In the lead-up to all three grand finals in 1962-64, Laharum was the favourite.
A newspaper article from September 14, 1962 predicted Laharum would defeat Homers with their ‘stronger rucks, aerial ability and reliable forwards favoured to offset Homers’ pace, fitness and solid defence to win the Horsham District Football League premiership at city oval’.
Ken Hooper, on September 2, 1963, wrote of the grand final finish that had the crowd of 700 people on the edge of their seats: ‘Bill Tucker went from centre half forward to take a run in the ruck and from a throw in on the wing, he waited behind the pack, swooped in and knocked the ball into the open. A pack formed on the half forward flank and Tucker was right in the middle. He grabbed the ball, twisted, was grabbed and let fly with a mighty punt kick. The ball sailed towards the sticks, but dropped short. It bounced and Quantong defenders Ray Francis and Graham Daddow raced in to intercept it. As the ball bounced towards goal, rover Allan Selkirk set Ray Francis and was going to run through him. Selkirk changed his mind at the last moment, twisted to pick up the ball and fell over! Selkirk crashed into Francis and Daddow dropped both players with a charge that couldn’t be stopped at the last minute. And the ball bounced on and on and… right through the middle. It all happened in seconds, but must have been an eternity for an anxious Tucker, who lay flat on his face, watching helplessly. The bounce at the centre was only a formality and seconds later the bell rang… I’m taking nothing away from Quantong. In my book they were a good side beaten by a side, which was one kick better. And one kick won the match’.
The final scores were Laharum 4.2, 8.9, 9.10, 12.12 (84), to Quantong 3.4, 6.10, 8.16, 10.19 (79).
‘Spiteful and rugged’
Gary Trotter provided a blow-by-blow report of the 1964 grand final match, defining teamwork and fitness as the winning qualities in Laharum.
For 100 minutes of tense, spiteful and rugged football, Laharum held the upper hand, he wrote.
Somewhat unfavourably, he wrote that ‘Quantong took the field looking like a patchwork quilt. John Ilott dragged a leg, Brian Jones hobbled like a day-old calf and Jeff Netherway could hardly raise a gallop’.
Other highlights of the game included the first goal that came from Robert Queale, who ‘snapped a beautiful left-footer’, Brian Dunn and his cousin Kevin taking control of ruck play from the first bounce, and ‘Geoff Brown, the 16-year-old Barassi of the district league, clearing strongly’.
At half time Laharum held a slender three-point lead – the clash was vigorous, fast and entertaining.
In the third quarter, Quantong suddenly unleashed one of the best passages of play for the day.
‘Kenny Overall ripped a sizzling pass down Henderson’s throat, Henderson played on, kicked high, Cec Delaney grabbed the ball in the forward pocket and roosted it back over his head for a miraculous goal. This fired up Quantong and they started to play better. The last quarter opened with the pace still as crackling as a lightning bolt. But Laharum was on top, an inspired burst let them in for two goals and it was all over. Quantong faded, players looked dejected, gave up, and Laharum proved once again to be a class above the battling fruit-growers. One lesson Quantong must have learnt from this match is – a patched up team can’t hope to match it with pace and stamina like Laharum displayed. It was a great match played in true tradition of these rivals, but Quantong lacked sting, drive from the ruck and a centre player.’
Final scores were, Laharum 3.5, 4.6, 6.12, 8.16 (64) to Quantong 1.0, 4.3, 6.3, 7.4 (46).
Laharum is currently the longest-serving club in Horsham District Football Netball League, fielding six grades of football and eight of netball.
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