GOLDEN Square outlasted Sandhurst to win a classic 1975 grand final at the QEO by 11 points.
But the lead-up to the Big Dance 36 years ago was far from ideal for three leading Bulldogs.

Around lunchtime on Saturday, October 4th, most Square supporters would have had fits had they known what was happening near the Black Stump Garage on the Calder Highway, about 15 kilometres from Bendigo.

Bulldog captain-coach, dual Michelsen Medallist and undoubtedly the 1975 Footballer of the Year, Tony Southcombe, and two other key players were involved in a serious two-car collision.

With Southcombe in the car were half-forward John Kaladis and rover Neil Cordy.

Fortunately the three Bulldog stars were only shaken. But the car was almost a complete write-off, a tangible reminder of how close Golden Square came to losing the grand final before it had even started.

The Bulldogs would never have shaken off a dogged Sandhurst without those three, star players.

The scores were almost too close for comfort --- 14.13 (97) to 12.14 (86) --- with them playing.

Bendigo Advertiser BFL scribe Warren Barker (we knew him as "Rabbit Dog" in the 70s Advertiser newsroom) wrote that a year's work, not to mention the premiership, would have gone up in smoke had the accident been slightly worse.

BARKER noted that the 1975 grand final was a great spectacle and just as grand finals should be played --- with

desperation, excitement and a keen sense of struggle right down to the final siren.

Anyone amongst the huge crowd who wasn't more than satisfied with his or her money's worth had a prohibitive high sense of values, Barker wrote.

And the accolades for the entertainment appeal should be evenly shared between the Golden Square and Sandhurst clubs.

The Maroons thrilled all of their supporters with a fast, desperate first quarter. They tried almost everything to rattle the Square.

Not to be subdued by the authority and confidence of the Bulldogs' second quarter, Sandhurst renewed its flair and enthusiasm in the third quarter.

The 10-point advantage Golden Square held into the final quarter bound the teams together in a quarter almost unbearable because of its riveting attention.

The margin could have been the narrow, almost non-existent obstacle blocking a Sandhurst victory, quickly to be overrun.

Or the small foothold for establishing a Square runaway.
For the whole quarter the game hung on the brink, and there was nothing either club could do to topple the other.

The Maroons showed the determination, deep pride and resilience many non-aligned supporters suspected they didn't have.

Players justified their own supporters' faith in them.

ADVERTISER special comments writer Ron Elvey observed that Sandhurst's plans paid off in the first quarter when Peter Toovey was dropped to 19th man.

He'd been selected in the on-field team, Elvey wrote, but was replaced by Rob Niven.

At the orders of Hurst coach Ron Best the Maroons jumped Square in the first quarter. There was no doubting Sandhurst's fitness.

But the advantage the Maroons snared was lost in the second stanza. That was when Peter Hinck came alive for the Bulldogs with his sure marking, producing a great avenue to goal from centre half-forward.

Tony Southcombe's strength was a telling factor as he broke away from packs on the forward line --- a true captain's game!

Elvey commented that Sandhurst should have taken centre half-back David Harries off the ground.

"He cost Sandhurst three, vital goals with free kicks and 15-metre penalties," wrote Elvey.

Maroons' centreman John ‘Smokey' Tresize had a sound first quarter but was eventually overrun by Garry Mountjoy in the concluding three quarters.

And Best's return of 5.5 was one of the key factors enabling Sandhurst to stay in touch with the Square.
The selection of Tony Andison on the half-forward line was also a winning move for Sandhurst in the first term.

THE Maroons' big downfall was their inability to get the ball away from centrefield.

Sandhurst only struggled into attack and many forward moves were too slow to be capitalized on by Best and other forwards, said Elvey.

Alan Wills on his wing was the only Hurst centreline player who was a winner. In the end, his play alone almost won the premiership for Sandhurst.

Sandhurst got within 10 points of the Bulldogs in both the third and final quarters.

But the Dogs were never slow in answering back with a clutch goal. Elvey said this had to be attributed to Golden Square's defence led by Terry Stacey and half-back Mick Featherstone, whose individual performance was the best Elvey could recall seeing.

But he added that Square spearhead Russell Roulston almost kicked his side out of the grand final. He should have finished with eight goals, instead of four, Elvey said.
However, Square ruck-rover Brett Bahen played the game of his life. Barker agreed, noting in his lead story that Bahen's strength and determination to win kicks often destroyed Sandhurst's morale.

Both writers also praised the courage, intensity and gutsy boring-in of Bulldog rovers Des Leahy and Neil Cordy.
Elvey's votes --- 3: P. Hinck (GS); 2: B. Bahen (GS); 1: A. Wills (Sh).

TONY Southcombe spoke for all after the game. When he gave the obligatory commiserations to the Hurst he said sincerely: "You fought out the game in a true sporting manner, but there can be only one winner.

"It's a pleasure to win against a team such as Sandhurst."
The brothers-in-law feud was over and Maroons' coach Ron Best had equally praising and deserved words to say of Golden Square.

"You had the goods all season," he told an appreciative Square audience. "To win today was something you really deserved all year."

GOLDEN SQUARE 2.2 8.6 11.10 14.13 (97)
SANDHURST 4.5 4.6 9.12 12.14 (86)

GOALS - Golden Square: R. Roulston 4, A. Southcombe 3, J. Kaladis 2, A. Audley, N. Cordy, G. Mountjoy, P. Moroni, D. Leahy. Sandhurst: R. Best 5, V. Dullard 2, A. Andison, G. Coster, B. Reid, R. Niven, R. Lowe.
BEST --- Golden Square: P. Hinck, G. Mountjoy, B. Bahen, A. Southcombe, J. Kaladis, M. Featherstone, P. Moroni. Sandhurst: A. Wills, V. Dullard, P. Chapman, L. McKinnon, R. Best, P. McErvale, R. Alford.

TO FINISH off my 2011 finals series articles, here's the grand final results capping off the games I wrote about earlier in this slot: from 1951 and 1961.
The finals series of 60 and 50 years back, respectively, when there were Top Fours in place and first and second semi-finals, were played. Just one finals match a weekend.
1951 grand final: South Bendigo 24.12 (156) def. Eaglehawk
20.8 (128).
1961 grand final: Kyneton 12.13 (85) def. Rochester 9.6 (60).

ALL material for the 1951, 1961 and 1975 finals series accessed at Goldfields Library research section, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
Material for this grand final story taken from the files of the Bendigo Advertiser: Monday, October 6th, 1975.

2011 grand final tip: Golden Square by 29 points.

By Richard Jones