SANDHURST and Castlemaine were the leading two clubs after 15 rounds had been played way back in 1952.

The Maroons romped home over Echuca at the Upper Reserve (the old name for the QEO) while the Magpies, despite a four- point loss to Eaglehawk, held a six, premiership point advantage over third-placed Echuca.

Rounding out the top four 60 years ago was Golden Square which romped home to a 46 point victory over Rochester at Wade Street.

In the other game fifth-placed South Bendigo improved its standing with a massive 13-goal mauling of cellar dweller Kyneton.

Bull (7) and Nalder (4) booted 11 goals between them as the Bloods increased their lead at every change.

After 15 rounds the Tigers had won just one match and were a game behind second-last Rochester.

In the early Fifties the newspaper and weekly footy book did not publish percentages, a normal practice today.

When clubs had accrued the same number of premiership points, an overall points for-points against system was used. Much like in world soccer in the 21st century.

EAGLEHAWK won the match-of-the-round with "over-riding grit and determination" the Monday match report concluded.
"For splendid all round football and excitement it was clearly the match-of-the-day. It had its climax in a goal by Castlemaine to bring the Magpies within four points of the Borough with only four minutes play left.

"Eaglehawk gave one of its best displays for a long time and showed what a threat it could prove to the leaders," the story added.

Captain Billo White and full-forward Harry Morgan, who kicked seven goals, both showed a welcome to good form while George Ilsley in the centre turned in outstanding play.
Trewarne in the ruck and James on the backline both contributed greatly to the win.

Wally Culpitt played a captain's game for Castlemaine with splendid handball and opening-up tactics.
Jack Jefferies repeatedly repelled the strong Borough thrusts as the Magpies went to half-time trailing by 11 points: 8.5 to 9.10.

The last quarter was the pick of the day. It belonged to Castlemaine and after an early goal to Morgan - his seventh - Eaglehawk did not score a further major.

"Jefferies pressed back nearly every move while Jack Merlo hammered at the Castlemaine goal with success alarming to the Borough," the report said. They added 4.4 to 1.1.
"Now on top, the Maine were the masters. Jack Merlo kicked his sixth goal with four minutes to spare and it appeared the Southerners might yet take the match.

"However Eaglehawk desperately applied the pressure and kept the ball in their forward zone until the final bell."
Apart from Merlo's six goals Castlemaine players Culpitt, Frank Langdon, Ron Sheehan and Ray Bower all added two.
Ken Smith booted three for Eaglehawk and skipper White two.

IN other games the Maroons were without Ken Scott (hand) and Peter Gurry (back). Max Molloy was promoted from the seconds with Gerard Nihill retaining his spot after a good game in the previous round.

Echuca was desperate for a firm gound. The Murray Bombers had lost to Castlemaine on a soggy ground and selectors ere unhappy, especially with forward Riley bothered by injury.
Echuca had wingmen Fitzpatrick and Gundry on the sidelines before the first term had ended while J. Fitzpatrick was on little use through a leg injury.

Sandhurst controlled play even though Echuca captain Jim Clark did better than the Maroons' Shaw in the centre.
Echuca could rarely provide a counter to Sandhurst's elusive rovers Sheahan and Lawson. The former's three goals were scored the hard way, one coming from deep in a pocket and by kicking the ball back over his head.

"Effective play of Echuca's defenders, who were consistent throughout prevented Sandhurst from finishing further in front. Jack Kirchhofer allowed Malone to collect only two goals while McKindlay, Doyle, F. Kenna and Egan frequently frustrated advances," the scribe reported.

Sandhurst booted five goals to one in the third term to take a stranglehold on the match.

AFTER an even first term at Wade Street, Golden Square drew ahead of Rochester in the second and thereafter was never seriously threatened.

The Mustards displayed better ground play and stronger defence than the Northerners.

Ron McHardy was out of the Square team with a leg injury while Rochester's Ron Watson had a broken bone in a leg and was out for the season.

Defender Ron Windridge had missed round 14 along with rovers Bob Boysen and Eric Sinclair.

"Despite the good conditions, play was not of a high standard and the final term, in particular, was congested." the footy writer at the game noted.

Rochester generally displayed surer aerial play but Golden Square's smaller men, whether roving or placed, combined well in scouting the packs to give a lot of drive. Cowling was particularly prominent.

Captain-coach of Rochester, Harry Hickey, was best for the visitors with his dominating play from the centre. Younger players Spence and ruckman Mundie should prove a big asset to the club in 1953, the writer added.

For the Square fullback K. James was excellent with Budge and K. Wilson also serviceable defenders. Elliott booted four goals for Golden Square.

SOUTH Bendigo registered a comfortable 13-goal victory over Kyneton, posting nine majors to the home club's one in the second term.

"South outclassed Kyneton for the greater part of the game and at no stage did Kyneton appear likely to present a serious threat," the Showgrounds scribe wrote.

South had Jim Elvey back from illness while brilliant back pocket player Harold Sandiford had been cleared from Sandhurst.

Frank Kyne was back, as well, after missing six weeks through injury.

Coach Alan McDonald was South's best player, along with goal-kickers Bull and Nalder and Ken Carter. Kyneton's best were Fasso and Stringer while Baker kicked three of their seven goals.

SCORES - Golden Square 15.13 d Rochester 7.15, Eaglehawk 16.16 d Castlemaine 16.12, Sandhurst 11.11 d Echuca 5.6 and South Bendigo 20.16 d Kyneton 7.11.

AROUND the traps at the end of July in 1952, White Hills was on top of the Bendigo Football Association --- later known as the Golden City League --- with Kennington, YCW and Provincial making up the top four.

Lowlight of the round was what the Advertiser called "a spiteful incident" at Kamarooka in the final quarter of the game between Northern United and Kennington.

"As several players became engaged in an incident, spectators surged onto the ground. It took the central umpire, a policeman and cooler headed players and supporters to halt the disturbance,' the match report stated.

With the victory over United, Kennington jumped to second. The Keets displaced 1951 premiers YCW who went down by four points to Harcourt.

Harcourt was fifth on the table and showed it was the BFA "danger team for the 1952 season" the Addy scribe noted.
North Bendigo came from six points down at the last change to beat Kangaroo Flat, holding the Roos scoreless in the second half.

Scores - White Hills 8.7 d Provincial 7.7, Harcourt 6.13 d YCW 6.9, Kennington 16.7 d Northern United 5.10 and North Bendigo 11.9 d Kangaroo Flat 4.6. Bottom club Huntly had the bye.

AND the 1952 Olympic Games were being staged in Helsinki, Finland at the same time. Australia had just won its sixth gold medal when 23-year-old John Davies took out the 200 metres breaststroke at the pool.

He set an Olympic record of 2:34.4. But Davies amazingly declared straight after the gold medal ceremony he was retiring from competitive swimming and would not contest the 1956 Olympics (in Melbourne).

John Marshall, Australia's representative in the gruelling 1600 metres swim final, finished a disappointing last.

Sourced from the research and archives section, Goldfields Library, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
From the Bendigo Advertisers of July 25th, 26th and 28th, 1952.

Richard's tips for Round 15: South Bendigo by 37 points, Sandhurst by 13, Gisborne by 84, Strathfieldsaye by 28 and Golden Square by 78.
Season tally: 53.

By Richard Jones