St Kilda Collingwood 1966 Season

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

In 1966 the Magpies and Saints, like the teams of today, had a host of stars. Collingwood had Des Tuddenham, Len Thompson and Ray Gabelich to name a few. Tuddenham was captain and Thompson would win the Brownlow Medal six years later. The Saints had Darrel Baldock in their forward line and young ruckman Carl Ditterich. Baldock debuted in 1962 and Ditterich a year later. Ian Stewart also debuted in 1963. All three would go on to become League and club legends. Ian Stewart won the Brownlow Medal in 1965 and 1966. Baldock would later coach the Saints.

1n 1966, Collingwood was coached by Bob Rose while the Saints were coached by Allan Jeans. Rose had been appointed in 1964. Jeans had three years on Rose as a senior coach. Both had also played for the clubs they were now coaching. Both had tasted Premiership success, Rose as a player with Collingwood and Jeans as a coach with the Saints and Hawthorn.

The Saints began the 1966 season in fine fashion, winning their first eight games, some by hefty margins. Collingwood wasn't far behind, losing only one game in the same period. The next few games represented a reversal of fortune with Collingwood winning four of their next five while the Saints lost three of their next five. However, both finished the season strongly losing just one more game each.

In 1966, the Pies and Saints met only once in an 18 round competition. Collingwood prevailed by 72 points. In 2010, the Saints inflicted Collingwood's only loss in the first eight games of the season. However, the Magpies reversed the result some weeks later defeating the Saints in their next encounter. The Saints dropped three of their first eight matches this season. Also in 2010 both the Saints and Magpies had tied games - Collingwood against Melbourne and the Saints against the Hawks. There was only one tied game in 1966 between Carlton and Richmond. Other than a few hiccups along the way this season, both pretty much dominated the competition.

Source: Every Game Ever Played 1897-1997, AFL Record