Friday Flashback – 1965 2nd Semi-Final

By ZAC MILBANK

Port Adelaide’s Peter Mead was written off by the commentators and his team-mates but that didn’t prevent him from kicking a dramatic after-the-siren goal to win the 1965 Second Semi-Final against South Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

The dual premiership Magpie had been awarded a free kick for holding the man by umpire Ken Cunningham, with just seconds left on the clock in the final term.

After composing himself, the South Australian Football Hall of Famer kicked a long torpedo punt from no less than 55 yards (50 metres) which was shepherded across the goalline by his team-mates as fans began encroaching on the field of play.

It capped a remarkable result for Port, which went on to win the 1965 Grand Final against Sturt by just three points a fortnight later.

Despite the Magpies leading at every change, the Panthers – with captain-coach Neil Kerley at the helm – made a desperate charge after trailing by 17 points at three-quarter time.

Eager to repeat their remarkable 1964 premiership triumph against the Magpies, South looked home when they hit the front by a point with just two minutes to play.

But it wasn’t to be as Mead was infringed before kicking truly to the Riverbank End much to the delight of the Alberton faithful which streamed onto the ground to celebrate.

Mead, who played 55 games for the Magpies from 1963 to 1967, emerged as one of South Australia’s best umpires across 285 SANFL matches, officiating in six Grand Finals and winning three Golden Whistle awards. He was indicted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Saturday September 18
Port Adelaide  5.3  10.5  13.8  17.10 (112)
South Adelaide  3.1  6.4  10.9  16.11 (107)
Crowd – 37, 628