A Season in the Country – 1975 in the Wimmera and Farrer Leagues: Episode 21

Lockhart Football Ground

 

Redlegs and Tigers book their places 

 

Wimmera League

 

First Semi-final: Dimboola v Jeparit
Saturday 6th September 1975
at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roos     v     Redbacks

 

The teams

 

Dimboola

 

B: Avery, Bond, Noonan

HB: McRae, M. Watson, Skeen

C: Neagle, Excel, Baker

HF: Taylor, King, Rauert

F: Emmerson, Kalms, Schneider

Foll: Ryan (c), G. Watson

Rov: Lynch

 

Jeparit

 

B: Weidermann, Starick, Weir

HB: Robson, Jones, Grigg

C: Jochinke, Morrison, Werner

HF: Dedini, Hoffman, Barber

F: Stronach (c), Schumann, Dettman

Foll: M. Chilton, McLelland

Rov: Robson

Res: from Schulze, M. Smith, C. Smith, Gould. McKenzie

 

Preview

It was “So long Jeparit ! See you next year, Jeparit !” according to the Wimmera Mail-Times on the eve of the Wimmera League First semi-final at Warracknabeal. Dimboola were expected to rebound from their loss to Ararat in the qualifying final with greater determination and superior fitness. The Redbacks would sorely miss coach Peter Chilton, forced out with a knee injury and now suddenly retired. Doug Schumann’s fitness is a concern for Jeparit. Going into the match without their spearhead would be a disaster.

 

The match

The pace of Dimboola was in stark contrast to the flat-footed Jeparit who were unable to shift out of first gear. It was a surprisingly one-sided, runaway win for Dim at Warracknabeal. Without the leadership and inspiration of captain-coach Peter Chilton and the forward power of Doug Schumann, the Redbacks were limp. Injuries to their two key players could not have come at a worse time. Many in the crowd packed up their picnic rugs and headed for their cars at half-time when the scoreboard read DIMBOOLA 11.6 (72) JEPARIT 1.11 (17).

 

Dimboola’s spearhead Richie Kalms was unstoppable in the first half despite the constant challenges of the Redback’s defence. The Roos forwards worked feverishly and in harmony, while the Redbacks had only two forwards who contributed throughout the match – half-forward Robin Barber and centre half-forward Loxley Hoffmann. With the match effectively won at the main break, Dimboola cruised home to win by 63 points and book a place in the Preliminary Final. Jeparit’s hopes of a first WFL flag were dashed, while Dimboola remained in contention to win its first premiership in 16 years.

 

Final score: Dimboola 14.18 (102) defeated Jeparit 4.15 (39)

Goal kickers: Dimboola – Kalms 6, Rauert 4, Schneider 3, Emmerson

Jeparit – Hoffmann 2, Stronach, Dettman

Best: Dimboola – Skeen, Excel, Kalms, Avery, Bond, Baker, Rauert

Jeparit – Weidermann, Stronach, Jones, Hoffman, Starick, Barber, M. Chilton

 

Gate: $2135                   

 

Umpire: Matheson

 

Reserves: Warracknabeal 19.16 (130) defeated Dimboola 8.5 (53)

 

 

Second Semi-final: Stawell v Ararat

Sunday 7th September 1975

at Horsham City Oval

 

 

 

Redlegs     v     Rats

 

The teams

 

Stawell

 

From: Jackson, Stewart, Thomas, Croton, Rathberger, Poyner, G. Perry (c), Heslop, Brilliant, Carr, Harris, Dowdell, Jones, Morrish, Gent, Potter, Rickard, Randell, Roder, C. Perry, Sibson, Evans, Scott

 

Ararat

 

B: Dohnt, Clark, Stephens

HB: Boyd, Gemmola, Leslie

C: Homburg, Dickerson (c), Harrison

HF: T. Mooney, I. Mooney, Harry

F: Walker, Todd, Olver

Foll: Holz, Davis

Rov: Kent

Res: from Robinson, Lugg, Waterson, Lloyd, Shearer, G. Dadswell, Davies

 

Preview

 

The Wimmera Mail-Times tipped “superfit” Stawell to step into the Grand Final by defeating Ararat in the major semi. Maurie Lawson wrote an article (WM-T, 5 Sep. 1975) on Wimmera League history and the coincidence that former Essendon giant ruckman Perc Bushby (originally from Narrandera) had coached both clubs. He described Bushby as “one of the immortal figures of country football.” After leaving Essendon, Bushby started his fruitful  Wimmera days at Stawell (premiers 1950) and then prospered at Ararat, winning four flags in a row (1955-1958). Bushby passed away the week before the ‘75 second semi-final. “The spirit of big Perc will be there” Lawson wrote. The footballers and netballers of Stawell and Ararat currently play annually for the Perc Bushby Cup.

 

Perc Bushby in his Essendon days

(source: australianfootball.com)

 

The match

 

Stawell took command from the outset and never looked like being troubled by Ararat in another one-sided semi-final. The Redlegs’ big men, Chris and Greg Perry, controlled the air and ruck duels providing opportunities for their small men and forwards to shine. Veteran Terry Carr, with his aerial supremacy, was well supported by a match-winning half-forward line that provided 14 of Stawell’s 21 goals. Half-forward flanker Colin Gent was the hero, booting seven goals.

 

The Redlegs looked in top shape for the Grand Final with no injuries and no out of form players. So confident was the Horsham press that it advised Stawell officials to start preparations for a new premiership flag pole at Central Park. But, Ararat did not give up trying and kicked six last quarter goals, providing hope of a rematch in a fortnight’s time. 

 

Final score: Stawell 21.10 (146) defeated Ararat 15.9 (99)

 

Goal kickers: Gent 7, Roder 4, Carr 3, Harris 2, Jackson 2, Evans, Brilliant, Morrish

Ararat – Waterson 4, Mooney, 4, Todd 3, Kent, Olver, Stephens, Homberg

 

Best: Stawell – Gent, Morrish, Jackson, C. Perry, G. Perry, Carr, Dowdell

Ararat – Harrison, Todd, Mooney, Stephens, Olver, Dickerson

 

Reserves: Nhill 11.7 (73) defeated Stawell 11.6 (72)

 

Next week in the Wimmera League: Preliminary Final – Ararat v Dimboola

 

 

Farrer League

 

Second Semi-final: North Wagga v Wagga

Saturday 6th September 1975

at Yerong Creek

 

 

 

 

 

Saints     v     Tigers

 

 

Team lists

 

(source: The Crier, NSW Australian Football History Society Vol. 17  No. 20)

 

Preview

 

North Wagga enter the second semi-final having lost only one game for the season, but that loss was against their opponents Wagga. On that occasion, back in Round 10, the Tigers were superb, whereas the Saints were a “bit stale” after nine straight wins. Greg Sheather was in top goal-kicking form for Wagga at that stage, but since then his confidence and accuracy has slipped. Peter Baker, writing in the Daily Advertiser, tipped North Wagga to win, noting their stars in defence and on ball ascendancy as reasons to favour the minor premiers. However, he cautioned that ruckman Doug Priest and centreman Peter (‘Pebbles’) Power had the potential to give the Tigers’ forwards plenty of opportunities to turn the game in their favour. On the eve of the match coach Priest had only one comment to offer the Wagga press: “They’ll know we’re there, don’t worry about that.”

 

The match

 

It was all Saints and Tigers at Yerong Creek on second semi-final day 1975 with the two Wagga clubs represented in both the Reserves and the Seniors. The Tigers’ Reserves started the day well for Wagga, defeating North Wagga by 17 points. The Seniors followed the example, but it was not until the final quarter that the Tigers started to put some distance between themselves and the Saints on the scoreboard. In the final term Wagga kicked five goals and held their opponents to a solitary major, running out convincing 26 point winners. The Tigers contested the ball fiercely, were disciplined in their positional play and backed up effectively from start to finish. North Wagga captain-coach Alan Hayes put the Saints shock loss down to a lack of determination and endeavour. The question on everyone’s lips was: could the minor premiers rebound against Henty next week and earn another tilt at Wagga in the Grand Final? 

 

Action from the Farrer League second semi-final 1975

(source: Daily Advertiser 8 Sept. 1975)

 

Final score: Wagga 13.15 (93) defeated North Wagga 9.13 (67)

 

Goal kickers: Wagga – Colvin 5, McMillan 3, Priest 2, Jennings 2, Harris

North Wagga – Fury 3, Merrigan 2, Hayes, Polsen, Johnson, Jansen

 

Best: Wagga – Parr, Obeiston, Power, McElhinney, Roy, Priest, Colvin

North Wagga – Fury, Dash, Polsen, Hayes, Johnson

 

Gate: $1721

 

Umpire: Wallace (VFL)

 

Reserves: Wagga 12.10 (82) defeated North Wagga 10.5 (65)

 

Next week in the Farrer League: Preliminary Final – North Wagga v Henty

 

 

In the VFL

 

Richmond held off a last quarter comeback by Collingwood to narrowly win the Elimination Final at VFL Park. With only a minute or two to go, Tiger ruck rover Billy Nettlefold goaled to seal the win. 

 

At the muddy MCG, North Melbourne upstaged Carlton to win the Qualifying Final. The Kangaroos were inspired by their small men from Western Australia: Barry Cable, Graham Melrose and John Burns. As the pundits predicted, the wet conditions suited the Roos with their play-on style and effective use of handball. Coach Ron Barassi was very pleased with his team’s performance, especially their magnificent defence.  

 

Next week: Second semi-final – Hawthorn v North Melbourne at VFL Park

First semi-final – Carlton v Richmond at the MCG

 

 

Meanwhile ….

 

An early Federal election was beginning to look a strong possibility based on the increased likelihood of the Opposition rejecting supply.

 

In the US Open at Forest Hills New York, Spaniard Manuel Orantes defeated defending champion Jimmy Connors in three sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

 

Read more episodes of A Season in the Country – 1975 in the Wimmera and Farrer Leagues HERE 

To read about Geelong’s Record Run, click HERE.

Peter also wrote about St. Kilda’s premiership season in his 1966 and All That series. You can read that HERE.

 

 

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