Australian Football

1974 – Footscray's 50th VFL season: Part 2 – April

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NOTE: This is the second part of Mic Rees' look back at Footscray's 1974 season, the club's 50th in the VFL. You can find Part One here.

With the pre-season done, April heralded the start of the 'real stuff' for the Bulldogs. Before delving into how the first four rounds played out for the Dogs, a look at what was happening across the country and the wider world.

April across the globe

Ten year-old Tatum O’Neal becomes the youngest winner of an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her role as Addie Loggins in Paper Moon at the 46^th Academy Awards.

ABBA takes out the Eurovision song contest with “Waterloo”.

In Major League Baseball, Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Hank Aaron slams his 715^th career 'round tripper' off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In doing so, he passes Babe Ruth as the all-time home run leader in Major League baseball history.

Meanwhile, Dick and Pat are still firmly ensconced in the White House.

Meanwhile in Oz...

Prime Minister Gough Whitlam informs the nation it will return to the ballot box with a double dissolution election called for Saturday 18 May 1974.

A light plane crashes near Mildura. All six passengers on the flight from Broken Hill to Melbourne perish.

In a national poll of 2000 people across all six states, 90 per cent of those surveyed profess "some or a great deal of faith" in the medical profession, 80 per cent in “God” and 72 per cent in the Church.

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On their televisions, Aussies are watching This Day Tonight, $25,000 Great Temptation and Number 96.

On the radio they're listening to The Lord’s Prayer by Sister Janet Mead (single) and Wings’ Band on the Run (album).

Our winter obsession

The Victorian Football League’s 78^th season was due to commence on April 6. League officials were reaching for the antacids following GTV9 Melbourne’s decision to ditch its coverage of VFL matches. Replays would continue to be screened on HSV7 and ABV2.

The Footscray Football Club's plans for their golden anniversary campaign suffered an early hiccup when David Thorpe, the club's on field leader in 1973, sustained a knee injury during the pre-season. The 25-year-old, who had cartilage removed in February, wasn’t expected to return to senior football until June. One positive for the tri-colours was the securing of its major off-season target Greg Parke. Parke, who had kicked 63 goals for Melbourne in 1972, joined the Dogs in exchange for Gary Baker, Charlie Pagnoccolo and John Keast.

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The Bulldogs remained confident that they could attain the services of star South Australian rover Ray Huppatz. Huppatz had moved to Melbourne in early March in anticipation of being cleared by Woodville, and intimated he would stand out of football if he wasn’t released. Bob Rose, impressed by what he’d seen from the 25-year-old during the preseason, was an unabashed fan: “He’s strong, a good mark, an excellent kick and not frightened to go in for the ball.”

And so to the season proper...

Round 1 – Footscray v Geelong – Saturday 6 April 1974 at Western Oval

• Footscray v Geelong @ Western Oval (1925-1972): Played 37 - Won 18, Lost 18 Draw 1
• In the '70s: Played 8, Footscray 6 wins, Geelong 2 wins.
• '70s form line: GFFGFFFF
• Last time they met: Round 17 1973 Footscray 21.15 (141) defeated Geelong 13.14 (92) @ VFL Park

'Scray selection news: Daryl Collins and Geoff Jennings were named for their VFL debuts. Greg Parke would make his first appearance in the Tri-Colours. It was his 120th senior VFL match. As mentioned earlier, the pre-season knee injury suffered by David Thorpe meant a delayed start for the dashing centreman. Laurie Sandilands would make his debut as senior captain.

Looking to break their five-year opening round drought, the Dogs lined up as follows:
B: Gordon Casey, Ian Morrison, Ian Salmon
HB: Colin Dell, Bernie Quinlan, Stephen Power
C: Terry Wilkins, Denis Collins, Stuart Magee
HF: Daryl Collins, Greg Parke, Ivan Rasmussen
F: Barry Round, Laurie Sandilands, Geoff Jennings
Foll: Gary Dempsey, Peter Welsh
Rover: Adrian Gallagher
19^th/20^th: Graeme Austin, Max O’Halloran

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Milestones: Peter Welsh was celebrating his 100^th senior game for the Bulldogs.

Welsh provided the perfect start for the Bulldogs when he notched their first goal for the season inside the first two minutes of play. Quinlan was solid in the back half. Adrian Gallagher and Stephen Power were giving the Dogs plenty of drive. Ian Salmon, Adrian Gallagher and Ivan Rasmussen added their names to the scoresheet. The 25-point margin at the end of the first term wasn’t indicative of the 'Scrays complete dominance of the first 30 minutes of play.

Geelong hit back hard in the second term, adding five goals to the hosts two to grab a razor-thin advantage at the main break. Onballers Paul Sarah (two goals), Ian Nankervis and the Browne brothers were working hard, and John Newman was holding his own in the ruck. Both teams would have rued profligate efforts with the breeze. At half time Geelong held the slenderest of leads.

The Dogs regained control after the long interval, thanks to its aerial supremacy – specifically the work of Ian Salmon and Barry Round. Round had suffered an injury riddled '73 season so any hint that the 193-centremetre big man would return to his early career form would have heartened coaches and supporters alike. The procuring of Parke was providing early dividends and the key forward snared his second goal of the afternoon. Welsh did likewise and Jennings slotted his first VFL major. The 20-point advantage held by the locals at the final change was handy if not insurmountable.

Larry Donohue, unsighted since the opening quarter, got the Cats rolling with an early major and when John Preen added another the margin had been reduced to eight points. Surprisingly, Preen was immediately replaced by debutant Keith Miller. Ultimately, it was the changes Bob Rose made at final break that would prove the difference. 19^th and 20^th men Graeme Austin and Max O’Halloran replaced Ivan Rasmussen and first-gamer Daryl Collins respectively.

O’Halloran – who had endured an injury riddled 1973 – was magnificent, with seven possessions and a goal. Austin also received praise from Rose in his post-match chat with the press. Welsh, sent forward to offer another tall for the midfield to target, grabbed three last-quarter goals for a personal best of five. The siren sounded with the Dogs comfortable winners, the margin 45 points. Those adorned in red, white, and blue departed the Kennel hopeful that better days were ahead.

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Goalkickers: Welsh 5; Sandilands 3; Parke, Gallagher 2; Salmon, Rasmussen, Jennings, O’Halloran
Best players: Welsh, Power, Salmon, Gallagher, Sandilands

“His play was a little slap-happy today. He didn’t get much help from a lot of our players the way they delivered the ball to him. I was quite happy with his first game for us though.”

– Bob Rose discussing the form of prize recruit Greg Parke

Round 2 – North Melbourne v Footscray – Monday 15 April 1974 @ Arden Street Oval

The Dogs @ Arden Street (1927-1973): Played 41 - Won 20, Lost 19 Drew 2
In the '70s: Played 8, Footscray 5 wins, North Melbourne 2 wins, 1 Draw
'70s form line: FFNFFFDN
Last time they met: Rd 19 1973: North Melbourne 10.14 (74) defeated Footscray 10.8 (68) @ the Western Oval.

'Scray selection news – Max O’Halloran’s scintillating final term against Geelong earned him a promotion to the starting side. Gary Merrington replaced Ian Morrison at full back and Ross Abbey came in for Colin Dell on a back flank. Glen Gingell was named 20^th man and Daryl Collins was omitted. The Dogs side for the Easter Monday clash was:

B: Gordon Casey, Gary Merrington, Ian Salmon
HB: Ross Abbey, Bernie Quinlan, Stephen Power
C: Terry Wilkins, Denis Collins, Stuart Magee
HF: Max O’Halloran, Greg Parke, Ivan Rasmussen
F: Barry Round, Laurie Sandilands, Geoff Jennings
Foll: Gary Dempsey, Peter Welsh
Rov: Adrian Gallagher
19^th/20^th: Graeme Austin, Glen Gingell

A disappointing opening round loss to South Melbourne ensured the Kangaroos would be well and truly fired up for the Easter Monday clash with the neighbouring Bulldogs. They jumped out to an early lead with key forwards Doug Wade and Phil Ryan (two goals apiece) finishing off the good work up field from John Burns, Gary Cowton and Barry Davis. North’s 25-point lead at quarter time flattered the visitors.

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The loss of Stuart Magee (bruised arm) early in the second quarter didn’t stop the Bullies mounting a challenge. Sandilands and Rasmussen were providing a target up the ground and when players trudged off the field at the half the Dogs trailed by a meagre three points.

North added half a dozen goals in the third quarter, including one from star recruit Malcolm Blight* who was making his VFL debut. Rasmussen added three of his own in the term to keep the contest from fizzing out. Aided by a slight breeze in the final period the Dogs' hopes hadn’t completely faded. Unfortunately, though, there was no Easter revival and the Roos slammed on eight goals in the last 20 minutes of play to run out easy winners.

Goalkickers: Rasmussen 4; Sandilands 3; Welsh 2; Gallagher, Jennings
Best Players: Quinlan, Dempsey Welsh, Rasmussen

* Malcolm Blight, the 1972 Magarey Medalist, made his VFL debut for North Melbourne against Footscray on Easter Monday 1974. Across a brilliant nine-season playing career with the Kangaroos, Blight became the second of four players (as at 2024) to complete the Brownlow/Coleman Medal double. Blight would face the team he debuted against 13 times between 1974 and 1982. His record - 13 wins, 0 losses. He would average 19.5 possessions per game and kick 57 goals at an average of 4.4 per outing. On July 25 1981, less than a week after relinquishing his role as the captain-coach of North Melbourne, Blight kicked 11 goals to lead his side to a 19.11(125) to 18.8 (116) victory at the Western Oval. The nine-point margin was the closest the Bulldogs ever came to beating a North Melbourne team that included Malcolm Blight in its line-up.

Round 3 – Collingwood v Footscray – Saturday 20 April 1974 @ Victoria Park

The Dogs @ Victoria Park (1925-1973): Played 36 - Won 8, Lost 28
In the ’70s: Played 8, Footscray 2 wins, Collingwood 6 wins
’70s form line: CCCFFCCC
Last time they met: Round 13 1973: Collingwood 13.17 (95) defeated Footscray 14.6 (90) @ Victoria Park.

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“It will be interesting to see how highly-rated young Footscray full forward Kelvin Templeton shapes."

– John Craven, The Melbourne Herald – Friday 19 April 1974

‘Scray selection news – High profile recruits Kelvin Templeton and Ray Huppatz were included for their senior debuts. Despite sustaining a thigh injury the previous Monday, Templeton’s 15 goals across his first two reserves appearances proved irresistible to the Footscray selection committee, who named the 17-year-old at full forward. Having finally secured a clearance from Woodville, Huppatz was selected in the forward pocket. Alan Stoneham’s impressive reserves form earned him a recall and Ian Dunstan would start proceedings on the bench. Graeme Austin, Glen Gingell, Barry Round and Terry Wilkins were the casualties from the fadeout at Arden Street five days earlier.

B: Gordon Casey, Laurie Sandilands, Ian Salmon
HB: Ross Abbey, Bernie Quinlan, Stephen Power
C: Stuart Magee, Alan Stoneham, Gary Merrington
HF: Ivan Rasmussen, Greg Parke, Denis Collins
F: Peter Welsh, Kelvin Templeton, Ray Huppatz
Foll: Gary Dempsey, Max O’Halloran
Rov: Adrian Gallagher
19 ^th/20^th: Ian Dunstan, Geoff Jennings

Victoria Park’s reputation of being a fortress was well earned. With the exception of Richmond’s Round 20 victory the previous year, the most recent loss the Pies suffered at home occurred on 20 May 1972. On that day Bob Rose returned to the scene of many a personal triumph to lead Footscray to a rare win on the corners of Abbot and Lulie Streets.

Doggie diehards who made the trip to the 'always welcoming' Abbotsford arena were treated to an early glimpse of the talents of Kelvin Templeton. Two goals in the opening period – one from a strong mark, the other courtesy of a free kick after copping a whack behind play from Len Thompson – proved the selectors weren’t premature in taking a punt on the Traralgon tyro. Magpie favourite Peter McKenna grabbed two goals, the second his 750^th in senior company. Nothing separated the combatants when the quarter time siren rang.

The home side dominated the second quarter thanks to the brilliance of the Richardson brothers Wayne and Max. Max in particular provided plenty of drive from the back flank, his eight kicks setting up opportunities that saw McKenna and big Bob Heard slot two majors each for the quarter. Templeton got Footscray’s solitary six-pointer for the period and the hosts trotted off with a comfortable 30-point lead at the main break.

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Templeton’s coming out party continued after the interval. Another two majors took his tally to five and kept the Puppies pulse from flat-lining. At the other end, Heard notched his fourth for the game. Rose pushed Laurie Sandilands forward and the skipper delivered with two goals to provide a sliver of hope for the travelling faithful. 24 points adrift, 30 minutes remaining. Whilst highly improbable, victory was far from impossible.

In a dramatic final quarter the Bullies surged back into the contest thanks to the efforts of Dempsey and Gallagher, who provided plenty of supply to the attack. Two goals from Peter Welsh (four for the day) plus a sixth goal from Templeton saw the visitors within striking distance. Ivan Rasmussen, quiet for most of the afternoon, got another. Less than a kick separated the sides, time-on imminent. The 23,000 in attendance were being served up a finish none had expected half an hour earlier. Sadly a Footscray fairy-tale didn’t materialize. Two goals from McKenna in the closing stages settled the nerves of the locals, the Pies victorious by 13 points.

Goalkickers: Templeton 6; Welsh 4; Sandilands 2; Gallagher, Rasmussen
Best Players: Gallagher, Templeton, Welsh and Parke

“Kevin Templeton…he could be the greatest full forward in League football history. As far as his six goal big time debut against Collingwood, it must certainly be the best by a spearhead since the late John Coleman kicked 10 goals in his first League game.”

– a very excited Ted Whitten, Inside Football, 27 April 1974.

Round 4 – Footscray v South Melbourne – Saturday April 27 @ Western Oval

Footscray v South Melbourne@ Western Oval (1925-1973): Played 47 - Won 31, Lost 16
In the '70s: Played 8, Footscray 5 wins, South Melbourne 3 wins
'70s form line: SSFFFFFS
Last time they met: Rd 15 1973: South Melbourne 20.21 (141) defeated Footscray 12.7 (79) @ the Western Oval.

‘Scray selection news – Ted Whitten Junior was named to make his senior debut with the 17-year-old son of club legend EJ selected in the centre for the visit of South Melbourne. Barry Round and Glen Gingell returned to the squad after a week in the 'twos'. Kelvin Templeton had aggravated the thigh injury he took into his senior debut seven days earlier and was a late withdrawal. Denis Collins and Max O’Halloran were omitted.

B: Gordon Casey, Gary Merrington, Peter Welsh
HB: Ross Abbey, Bernie Quinlan, Stephen Power
C: Stuart Magee, Ted Whitten jnr, Glen Gingell
HF: Ivan Rasmussen, Greg Parke, Geoff Jennings
For: Barry Round, Laurie Sandilands, Ray Huppatz
Foll: Gary Dempsey, Ian Dunstan
Rov: Adrian Gallagher
19 ^th/20^th: Ian Salmon, Alan Stoneham

A total of 6.8 millimetres of rain fell across the Melbourne and metropolitan region between 9.00am and 3.00pm on match day. The precipitation reduced the Western Oval to a sodden mess. The brilliant Peter Bedford was busy for South Melbourne in the early exchanges and grabbed one of their two majors for the quarter. Despite controlling the game for most of the term, the Bloods squandered a number of opportunities to establish a solid lead. Late goals to Welsh and Sandilands reduced the margin to a mere six points at the first break.

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Huppatz, Gallagher and Ian Dunstan continuously drove the home team forward throughout the second period. Welsh grabbed a pair of six-pointers, Rasmussen and Gallagher one each. Despite the soaking rains, one player – Bernard Francis Quinlan – excelled. Marshalling the Dogs' defence, Quinlan was outstanding, unpassable, a beacon on Barkly Street glowing brightly through the miserable Melbourne mid-afternoon murk. Not satisfied with his first hour of work, he followed the ball into the forward line and duly drilled the Bulldogs final goal of the half. Taking into consideration the rapidly deteriorating quality of the playing surface, the 25-point lead enjoyed by the locals, for all intents and purposes, was match-winning.

The visitors were getting plenty of the football early in the third quarter and two goals in a row from Stewart Gull gave succour to the stoic, soggy South supporters. The Dogs responded as Jennings, Dunstan, Rasmussen and Welsh (his fourth goal for the day) snuffed out any chance of a final term push from the Swans.

With the result well and truly decided, all that remained for the saturated players was to avoid contracting hypothermia. Gallagher and Stuart Magee were ubiquitous across the final quarter, Bedford, David McLeish, and Steve Hoffman likewise for the visitors. Huppatz grabbed his first goal in VFL football and then added a second for good measure. The siren sounded with the hosts saluting by 45 points, the same margin they had enjoyed in their opening round clash three weeks earlier.

Goalkickers: Welsh 4; Rasmussen 3; Huppatz 2; Sandilands, Gallagher, Quinlan, Jennings, Dunstan, Gingell
Best Players: Dunstan, Gingell, Huppatz, Quinlan and Welsh

“Number 3 is Alan Stoneham’s number and as far as I’m concerned he can have it.”

– Debutant Ted Whitten junior reassuring the football public he was content to wear number 34. For now. At least.

April afterthoughts

Four rounds into their 1974 commitments and the Footscray Football Club sat seventh on the 12-team Victorian Football League ladder. Two wins, two losses and a percentage of 105.6.

Acceptable. Respectable. Solid.

Looking back half a century later, it's clear to see April 1974 was a special month for the Footscray Football Club. Consider the players who made their senior debuts across the opening four rounds – Geoff Jennings, Kelvin Templeton, Ted Whitten Jnr and Ray Huppatz. Jennings and Templeton would captain the side. Templeton would win two club Best and Fairest awards. He became the first player in League history to win both Coleman (1978 and 1979) and Brownlow (1980) Medals. Both would represent the VFL, so too Whitten and Huppatz. Sadly all four would be blighted by injury later in their careers.

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Adding to the impressive list of debutants, it’s worthwhile considering the contributions of Ian Dunstan and Ross Abbey throughout the opening weeks of the ’74 campaign. Both entered the new season looking to establish themselves as senior footballers. Neither disappointed.Over the following decade Dunstan would win three club Best and Fairest awards and Abbey would become an outstanding half back/onballer. Half a century later Abbey continues to serve his club with aplomb as President of the Footscray/Western Bulldogs Past Players and Officials Association.

Looking forward

May would provide a true test of the Bullies' 'big time' bona fides. Two visits to VFL Park, a venue where the Dogs had won a mere three of their 13 contests, was daunting enough. Just as concerning for Footscray followers was their combined 1973 record against the clubs it would face over the next four matches: one win and seven losses. Whatever remuneration Bob Rose was receiving, it would be well earned across the next four contests.