1977 VFA-McWILLIAMS CENTENARY CUP
  • INTRODUCTION
  • SUMMARY OF RESULTS
  • MATCH REPORTS

INTRODUCTION

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the VFA, the 1977 season featured a one-off knockout tournament played along similar lines to English soccer's FA Cup. The Second Division clubs played a qualifying round, with the winners advancing to the main draw to compete against First Division clubs.

Matches were played throughout the season culminating in the Centenary Cup Grand Final at Toorak Park on August 14.

The competition was sponsored by McWilliams Wines and clubs were ranked based on their final placings the previous year:
FIRST DIVISION (1976)

(1) Port Melbourne
(2) Dandenong
(3) Preston
(4) Caulfield
(5) Coburg
(6) Geelong West
(7) Prahran
(8) Brunswick
(9) Sandringham
(10) Oakleigh
SECOND DIVISION (1976)

(11) Williamstown
(12) Mordialloc
(13) Frankston
(14) Northcote
(15) Camberwell
(16) Werribee
(17) Sunshine
(18) Waverley
(19) Box Hill
(20) Yarraville
The Second Division Grand Finallists from 1976 (Williamstown and Mordialloc) automatically advanced to the first round, the remaining Second Division clubs played a qualifying round to earn a place in the main draw. The matches were held as follows:

Qualifying - played the week before the premiership season commenced
Round 1 - played the week after Round 7 of the premiership season
Quarter Finals - played the week after Rd.11 (Prahran v Frankston held midweek because Frankston had a Second Division match on July 3)
Semi Finals - played midweek after Rounds 15 and 16
Grand Final - played the week after Round 16

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

1977 VFA CENTENARY CUP

DATE

WINNING TEAM

LOSING TEAM

VENUE

MARGIN

CROWD

QUALIFYING

March 27

Werribee [D2]

19.17 (131)

Box Hill [D2]

10.10 (70)

Chirnside Park, Werribee

61

-

Yarraville [D2]

23.16 (154)

Northcote [D2]

3.2 (20)*

Yarraville Oval

134

-

Frankston [D2]

12.22 (94)

Sunshine [D2]

10.19 (79)

Frankston Park

15

-

Camberwell [D2]

25.12 (162)

Waverley [D2]

11.11 (77)

Camberwell Sportsground

85

-

Oakleigh and Mordialloc received a bye, advanced directly to the First Round

ROUND 1

May 22

Port Melbourne

22.32 (164)

Werribee [D2]

7.19 (61)

North Port Oval, Port Melb.

109

-

Coburg

23.19 (157)

Williamstown**

15.7 (97)

Coburg City Oval

60

-

Prahran

18.19 (117)

Yarraville [D2]

15.12 (102)

Yarraville Oval

15

-

Frankston [D2]

21.22 (148)

Sandringham

19.13 (127)

Frankston Park

21

-

Caulfield

17.17 (119)

Preston

18.10 (118)

Preston City Oval

1

-

Geelong West

17.16 (118)

Mordialloc [D2]

16.20 (116)

Western Oval, Geelong

2

-

Brunswick

16.24 (120)

Oakleigh [D2]**

10.12 (72)

Oakleigh Cricket Ground

48

-

Dandenong

20.19 (139)

Camberwell [D2]

13.12 (90)

Shepley Oval, Dandenong

49

-

QUARTER FINALS

July 3

Port Melbourne

13.9 (87)

Coburg

9.12 (66)

North Port Oval, Port Melb.

21

4,500

July 6

Prahran

31.13 (199)

Frankston [D2]

11.13 (79)

Toorak Park, Prahran (N)

120

500

July 3

Caulfield

17.14 (116)

Geelong West

15.16 (106)

Princes Park, Caulfield

10

1,250

July 3

Dandenong

10.9 (69)

Brunswick

8.10 (58)

Brunswick Park

11

1,500

SEMI FINALS

Aug.3

Port Melbourne

20.17 (137)

Prahran

7.9 (51)

Lake Oval, South Melb. (N)

86

1,954

Aug.10

Caulfield

18.15 (123)

Dandenong

13.8 (86)

Lake Oval, South Melb. (N)

37

982

GRAND FINAL

Aug.14

Port Melbourne

26.16 (172)

Caulfield

15.11 (101)

Toorak Park, Prahran

71

3,000

 

*QUALIFYING: Yarraville vs Northcote - early in the final quarter a head count revealed that Northcote had an extra player on the field. Scores at the time were: Yarraville 20.14 (134) to Northcote 12.17 (89). As required by the rules, Northcote's total reverted to 0.0 (0) and their official score for the match is the 3.2 (20) they kicked after being penalised. The incident did not change the overall result of the match as the final scores would have been Yarraville 23.16 (154) to Northcote 15.19 (109).

**RD.1: Oakleigh vs Brunswick / Williamstown vs Coburg - by the time these matches were played Oakleigh (last in First Division in 1976) had been relegated to Second Division and Williamstown (premiers of Second Division in 1976) had been promoted to First Division.

**RD.1: Caulfield vs Preston - scores were level at full-time so play was allowed to continue until the next score occurred.

2ND SEMI-FINAL: Caulfield v Dandenong - many unofficial sources claim this match was played at Toorak Park but newspaper reports confirm it was at Lake Oval.

MATCH REPORTS


Listed below are the match reports for all of the Centenary Cup games - the first time these details have been collated/appeared online. Unless noted otherwise, these reports have been sourced from The Age newspaper. 

QUALIFYING ROUND (March 27)

NOTE: Williamstown (D2 1st) and Mordialloc (D2 2nd) automatically advanced to the first round

WERRIBEE

7.4 (46)

10.7 (67)

15.11 (101)

19.17 (131)

BOX HILL

3.2 (20)

7.7 (49)

7.9 (51)

10.10 (70)

BEST PLAYERS:

Werribee

Lyons, G. Bellin, Lynch, Martin, J. Bourke, Squire

Box Hill

McGuinness, Lawther, Cook, Pickett, Jones, Love

GOALKICKERS:

Werribee

Jack 4, Leece 2, Lyons 2, Martin 2, Mason 2, Mitchell 2, Evans 2, J. Bourke, Lynch, Squire

Box Hill

Jones 3, Scott 2, McGuinness 2, Gordon, Pickett, Kirby

UMPIRE:

Fitzpatrick

VENUE:

Chirnside Park, Werribee

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YARRAVILLE

6.4 (40)

12.10 (82)

16.10 (106)

23.16 (154)

NORTHCOTE

3.6 (24)

7.9 (51)

11.15 (81)

3.2 (20)*

BEST PLAYERS:

Yarraville

Sait, Bisset, Wellington, L. Ryan, J. Ryan, Hayes

Northcote

Redenbach, Howell, Hobbs, Morton, Demir, McIntyre

GOALKICKERS:

Yarraville

Sait 6, Thorpe 3, Brown 3, Wellington 2, Bisset 2, J. Ryan, Simmonds, Priest, Riches, Corcoran,

Lee, Ackerly

Northcote

McFarlane, Ihov, Lee

UMPIRE:

Wenn

VENUE:

Yarraville Oval

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

During the final quarter Northcote had their entire score of 12.17 (89) removed after a head count revealed they had an extra

player on the field. Their official score is the 3.2 (20) they kicked after being penalised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRANKSTON

2.5 (17)

5.8 (38)

9.13 (67)

12.22 (94)

SUNSHINE

2.7 (19)

3.11 (29)

6.17 (53)

10.19 (79)

BEST PLAYERS:

Frankston

Guy, Kennedy, Adams, Harrison, Thatcher, Davies

Sunshine

Pierzak, Brett, Velia, Mitche, Nuttall, McDonald

GOALKICKERS:

Frankston

Hunter 3, Kennedy 2, Guy 2, Erickson 2, Norris 2, Clarke

Sunshine

Mann 2, Mandios 2, Vella 2, Courtney 2, Paxton 2, Radziminski, Brett

UMPIRE:

Stabb

VENUE:

Frankston Park

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAMBERWELL

6.3 (39)

13.6 (84)

20.10 (130)

25.12 (162)

WAVERLEY

4.3 (27)

8.3 (51)

10.8 (68)

11.11 (77)

BEST PLAYERS:

Camberwell

Hazlett, Hook, B. Smith, Howard, Oliver, Wallace

Waverley

A. McLure, Holdsworth, Miles, Crawley, Kelaart, Williams

GOALKICKERS:

Camberwell

B. Smith 8, Wallace 5, Hook 3, Storey 2, A. Smith 2, Kennedy, R. Smith, Alexeef, Howard, Neilson

Waverley

J. Costello 3, A. McLure 3, Ziesler 2, Crawley, Harold, G. McLure

UMPIRE:

O'Brien

VENUE:

Camberwell Sports Ground

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

ROUND 1 (May 22)

PORT MELBOURNE

6.4 (40)

15.17 (107)

18.22 (130)

22.32 (164)

WERRIBEE

0.5 (5)

1.9 (15)

5.15 (45)

7.19 (61)

BEST PLAYERS:

Port Melbourne

Critch, Ivanoff, Allen, Christou, Evans, Greening

Werribee

Lynch, Ough, G. Bellin, Lyons, J. Bellin

GOALKICKERS:

Port Melbourne

Cook 6, Christou 6, P. Goss 3, Evans, Rasmussen, Allen, Haenan, Stibbard, Daley, Critch

Werribee

Ough 3, Jack, Lyons, Lynch, Mitchell

UMPIRE:

Steere

VENUE:

North Port Oval, Port Melbourne

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COBURG

6.5 (41)

8.13 (61)

18.13 (121)

23.19 (157)

WILLIAMSTOWN

1.2 (8)

5.2 (32)

10.5 (65)

15.7 (97)

BEST PLAYERS:

Coburg

McTaggart, Burt, Headlam, Perry, Mannix, R. Herbert

Williamstown

Mahoney, Alexander, Briner, Nash, Hickman, Kennedy

GOALKICKERS:

Coburg

Headlam 5, Burt 3, McDonald 3, Perry 3, R. Herbert 2, Wescombe 2, McMillan 2, Douglas,

Robertson, Mannix

Williamstown

Lowe 3, Potter 3, Cross 2, Gardner 2, Briner, Donnelly, Dixon, Fanning, Nash

UMPIRE:

Wenn

VENUE:

Coburg City Oval

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRAHRAN

4.3 (27)

10.6 (66)

14.6 (90)

18.9 (117)

YARRAVILLE

5.5 (35)

11.7 (73)

13.10 (88)

15.12 (102)

BEST PLAYERS:

Prahran

Rippon, Johnston, Kent, Smith, Clay, Powell

Yarraville

Thorpe, Simmons, Wellington, Ryan, Jones, Sait

GOALKICKERS:

Prahran

Johnston 5, Smith 5, Thornton 3, Bracker 3, Gross 2

Yarraville

Bissett 4, Sait 3, Grandin 3, Gibson 2, Simmons, Hayly, Keogh

UMPIRE:

Marcy

VENUE:

Yarraville Oval

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRANKSTON

4.6 (30)

12.10 (82)

13.15 (93)

21.22 (148)

SANDRINGHAM

7.4 (46)

10.8 (68)

15.13 (103)

19.13 (127)

BEST PLAYERS:

Frankston

Jones, Lewis, Mace, Kennedy, Lloyd, Locco

Sandringham

Adams, Kennedy, Peters

GOALKICKERS:

Frankston

Harrison 4, Davies 3, Ellis 3, Jones 3, Boyd 3, Clarke 2, Guy 2, Kennedy

Sandringham

Beus 4, Dunn 3, Simpson 3, McConnell 3, Peters 2, Dynon 2, Carroll, Hunter

UMPIRE:

Snooks

VENUE:

Frankston Park

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAULFIELD

4.6 (30)

7.9 (51)

13.12 (90)

17.17 (119)

PRESTON

4.0 (24)

9.2 (56)

15.6 (96)

18.10 (118)

BEST PLAYERS:

Caulfield

Einsiedel, Cliff, Ireland, Rowe, Haywood

Preston

Preece, King, Renwick, Clifford, Marks, Carlson, Stewart

GOALKICKERS:

Caulfield

Cliff 6, Allan 3, Rowe 2, Milner 2, Cruse 2, O’Sullivan, Ireland

Preston

Marks 5, Stewart 5, Carlson 3, Crook 2, Clifford 2, O’Sullivan

UMPIRE:

Torney

VENUE:

Preston City Oval

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

Scores were level at full-time, play was allowed to continue until the next score occurred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEELONG WEST

4.6 (30)

7.10 (52)

13.14 (92)

17.16 (118)

MORDIALLOC

3.5 (23)

5.13 (43)

11.16 (82)

16.20 (116)

BEST PLAYERS:

Geelong West

Fagon, Chapman, Dreath, Yates, Smith

Mordialloc

Dingle, Walsh, Critch, Norris, Lang, Johnston

GOALKICKERS:

Geelong West

Radojevic 4, Yates 3, Stennett 3, Woole 3, Fagon 2, Dreath, Smith

Mordialloc

Dingle 3, Bloomfield 3, Mildenhall 2, Norris 2, Williamson 2, Deaton 2, Rosenow, Neville

UMPIRE:

Stabb

VENUE:

West Oval, Geelong West

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRUNSWICK

4.7 (25)

6.10 (46)

12.19 (91)

16.24 (120)

OAKLEIGH

2.4 (16)

5.8 (38)

9.9 (63)

10.12 (72)

BEST PLAYERS:

Brunswick

Buckley, Halley, West, Demetriou, O’Callaghan, Carlton

Oakleigh

Edwards, Hay, Nisbet, Fryer, King

GOALKICKERS:

Brunswick

Huggard 3, Orton 2, Byrne 2, Demetriou 2, Halley 2, Carlton, O’Callaghan, Jenkin, Williams, Buckley

Oakleigh

Colcott 3, Fryer 2, Burke 2, Hay, McMahon, Wyatt

UMPIRE:

O'Brien

VENUE:

Oakleigh Cricket Ground

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DANDENONG

3.6 (24)

11.10 (76)

15.16 (106)

20.19 (139)

CAMBERWELL

2.4 (16)

5.6 (36)

9.8 (62)

13.12 (90)

BEST PLAYERS:

Dandenong

Briese, Lynn, Van de Beek, Taylor, Shevlin, Bedrock

Camberwell

Judd, Phillips, Fitzgerald, Spithill, Markin, Hazlett

GOALKICKERS:

Dandenong

Briese 6, Sheylin 5, Wright 4, Harrington, Hibbert, Shinners, Lyn, McConnell

Camberwell

B. Smith 4, Fitzgerald 4, Harrop 2, Humphrey, Wallace, Power

UMPIRE:

Ogson

VENUE:

Shepley Oval, Dandenong

CROWD:

unknown

NOTES:

-

 

QUARTER FINALS (July 3/6)

PORT MELBOURNE

3.3 (21)

5.5 (35)

9.6 (60)

13.9 (87)

COBURG

4.3 (27)

4.6 (30)

7.9 (51)

9.12 (66)

BEST PLAYERS:

Port Melbourne

Holt, Greening, Prohtt, Beecroft, Critch, Evans

Coburg

Douglas, Perry, Stillman, Dohnt, Burt

GOALKICKERS:

Port Melbourne

Cook 6, Stibbard 2, Critch, Evans, Haenan, Beecroft, Holt

Coburg

Cleary 3, Herbert 2, Dohnt, Price, Hartigan, McDonald

UMPIRE:

Huggins

VENUE:

North Port Oval, Port Melbourne

CROWD:

4,500

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRAHRAN

10.6 (66)

18.7 (115)

24.11 (155)

31.13 (199)

FRANKSTON

0.6 (6)

2.8 (20)

7.11 (53)

11.13 (79)

BEST PLAYERS:

Prahran

McFaull, Pope, Austin, Gunn, Thornton, Kelly

Frankston

Tickell, Norris, Worthington, Carlton, Hunter, Peters

GOALKICKERS:

Prahran

McFaull 6, Anderson 5, Gunn 4, Thornton 4, Pope 3, Austin 3, Johnston 3, Hynes 2

Frankston

Rosenblock 3, Geddes 2, Worthington 2, Hunter 2, Boyd, Carlson

UMPIRE:

Marcy

VENUE:

Toorak Park, Prahran (N)

CROWD:

500

NOTES:

Played midweek on June 6 because Frankston was unavailable on June 3

(Second Division played a full round of premiership matches that day)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAULFIELD

3.3 (21)

8.8 (56)

11.12 (78)

17.14 (116)

GEELONG WEST

9.4 (58)

10.5 (65)

12.14 (86)

15.16 (106)

BEST PLAYERS:

Caulfield

Haywood, Tempest, Sierakowski, Davidson, Beck, Cruse

Geelong West

Woolfe, N. Eddy, Fagan, Russell, Beckhoff

GOALKICKERS:

Caulfield

Cruse 4, Cliff 3, Milner 3, Haywood 2, Rowe 2, Beck, Tempest, Gooden

Geelong West

Woolfe 4, Fagan 4, Middlemass 2, Stennett 2, Radojevic 2, Leorke

UMPIRE:

Hedger

VENUE:

Princes Park, Caulfield

CROWD:

1,250

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DANDENONG

3.2 (20)

5.5 (35)

6.9 (45)

10.9 (69)

BRUNSWICK

0.2 (2)

4.6 (30)

7.9 (51)

8.10 (58)

BEST PLAYERS:

Dandenong

Payze, Reid, Taylor, Harrington, Lynn, Stubbs

Brunswick

Nolan, Buckley, Carlton, Rowe, Hadzelas

GOALKICKERS:

Dandenong

Briese 3, Payze 2, Thompson, Flaherty, McConnell, Goodes, Taylor

Brunswick

Hogan 2, Carlton 2, Huggard 2, Orton, Hadzelas

UMPIRE:

Fitzpatrick

VENUE:

Gillon Oval, Brunswick

CROWD:

1,500

NOTES:

-

 

SEMI FINALS (Aug.3/10)

1st SEMI FINAL (Aug.3)

PORT MELBOURNE

3.4 (22)

9.11 (65)

13.15 (93)

20.17 (137)

PRAHRAN

1.0 (6)

3.3 (21)

5.7 (37)

7.9 (51)

BEST PLAYERS:

Port Melbourne

Holt, Swan, Evans, Bond, Prohtt, Greening

Prahran

Johnston, Austin, McGuinness, Kelly, Roberts, McFaull

GOALKICKERS:

Port Melbourne

Cook 6, Bond 4, Holt 3, Haenan 2, Evans 2, Allen, Rasmussen, Anderson

Prahran

Clay 2, Rippon, Johnston, Allday, Austin, Hynes

UMPIRE:

Torney

VENUE:

Lake Oval, South Melbourne (N)

CROWD:

1,954

NOTES:

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd SEMI FINAL (Aug.10)

CAULFIELD

3.7 (25)

8.10 (58)

11.12 (78)

18.15 (123)

DANDENONG

6.0 (36)

9.2 (56)

12.7 (79)

13.8 (86)

BEST PLAYERS:

Caulfield

O'Sullivan, Davidson, Haywood, Selby, Milner, Gooden

Dandenong

Payze, Shinners, Hibbert, Briese, Wright, McConnell

GOALKICKERS:

Caulfield

O'Sullivan 4, Davdison 4, Gooden 3, Cliff 2, Milner 2, Einsiedel, Haywood, Booth, Sutherland

Dandenong

Payze 5, Wright 3, Flaherty 2, Lynn 2, Harrington

UMPIRE:

unknown

VENUE:

Lake Oval, South Melbourne (N)

CROWD:

982

NOTES:

Many unofficial sources claim this match was played at Toorak Park but newspaper reports confirm

it was at Lake Oval

 

VFA CENTENARY CUP - GRAND FINAL

PORT MELBOURNE

6.6 (42)

13.10 (88)

21.11 (137)

26.16 (172)

CAULFIELD

3.2 (20)

6.4 (40)

8.8 (56)

15.11 (101)

BEST PLAYERS:

Port Melbourne

Cook, Beecroft, Holt, Ivanoff, Greening, Stubbard, Harland

Caulfield

O’Sullivan, Tempest, Sierakowski, Haywood, Davidson

GOALKICKERS:

Port Melbourne

Cook 12, Holt 5, Christou 4, Bond 2, Critch, Evans, Anderson

Caulfield

O’Sullivan 7, Milner 2, Sutherland 2, Haywood 2, Einsiedel, Booth

UMPIRE:

Stabb

VENUE:

Toorak Park, Prahran

CROWD:

3,000

NOTES:

Played Aug.14 - Fred Cook received the Player of the Match award for his haul of 12.4

 

Written and researched by David Eastman
First published 19/9/2014
Last updated 30/6/2019