But history says it worked.

Trailing by a goal several minutes into the final term, the Magpies kicked 10 of the next 12 goals to start a goal-kicking frenzy that continued throughout the finals series.

Wangaratta became unstoppable as it trounced Wodonga by 52 points in the preliminary final before thrashing Benalla by 63 points in the premiership decider.

Waller’s team managed 41 goals to 15 after his final address during the first semi-final with key forwards Ron McDonald and Bob Constable feasting on endless opportunities.

It was typical of the way the Magpies played that season.

They used an astonishing 37 players during the season and will be remembered more as an erratic rather than great side after finishing the home and away series in third spot.

Wangaratta, however, had no shortage of stars, all of whom shone in the finals.

McDonald, a 92-game player for Richmond, became a sensation at centre half-forward after he was signed following a frenetic recruiting battle with Wangaratta Rovers.

He was transferred in his bank job within days of the June 30 clearance deadline and went on to form a lethal attack with Constable, particularly in the finals.

Former Collingwood and Wangaratta Rovers legend Bob Rose, writing as a guest scribe for The Border Mail, was full of praise for Wangaratta’s grand final performance at Wodonga after it led by 38 points at quarter-time.

“Wangaratta dominated in every position and had the game won by halfway through the first quarter,” Rose wrote.

Waller had endless depth at his disposal.

The irrepressible Kevin Mack at the time had no peer as an onballer in country Victoria, while Len Richards transferred from Tarrawingee with his attacking play from defence seeing him win the club’s best and fairest.

Cliff Hawkins, Basil Schubert, Bruce Robbins, Herb Dowling and a 17-year-old Des Steele were other stars in a team loaded with talent, but it was the twin towers on the forward line Ron McDonald and Bob Constable who propelled the Magpies to their triumph.

Between them they bagged 27 goals during the finals series.

It was a performance underpinned by their dominance in the air and topped off by accurate kicking.

McDonald (Richmond, 92 games), Waller (Collingwood, 84 games), John Mulrooney (St Kilda, 36 games), Steele (Collingwood, 8 games) and Constable (Melbourne, 3 games) played VFL football.

It took until 1976 before the Magpies tasted premiership glory again.

- Wangaratta will hold a 50-year premiership reunion coinciding with this Saturday’s match against Wodonga at the Norm Minns Oval.

Players and officials will gather on the clubroom’s balcony at noon with a dinner to be held at the club that evening.

Organisers have been thrilled with the response with almost all of the surviving players to be in attendance.

A book, written by premiership player Bill Traill, will be launched with inquiries to be made on (02) 211 437 or by contacting wjtraill@dodo.com.au

In his entertaining coverage of the 1961 finals series, ‘Reigning in September’, team defender Traill wrote in summary:

“In winning as they did, Wangaratta wrote itself into the annals of Victorian country football history”.