General News
24 September, 2024
'Balanced Demons for Flag': how we previewed the 1974 WFL grand final
Horsham won the 1974 Wimmera Football League grand final.
Fifty years ago, The Wimmera Mail-Times' took out the crystal ball in an effort to predict the winner of the Wimmera Football League.
The paper backed the locals, the Horsham Demons, to win the 1974 premiership, noting it's "teamwork, determination and aerial strength" would be too good for Ararat.
"The game should be the most spectacular seen by supporters all year because both teams are in top gear," the article said in the lead up to the City Oval-hosted grand final.
"The Demons will win because they are more evenly balanced in attack and have the players to counter Ararat's talented centreline. Wes Richardson, Tom Jenkin and Peter Burke together form the league's most damaging half forward line.
"Richardson, 36, is still outpacing it out with teenagers and his uncanny marking ability gives him clear advantage in the packs. His six-goal effort in the last quarter against Murtoa in the qualifying final was nothing short of incredible.
"Jenkin and Burke, although not as good in the air, have the pace to give Horsham control on the flank."
Demons coach Glen Hope all but guaranteed his side would come out on top.
"There's no worry about us winning," he said.
"For the first time this season, we've had a complete list to pick from, and the side playing tomorrow is our best for the year.
"It's a perfectly balanced team with good distribution of weight, strength and pace. I don't expect the result to be one-sided as it was in the second semi, but Horsham will definitely be in front at the final siren."
The Rats came into the grand final full of confidence, having crushed Warracknabeal by 66 points in the preliminary final two weeks earlier.
"I know we can get up and take the flag," Ararat coach Wilf Dickeson said.
"We won't be going into this game over-confident which is probably our biggest failing in the second semi-final in Rupanyup.
"The boys know know Horsham's true ability and have geared themselves up accordingly.
"They will not make the same mistakes made last time we met. I think our strength across the centre and on the half forward line will be the decisive factors."
See the 92 picture gallery and read the full preview here
Demons' runaway victory
About 3500 supporters packed City Oval to see Horsham defeat Ararat by 45 points.
Heavy showers fell during the reserves grand final, which saw "several thick mud patches" around the ground.
Journalist Shane Ahern wrote: "The Demons, fiercely determined and operating with machine-like precision, had players in command all over the field.".
"They had the premiership flag unfurled and ready to fly after forging away a 10-goal lead in the third quarter.
"The Rats showed none of the form which made them the undisputed leaders at the end of the home and away season.
"They could not develop their fast, flow-on game, and were helplessly disorganised in attack."
A far cry from the the Ararat side of 2024, which won back-to-back premierships on Saturday, September 21.