1973 ROUNDS 1-2

[FOURTH ESTATE]

1973

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the greatest Grand Final ever played at Adelaide Oval.
Reigning Back - to Back Premiers and Australian Champions the North Adelaide Football Club would take on the all-conquering but success staved Glenelg Football Club.

Both teams were led by wily tough as nails coaches. The Roosters by former Richmond Ruckman / Hard Man and 1967 Premiership winner with the Tigers Michael "Swamp Fox" Patterson.
The Tigers were just as ably led by State, All Australian and Premiership Captain Coach with West Adelaide & South Adelaide, Donald Neil "Knuckles" Kerley.

The Roosters were flying high with back to back flags and were early favourites for a 3 peat for the 73 flag. The Tigers had missed the finals for the last two season after having lost both the 1969 & 1970 Grand Finals to Sturt.

Michael Patterson was in his 4th season as coach of the Roosters, his win loss record in that time was 49 wins - 18 losses including 4-1 in finals an impressive 73% winning record

Year Played Won Lost
1970 21 12 9
1971 23 19 4
1972 23 18 5

Neil Kerley was entering into his 7th season with the Tigers and it was now a very different side from the one he took over in 1967 with only about 6-10 players left from the that season.
While the Tigers were building into a strong team Premiership success had eluded the Tigers. After having finished bottom in 1966 with a 3-17 record. The arrival of Neil Kerley sparked a transformation in the Tigers and they were no longer the easy beats of the competition. An improvement of 9 wins in his first season had the Tigers in the finals for 1967 but they would bow out to the Port Adelaide Magpies by 41pts in the first Semi Final. By the end of the 1972 season the Tigers had played in 3 finals series and two Grand Finals which both resulted in losses to the Double Blues of Sturt by 65pts and 21 pts respectively.

Year Played Won Lost
1967 21 12 9
1968 20 11 9
1969 23 18 5
1970 23 13 10
1971 23 9 12
1972 23 11 10.

The Coaches for 1973 were

Central District - Tony Casserly
Glenelg - Neil Kerley
North Adelaide - Mike Patterson
Norwood - Robert Oatey
Port Adelaide - Fos Williams
South Adelaide - David Darcy
Sturt - Jack Oatey
West Adelaide - Robert Keddie
West Torrens - Bill Barrot
Woodville - Barry Barbary

Coming into the 1973 season two new rules were introduced by the league.

The first one was the final five. The VFL introduced this finals format for the 1972 season in which the minor premier would have a bye in the first week of the finals.
The second week of the finals would continue on as if normally would have under the final four.

The second rule change was the introduction of the diamond. To increase scoring and reduce the congestion of packs a painted diamond was marked on the ground with the 4 points stretching out to each wing and Centre Half Forward area. Only 4 players from each team were allowed in the diamond at centre bounces. The diamond last just over 2 seasons and was replaced by the square. Port Coach Fos Williams was a major opponent of the introduction of the Diamond.

Pre-season began in earnest for the 10 clubs with internal trial games and matches against interstate opponents from both Western Australia & Victoria.

Glenelg took on Footscray at Richmond Oval and there were to be no heroic comebacks this time as they Bulldogs ran over the top of the Tigers by 53 pts in front of an estimated crowd of 3000. Essendon dismantled West Adelaide in a battle of the Red & Blacks by 85pts. South Melbourne defeated Woodville by 7pts.

Other trail games before round one would see reigning premiers North Adelaide overcome a 32pt 3/4 time deficit to draw with Claremont 14.14 (98) a piece. South Fremantle systematically took apart South Adelaide by the margin of 78pts. The Panthers would lose their last trial game to a combined Mt Gambier representative side. East Perth showed why they were the WA Premiers of 1972 with a 57pt win over West Torrens. Central District led by former East Fremantle player Tony Casserly ventured West to take on his old side East Fremantle and handed out a 62pt football lesson to Old Easts. Hawthorn held the Tigers at bay for 3 quarters in their trial match at the Bay before Kerley's Men stormed home in the last quarter in gruelling match played in wet and windy conditions kicking 5.1 to 1.6 to go down by 10pts.

Heading into the last of the trial games most team’s forms were very patchy. Footscray clocked up some frequent flyer miles by making the trip 4 times to Adelaide to Play Glenelg, West Torrens, Norwood and South Adelaide and returned each time to Victoria with a win.

The strength of the Victorian teams continued with Geelong giving West Torrens a 12 goal hiding at Geelong while St Kilda made life hard for the Roosters at Moorabbin by 7 goals. Glenelg after trailing West Adelaide all game and overcoming 46pt deficit at the first change piled on 25 goals after 1/4 time including 10 in the last quarter to win by 47pts.

Woodville scored an upset win in the preseason, for the first time in their history when they defeated their rivals on the North side of Port Road the Magpies by the margin of 33pts. South Melbourne also scored a 3 goal in over the Magpies after having led by as much 55pts at the last change.

There were some serious concerns at Richmond Oval heading into the 1973 season. Their preseason form had been well below standard. Losses of 85pts, 59pts & 44pts to Essendon, Glenelg & Woodville respectively could not be ignored. The club finished bottom in 1972 and earned their first wooden spoon since 1936. The winning fortunes had also decreased significantly with the team recording 18 wins 42 losses and 2 draws in the following 3 seasons since finishing third in 1969.

Round 1 began on Saturday 7th with the match of the day being between last year’s Preliminary Finalists Central District & Port Adelaide. A crowd of 17,685 would see the Bulldogs jump out to a 6 goal lead at the end of the first term 8.2 - 2.2. The Magpies started to find their way in the second term to only be trailing by 28 at the main break. A strong 6 goal third quarter would have the Boys from Alberton gain a 1pt lead going into the last term 12.15 (87) - 13.8 (86) The Bulldogs steadied in the last quarter led by John Wyley up forward kicking 6.1 to ensure the Bulldogs gained some revenge for the last two Preliminary Final losses to the Magpies by 22pts.

Sturt who had been relatively quiet in the off season having missed the finals in 1972 for the first time since 1963 ventured out to Norwood Oval in front of a full house of 17,910 enjoyed a rather easy win against the Redlegs. In a game in which they were always in control of they led by 48pts at 3/4 time before steamrolling the home side in the last quarter to win by 81pts 23.16 (154) - 10.13 (73) Full Forward Ken Whelan showed sign of things to come kicking 8.2 from full forward while Mike Coligan was Norwood's only shining light kicking 4.2


Reigning Premiers North Adelaide made the trip down to Thebarton and found themselves behind on the scoreboard at 1/2 time to the Eagles 4.9 (33) - 4.6 (30). West Torrens which along with West Adelaide had shown poor form in the preseason matched it with the Reigning Premier and if not for some poor kicking for goal might have been further in front at the main break. The Roosters led by big Full Forward Dennis Sachse up front with 6 goals ran over the top of the Eagles in the second half 9 goals to 3 to record a 35pt win 13.14 (92) - 7.15 (57).

The clash of the cellar dwellers of the last few years West & South Adelaide only drew a crowd of 4,075 at Richmond Oval. After an uninspiring first quarter by both sides in which they could only must a total 1.6 between the two teams Westies kicked 6.4 to the Panthers 3.3 to lead by 13pts at half time. The Panther's gained some composure after 1/2 time to kick 7 goals in the third term before holding off a fast finishing West Adelaide to win by 2pts 12.14 (86) - 12.12 (84).

The final match of round one was between Woodville & Glenelg at Woodville Oval. Woodville's preseason form had been better than in most years and were expected to cause the Tigers some problems. The Bays jumped out early to lead by 25pts at quarter time 5.6 (36) - 1.5 (11) The Woodpeckers matched the Tigers in the second quarter with 4 goals apiece to reduce the margin to 23pts at the main break. After half time the Tigers took complete control of the game adding a further 11.21 to the Woodpeckers 5.2 to runout winners by 78pts 20.29 (149) - 10.11 (71). If the Tigers had been more accurate in front of goal the margin could have been much larger with Greg Wickens in his debut game kicking 2.6 and Captain Peter Marker kicking 1.4 as the main culprits in the wayward goal kicking department.

A total of 52,504 attended the opening round of matches. It was the best opening round attendance for 5 games being played on the same day since 1966 which attracted a record attendance figure of 54,003. The season opener in 1972 attracted 58,043 but it was played over a split Easter round weekend.

After the completion of the round 2 of matches The Sunday Mail's headline on the sports pages read “Year of the Tiger it's the Word". The game of the day was between Glenelg & Sturt at Glenelg Oval. A crowd of over 13,000 crammed into the Bay to see the Tigers take on the Double Blues. Glenelg started strongly kicking 5.6 (36) - 2.2 (14) in the first quarter. Led by Ruckmen Bob Tardif & Bob Tregenza they nullified Sturt's Rick Davies who had been so dominant in the Double Blues win over Norwood the week before. The Tigers maintained the pressure on Sturt and set up a commanding 36pt lead by 3/4 time 17.15 (117) - 12.9 (81). The highlight of the day was the form of 1969 Magarey Medallist Dennis "Fred" Phillis who marked strongly and booted 7.2. Sturt's Ken Whelan not to be outdone managed 7.3 in at the other end to be leading the goal kicking after 2 rounds with a combined score of 15.5. The Tiger proved two strong in the air and on the ground running out winners by 32pts 22.19 (151) - 18.11 (119).

Central District continued its good form by managing to edge West Torrens out by 3 goals at Elizabeth Oval. The Bulldogs did not have it their own way as West Torrens made them earn every goal. With the Eagles holding a 5pt lead at the last change the Bulldogs held the Eagles goalless in the last quarter and restricting them only 1 pts while managing to kick 3.6 to run out winners by 18pts.

Port Adelaide got off to a flyer against West Adelaide at Richmond with an 11 goal first quarter from which the home sider never recovered. Thou the Bloods outscored the Magpies after 1/4 time 11.15 - 8.12 the margin was too much to make up as the Magpies ran out winners by 33pts with Captain John Cahill leading the way with 7.6 from the half forward flank.

West Torrens ventured out to Elizabeth Oval for a clash with the Bulldogs. In a match that never reached any great heights the Eagles led by 5pts at the last change 8.10 (58) - 7.11(53). Again the Eagles folded in the last quarter only managing 1pt as the Bulldogs kicked away to record an 18pt win.
West Torrens player Peter Phillipou was reported in the second by umpire P.Craig for kicking Kevin Johns.

North Adelaide ventured out to The Parade and were locked into a tight struggle with the Redlegs. Both sides were inaccurate in the first quarter with North kicking 4-8 to the Redlegs 1-5. The Roosters held 7pt leads at both half time and three - quarter time. The last quarter it was all one way traffic for North Adelaide as they stream rolled Norwood by kicking 7.8 to the Redlegs 2.3 to runout comfortable winners by 42 pts.

The surprising result of the day was South Adelaide's 21pt win over Woodville at Adelaide Oval. Woodville after having been badly beaten by the Bays in round 1 bolted out of the blocks with 10.4 first quarter to the Panthers 2.3. The second quarter was a complete reversal as it was the Panthers turn to hit the scoreboard as they added 10.6 to the Woodpeckers 4.1 to only trail by 8pts at halftime. The Panthers continued on with a 7 goal third quarter while the Peckers added 5 goals as the Panthers wrestled the lead back to lead by 7pts at the last change. The Panthers finished stronger in the last quarter to run out winners by 19pts 24.21 (165) - 23.8 (146)

At the end of the second round 4 four teams remained unbeaten Glenelg, North Adelaide, Central District & South Adelaide. Sturt and Port Adelaide were next with 1 win & 1 loss while West Adelaide, Woodville, West Torrens & Norwood were yet to record a win.

Goal Kicking was a highlight in the first 2 round Ken Whelan from Sturt led the way with 15 goals. Burly North Adelaide Full Forward Dennis Sachse was second with 14 goals and ex Port Adelaide player Michael Dittmar was third with 12 goals after his 10 goal effort against Woodville. Michael Dittmar previously had kicked 10 goals in a game when playing for the Magpies.

[am Bays]

I think I'm going to enjoy this thread....

[Pseudo]

Did Torrens play Central twice in the same weekend? Lost both games by the same margin, what was the chance of that?

But seriously, good work. Interesting to read all the preseason game results.

[FOURTH ESTATE]

Fat finger got in the way

Wrote it up twice. Hopefully will do the write up on round 3 - 4 on Sunday.

[Pseudo]

What happened to this thread?

Fifty years ago today: 29/9/73.

[FOURTH ESTATE]

Sadly thing got a little busy with my Mum who has been struggling since Dad passed. Taken up a fair bit of my time as well as work and the move to our new building. Hope to write more on this shortly. I know its late but will still be worth a good read.