Season 1970 pt5

[FOURTH ESTATE]

Stats 1970

What intrigues me the most over the period of 1965 – 70 is that on first glance 1970 looks like a dominating season. 17 wins out of 20 in the minor round, biggest loss was 9pts in round 20 and the average losing margin was only 7pts, which was the best over the 6 year period. If you look further into the detail you can see the empire beginning to crumble. In 1968 their average winning margin for the season was only 37pts the lowest over the 6 years but one must take into consideration that 1968 was one of the wettest winters on record in South Australia and most grounds were very muddy or under water or close to it. As a result scoring as a whole in the league was well down in 1968 compared to the other 5 years.
Their 1970 average winning margin was the 2nd worst over the 6 years by almost a goal a game.

Over the 6 year period they amassed 96 wins – 23 losses – 1 draw for the minor round and 12 wins – 2 losses in the finals during which they won 10 consecutive finals in a row from the 1966 Grand Final to the 1970 Grand Final. During the 1970 season they were challenged more than ever. While winning 17 Minor round games they were behind at 3qtr on 5 occasions. By round 12 complacency was starting to set in. 4 of the last 8 games they were behind at ¾ time and were they able to get over the line in 1 of the matches which was against Woodville, The other three matches they trailed Port Adelaide, West Adelaide & Glenelg who they eventually lost to.

Only 3 sides really challenged the Double Blues over that period. Of the total 25 losses including major round over that 6 year period of 1965 – 1970, Port Adelaide, North Adelaide & Glenelg accounted for 17 of them.

Of the five winning Grand Finals the 1970 was the hardest to win. Thou they played Port Adelaide in the first 4 they were for the most part of those matches in control, except for the loss in 1965 and for 2 quarters of the 1967 Grand Final. They were always in control in 1968 and gave Glenelg an absolute hiding in 1969 by 65pts. Glenelg had learnt from the previous season and were more mentally prepared for their 1970 Grand Final clash. Their style of play in 1970 was similar to the Double Blues as shown in their round 19 clash that season. Injuries caught up with the Double Blues during the season and did not help, and with the indifferent form of players at times it appeared that they were going thru the motions as thou winning was too easy during the minor round. The Finals were a different story and they lifted their game accordingly as thou the Minor Round was an inconvenience and they were only there to play finals.

The period of 1965 – 1970 was the beginning of some of the most entertaining football. The style of game was changing to a more open running style. While packs and congestion on the field remained at times the introduction of the diamond in 1973 and the square for 1975 opened it up even more as players became more flamboyant and bigger stars. One of the main opponents to the introduction of the Diamond & Square was
Fos Williams.
One must wonder if Port Adelaide didn’t adapt quickly enough following the 1968 season. In 1969 as sides moved even more to a free flowing game. Port Adelaide missed the finals for the first time since Fos Williams took over as coach in 1950 finishing 6th with 9-11 record some 5 games outside of the four. It was admitted that they had a very bad run win injuries in 69 but a lot of their play that year was very un -Port Adelaide like.

They did make the finals from 1970 – 73, Fos Williams last 4 years at Port but while their style of play was able to get them thru the minor round they were found wanting in the finals. Since the 1968 Grand Final their finals record was 2-7 including 2 Grand Final losses to the Roosters whose flair and ball movement was too much for the Magpies. Sturt’s dominance could also be put down to their depth in players where it’s top 25 players were probably better than Glenelg or Port Adelaide top 25 for the big games which went a long way to winning 5 consecutive premierships

All in all Sturt’s performance was exceptional their style of play changed a lot of the way the game was played resulting in bigger crowds and exciting football. Age and injuries did finally catch up with the Double Blues in 1971. They bowed out in the First Semi Final to the up and coming Bulldogs by 27pts. Following the 1971 season many of the Players from the 1960’s retired and they missed the Finals in 1972 for the first time under Jack Oatey since 1963. A New Breed of Double Blues player would emerge over the next few years which lead the Double Blues to what is known as their finest hour in 1976.

That is for another story

FIVE IN A ROW WAS THE WAY TO GO
STURT FOOTBALL CLUB
PREMIERS 1966-67-68-69-70


STURT TOTAL
1965 – 1970 vs..............W....L......D
PORT ADELAIDE...........14....9......0
GLENELG...................... 13....4......0
NORTH ADELAIDE........13....4......0
NORWOOD...................13.....1.....0
CENTRAL DISTRICT......12.....0......0
SOUTH ADELAIDE........11.....3......0
WEST ADELAIDE...........11.....2......0
WEST TORRENS........... 11.....1......0
WOODVILLE................. 10.....1......1


MINOR ROUND
1965-1970.....................W.......L........D...............%
STURT............................96.......23......1..............80.00
PORT ADELAIDE...........86.......33......1..............71.67
NORTH ADELAIDE........81.......39......................67.50
GLENELG.......................64.......56......................53.33
WEST ADELAIDE...........58........61......1.............48.33
SOUTH ADELAIDE........54........65......1.............45.00
WEST TORRENS............50........69......1.............41.67
NORWOOD...................48........69......3.............40.00
CENTRAL DISTRICT......32........88......................26.67
WOODVILLE..................26........92......2.............21.67


MAJOR ROUND
1965 - 1970...............W.....L.....D.....%
STURT.......................12.....2...........85.71
PORT...........................6.....6...........50.00
GLENELG....................3......4..........42.86
NORTH........................2.....5...........28.57
WEST ADELAIDE.........1.....2.....1....25.00
SOUTH ADELAIDE......0.....3.............0.00
WEST TORRENS..........0.....1......1.....0.00
NORWOOD.................0......1............0.00

[DOC]

I have enjoyed reading all 5 installments. Lot of work and very well written. Thanks.

Whilst it can be hard to look back at some pretty lean times for my club, one thing come to the fore when I read them.

Our league was and is something to be very proud of, and it takes ALL the clubs to make what the league is.