| Venue: Kardinia Park | Date: Saturday July 24, 1965 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: Win by 27 points | Umpire: Brophy | Crowd: 19,658 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: A.Gallagher 2, K.Hall 2, W.Lofts 2, B.Cox 1, B.Gill 1, B.Quirk 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Best: J.Goold (BOG), A.Gallagher, J.Nicholls, C.Stewart, G.Collis, G.Anderson, K.Hall | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: Nil | Injuries: I.Nankervis (torn shoulder muscle) replaced by T.Board at half-time. B.Buckley (suspected broken jaw) | |||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
In a weekend of upsets, the VFL top four underwent radical change after Melbourne suffered a shock loss to North Melbourne at Coburg Oval, and Geelong lost to Carlton at Kardinia Park.In the wet at Geelong, the crowd was treated to another enthralling duel in the ruck between John Nicholls and 'Polly' Farmer. Honours were shared on the day, but Carlton's victory came because the Blues had two more reliable marking targets up forward in Wes Lofts and Kevin Hall.
This impressive win lifted Carlton back into finals contention in fourth place behind St Kilda, Essendon and Collingwood. Unfortunately, our stay in the spotlight would be all too brief.
The Cats were complacent and lacked the will to win once the Blues looked like running out victors. In the ruck, John Nicholls came up against Graham "Polly" Farmer and John "Sammy" Newman. Honours were even early, but Nicholls mastered the ruck duels and Adrian Gallagher took full advantage roving to a winning ruck.
"Nicholls proved himself physically stronger in the conditions than Farmer and still had command of the rucks in the closing stages." "Nicholl's clear edge in the rucks brought first rover Gallagher into the game. The pair were able to sweep the ball away from the backs whenever they wished, Nicholls deftly palming the ball and Gallagher picking it up cleanly, as on a dry day." (The Age)
Carlton's half back line led by centre half back John Goold and ably supported by John Benetti and Graeme Anderson dominated, and cut off the supply to Geelong's ace full forward Doug Wade. In the centre reining Brownlow Medallist Gordon Collis overshadowed Dennis Marshall who was Geelong's best player.
"Carlton's John Nicholls lined up the ball spinning in the mud in front of him and with the deliberation of a soccer player about to shoot for goal ...
Without putting his hands near the ball he kicked, and the ball spun like a perfect drop-kick.
It travelled about 20 yards to Brian Buckley, who marked about 30 yards from goal. However, Buckley's kick was off target." (The Age)
Team
| B: | 8 John Benetti | 28 John Reilly | 4 Brian Buckley |
| HB: | 26 Graeme Anderson | 17 Gordon Collis | 11 John Goold |
| C: | 39 Cliff Stewart | 19 Ian Collins | 30 Murray Kick |
| HF: | 9 Berkley Cox | 32 Bryan Quirk | 21 Barry Gill |
| F: | 44 Ron Stone | 20 Wes Lofts | 23 Ian Nankervis |
| Ruck: | 2 John Nicholls (acting capt.) | 3 Kevin Hall | 10 Adrian Gallagher |
| Res: | 34 Barry Schmidt | 24 Terry Board | |
| Coach: | Ron Barassi | ||
In: G. Anderson, M. Kick, B. Schmidt
Out: S. Silvagni, J. Gill, J. Comben
Milestones
Debut: Barry SchmidtLast game: Murray Kick
Brunswick Street
Fitzroy played Footscray in one of it's last games at the venue. The 'Roys home crowd was a meagre 7,486, but one official happily remarked, "We had two worse gates last year." (The Age)Next season Fitzroy would play it's home games at Princes Park.
Norm Smith Sacked
Legendary Melbourne player and later coach of six premiership sides in the 50s and 60s, including a hat-trick of flags, Norm Smith, was sacked as Melbourne coach on Friday evening July 23. (prior to Round 13)A disagreement with Norm and the Melbourne selection committee led to this decision. The Demons were the reigning premiers.
GTV-9's Tony Charlton led an in depth discussion on the Sunday after the sacking. This included Norm Smith, Marjorie Smith his wife, Len Smith, Norm's older brother and coach of Fitzroy and Richmond, Ron Barassi former Melbourne captain and current Carlton playing-coach, Ken Hands former Carlton coach, who himself was sacked by the Blues to make way for Ron Barassi's appointment, Geoff Leek former Essendon ruckman, Phonse Kyne former Collingwood player and coach, Brendon Edwards Hawthorn Brownlow Medallist and others.
Also appearing the then current Melbourne players Hassa Mann, Brian Kennelly and John Townsend.
One cannot under estimate what a bomb shell decision this was, and the ramifications it held for this once powerful club. Due to the public outcry, Norm was later reinstated, but the damage had been done.
This one hour interview truly, is excellent television.
Courtesy of Rhettrospective site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETIqhPnIB5A
Round 12 | Round 14