Golden Square and Rochester were close behind, both with a four win-one loss record, while Echuca rounded out the Top Four on 3-2.

There was plenty of drama leading up to the fifth round 40 years back.

Sandhurst selectors dropped a bombshell by selecting Geoff Southby in its team to play Golden Square at the QEO.
The Maroons listed the big key position player in the Advertiser teams segment on Friday, May 14th. He'd played six games for the VFL's Carlton on match permits so the Blues needed a clearance for Southby.

But Southby didn't play for the Hurst, as it turned out.
Twenty-four hours after he'd been named, Advertiser footy scribe Tim Habel reported Southby would play full-back for Carlton against Footscray.

"Sandhurst received just a $500 transfer fee for Southby, the highest amount allowed under VCFL rules," Habel wrote.
He went on to slam the VCFL and the VFL for "pitiful player transfer fees" with the Melbourne clubs able to raid the country for chicken feed.

Southby's spot at centre half-forward for Sandhurst was taken by Russell Petherbridge. Damien Cleeve took Petherbridge's full-forward berth.

GOLDEN Square was having trouble gaining a clearance for St Arnaud rover Ian Fithall.
He wasn't able to play for the Bulldogs in the third round on May 1st as the club had received no clearance for him.

And then leading up to the Sandhurst game, the North Central League for a second time again refused to endorse Fithall's paperwork leaving the little ball-winner in limbo.

As it turned out, Square really didn't need Fithall as they romped home to a massive 67-point victory over Sandhurst.

The Dogs jumped out to a six-goal lead in the first half and then notched seven goals to three in the closing half.
With Ron Best booting five goals and best afield Peter Moroni adding three the Dogs were untroubled.

Defenders Peter Davey and Shane Rodda completely shut down Sandhurst's attack, which could muster just six goals for an afternoon's work.

Best for the Maroons were Kevin Higgins and John Tresize, with Alan Wills handy on his wing.

ROCHESTER again had a one-quarter meltdown, but did more than enough in the other three terms to belt South by 65 points.
The Demons booted six goals to one before going to sleep in the second term.

The Advertiser match report stated: "In the second quarter it happened !

"Rochester, which has not failed to put in one really bad quarter of football this season even when it has won, decided the second quarter would be Saturday's Demon ‘blackout'."

South's veteran centreman Trevor Lee (the present day QEO ground manager), with assistance from Jack Mullane, got on top. And with two winning wingmen in Rod Evans and Jim Nankervis they lifted the Southerners.

Brian Clarke and Trevor Fletcher, quiet early, lifted the Bloods. South Bendigo booted five goals to Rochester's none and trailed by just two points at half-time.

Then Rochester sparked again. Des Trotter, listed as a "crock" with Achilles tendon problems in Friday's paper, Graham Dowlan and Max Coutts sparked the second half fight-back.

The Demons added 11.14 to South's 2.5 to coast home to a big win.

Full-forward Neville Winch landed five goals and goalsneak Billy Jackson three. Centre half-forward Barry Williams was lively all match and kicked two majors.
Fletcher and Neville Massina booted two majors apiece for South.

The Bloods went into the game without Harry Watts who had been cleared to Wimmera League club Warracknabeal where he lived and worked by April in 1971.

A STRONGER, more purposeful and much more determined Echuca crushed a disorganized and dispirited Castlemaine at the Camp Reserve, exactly doubling their opponents' tally of 73 points.

After a slow start the Murray Bombers took control of the game halfway through the third quarter.
They went on to kick 10.8 in a whirlwind last term.

But it was the Magpies who started like a rocket. Catching the visitors flat-footed and flabbergasted the Maine rattled on 7.1 in a dynamic first quarter effort.

"Castlemaine supporters nudged each other knowingly as their favourites ran to a 29-point lead at the first change. They were more than self-satisfied that this was to be the "Day of the Magpie," Monday's Advertiser reported.

Echuca coach ‘General' Graham Arthur stalked onto the field and spoke severely to his charges at the first break. When the Haw cousins, Neil and Bill, goaled followed by a six-pointer from David Fox, the Murray Bombers whittled the deficit to a mere nine points.

It was a big moment for former Bamawm Extension boy Neil Haw, playing his first senior BFL game.

Rod Printz snapped a great goal for the Magpies as they held onto a three-point lead at the main break.

Castlemaine had serious injury worries. Forward-rover Peter Cross had left the field in the first quarter. After half-time coach Ron Auchettl had to be "rested" at full-forward carrying a thigh muscle tear.

Bob ‘Bluey' Vagg booted three third quarter goals for Echuca and with Laurie Phillips dominant in the centre the Murray Bombers led by 12 points at three-quarter tome.

Vagg notched another six goals in the last quarter to finish with 10.3 for the day as Echuca stormed home by 73 points.

EAGLEHAWK cemented top spot on the ladder with a thumping 86-point massacre of Kyneton.

The Tigers had suffered a blow leading up to the fixture. Bruce Greenhill, a former Essendon and Footscray player, had been cleared to Essendon DFL club Keilor.

Max Taylor, Francis Gill and Graham Saunders were "ins" for the Two Blues while John Philp, Dennis O'Connor (playing on permits from Trentham) and Gerald Plowman came into the Kyneton line-up.

The Hawks trailed at quarter-time (2.5 to 3.4) but added 18 goals to six in the final, three terms.

Full-forward ace Greg Kennedy booted 7.12 for Eaglehawk --- 16 of his 19 shots were registered in the first half --- while Neil "Darby" Monro snared four goals.

Kyneton full-back Ernie Turner subdued Kennedy in the second half and was named the Tigers' best player in Monday's Advertiser wrap-up.

PLAYERS of the Round were -- Julian Vise (Echuca): the ‘Blonde Bomber' won in both positions he played: first at half-forward and then in the centre.

Peter Moroni (Golden Square): scintillating display in midfield made the ‘Fleet-Footed Market Gardener' best afield. His great pace stamped him as Square's prime mover.

Graham Dowlan (Rochester): whether roving or resting in the forward pocket Dowlan was a most constructive player all day.

He was largely responsible for the Demons' recovery after half-time.

Alan Williams (Eaglehawk): one of a winning centreline trio and was clearly the most consistent of Eaglehawk's attacking players.

FINAL SCORES: Echuca 21.20 (146) def. Castlemaine 11.7 (73); Eaglehawk 20.29 (149) def. Kyneton 9.9 (63); Rochester 17.19 (121) def. South Bendigo 8.8 (56) and Golden Square 16.15 (111) def. Sandhurst 6.8 (44).
LADDER: Eaglehawk 5 wins, 0 losses; G. Square 4-1 (145.9 %); Rochester 4-1 (133.9 %); Echuca 3-2; Sandhurst 2-3; South Bendigo 1-4; Castlemaine 1-4; Kyneton 0-5.

Richard's tips for Round 5: Strathfieldsaye, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Maryborough, Castlemaine.

By Richard Jones