1978 THIRDS PREMIERSHIP
Tocumwal won its one and only thirds premiership in the Murray League in 1978, coming from fourth place on the ladder to win a memorable premiership. Tocumwal won an Under 17 premiership in a five team competition in 1946 - Alan Jeans was a member of the team - and the only other time Tocumwal thirds had made the finals was in the first season of the thirds competition in MFL in 1960, losing the first semi final under the coaching of the astute Ron Campbell, who got the best out of all his players, the thirds snuck into fourth place (in a final four system) and went into the finals as rank outsiders to win in the first semi final.
Campbell had his side working hard for each other and in the huddles he would often implore his players to remember the "four-letter word" (visitors would shudder at what they thought they would hear)......MUST!!
The Bloods had to win several late season cut-throat matches to even make the final four but they were on a roll and grew in confidence with each win. Come the finals they were primed and in great form.
However, not one pundit picked the Bloods to defeat Nathalia in the first semi final but they won quite well and then met Cobram in the preliminary final, winning a tight and exciting contest.
This pitted them against unbackable favourites Deniliquin in the grand final at Tocumwal and in a gripping and hotly contested match the Bloods triumphed to bring home the flag. It was a monumental upset.
In the match Deniliquin took an early lead but the young Bloods fought back to lead by 1 point at half time. Scores were level at three quarter time and in a nail biting finale with Deniliquin launching attack after attack the Tocumwal defenders held them out to be 6 points up at the final siren.
Captain Brian Taylor led from the front in the centre, Pat Allen and Stephen Haynes were superb in defence, Stephen Lawrence rucked well to give the midfielders in Tony Hughes and Russell Whitten plenty of opportunities and Tim McLaurin kicked 2 valuable goals from CHF. However, it was a great team effort to win three finals and deliver the Bloods their first and ultimately only thirds flag.
Both sides were big for Under 17's and the match was played at a fast and furious pace.
Grand Final at Tocumwal on Saturday, 16th September 1978
Tocumwal 1-1 2-3 3-4 5-5 (35)
Deniliquin 2-2 2-2 3-4 4-5 (29)
Best: Tocumwal - Pat Allen, Stephen Lawrence, Stephen Haynes, Brian Taylor
Goals: Tim McLaurin 2, Mark Hickey 1, Russell Whitten 1, Anthony Hore 1
Team:
B: Stephen Haynes Peter Groutsch Tom Cromack
HB: Geoff Taylor Patrick Allen Tom Kelly
C: Jon Haynes Brian Taylor (Capt) Shane Kelly
HF: Peter Johnstone Tim McLaurin Anthony Hore
F: Ronald Watt Mark Hickey Stephen Lawrence
Rucks: Peter Corkery
Ruck Rover: Anthony Hughes
Rover: Russell Whitten
I/C from: Michael Harkins, Colin Guilmartin, Barry Johnstone, Kevin Harkins, Aaron Vanderhoek
Coach: Ron Campbell
