EAGLEHAWK defeated Castlemaine by four points in 1951's second semi-final to earn a place in the grand final.

Pronounced superiority in the ruck and full-back positions, together with powerful half-forwards, played the major roles in Eaglehawk's victory.

Castlemaine's ground play was much more effective and its teamwork and systematic play smoother.

However, its forward line was weak and many promising moves failed in this zone.

Castlemaine gained an early break through the successful blanketing of Eaglehawk full-forward Harry Morgan, but when he gained the ascendancy after half-time the leeway was steadily reduced.

Eaglehawk trailed Castlemaine until midway through the final term, but even after taking the lead was again headed.

However the Borough team fought back strongly in the time-on period to goal and win by four points.

The game was hard-fought and clean with spectacular kicking and systematic play. Castlemaine led for the greater part, but the Borough was always within striking distance and gained victory by its stronger finishing effort.

CASTLEMAINE obtained a free kick following the initial bounce. This put Merlo in possession and his kick found Marwick who had first goal within seconds of the start.

White, although thrown to the ground and dazed, commenced the work which resulted in Ilsley opening Eaglehawk's scoring with a point.

Castlemaine was faster to the ball and with Vin Williams at centre half-forward marking brilliantly the Maine attacked incessantly.

Ilsley, who marked throughout in excellent style and with Redmond and Morgan played the major role in Castlemaine's defeat, kicked the Borough club's first goal from a sharp angle.

Perry was holding Morgan out and Eaglehawk's leads were being frustrated in the full-forward position.

Morgan was forced to lead out a long way, and when he gained possession was too far out to score.

A poor kick by Denning into the man on the mark let Eaglehawk forward Metcalfe gain possession and he goaled.
Then Tonn marked and his long punt regained the lead for Castlemaine.

Armstrong was driving Castlemaine forward but Longstaff at half-back for the Borough club marked and clearerd well.

In the latter part of the term Castlemaine, who were scouting the packs better, dominated play. Vin Williams on the half-forward line commenced leads which enabled further goals to Marwick, Langdon and Bower.

Castlemaine had a 19-point lead at the first change.

THE start of the second term was ragged, with even play interspersed with minor scores.

Douglas was prominent for Eaglehawk and started several thrusts. Ilsley had a free kick thirty yards out but his shot went wide.

The backlines of Perry, Brain and Scholes for Castlemaine and Bennett, Huddle and Ashman for Eaglehawk were holding well.

A neat handpass in front of Castlemaine's goals by Williams was accepted by Ian Brown who goaled.

From the next move Morgan obtained his first goal.

Alexander was starring for the Maine at this stage while Bennett, who was never beaten at full-back, made some nice saves.

A kick by Bower was gathered by Langdon who snapped truly to take Castlemaine further ahead.

Morgan was now playing out of the full-forward position where he marked, and his kick found Ilsley who had dropped back into the goals.

Ilsley scored full points. Morgan was again too far out when he next gained possession and his long kick dribbled goalwards to hit the post.

Ilsley continued to mark brilliantly but missed some easy opportunities.

A 60-yard clearing dash by McKnight brought great applause from the crowd. Metcalf and Langdon missed valuable opportunites and at half-time the margin was still 19 points in Castlemaine's favour.

ENNOR gained the knockout at the start of the third term and passed to Eaglehawk captain Bill White who kicked goalwards.

However, Perry cleared. Systematic play between Williams and Merlo put Marwick in possession and Alexander marked his short pass.

Alexander was unguarded in front of goals. His kick scored full points.

Again, Alexander figured in the next forward move and Merlo posted a second major in as many minutes.

When another Castlemaine thrust was cleared Eaglehawk centreman Palmer drove forward. Morgan marked out of scoring range and after his kick went out of bounds, White snapped a point.

The captain made amends shortly afterwards and another goal to Ilsley brought Eaglehawk within 16 points.
A free kick to Merlo on the half-forward line increased Castlemaine's lead to 22 points with the team's ruckmen giving good service.

A lead from White who was now at top form put Morgan in possession for a goal. Redmond continued to mark beautifully and Morgan pressed home a further thrust.
At the last change Castlemaine's lead had dropped to 10 points.

GRAY replaced Ashman for the final term and he cleared Castlemaine's initial move.

Morgan, now showing his best form, outplayed Perry to mark a long drive by Redmond and Morgan's kick reduced the margin to four points.

Eaglehawk was now winning in the air and Castlemaine appeared to tire. After Heinz Tonn saved, Maine vice-captain Cec Gray kicked goalwards and Alexander gathered.
His goal again reverted Castlemaine's lead to 10 points.

Morgan made amends for his inaccuracy a few moments earlier in the next Eaglehawk forward move when he took a spectacular one-handed mark and goaled to make the difference three points.

A mistake by Perry and another by a Castlemaine player gave Eaglehawk an opening and Boyd ran into goal and recover the lead for Eaglehawk.

Jack Jefferies had a difficult chance to stage a recovery for Castlemaine, but missed and the ball was cleared.

Castlemaine recaptured the lead following a snap by Bower. The Maine clung grimly to its three-point lead and packed its defences.

It appeared to have the game won when Bower marked and goaled from an almost impossible angle.

However, Ilsley gathered close to goals and kicked high. He posted full points when the ball bounced through an open goal.

A mistake by a Castlemaine defender gave Ilsley a free kick in Eaglehawk's next thrust and his goal proved the match-winner.

Eaglehawk scored another point and was still attacking at the final bell. [As was the custom six decades ago, only goals and points were printed in match details in newspapers and weekly guides --- a final tally for each competing club did not come into force until the 60s.]

EAGLEHAWK 2.4 5.9 9.14 14.16
CASTLEMAINE 5.5 8.10 11.13 14.12

GOAL-KICKERS - Eaglehawk: H. Morgan 5, G. Ilsley 5, H. Metcalfe 2, K. Boyd, W. White. Castlemaine: R. Bower 3, R. Alexander 2, F. Langdon 2, J. Merlo 2, J. Marwick 2, V. Williams, I. Brown. H. Tonn.
BEST PLAYERS - Eaglehawk: G. Ilsley, G. Ennor, W. Redmond, W. Bennett, H. Morgan, L. Douglas, K. Longstaff. Castlemaine: I. Brown, R. Alexander, R. McKnight, J. Jefferies, R. Armstrong, Vin Williams, J. Merlo. Field umpire: Caddy.

Article based on match reports published in the Bendigo Advertiser, Monday September 10th, 1951. Accessed at Goldfields Library research section, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.

Richard's selections for 2nd week of BFL finals: Golden Square by 59 points, and Sandhurst by 27.

By Richard Jones