A brief history of our finals matches

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Awesome.

It's amazing how space exploration captivated us, and to be honest, I'm a little jealous of you.

It was pretty big. Everyone had model spacecraft. You could buy them in the shops, they came piece by piece in cereal packs and magazines. Probably none of them had anything to do with the space mission but that wasn't the point. We all had model spacecraft was the point.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

VFL/AFL FINAL #9 (CURRENTLY 1-7)

So we get to the year 1954 (spoiler alert: it's a good'n).

It was a bit curious that our home & away season in 54 was not as strong as 53 (or as 55 for that matter) in terms of wins or percentage, but the way the ladder played out that year, we snuck into the hugely advantageous 2nd spot (for the first time ever).

We entered the 54 season bristling with confidence after a strong 53 finals showing and a hot young list. We started slowly, dropping our first game, at home, to perennial strugglers St Kilda, and then our 2nd game to Richmond, but quickly found our groove - after R7 we were top of the table.

We ultimately finished 2nd to Geelong, with a 11-6 win/loss (1 draw) and a 129.95%.

What was outstanding about the 54 h&a season was our defensive record, conceding just over 60 points per game, our total conceded 130 points less than any other team - Sutton had built a fierce defensive unit, our points conceded record (especially in 53-55) under him was exceptional.

Of our forwards, Jack Collins had an amazing year, despite missing the first 2 matches suspended, he kicked 37 goals in 6 games upon return, ultimately kicking 84 goals in just 17 games and becoming the first ever Bulldog to be the leagues highest goalscorer in a season.

So we found ourselves into a Qualifying Final for the first time ever, facing Geelong at the MCG in front of 64,686. Geelong had finished clear top with a 13-5 record in what was a pretty even year.

We now had a really solid core of youngsters in the 50-100 game bracket, but overall our group was still very young. Our team in this match barely averaged 23, with only 5 players at 25 or over (Angus Abbey, Wally Donald, Dave Bryden, Alan Martin and Jack Nutall), with only 3 having played 100 games (Donald, Bryden and Martin - Donald captained the team, with Sutton out injured).

Kicking into a breeze, we were the slower starters, trailling at quarter time, 3.1.19 to 4.5.29, however with wind in the 2nd we quicly established ascendancy, going into half time leading 7.7.49 to 4.8.32. Geelong could only draw level in the 3rd (7.10.52 apiece at 3QT) and we ran away in the last to win 11.19.85 to 8.14.62.

As it turned out, the 3 first quarter goals were invaluable, only one further goal was scored into the wind all match.

Press reports noted Footscray's clearly superior play, with the half back dashes of Whitten, Martin and Gallagher singled out.

Collins kicked 4, Kerr and Stevens 2, whilst best players were listed as Stevens, Box, Whitten and Ross.

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Someone is going to be very unlucky with two weeks off and the captain-coach to come back.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

VFL/AFL FINAL #10 - THE 1954 GRAND FINAL

So after 8 final series in 17 years, the Dogs had finally found their way to a GF. Their opponent on the big day, was something of a surprise, with 4th placed Melbourne overrunning minor premiers Geelong to make their way into the big one. Little did anyone know this was to be the first of 7 consecutive GFs for Melbourne (for 5 flags).

This is a frustrating stat to look back on as both teams were 23 years old average age on the day and both should've been looking at the game as the start of a great era.

The Dogs had strengthened their experience for the day, with 30 year old Captain Coach Charlie Sutton returning from injury, replacing 19 year old 7 gamer Lionel Ryan, then in his first year.

The grand final was played in front of 80,897.

The game itself was pretty much over early. We made our fairly typical fast start and converted our opportunities, leading 6.3.39 to 1.4.10 at quarter time. Melbourne did score 3 consecutive goals in the 2nd quarter until a Jack Collins goal on half time restored the margin to 23 points.

The lead stayed in the 4 to 6 goal range for most of the match thereafter, until a late flurry saw us pull away to be dominant winners; 15.12.102 to 7.9.51.

Sutton watched the hard fought prelim and believed his team would be fresher than their opposition. He worked on a game plan that further emphasised our hard running, open game involving a lot of handballing (by the standards of the day). Reports of the game describe our first quarter as explosive.

Sutton started himself in the forward pocket, in the first quarter he was involved in heavy clashes with Melbourne stars Ron Barassi and John Beckwith (one reporter said this of Sutton on the day "he has lost none of his vitality...he is a master in the scientific use of weight" - classic).

Overall, the Dogs played a near perfect game of 1950's VFL footy. After the match, Melbourne coach Norm Smith is quoted as saying that, on the day, a combined team of the best players from the other 11 clubs could not have beaten them.

In a superb team effort, best players were listed as Kerr, Bryden, Ross, Collins, Whitten and Reynolds.

Jack Collins kicked 7 goals (to this day only 3 players have kicked more in a GF - Gary Ablett, Gordon Coventry and Dermott Brereton). Gloriously, Sutton also kicked 3.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

VFL/AFL FINAL #10 - THE 1954 GRAND FINAL

So after 8 final series in 17 years, the Dogs had finally found their way to a GF. Their opponent on the big day, was something of a surprise, with 4th placed Melbourne overrunning minor premiers Geelong to make their way into the big one. Little did anyone know this was to be the first of 7 consecutive GFs for Melbourne (for 5 flags).

This is a frustrating stat to look back on as both teams were 23 years old average age on the day and both should've been looking at the game as the start of a great era.

The Dogs had strengthened their experience for the day, with 30 year old Captain Coach Charlie Sutton returning from injury, replacing 19 year old 7 gamer Lionel Ryan, then in his first year.

The grand final was played in front of 80,897.

The game itself was pretty much over early. We made our fairly typical fast start and converted our opportunities, leading 6.3.39 to 1.4.10 at quarter time. Melbourne did score 3 consecutive goals in the 2nd quarter until a Jack Collins goal on half time restored the margin to 23 points.

The lead stayed in the 4 to 6 goal range for most of the match thereafter, until a late flurry saw us pull away to be dominant winners; 15.12.102 to 7.9.51.

Sutton watched the hard fought prelim and believed his team would be fresher than their opposition. He worked on a game plan that further emphasised our hard running, open game involving a lot of handballing (by the standards of the day). Reports of the game describe our first quarter as explosive.

Sutton started himself in the forward pocket, in the first quarter he was involved in heavy clashes with Melbourne stars Ron Barassi and John Beckwith (one reporter said this of Sutton on the day "he has lost none of his vitality...he is a master in the scientific use of weight" - classic).

Overall, the Dogs played a near perfect game of 1950's VFL footy. After the match, Melbourne coach Norm Smith is quoted as saying that, on the day, a combined team of the best players from the other 11 clubs could not have beaten them.

In a superb team effort, best players were listed as Kerr, Bryden, Ross, Collins, Whitten and Reynolds.

Jack Collins kicked 7 goals (to this day only 3 players have kicked more in a GF - Gary Ablett, Gordon Coventry and Dermott Brereton). Gloriously, Sutton also kicked 3.

That is quite interesting about both teams' average ages being 23.

When we played Melbourne in the 54 grand final, both teams' average age on their lists was 23 years. It was anticipated it would be the start of a great era for both teams. Sadly this wasn't the case for the Bulldogs, missing finals the next year and only playing in one final series between 55-60, whereas Melbourne played in the grand final in all six of the years for five premierships. We may have been laughing when the final siren sounded in the 54 grand final, but ultimately it was Melbourne who ended up laughing with the immediate success that was to follow.

[Eastdog]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Just been skimming the thread but have to read the posts properly but kudos to PeanutsPeanuts for your insightful information on some of the history of our finals. In the short time you've been on Woof you have been a strong contributor to the forum.

[merantau]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Just been skimming the thread but have to read the posts properly but kudos to PeanutsPeanuts for your insightful information on some of the history of our finals. In the short time you've been on Woof you have been a strong contributor to the forum.

I'll second that. Very good reading - much appreciated.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Cheers guys. Appreciate the kind words. I only started this thread as a result of other posts making me realise how little I knew about our history. I'm researching these as I go, it's been a good learning experience for me.

[Drunken Bum]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

(one reporter said this of Sutton on the day "he has lost none of his vitality...he is a master in the scientific use of weight" - classic). .

This gave me a chuckle, love it

Just been skimming the thread but have to read the posts properly but kudos to PeanutsPeanuts for your insightful information on some of the history of our finals. In the short time you've been on Woof you have been a strong contributor to the forum.

Yeah and a third from me, cheers PP appreciate your input, always a good read.

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

This gave me a chuckle, love it



Yeah and a third from me, cheers PP appreciate your input, always a good read.

Fourth from me. Great reading the posts and the discussion following. I'm looking forward to getting to tge ones when we start to remember the games. Everybody has a story to tell then.

[jeemak]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

I'll say PP, this is genuinely top shelf. I jumped into the thread and have had excellent time delivered.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Congrats PP on this great thread. Much appreciated.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

OUR VFL/AFL FINAL #11 (CURRENTLY 3-7)

So we've scaled the mountain and now, as we all know, it's 61 years of wasted opportunities amongst periods of just plain sucking. But we're Dogs fans so we'll persevere.

1955 was a massive disappointment for the club. Having played finals in 51, 53 and 54, and progressed further every time, our young list was really placed for an era of dominance and multiple flags. It is interesting to note that our 1955 membership total was 12,315, then the highest ever for any club.

Good teams back up though, and we should have, but having looked at the 55 season, holy moley we were stiff.

We actually won more games in 55 than in 54 and had a slightly higher percentage (12-6 and 129.96%), for a net result of 5th rather than 2nd. We still had, statistically, the best defence in the league also - conceding just 56 points per game.

We opened with 2 powerful wins (including an opening 10 goal win at Vic Park) and were generally in the 4 throughout the season. Of our losses all year, only 1 exceeded 2 goals (and that was by 20 points).

But this is the really unlucky bit:

After 16 rounds (2 games to go) we were in the 4 - and we won our final 2 games by 18 pts and 60 pts!! However Essendon, who were 2.3% behind us after R16, won their last 2 games by 73 pts and 42 pts, to surpass us by 0.6% (less than 2 goals).

Essendon were narrowly defeated by Geelong the following week, with Collingwood and Melbourne also in the finals. Given recent results in recent finals meetings, who knows what could've happened?

Anyways, on to 1956 and our next finals appearance.

The big event during the year was Charlie Sutton's retirement as a player (at 32) in May. He realised in early games that his body had gone and stayed on as non-playing coach (a rarity for Footscray in those days). Wally Donald was appointed Captain.

The final round of the year had a bit of deja vu about it. We were sitting 5th, playing Carlton, 4th, at Princes Park with the winner progressing. Match reports indicate a wild atmosphere, with 45,000 jammed in and many turned away, however the Dogs led at every change, never gaining a comfortable ascendancy but ultimately winning by 17 points; 62-45.

So we ended the season 4th, with a 11-7 record (114.2%).

Our Elimination Final opponent was (again) Geelong. The match was at the MCG in front of 79,402.

The make up of the squad is interesting. Although the core group had matured, the loss of Sutton, Abbey and Bryden, meant that the average age was still young (barely 23). Most players were 22-24, with only Wally Donald (29) over 26 (Henderson was missing, injured).

The game was played in the wet and the ground was described as (even by 50s standards) a black bog.

This game was the reverse of many earlier finals. Early on, with a dry ball, Geelong were fast and skilful and went to quarter time leading 4.1.25 to 1.2.8. However, the longer the game went the more our guile came to the fore. By half time, we had clawed it back to 8 points; 4.6.30 to Geelong's 6.2.38. By 3QT the margin was 2 points; we trailled 5.8.38 to 6.4.40.

In an excruciating final quarter, we kicked 5 points to 1 point to sneak ahead 5.13.43 to 6.5.41.

We were now seasoned finalists, just getting the job done - keeping Geelong to 3 points after half time to win our 4th of 5 finals over a 4 year stretch.

Max Cross, who was full forward for most of '56 with Jack Collins moving out to CHF, kicked 4 of our 5 goals to bring his season's tally to 50.

Best players were listed as Stockman, Whitten, Cross, Porta, Duffy and Collins.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Two things that I love there.

1) We trailed Geelong at 3/4 time, didn't kick a final term goal, yet still managed to apply enough defensive pressure to beat them.

2) We had the most members in 1955. Wow!

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

PP, I am going to nickname you The Walking Encylopedia of Whitten Oval.