EAGLEHAWK and Golden Square won the BFL semi-finals played in late August 1945 only days before General MacArthur’s U.S. occupying troops took over Tokyo.

While news of the Japanese surrender and tales of returning World War 2 ex-servicemen and prisoners of war were splashed all over the Advertiser, footy still provided the major sports stories of the day.

Admittedly you have to burrow deep into old copies of the Addy to find the footy results.

On page 5 of the Monday edition of August 27th, the write-up of Square’s big second semi-final victory over Sandhurst is squeezed in alongside the local government election notices, real estate listings and the lost and found column.

But let’s return to the first semi. The long-ish two deck headline reads: ‘Eaglehawk’s speed disorganized South in the Bendigo semi-final’.

The Bloods had just five six-pointers on the board at the last change, with the Two Blues racing away with close to an eight-goal advantage.

“South speeded up the tempo of scoring in the last term and momentarily had Eaglehawk worried, but Eaglehawk still finished the match with an advantage of 29 points,” the write-up said.

Forward pocket-rover Bunny Roberts was the star for the Two Blues.

He booted six goals and had the crowd in fits of laughter midway through play.

“Little Roberts tried to bump South’s hefty follower Arthur Schmutch and went sprawling. However, it must be noted that Eaglehawk’s ‘midgets’ with Bunny to the fore played a major part in their side’s grand win,” the report read.

BECAUSE Australia was still winding down from the global war, there were ceremonies pre-match at all of 1945’s finals.
Mayor of Bendigo Cr. L.W. Galvin, the league president Mr T.H. Davies and the BFL secretary Mr. E.A. Hains were on the oval as the teams lined up in a V for Victory formation.

Cr. Galvin said it wouldn’t be long before returning prisoners of war would be re-joining their clubs and while the world was rejoicing in peace the celebrations should never forget the gallant men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country.

“Among this group were many prominent Bendigo footballers,” he said.

Apart from Bunny Roberts with his bag of six, other multiple goalkickers for Eaglehawk were Richards, R. Grose and Pascoe who all landed two.

South’s leading goalscorer was Little with three. Schmutch and Ashport nailed two apiece for the Bloods.

First semi-final final scores: Eaglehawk 13.21 def. South Bendigo 10.10. Gate £130.

Onto the end of August’s second semi-final with Eaglehawk fielding six players under the age of 17.

“Inclusion of so many youngsters would have the tendency to disturb the equilibrium so necessary in games over the finals series.

“But in Eaglehawk football circles the opinion is unanimous that this year’s young side is made of the right stuff.
“Spectators who have seen the combination in the last two games of the (regular) season will agree to this assertion -– they indeed have the right stuff to annex the trophy,” the Addy scribe wrote.

Don’t you just love the wordiness of reporters from seven decades ago! Not win the flag, but ‘annex the trophy’.

WITH a decisive victory over Sandhurst in the major semi-final the Square became a firm favorite for the 1945 premiership.
Founded in 1935 so only in their 11th year of operation --- and actually their eighth competitive season because the BFL was in recess from 1942 to 1944 -– the Square’s 33-point win becomes even more noteworthy.

The Maroons were very competitive in the first half. But then the Square established “a substantial break” during the third term and that decided the issue.

The Addy reported that the Upper Reserve was soaked “and heavy showers throughout the game made conditions unpleasant for players.”

Square’s Russell scored the day’s opening goal followed by the Mustards’ main forward Rohde after the Hurst had kept their opponents out with strong defence.

Morton landed the Maroons’ first goal after 17 minutes of play, followed shortly after by Hellewege “who was fouled and from his free kick added Sandhurst’s second goal.”

During the second quarter Golden Square players Lee, Lapsley and McNamee, who had all played full-back in different games during the ’45 season, were moved around to different positions.

“Moore, Hellwege and Herbert who were Sandhurst’s main forwards were always closely guarded. When Square swung the ball to the other end Rohde’s nippiness was rewarded with another goal.

“Russell and Fisher were sharing the roving with marked success whereas Sandhurst’s smaller men never seemed to get going.”

AS THE third term opened Sandhurst’s Herbert goaled to reduce the margin to nine points. “The habit of players kicking the ball along the ground instead of trying to handle it had grown so the congestion became worse,” the scribe reported.

But the conditions didn’t seem to worry Golden Square. Williamson marked and goaled and when Russell and Rohde sent home two more the Square was seven goals in front at the last change.
But then the Hurst coaching staff made some radical moves. “Spectators witnessed the unusual sight of Sandhurst’s forwards having to shoulder the task of following in the final term.

“Although improvement could be seen the team still lacked unison. Finally, Herbert got through for a goal but McNamee lost little time with another six-pointer for Golden Square.

“Rohde was given a turn on the ball at this stage and his vigorous play helped Golden Square. Sandhurst managed to struggle on valiantly to collect three goals in the last quarter.

“But undoubtedly the final bell was a relief to all players who showed signs of the gruelling game played on the rain-soaked ground,” the report ended.

Sandhurst and Eaglehawk were listed to play in the final the following week, with the winner to take on Golden Square in 1945’s grand final.

Golden Square 2.4 4.7 10.10 11.14
Sandhurst 2.0 2.4 3.10 6.11
Goalkickers – Golden Square: Rohde 4, Williamson 3, Russell 2, James MacNamee, Bynon. Sandhurst: Herbert 2, Moore, Hellwege, McHugh, Morton.
Best players --- Golden Square: Russell, Lee, Rohde, Fisher, McNamee, Ford, Williamson, Lapsley. Sandhurst: McGrath, King, Coyne, Bartram, Winter, Morton, Moore.
Gate receipts: £124.

IN THE curtain-raiser the representative Loddon Valley team proved too strong for the combined Heathcote side.
At half-time the LVFL led 5.5 to 3.5 but increased their lead. Final scores: Loddon Valley 9.14 to Heathcote 5.7.

Among the goalkickers and best player lists there’s some familiar names. Among the LVFL there’s Rothacker, Brownbill, Addlem, Coghlan and Collins. In the Heathcote list names such as Francis, Gilmore, Mansbridge, Ring and Ellis stand out.

At the after-match function visiting officials from the LVFL and Heathcote voiced approval of arrangements made by the BFL for the resumption of the country league’s Beaurepaire Cup.
One comment caught my eye. Loddon Valley league president Mr. P. Smith said he was optimistic about the future of football in the country where the players indulged in the sport “merely for the love of it.”

How things have changed. Especially in late 2015, on the cusp of 2016’s introduction of the points system to be followed by the 2017 salary cap in country footy across this state just to keep many rural and regional competitions viable.

There’s not too many regional footballers pulling on the club guernsey these days just for the love of playing footy.

Richard’s tips for first weekend of 2015 finals: elimination final, Eaglehawk over Kyneton by 13 points (Sunday afternoon), and Golden Square by 41 points over Sandhurst in the qualifying final, under lights, Saturday evening.
2015 season total to date: 74.

By Richard Jones