Originally published May 16, 1970
SUNRAYSIA came from seven goals behind to snatch a one-point victory in the 1970 State Schoolboys Football Championships in Melbourne.
It is the first time Sunraysia has won the title. It went through the series undefeated.
Players, officials and supporters went wild as the siren sounded to end the game against Melbourne North on the Richmond Oval.
The young players were chaired off after the win, described as one of the most popular in years.
Four Sunraysia players have been selected in the Victorian training squad.
The game began in a strong cross-wind and the surface of the ground was heavy.
Melbourne North were a larger side than Sunraysia.
Sunraysia swung into a short passing game right from the first bounce, but it was the metropolitan side that scored first.
Sunraysia went forward and a pass from McKee to Morgan realised only a point.
The country champions persisted in playing the ball in the dead pocket and this was costing them dearly as Melbourne North were able to sweep the ball away.
North Melbourne continued to attack and it was Alvey who saved. He was showing no signs of the hip injury he sustained on Wednesday.
Bieddes was an outstanding player for Melbourne North and he had the edge on Greg Armsden. He passed to Mannasse who could only manage a point.
Sunraysia captain Michael White cleared for his side but Wilson goaled for Melbourne North.
North scored a controversial goal. A Sunraysia player was adamant he touched to ball.
Robson scored a point for Sunraysia but North had the answer as they swept the ball forward for Bieddes to score a goal.
Bieddes added another for North and their fifth goal came just before the siren sounded to end the quarter.
North were into attack immediately in the second quarter and things looked grim for Sunraysia as Thorneycroft snapped North’s sixth goal.
Turley managed a point for Sunraysia and Morgan followed with a second. Fiebig hit the point post with a long shot.
Sunraysia were doing the attacking, but were badly off target.
Sunraysia’s defence was being put under a lot of strain as North had most of the play on its forward line.
Spibey added North’s seventh goal for the half and Anderson scored a point.
Morgan to Robbins for Sunraysia’s first goal. Robbins followed with his second goal and Sunraysia seemed to lift their play.
Ridley missed from straight in front. Sunraysia players began to play in front of their opponents, but it looked as though they had left it too late.
The second half was definitely Sunraysia’s.
North had a clear lead and only had to continue playing well to win the championship.
Meuret and Robbins scored points for Sunraysia, before Fiebig was freed and goaled.
Meuret added another major and Sunraysia were back in the game.
The Sunraysia backline tightened up and restricted North’s scoring opportunities.
Lake at full back was frustrating North with steady marks and long kicks out of danger.
Another important factor was Bieddes was being beaten by his opponent.
At three-quarter time Sunraysia were down by 16 points. Sunraysia supporters were urging them on and the boys did not let them down.
Sunraysia were into attack from the bounce and within seconds Robson had goaled to leave Sunraysia 10 points down.
Hards turned North out and McKee, drifting from the centre, received a pass and goaled — Sunraysia only four points down.
They were fighting back desperately. Fiebig received a free at centre half-forward, drove the ball to Armsden who made no mistake.
Sunraysia had a two-point lead — the first time they had been in front for the match.
Two bad mistakes almost cost them the game. A free downfield saw the ball within scoring range for North.
A Sunraysia player kicked out on the full, and North scored a point from the free kick.
Sunraysia battled the ball out of danger as the siren went.
Richmond Football Club coach (Tom Hafey) was emotional as Sunraysia won. At three-quarter time he told them they could win the match.
Four players were selected in the Victorian training squad. They are Colin Alvey, Michael White, Keith Robson and Greg Trinnie.Sunraysia: 0.2, 2.5, 4.7, 7.7 (49).
Melbourne North: 5.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.6 (48).
Goal kickers: Robbins 2, Fiebig, McKee, Meuret, Robson, Armsden 1 each.
Best players: White, Trinnie, Fiebig, Robson, McKee, Lake.
