by Adelaide Hawk » Sun Aug 07, 2011 9:44 pm
Probably the most prophetic words about the 1960 GF were by Sam Gallagher in the Sunday Mail after the Preliminary Final. He wroite, "Bunton got a knock today and was struggling throughout, while Brenchley left the field in the last quarter. If those two are below par, Thomas and Potts could win the game for North".
Barry Potts, who only came into the team in the final 4 games of 1960, kicked 10 goals, seven of which were in the Grand Final. I'm led to believe Potts is related in some way to Norwood legendary stalwart and Head Trainer Tiger Potts.
With help from 'Never Say Die', a brilliant publication of the North Adelaide Football Club Historical Group.
Don Gilbourne won the toss in ideal conditions and chose the Cathedral end. Johnson kicked the first goal, and assisted by CHF John Lill, Norwood raced to an early lead of 18 points. Trenorden goaled for North, then Wells posted for the Redlegs.
Potts booted two quicks ones, a snap from the pocket and and pass from Don Lindner. North turned up the heat with Barbary shining on ac wing, Potts put on his 3rd to give the Roosters ca 3 point lead. Lindner goaled to stretch the lead to 9 points at 1/4 time.
Wedding was dominating the hitouts, but Norwood found no advantage as Ray Trenorden was nullifying Haydn Bunton. North gained ascendancy in key positions through Don Lindner and Brian Gamling, the latter blanketing Lill with pace. North’s centre line were also on top, Ron Hewett kicking to Potts for his 4th major.
Shortly afterwards, Potts was felled and could not resume for several minutes. The game became more physical as Norwood struggled with North’s pace. Norwood hit the front by 3 points, but Potts replied soon after kicking goal number five. With Gilbourne starring in defence, North went in at half time with a 7 point lead thanks to a goal from Barry Kent.
Early in the third term Thomas goaled for North giving them a 15 point lead, but Wedding replied for Norwood. In a rare moment of freedom, Lill broke clear to goal. Trevor Hughes replied with a snap from a boundary throw in. Then Bob Hammond raced through the centre and delivered a 70 yard drop kick, accepted off hands by Potts who snapped truly for his 6th goal. John Vickers kicked a goal late for the Redlegs and at ¾ time, North held a slender 4 point lead.
For the first 10 minutes of the final term, neither side was able to score, then Lill and Peter Vivian struck for Norwood giving them an 8 point lead. With only 10 minutes and time on remaining, Malcolm Whitford brought North to within 2 points with a long screw punt goal. Barrie Barbary burst through and goaled with a drop kick on the run. Then Bob Pascoe’s long shot came off hands to Trenorden who knocked on to Potts for his 7th goal. The game seemed over.
However, Norwood wasn’t finished yet. Vickers’ long shot bouncedcthrough to bring the margin back to only 5 points. In the dying seconds, Lill sent the ball forward but North’s defence stood firm. The siren sounded with the ball in Gilbourne’s hands, and his team 5 points the better. North Adelaide, premiers in 1960.
