Traditionally, the Reserves Grand Final was always a support act to the Seniors. But in 1961, the Reserves had a Grand Final all to themselves on centre stage.
Geelong and Collingwood had drawn the second semi which put the remaining finals out of sync with the senior play offs.
As a result, St Kilda met Geelong in the Reserves Grand Final a week after Hawthorn had won their initial Senior premiership on the MCG.
The “G” was bathed in sunshine on a warm spring day and the two sides fought out a torrid battle.
The tough St Kilda ruckman “Ike” Ilsley was a major factor in a fierce encounter and the Globe wrote that he was the most damaging player afield. He crunched Geelong skipper Neil Trezise early, with Trezise reported when he hit back.
Ilsley’s fellow ruckman Bob Hay was among St Kilda’s best on the ground. The Sporting Globe nominated centreman Rodger Head as best on the ground, while The Age gave half-back flanker Ray Cross the nod. Head kicked just one goal from seven shots
The crowd saw St Kilda gradually forge ahead in the last quarter and withstand a strong finishing burst by Geelong.
At the end of the game, umpire Bob Nunn was given a hostile reception and a beer can was hurled at him. There was a nasty reception as he was leaving the ground with police escorting several men from the field. Twenty minutes after the game there was still a large crowd outside the police room and a policeman said the men apprehended would be taken to Richmond police station.
St Kilda’s greater physical strength and team work were the main factors in the win. It was a hard bumping affair with both half-backlines dictating terms.
St Kilda went into the final term with a one point lead and Lindsay Fox kicked a vital goal from a free kick. Then John Hasset kicked another for the Saints from a free and they went to a 14 point lead at the 17 minute mark.
The Globe observed that in the last few minutes of the game, the St Kilda runner was on the ground for an inordinately long time “urging his team on”
When the siren sounded, St Kilda had won by 7.14 (56) to 5.16 (46)
Fox kicked two goals for the Saints and was named as one of the best.
Rodger Head remains the only man in St Kilda’s history to play for a Senior and Reserves premiership team.
The captain of the reserves team - Max Nowlan - had also captained the 1957 Thirds premiership team.
1961 Reserves Premiership Team
Backs: Max Nowlan, John Kilpatrick, Geoff Elliott
Half-Backs: Ray Cross, Tom McKay, D Caple
Centres: Ray Walton, Rodger Head, Peter Burns
Half Forwards: Ted Buick, David Presscott, Brian McMahon
Forwards : Lindsay Fox, Graeme Lee, Hassett
Followers: Bob Hay, Ike Ilsley.
Rover: Ron Muir
Reserves : Hayman, John Kerley
