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1966 VFL GRAND FINAL

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1966 Grand Final
by John Devaney

BACKGROUND
. . . Securely entrenched in the four for most of the 1966 season St Kilda could ultimately have missed out on the finals had they gone down at home to Hawthorn in the last round. Normally, a win over the Hawks would almost have been a formality, but the Saints were without their inspirational ruckman 'Big Carl' Ditterich, who was suspended, while Darrel Baldock had strained his knee ligaments a fortnight earlier against South Melbourne and was rated extremely doubtful. In the end the story had something of a fairy tale resolution as Baldock, named as twentieth man, entered the fray in the third term with the Saints in serious trouble, kicked a goal almost immediately, and went on to inspire a memorable victory. When questioned about the gamble he had taken in playing Baldock, Jeans said "It was either play him today or wait for the night series".

The victory over Hawthorn secured the double chance for the Saints and as it transpired this was fortunate, as Collingwood won a tumultuous second semi final by 10 points, 15.9 (99) to 13.11 (89). Baldock was still experiencing discomfort with his knee, while Ditterich's suspension meant that he would miss the entire finals series, but St Kilda managed to overcome both these impediments admirably as they overpowered Essendon in the preliminary final by 42 points to earn another crack at the Magpies. In the week preceding the grand final the media spotlight was firmly on the Saints, and more specifically on Baldock's knee. Unknown to the newshounds, however, Baldock actually aggravated his knee injury during the team's final training session prior to the match. Allan Jeans, aware of what had happened, immediately brought the training session to an abrupt and premature halt, but he did so in such a manner as to make it seem predetermined. The press were fooled.

THE GRAND FINAL
Come grand final day, however, Baldock was in considerable pain when he lined up at centre half forward. Early on, he took a mark a long way from goal from which he kicked truly, but "It felt like my knee went further than the ball". Nevertheless, nothing was going to prevent 'the Doc' from making his contribution to the St Kilda cause; moreover, nothing, it seemed, was going to get in the way of St Kilda's quest for that elusive first premiership. In a dour battle of the backlines watched by a largely pro-St Kilda crowd of 101,655 there was seldom more than a kick separating the sides, but the initiative seemed to rest with the Saints for most of the game. Victory was finally clinched in the most dramatic of ways. With two minutes plus time on remaining Collingwood's Tuddenham kicked a behind to level the scores and set the stage for a frenetic last five minutes during which players flung themselves at the ball with minimal regard for personal safety. Finally, two minutes into time on St Kilda half forward flanker Barry Breen grabbed the ball after a ball up and sent a bouncing snap shot through for his fifth minor score of the day to secure a lead which the Saints managed to hang on to until the end. Final scores were St Kilda 10.14 (74) to Collingwood 10.13 (73).

POST MATCH
The despair alluded to in the opening paragraph of this account was, for one brief moment, dispelled completely. Best for the Saints on the greatest ever day in their history included half forward flanker Ian Cooper, centreman Ian Stewart, back pocket Brian Sierakowski, ruck rover Daryl Griffiths, and 5 goal full forward Kevin Neale. Skipper Baldock was uncharacteristically quiet, but not presumably during the club's post match festivities. In an uncharacteristic display of emotion Allan Jeans told his players "Whatever you do, wherever you go, I'll always remember you for this wonderful moment you gave me today". A second successive Brownlow for Stewart capped off a season which St Kilda supporters with long memories still get goose pimples thinking about.
ST KILDA Part Two: 1930 to 2006 by John Devaney - fullpointsfooty.net
This and many other great articles and images are available from John Devaney's website 'Full Points Footy'

A premiership to savour
by Jack Cameron
Collingwood played St Kilda twice in the 1966 final series. They defeated the Saints by 10 points in the second semi-final to go straight into the Grand Final. St Kilda comfortably defeated Essendon by 42 points in the preliminary final. This set the stage for one of the most intense, tight and interesting Grand Finals in the history of the game. The match itself maintained the interest of the spectators until the final siren. St Kilda led by four points at quarter-time, Collingwood by one point at half-time, and the Saints by four points at the start of the last quarter.

When play started in the last quarter, Gabelich was soon awarded the ball by umpire Geoff Crouch, to the dismay of the St Kilda supporters. The big man had the shot straight in front and only a few yards out. He had the chance to put his side in front. He missed this time to the dismay of Collingwood's supporters. Soon after, Moran, who had not played well all day, anticipated Morrow's hit-out, got the ball, and ran in to kick his side's ninth goal to extend the lead to 10 points. Both sides used their reserves in the last quarter. Trevor Steer replaced Searl and seemed to me to make the most of his opportunities. He marked well, rucked strongly and kicked long. Henderson came on late in the quarter and immediately made an impression with his precise kicking to his team's advantage. Payze replaced Davis for St Kilda and his marking was effective. Tuddenham and Gabelich continued to play strong football and Terry Waters had many marks, as indeed he had done all day in defence.

THE WINNING POINT
It seemed to me that St Kilda had more good players - Baldock, Breen, Griffiths, Murray, Neale, Stewart and Sierakowski. They seemed to be everywhere, wherever they were needed, in the important last quarter. While the Saints continued to attack early in this quarter - stretching the advantage to 13 points - the difference on the scoreboard could and should have been a lot greater. Neale's miss from directly in front was as bad as Gabelich's effort at the start of the quarter. Tuddenham received a free and kicked a magnificent long goal. This was followed soon after by another goal from Graham. The lead had shrunk to one point. However Griffiths' long kick into the teeth of goal resulted in a strong mark by Neale, who then kicked his fifth goal to leave Collingwood still seven points in arrears. Soon after Henderson passed to Pitt (a very good player all day) and his good goal meant that again there was only one point between the teams. Then the inevitable happened. Tuddenham, not to be denied, capped off a great captain's game by kicking a behind to level the scores.

The game was still not over with the ball travelling up and down the ground until Breen got the ball in front of the Member's Stand. I can still see in my mind's eye the flight of the ball as it went towards the goal at the city end of the MCG and then bounced through for a point - and the lead was once again St Kilda's. Less than two minutes later Bob Murray held a great mark to put an end to a strong Collingwood attack. That was the end and Fred Farrell, the elated St Kilda timekeeper, made sure that the siren sounded long and clear, highlighting the Saints' first premiership.

Jack Cameron was the ABC statistician that day as he has been for more than 50 years. It was his fifth or sixth Grand Final.
The Article Jack Cameron/ABC Sport

RealMedia 28k+ WinMedia 28k+ MP3 ABC Sport
From the ABC Grandstand AFL (Radio)
Gerard Whateley presents the final quarter of the 1966 VFL final between St Kilda v Collingwood.

Click image for larger view 1966 Grand Final Audio Piece "The point that won a premiership" 1966 VFL Grand Final Piece Personally Signed by Barry Breen Price: Price: $995.00 Saints Shop 32 - 60 Linton Street [PO Box 1034] Moorabbin VIC 3189, Australia, Phone: 1300 734 134, Fax: (03) 9555 5494 The greatest day in the history of the St Kilda Football Club, this piece captures a collage of Barry Breen scoring the clubs most famous point, the one that put the Saints in front and won the premiership, frame by frame. At the end it shows a shot of the scoreboard St Kilda 10.14.74 to Collingwood 10.13.73. Also includes a photo of each of the 20 players including Barry Breen, Kevin 'Cowboy' Neale, and Darryl Griffiths, plus Coach Allan Jeans. With the touch of a button you can also listen to the closing stages of the game with the golden voices Mike Williamson and EJ Whitten as the Saints win their first ever flag. Order Online - saints.com.au - Saints Online Shop

'Doc' named Saints Legend
Tasmanian Darrel Baldock's elevation to legend status at St Kilda's Hall of Fame dinner last night is seen by many Saints stalwarts as the first step to a similar honour from the AFL. Baldock. 64, captain of St Kilda's only premier-ship side in 1966, significantly received the honour ahead of triple Brownlow medallist and fellow Tasmanian Ian Stewart. Stewart. one of 13 inducted into the St Kilda Hall of Fame last night, was made an AFL legend in 1997. Affectionately known as "Doc", Baldock last night headed a Who's Who of champion players who have worn the red, white and black. Also inducted were AFL record goalkicker Tony Lockett and Brownlow medallists Verdun Howell, Neil Roberts and Ross Smith. Other champions from the past 30 years who were recognised included Trevor Barker, Carl Ditterich and Nicky Winmar, while from the early days Bill Mohr and Dave McNamara got the nod. Master coach Allan Jeans, who guided the Saints to the 1966 flag, was also honoured, as was legendary administrator Ian Drake, who was responsible for securing Baldock's signature to a Form 4 in controversial circumstances in 1961.
By Michael Stevens/TheMercury/02Aug03
Re-published on the Stott (Nolan) Family Website - link here for entire article
Dallas Stott is Darrel Baldock's cousin

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