Eight players participated in all four of Newtown and Chilwell's grand final wins between 1962 and 1965, and seven of them are shown above. They are, from left to right, Lindsay Gross, Maurie Dean, Russell Degoldi, Ken Thompson, Bob Jones, John Zimmer and Gary Tenabel. Colin Rae is the missing player. (Click on the photo to view an enlarged version.)

Newtown and Chilwell Football Club was established in 1934 when erstwhile local rivals Newtown and Chilwell merged, retaining Newtown's colours of black and red. Both Newtown and Chilwell had been successful clubs of long standing, with the former having won premierships in 1897-8, 1900 and 1910, and the latter in 1903, 1915, 1922 and 1923.

Initially nicknamed the Combine, the merged club achieved its first grand final victory in 1937 at the expense of Geelong West but then had to endure a premiership drought lasting a quarter of a century. As if to make up for lost time, the side then promptly claimed four flags on end, defeating St Mary's in three grand finals and East Geelong in the other.

Newtown and Chilwell next contested a grand final in 1977, but went down to North Shore by 15 points. The following season's grand final involving the same two clubs was similarly closely contested, but on this occasion victory went to the men in black and red, who triumphed by 10 points, 13.12 (90) to the Seagulls' 11.14 (80). Captain- coach of the side in 1977 and 1978 was Hugh Strahan who had played junior football at the club before embarking on a six season, 88 game VFL career with Geelong.