1945 Head of the River

1st Melbourne Grammar - Bow: R W McKaige, 2: K N C Rollason, 3: R M Lane, 4: I M Downes, 5: G W S Crow, 6: A F Hargrave, 7: B McK Birrell, Str: S L Rodda, Cox: Gordon Sargood, Cch: Walter E "Wally" Ricketts
2nd Geelong College - Bow: J A Hooper, 2: J O Stewart, 3: R C Morris, 4: W A Salmon, 5: R M Wagstaff, 6: Donald R T Macmillan, 7: N L Barrett, Str: L M Simpson, Cox: D R Salmon, Cch: Albert B Bell
3rd Wesley College -G W D Kermode, 2: S J King, 3: D R Kennedy, 4: R Rosanove, 5: R P E Whiteside, 6: A S Wood, 7: G T Fudge, Str: W I Duncan, Cox: P J Duncan, Cch: Neil H McNeil

The favourites were Geelong College but Melbourne Granmmar prevailed in a great race and in the end comfortably.

The Argus reported on the final in this manner:

There was a very slight headwind against the crews, but otherwise rowing conditions were all that could be desired. The crews were sent away to an even start, from which MGS, striking 36, forced its bow in front in the first 50 yards. The order at the end of the first ¼ was MGS, a ¼ of a length to Geelong College, with Wesley a similar distance away in third place. Racing to the half mile Grammar’s powerful swing and leg drive took it farther ahead. The half was reached in 2 min 24 sec, the margins being Grammar two-thirds of a length from Geelong College, Wesley a length further back. Thereafter Grammar was never in danger, and, swinging splendidly to the finish, won by a length and a ¼, with Wesley a similar distance away in third place. Time 5min 9.4sec.

Losers Final:
1st Geelong Grammar - Bow: C G L Smith, 2: G T Kryger, 3: A A Mackay, 4: M J Scriven, 5: J R Brisbane, 6: T S Carlyon, 7: D M M Moore, Str: James G Perry, Cox: J H E Angas, Cch: John E L Barber
2nd Scotch College - Bow: C Peter Roberts, 2: Kenneth F Walton, 3: Bruce L Burns, 4: David G Holloway, 5: Geoffrey M Hallam, 6: John S Galbraith, 7: John C Boyd, Str: Alexander T Dix, Cox: V Bryce Ricker, Cch: Arthur L Burns
3rd Xavier College - Bow: P Coleman, 2: F Mullins, 3: C Parker, 4: E Hayes, 5: G Awburn, 6: D Richardson, 7: Dermot Coughlin, Str: Brian Fitzpatrick, Cox: R Williams, Cch: Albert Anderson

The losers final was described as A great race, Scotch challenging desperately to the end. One length, two lengths. 5 min 20sec.

Heat results:
E1: 1st WC, 2nd XC, Time: 5:04.0, Margin 1 1/2 lengths
E2: 1st MGS, 2nd SC, Time: 4:56.6, Margin: 1 3/4 lengths
E3: 1st GC, 2nd GGS, Time: 5:09.0, Margin: a few feet

The Argus reported on the heats as follows:

First Heat - Wesley v Xavier

After a delay of nearly 15 minutes caused by a loose bolt on one of Xavier’s outriggers the crews got away to an even start and raced bow and bow to Anderson street bridge. Wesley, settling down the better, then led by half a length at the half mile. It was increased in the Henley straight, where Xavier lost some ground through an error in steering. Wesley won by 1 ½ lengths in 5min 4sec.

Second Heat - MGS v Scotch

Scotch, rowing the faster stroke, jumped into the lead immediately, but lost it when Grammar settled down on the run to the bridge. Thereafter Grammar’s more effective work through the water, backed by a powerful leg drive and an easy, even recovery, took them farther ahead. The wining margin was 1 ¾ lengths in 4min 56 ¾ sec.

Third Heat - Geelong College v Geelong Grammar

Grammar got away to a good start. College, more ragged, stroked slightly the faster, but did not cover the same water. Grammar, still rowing strongly at the half mile, led by half a length. College then settled down to fine rowing and steadily overhauled Grammar to lead at the Latrobe Terrace. Grammar, using plenty of weight, again drew ahead, but College lengthened the stroke and won a well fought race by a third of a canvas in 5min 9 sec.

1st Geelong Grammar - Bow: J Parker, 2: R Cobden, 3: G Spence, 4: H Osborne, 5: D McCullogh, 6: I Ferguson, 7: P Anderson, Str: J Goodwin, Cox: C Bowen
2nd Wesley College - Bow: J Woodhouse, 2: G Troup, 3: H Williams, 4: D Thomas, 5: J Kidd, 6: M Point, 7: E Wood, Str: R Selleck, Cox: P Rankin
3rd Scotch College - Bow: I Johnson, 2: B Hughes, 3: R Mathieson, 4: E Lloyd, 5: F Snell, 6: W Philip, 7: R Macnell, Str: J Mathew, Cox: B Phillipe

The Argus described the final: Through being taken too far in towards the south bank, Wesley lost ground at a critical stage, and was beaten by 2ft in a most exciting finish. Scotch was half a length away. 2 min 46 sec.

Losers Final:
1st Geelong College - Bow: D Doery, 2: F Brown, 3: S Davies, 4: D Hocking, 5: W Barber, 6: J Hodgson, 7: D Graham, Str: I Bence, Cox: A Foreman
2nd Melbourne Grammar
3rd Xavier College - Bow: P Moy, 2: D Fogarty, 3: A Dillon, 4: C Bailey, 5: P Trost, 6: J Brenan, 7: R Britten-Jones, Str: S Byrne, Cox: B Lyons, Cch: Jack Coghlan

Melbourne Grammar Second Crew

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar Archives

Heats
E1: 1st SC, 2nd XC, Time: 2:43.9, Margin: 1 1/2 lengths (held in Melbourne)
E2: 1st WC, 2nd MGS, Margin: 1/2 length (held in Melbourne)
E3: 1st GGS, 2nd GC, Time: 2:28.4 (held in Geelong)

Metropolitan race
1st Wesley College
2nd Melbourne Grammar
3rd Xavier College
4th Scotch College

Melbourne Grammar Third Crew

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar Archives

Barwon race
1st Geelong Grammar
2nd Geelong Grammar fourths
3rd Geelong College

Metropolitan
1st Wesley College
2nd Melbourne Grammar
3rd Scotch College
4th Xavier College

Melbourne Grammar Fourth Crew

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar Archives

Barwon
1st Geelong College
2nd Geelong Grammar sixth crew
3rd Geelong Grammar fifth crew

1st Wesley College
2nd Scotch College
3rd Melbourne Grammar

Melbourne Grammar Fifth Crew

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar Archives

1st Melbourne Grammar
2nd Scotch College

Melbourne Grammar Sixth Crew

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar Archives

1st Melbourne Grammar
2nd Scotch College
3rd Melbourne Grammar eighths

Melbourne Grammar Seventh Crew

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar Archives