Australian Football

1965 WANFL Grand Final: E. Frem v Swans - Old Easts Storm Home

Under the inspirational coaching of Haydn Bunton junior Swan Districts had undertaken a quintessential transition from ugly duckling to swan. Between 1934, when the club entered the League, and 1960 Swans had only qualified for the finals on three occasions (plus once during the under age competition which replaced full scale League football between 1942 and 1944) and endured the ignominy of nine wooden spoons, the last of which was in 1960. Bunton's arrival as coach in 1961, however, changed everything as Swan Districts rocketed up the ladder to the first of three successive flags. Despite Bunton's departure to coach Norwood in 1965 Swans maintained their momentum and they entered the 1965 grand final as favourites, having topped the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away rounds 10 points clear of 2nd placed Claremont who it had comfortably defeated in a low scoring Second Semi Final by 20 points.

East Fremantle's history, for the most part, provided a stark contrast to that of their grand final rivals. As Western Australian football's most successful club the blue and whites had only ever missed participating in the finals on two occasions, accumulating 22 premierships in the process. However, their last flag had been in 1957, and, after losing the grand finals of 1962, '63 and '64 they appeared to be in the decline, only edging into the 1965 finals in fourth place.

Grand final day dawned fair but windy and Swan Districts' acting skipper Ken Bagley surprised most observers when, on winning the toss, he elected to kick into what was adjudged to be a substantial three or four goal breeze.

1st Quarter

2 mins A swift, fluent Swan Districts move sees the ball taken the length of the ground before Gorman, several metres in the clear having led quickly, drops an easy mark at full forward before recovering quickly, snatching up the ball and turning onto his left foot to snap truly. It is Gorman's 93rd major of the year. Swan Districts 1.0; East Fremantle 0.0

6 mins Walker at half forward right finds Gorman with a bullet like stab pass. A minor melee involving half a dozen players ensues, the upshot of which is a 15 yard penalty to Gorman, who makes no mistake from less than 20 metres out on a slight angle. The Swan Districts spearhead is seemingly on course to emulate his 1963 feat of kicking nine Grand Final goals, a WAFL record. Swan Districts 2.0; East Fremantle 0.1

7 mins Litterick at centre half forward appear to push an opponent in the back but claims a mark and kicks truly. Swan Districts 3.0; East Fremantle 0.1

13 mins Regan is awarded a free for holding the man in the left forward pocket. From an acute angle he goals with a high trajectory flat punt rounding off several minutes of East Fremantle pressure. Swan Districts 3.0; East Fremantle 1.3

15 mins A boundary throw in in the right forward pocket for Swans comes off hands to Walker (pictured right) who finds Gorman again, this time with a spearing drop punt. The Swan Districts full forward converts easily from a distance of 20 metres almost directly in front. Swan Districts 4.0; East Fremantle 1.3

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Bill Walker, one of the greatest rovers of all time, and prominent for the Swans early in the 1965 Grand Final.

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16 mins At the ensuing centre bounce 1965 Sandover Medallist Walker earns a free kick for 'round the neck after snaring the ball from the ruck contest. His long drop kick travels to the true centre half forward position where it is twice punched onwards by Swan Districts teammates, finally landing directly in the path of Stannage who runs on and registers his side's 5th goal with a well judged left foot snapshot from a distance of 20 metres. Swan Districts 5.0; East Fremantle 1.3

31 mins Watson's kick from left half forward spins off Johnson's hands in the goal square straight into the hands of Martinson. With the direct route to goal blocked Martinson veers out into the left forward pocket and sends a perfectly executed left foot snap across his body and right through the centre of the goals. Swan Districts 5.1; East Fremantle 2.5  

Shortly afterwards the siren sounds to end a firstst term in which premiership favourites Swan Districts had made a complete nonsense out of the significant wind advantage enjoyed by Old East.

QUARTER TIME: Swan Districts 5.1 (31); East Fremantle 2.6 (18) 

2nd Quarter

1 min Litterick catches the ball from a boundary throw in in the left forward pocket and sends a kick covering the bare minimum distance directly into the arms of Sidebottom. From the left front edge of the goal square he makes no mistake prompting former Old East champion Jack Sheedy, providing special comments on the match for TV station Channel Seven, to make the startlingly premature observation that "Swans have got the game, I think, well and truly sewn up at this stage. It looks like it's going to be a cakewalk from here. They're doing everything right, they're kicking it long, and they're going down the centre of the ground. I don't think they could wish for anything more." Swan Districts 6.1; East Fremantle 2.6

3 mins Rakich looks for Litterick at centre half forward, but the Swans big man's attempt to mark is spoiled by Sprigg. However, the ball bounces straight back to Rakich in the clear who has no difficulty in splitting the uprights. Swan Districts 7.1; East Fremantle 2.6

4 mins An archetypal 'goal out of the blue': Watson's speculative punt kick from 55 metres out directly in front eludes everyone to bounce through, its final progress through the goals being materially assisted by Johnson, who shepherds determinedly. Swan Districts 7.1; East Fremantle 3.6

7 mins House's drop kick from the centre of the ground comes off hands at centre half forward straight to Casserly who runs on and kicks truly to reduce the deficit to 13 points. Swan Districts 7.1; East Fremantle 4.6

11 mins Manning's awkward kick bounces over Imrie's head at centre half forward and is gleefully collected by Walker who runs into an open goal. Swan Districts 8.1; East Fremantle 4.7

13 mins From a ball up just left of centre half forward Swan Districts players demonstrate their volleyball skills by twice punching the ball onwards into the path of Litterick who coolly goals. Swan Districts 9.2; East Fremantle 4.7

14 mins Further salt is rubbed into the Old East wound as Walker finds space 50 metres from goal directly in front and, with calm deliberation, unloads a perfectly weighted punt kick which sails majestically through the goals. Swan Districts 10.2; East Fremantle 4.7

21 mins Martinson's stab pass finds Johnson in the right forward pocket on a 60 degree angle 20 metres from goal. The former Melbourne big man's drop kick scores full points. Swan Districts 10.2; East Fremantle 5.7

Stannage adds Swan Districts' 11th goal shortly before the half time siren.

HALF TIME: Swan Districts 11.3 (69); East Fremantle 5.9 (39)

3rd Quarter

3 mins Imrie marks a Swan Districts kick in on the left half forward flank and sends the ball back to the goal square with a slightly mis-timed torpedo punt. The ball comes off the hands of the waiting pack to Martinson who makes no mistake from close range. Swan Districts 11.3; East Fremantle 6.10

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Old Easts captain-coach Bob Johnson

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5 mins House at right centre wing receives a free kick for a push in the back and his drop kick to centre half forward is marked on the chest by a fast leading Bob Johnson. The Old East captaincoach steers his low trajectory left foot punt kick straight through the middle. Swan Districts 11.3; East Fremantle 7.10

7 mins Michael Regan is pole axed at centre half forward after marking the ball but he gets up and brings his team to within 11 points with a perfectly executed punt kick. Swan Districts 11.3; East Fremantle 8.10 Swans have yet to advance the ball ahead of centre this term and are being comprehensively out-hustled by a more vibrant and determined East Fremantle.

10 mins Swan Districts' first incursion of the quarter into what in later years would be termed 'the forward fifty' produces only a minor score after Stannage, having marked just 20 metres from goal on a slight angle, hits the post with a desultory drop punt. Swan Districts 11.4; East Fremantle 8.11

12 mins Gorman juggles Nesbit's kick in the goal square but manages to hold the mark and kick his side's first major of the quarter despite being pushed 'round on a severe angle by umpire Fred Wood, who was officiating in his 100th and last league game. Swan Districts 12.4; East Fremantle 8.11

15 mins Stannage, who has been in the thick of the action for much of the game, marks an East Fremantle kick in at centre half forward. The elegant half forward's drop kick spills off hands 20 metres from goal and the ball is collected by Walker whose quick handball finds Litterick in the clear. The big Swan Districts ruckman has little difficulty in registering full points. Swan Districts 13.5; East Fremantle 8.11

16 mins McVeigh snares ball from a ball up in the centre of the ground. He handballs to Walker whose perfectly weighted drop kick finds resting ruckman Litterick 25 metres from goal directly in front. Litterick's wobbly punt kick is nevertheless accurate, blowing the margin back out to 30 points, just as it had been at half time. Swan Districts 14.5; East Fremantle 8.11

28 mins After a sustained period during which Swan Districts had exerted superiority without affecting the scoreboard it is Old East who finally break the deadlock by means of a fortuitously soccered goal from Regan. The Channel 7 commentary team are mildly scathing in their reaction, implying that East Fremantle have been so comprehensively outplayed that they are incapable of 'scoring properly'. Swan Districts 14.5; East Fremantle 9.13 Old East manage to add one further behind before the siren sounds four minutes later to bring the third term to a conclusion.

THREE QUARTER TIME: Swan Districts 14.5 (89); East Fremantle 9.14 (68)

4th Quarter

As the players move to their positions prior to the opening bounce of the final quarter the Channel 7 commentary team discuss the state of the game. Jack Sheedy reiterates the view he has been expressing since the opening term that East Fremantle has no chance of winning the game, particularly now that they will be coming home kicking into a three or four goal breeze. Graham 'Polly' Farmer is inclined to agree, but points out that "when you're fighting for your life miraculous things do occur" so Old East "may get back in the game but I'd be surprised".

1 min Lewis marks on the right half forward flank and propels a low drop kick barely over the heads of a Swans defender three metres from goal and straight into the waiting arms of Bentley, who goals easily. Swan Districts 14.5; East Fremantle 10.14

4 mins Full forward Johnson wins a tap from a boundary throw in in the left forward pocket which he directs to Neesham. The Old East centreman, who had been brought back from National Service duty in the eastern states especially for this match, wobbles a left foot kick to the front edge of the goal square where it is marked by Watson. Another East Fremantle goal ensues. Swan Districts 14.6; East Fremantle 11.14 

8 mins Lawson's kick in after a behind travels to within 20 metres of the centre circle where it is marked by Biffin. After comporting himself as if to go long suddenly interrupts his run in to deliver a perfectly weighted 20 metre drop kick right into the arms of Casserly at half forward left. Casserly's high drop kick to full forward is strongly marked overhead by Lewis who makes no mistake. The momentum has now swung completely in Old East's favour. S wan Districts 14.6; East Fremantle 12.15 

9 mins From the ensuing centre bounce East Fremantle players force the ball forward determinedly and repeatedly by whatever means are available. Finally, Regan's handball over a squadron of Swan Districts defenders lands in the unmarked Martinson's hands on the edge of the goal square. Martinson runs on and leaps exuberantly into the air whilst dispatching the ball over the goal line and deep into the crowd. For the first time in the match, Old East are in front. East Fremantle 13.15; Swan Districts 14.6

12 mins From a free kick on the left half forward flank Nesbit sends a high kick into the teeth of the goal square. The ball comes off hands to East Fremantle half back flanker House, who dashes off into the left back pocket closely pursued by McMurray. Attempting to bounce the ball House is grabbed by McMurray who promptly receives a free kick from which he coolly goals to restore Swan Districts' advantage. Swan Districts 15.6; East Fremantle 13.15 

14 mins Johnson overcomes stern defensive pressure to mark 30 metres from goal on a 45 degree angle to the left of the goal. He goals easily. East Fremantle 14.15; Swan Districts 15.6 

19 mins Litterick claims a disputed mark on the front edge of the goal square and calmly registers his fifth major of the day. Swan Districts 16.6; East Fremantle 14.16 

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Simpson Medallist Dave Imrie celebrates with his teammates after helping steer his side to a famous victory over hot favourites Swan Districts in the 1965 WAFL Grand Final.

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22 mins Regan's high floating drop kick plummets from the air suddenly and is marked on the chest by Watson. From 30 metres out on a 45 degree angle to the right of goal he steers a drop punt just inside the right goal post. East Fremantle 15.16; Swan Districts 16.6 

27 mins Watson marks 35 metres from goal directly in front and is promptly floored by his Swan Districts opponent, earning a 15 metre penalty which brings him virtually within point blank range. He makes no mistake, and for the first time in the match Old East have acquired some breathing space over their opponents. East Fremantle 16.17; Swan Districts 16.6 

28 mins From the centre bounce East Fremantle produce a sequence of virtual exhibition football: Imrie thumps the ball to his left straight to Casserly who immediately offloads to Biffin with a pinpoint handball. Biffin steers his kick wide to Regan on the left wing who has plenty of time to weigh up his options before delivering a perfect foot pass to Martinson who marks in space, plays on, and thumps a high drop kick deep into the goal square where it scuttles off the hands of the pack straight to a grateful Bob Johnson three metres from goal. Another six-pointer ensues, sealing the result of the match beyond any doubt. Jack Sheedy promptly proclaims this as being East Fremantle's "greatest premiership". East Fremantle 17.17; Swan Districts 16.6  

30 mins Casserly is awarded a free kick for holding the man in the left forward pocket and goals with effortless aplomb. East Fremantle 18.17; Swan Districts 16.6 East Fremantle add one further behind before the siren sounds a couple of minutes later. 

FINAL SCORE: East Fremantle 18.18 (126); Swan Districts 16.6 (102)

Match Summary 

BEST
East Fremantle: Imrie, Rogers, Casserly, Thornley, Martinson, Regan
Swan Districts: Stannage, Bagley, Litterick, McMurray, Nesbit, Walker

GOALS
East Fremantle: Johnson, Watson 4; Martinson, Regan 3; Casserly 2; Bentley, Lewis
Swan Districts: Litterick 5; Gorman 4; Stannage, Walker 2; McMurray, Rakich, Sidebottom

SIMPSON MEDAL (best on ground): Dave Imrie (East Fremantle)

ATTENDANCE: 46,744 at Subiaco Oval

For match details, click here.