SIXTY years ago BFL clubs played a number of practice matches before the season proper got under way, just like they do today.
All the preparation and pre-season planning was over by mid-April 1951 as the eight clubs focused on Round 1.

There had been plenty of comings and goings around the traps. Golden Square, for instance, wasn't able to meet coach Heinz Tonn's requirements and at the last moment appointed a non-playing coach in Harold Waterman.

He'd been a centre half-back with Sandhurst, had enjoyed a 15-year career with the Maroons and was a member of eight premiership sides.
Kyneton had a new coach in former Hawthorn key position player Wally Culpitt. The new man at Castlemaine was ex-Fitzroy star Clen Denning.
Bill White was in charge at Eaglehawk, Alan "The Fox" McDonald was South's captain-coach while at Rochester Harry Hickey was the playing coach.
Acting coach at Sandhurst was Howard Day. The Advertiser reported he "had trained exceptionally well and given the players solid work." Day stood in at the Maroons with Reg Ford reported "to be indisposed".

FOR THE opening games of the second half of the 20th century big crowds turned out on April 21st.
South and Rochester played out a thrilling draw at the Upper Reserve (the QEO) while Square ensured victory over Kyneton at Wade Street with a six-goal opening quarter.
At home, Echuca belted Eaglehawk by more than seven goals while Castlemaine had the Camp Reserve game against Sandhurst wrapped up by three-quarter time.
Clearly the pick of the opening round in 1951 was the thriller at league headquarters.
The Advertiser match report on Monday, April 23rd read: "Rochester's courageous effort in playing a drawn game against South Bendigo --- premier club of last season --- augurs well for the future of the northern club.
"South's side will prove to be tougher within the next few weeks with the return of former players and proved men from other districts.
"The hard, fast and exciting play in the last half revealed the respective coaches had imparted plenty of vigorous training. "Only a few points separated the teams throughout and a draw was a fitting climax to such an interesting encounter. "And it was a game devoid of nasty incidents," the Advertiser reporter of the time wrote.
Rochester's ‘old' crew led by wily skipper Harry Hickey and comprising his deputy Herb Zegelin, Bob Chappel, Jack Stanlake and Ern Sinclair were prominent for the full, four quarters.
Best of the recruits was ‘Trixie' Rogers, a district school teacher, who was a tenacious and successful rover.
One of the smallest men afield Rogers gave a polished performance. The success of Stanlake at full-back in the last half was pleasing to officials. Rarely did Stanlake fail.
Bloods' captain-coach McDonald, who turned in his usual impressive game, made many changes with many of his 1950 premiership players missing.
McDonald used no less than four men at full-back. Jim Elvey was easily the best but it is not likely he would be the regular man as he cannot be spared as a follower and half-forward.
From the 1950 team Robertson, Cowling, Jones and K. Walshe all did well. Best of the new players were Nalder, Carter and Elshaugh.
South Bendigo 3.3 4.5 5.9 6.15
Rochester 1.3 5.5 5.8 7.9

BETTER teamwork and control of the ball gave Castlemaine a decided edge over Sandhurst as the home team won easily.
The Advertiser scribe wrote that "a correct indication of the game's trend was given in the opening quarter.
"Castlemaine players were backing each other up, handballing and running into position well while the visitors seemed unable to settle down with their short passes going to an opponent on most occasions."
Castlemaine centre half-forward Ron McKnight was outstanding early while Maroon defenders Millard and Sandiford had plenty of work to do.
Sandhurst kicked an early second quarter goal to move within striking distance. But Castlemaine got great drive across the centre line and with three goals to none as the quarter wound down took a 26-point lead into half-time.
Bad kicking for goal in the third term cost the home team a chance of really increasing its lead. But the backline stood up well to many attacks by Sandhurst which scored on only five occasions.
The last quarter was played at a pace equal to the opening few minutes. When Jack Jefferies goaled, followed by Bower
moments later, the issue was beyond doubt. A goal to Sandhurst seconds before the final bell left the Maroons 38 points down.
Castlemaine 3.4 6.5 9.11 12.15
Sandhurst 1.1 2.3 5.5 7.7

ECHUCA'S superiority in the packs and better balance gave the Murray Bombers a 45-point win over Eaglehawk.
Echuca consolidated the match in the first quarter. Although many shots for goal were missed, 5.6 was registered to Eaglehawk's solitary point.
The visitors gave a better display in the second quarter with Boyd outstanding and White initiating loose-man tactics.
Echuca's Betson-Hicks combination in the ruck was a decisive factor as the home side rolled to a four-goal half-time advantage.
Eaglehawk re-organised the field placings after half-time with Redmond at centre half-forward and Harry Morgan at full-forward.
The effect was noticeable. Redmond over-shadowed Kevin Kenna but the Hawk small men were unable to take advantage of this because of the ruck weakness.
Turning point of the match was the performance of ex-Essendon follower D. McGillivray for Echuca. His marking and brilliant following made him the star of the match and he also booted four goals.
Echuca 5.6 6.8 7.12 13.14
Eaglehawk 0.1 2.6 4.7 6.11

GOLDEN Square's opening term gained the team a commanding lead against Kyneton and the Bulldogs were never headed.
The home team's lead was never reduced below 17 points and its winning margin was 23 points.
Poor kicking marred a good display by Kyneton for, apart from the first term when Golden Square made full use of a following breeze, the teams were evenly matched.
Long driving kicks from Golden Square in the first quarter gave the Kyneton full-backs no opportunities to halt the thrusts.
Golden Square added 6.8 and it was only Kyneton's early accuracy which kept the country club within striking distance.
The Tigers dominated the second term but their kicking was in marked contrast to Square's opening quarter. Solid defence from Kyneton's G. Smith, D. Burns and J. Brown held Square to only two points.
But the Kyneton forward line added just seven points. K. Adams, J. Kelberg (who kicked four goals on the day) and G. Teasdale were Golden Square's most prominent players in the third term.
Teasdale drove forward repeatedly, but once more the Kyneton defenders turned many thrusts.
Culpitt marked well at centre half-forward for Kyneton but his kicking for goal was astray. He finished with three goals.
Trailing by 17 points as the last quarter opened Kyneton's hopes faded early. Square's Kelberg was permitted to mark alone and goaled.
F. Budge, L. O'Brien and Vin Lapsley in defence played a major part in preventing Kyneton breaking through. Still the Tigers rallied halfway through the term with six-pointers to McCashney and Nuttall (four goals for the day).

Golden Square 6.8 6.10 9.13 12.16
Kyneton 3.0 3.7 7.8 9.11

Richard's tips for Round One: Golden Square, Sandhurst, Gisborne, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk.

By Richard Jones