KYNETON and Rochester were set to play off in their second successive BFL grand final after the Tigers downed Sandhurst by three points in 1961's preliminary final.

The Tigers earned the right to challenge the Demons for the title half-a-century ago when rover Ken Peucker kicked the winning goal with less than a minute left.

His major gave Kyneton a three-point victory.

Before a crowd which paid £1271 at the gate 35 seconds were left on the clock when Peucker streaked from the half-forward flank to kick truly.

Advertiser chief football writer John Rice wrote Sandhurst players must have felt really disappointed after seeing victory snatched from their grasp in the dying seconds.
"But they need not feel dejected. It was a terrific battle and the Maroons showed true tradition by fighting out the match to the finish," he commented.

At half-time it looked as if Sandhurst would win when they were faster to the ball and held a 20-point lead at the long change.

However after half-time Kyneton players showed a reversal of form, adding 3.7 to Sandhurst's three points in the third quarter.

INACCURATE kicking cost both clubs a firm grip on the game at different times during the 100 minutes.

If the Maroons could have found the big sticks more often in the second term when they dictated the trend of play, Sandhurst would have held a commanding lead by half-time,
In the third quarter the boot was on the other foot and Kyneton forwards continually blasted at goals to be rewarded with only three goals from numerous shots.
The fortunes of the game fluctuated, but there were only flashes of fast, systematic football.

However in finals, players are inclined to become over-anxious and this often spoils the standard of play.

Footy writer Rice said in his Monday match report, he'd pointed out in his Friday preview column if Kyneton coach Clive Philp didn't kick goals the Tigers would not win.
Records show that each time Kyneton had beaten Sandhurst in the past two seasons --- except the last time at Kyneton when Philp was out because of a family bereavement --- the Tiger skipper had been the top goalkicker.

Saturday was no exception. He ended up with four, two being kicked in the vital last term when it was a desperate kick-for-kick encounter.

IN THE first half, Kyneton appeared sluggish. The Tigers obviously felt the effects of the previous week's hard finals match against Rochester and they could not match the Maroons' speed.

Pat Burke had the call on Ken Peucker in the first half and Rice commented in his story he could not understand why Burke was switched to the half-forward flank in the last quarter.

Perhaps had he been Peucker's opponent, the winning goal may not have eventuated.

Sandhurst forward Ron Ford came under notice early, but faded later when rugged Tigers' defender Noel Maloney got the upper hand at full-back.

Peter Keogh controlled the centre against Jim Lehman who was shifted to a half-forward flank, allowing Jim Wilson to take the pivot.

Wilson battled hard but was caught in possession far too often.

Kyneton wingman Frank Kelly had the drop on Sandhurst "big gun" Nildo Munari while Bob Pretty had the better of duels on the far, outer wing.

It was hard to determine Kyneton's winning drive although half-back Reg Ogden turned many a defence into attack.
Terry Bowe was a tireless rover for Kyneton and Gerard Brown was also prominent.

Those two had the better of the roving clashes against Sandhurst pair Jock Keating and Frank Lenaghan. Young Sandhurst big man John Turner was possibly the best follower on the ground.

However, Turner's good work was mostly in field play because he was well matched in the general ruck duels by Kevin Chard and Kevin Parks.

Ron Flaherty was Sandhurst's best defender while coach Vin English gave his side great drive when he had a run on the ball.

Field umpire Hodgson had firm control of the match and was quick to penalize "charging". He started the match penalizing breaches of the rules severely but later he gave players more latitude as the pressure was applied.

THE last quarter was a thriller.

Kyneton had reduced Sandhurst's 20-point half-time lead and by the last change started with a two-point advantage.
The Maroons regained the lead soon after the start of the last term. Young Doug Masterson outmarked the pack close to his goals and scored full points.

Gerard Brown, who was using express pace, broke from the pack to give the ball to Philp who goaled for the Tigers.
Philp again outmarked the pack in the goal square soon afterwards and goaled again to hand Kyneton a narrow lead.
Full points to the Maroons' Kupsch and English gave Sandhurst a three-point lead as the timekeepers reached for the siren button.

Then Ken ‘Cool Cat' Peucker raced out of the pack to goal and give Kyneton victory and the grand final berth to the Tigers.

John Rice's BIG THREE from the preliminary final:-
Kyneton half-back REG OGDEN for three quarters of outstanding football. Although he was quiet in the first term Ogden's clearing dashes, particularly in the vital last quarter, played a big part in the Tigers' victory.

Sandhurst ruckman JOHN TURNER gets my second vote for good field play, topped off by nice marking and kicking.
Third goes to tenacious Kyneton rover TERRY BOWE who was one of the few Kyneton players to match Sandhurst's speed for four quarters.

Bowe's courage won him the ball many times, whether roving to a winning or losing ruck division.

KYNETON 2.4 3.8 6.15 10.17 (77)
SANDHURST 3.5 6.10 6.13 10.14 (74)

GOALKICKERS - Kyneton: C. Philp 4, A Poole 3, K. Peucker 2, K. Chard. Sandhurst: R. Ford 2, V. English 2, W. Kupsch 2, P. Burke, B. Gretton-Watson, F. Lenaghan, D. Masterson.
BEST - Kyneton: R. Ogden, T. Bowe, F. Kelly, A. Poole, M. Meade, G. Brown, N. Maloney. Sandhurst: J. Turner, P. Burke, P. Keogh, R. Pretty, W. Kupsch, V. English, R. Flaherty.
Gate: £1271 (£195 more than 1960). Attendance - adults 5574, children 1341. Total: 6915. Cars: 260.

AND the BFL secretary, Ivan O'Donnell, was preparing to write a letter of commendation to the Victorian Football League.

The VFL had decided against telecasting live the Hawthorn-Footscray grand final direct into regional and country areas of Victoria.

Mr O'Donnell told the Advertiser the VFL's stand was important to the BFL. Had the VFL gone ahead with a direct telecast, the BFL's gate for the Kyneton-Sandhurst game could have been reduced by at least 200 pounds, he said.
"And many people would have stayed home to watch the direct telecast from the MCG, and not come along to the QEO," Mr. O'Donnell added.

Excerpts taken from Bendigo Advertiser match reports published on Monday, September 25th, 1961. Accessed at research section, Goldfields Library: Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.

Richard's preliminary final tip: Gisborne over Eaglehawk, by 23 points.

Michelsen Medal tips: the top midfielder in the BFL, Simon Rosa (Golden Square), from 126-goal spearhead Grant Weeks (Golden Square) and Castlemaine workhorse Wayne Schultz. Dark horse: Sam Mildren (Strathfieldsaye).

By Richard Jones