson
halfbackflank1 = Tony Anderson
centrehalfback = Brian Roet
halfbackflank2 = Frank Davis
wing1 = Brian Dixon
centre = Don Williams
wing2 = Frank Adams
halfforwardflank1 = Bryan Kenneally
centrehalfforward = Graeme Jacobs
halfforwardflank2 = Barrie Vagg
forwardpocket1 = John Lord
fullforward = Barry Bourke
forwardpocket2 = John Townsend
ruck = Graeme Wise
ruckrover = Ron Barassi (c)
rover = Hassa Mann
reserve1 = Peter McLean
reserve2 = Ken Emselle
coach = Norm Smith

Aussie rules team old| title = Collingwood
backpocket1 = Ron Reeves
fullback = Ted Potter
backpocket2 = Trevor Steer
halfbackflank1 = Laurie Hill
centrehalfback = John Mahon
halfbackflank2 = Duncan Wright
wing1 = Ricky Watt
centre = John Henderson
wing2 = Bert Chapman
halfforwardflank1 = Des Tuddenham
centrehalfforward = Kevin McLean
halfforwardflank2 = David Norman
forwardpocket1 = Terry Waters
fullforward = Ian Graham
forwardpocket2 = Denis Dalton
ruck = Ray Gabelich (c)
ruckrover = Kevin Rose
rover = Mick Bone
reserve1 = Max Urquhart
reserve2 = Ken Turner
coach = Bob RoseUmpire - Ron Brophy

tatistics

core

Goal kickers

Melbourne:
* Townsend 3
* Lord 2
* Bourke 1
* Crompton 1
* Mann 1

Collingwood:
* Gabelich 2
* Waters 2
* Bone 1
* Dalton 1
* Steer 1
* Tuddenham 1

External links

* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/gabbo%27s_run_in_vain.htm Fullpointsfooty article on the Grand Final]

ee also

* 1964 VFL season