THE FOOTBALL SEASON. - POLICIES AND PLAYERS. AMONG THE CLUBS. - The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) - 27 Mar 1913 (original) (raw)

A mouth hence clubs will he fairly into

the preliminaries for the forthcoming sea

son. Officials have been' "making in

quiries" for a very long time, and the

string of names of probable players is very

long. Footballer's who desire a change

need not exert themselves very much, for

the activities of ilub men are so pro

nounced that they can await their coming

for sure — and they come very often, not

. singly, but in twos and threes. One well-

known player had the privilege recently

of an interview with six officers of /one

club, while on a table liaiuly was a sheaf

of letters from nine of the twenty senior

clubs in Melbourne! The special article

on football betting published in "The Age"

yesterday-, shows what a tremendous

amount of money can be brought into play

in the game in Knglaml. In America

' money is "the all" of many footballers.

.'The star man has only to walk half a mile

along a street lo receive three taps on the

shoulder. The first comes as an oft'er at

the equivalent of £500 to join one elub, the

second. to assure him that £1000 is nwait-

ing him in another quarter for his ser

vices, while the third tells him that lie

can receive £1500 for a season's pluy with

another club. There is the strong suspi-

fion that a practice of this kind, but' of

course on a ninch modified scale, is being

introduced here, and each season is muk-

ang it more apparent that controllers of

the sport will nnvc to keep their eyes and

cars well open if they do not wish the

game to degenerate: Articles on the sub-

jcet of football finance have appeared in

this journal recently, and it is satisfactory

to note that they have hail an appreciable

efiect. It has been all along contended

that the footballer deserves pay for his

services, but' the irregular and indiscreet

policies of committees in making diilcrent

payments to players — 10/ to some, and £3

and £4 _ to> others of . the one elub, when

each unit is a necessary part of a teum —

)s quite unfair and improper. But the

rush is for champions! And' champions

P"t a price on their own sen-ices.

rlie Association at a recent meeting

appointed a ' committee to go into the

question of district football, liven in this

suggestion that- organisation has shown an

earnestness to grapple with the subject of

finance, but', district football will be a

very difficult thing to introduce while a

rival body is in the field. It is also doubt-

„fm whether, in a monetary sense, the

.scheme, if adopted, would bring about the

prime purpose sought. Very stringent l-esi-

_ dentin 1 qualifications would have to applv,

lor with cheap travelling— a matter of only

a few pounds a year— a player could be in

duced to, say, leave Footserav to live at

dtssendon for six months ahead of any

' Ipotball season. There is much in district

lootball to commend it, and 1 think it

yould be advisable for the Association, if

.its committee approves of a scheme, to

nave a conference with the League,

A matter that will 1-e discussed at the

next meeting of the League concerns the

raising of the 5/ members' ticket, and

maiiing all clubs— excepting those compet

ing— pay for admission in the final

matches. It is a similar scheme to that

winch the Association introduced last

.year. The League is- a rich body, and its

constituent clubs would be also ir it were

f not for the ridiculous way money is (lung

about. It has taken years to build the

same up to its present popularity, and the

.revenue, judiciously spent, would be more

than sufficient for nl! requirements. Then

why the reason for more money? Is it

/ ucsircd to still further fatten up those

who arc already thriving too well on the

sport. The position of the Association

is entirely different. It is the weaker and

poorer body, and one can easily conjecture

' what would have happened last season' if

there had not been so many games at the

. Reason end and without the "all-pav" policv

It is too early to gauge correctly the

__ strength of the teams for next season. Xo

club has settled down yet. and there is

« such a herd of budding talent to he put

- itlirongli that committees themselves have

; .not earnestly settled on any selection.

t However, information that is of certain

interest has been collected.

? Essemdon last season's premiers, will

' not be making many changes, for obvious

reasons. A team witli youth on its side

'that can win a premiership does not need

to send emissaries around the country.

Cameron, their, great little rover, who had

his leg broken in the final match, will' be

. playing again, and there is not one nb-

- wntee from last season's eighteen. The

team suffered through having too limited

a number of emergencies, and this fault

will probably be remedied this season.

There are a number of ' juniors who will be-

South Melbourne are sure to have a

strong side ngain. Milne will not be play

ing, for he has wisely decided not to risk

any physical handicap that an injured leg

may bring about. He loaves the game

in the height of his' popularity, and with

- an unblemished record. With .only n few

places to fill the committee is in a fortu

nate position. Harvey Kelly will no

doubt strengthen the forward lines, .like

wise Strang, who hns beon awav for a

number of seasons in Sydney. There is

quite a swarm of colts, and experienced

footballers, ready -for a "try out," the

principal of these being Webster (Lnunces-

ton). E. Wolfe (Devonport), D. Hiekey

flfobart). M. Caffvn, Radamacker and

Hammond (Leopold), Lover, Campbell

and fioodall (South Melbourne Juniors),

Coombs and Bell (Brighton Juniors), Ab

bott (How-long). Mitchell (AlburyL Fitz

gerald (Wangaratta). S. Hiskms (Kiither-

alenV. W. Fasti ck (Bnllarat Imperials),

Webster .(Bemligo), W. Bond- (Ballaratl,

J. 'Pike (Williamstown Juniors). J'.

Bishop (Preston Juniors). II. Charge

(North cote Juniors), A. Young (Ascot

" Vale Juniors), W. M'Cartor (Geelong

Juniors). Holligan (Ocelortg Juniors), JL

Curtis (C.Y.M.S.), Bamlniry (Footscray),

- T. Bower (Heskel), J. Warbuvton (Bruns

wick Juniors). Q. Wethercll (Brunswick

Juniors), and W. Millott. .

Melbourne lias reappointed Mr. Anurew

Manzic secretavy. The team for 1913 will

be, on present indications, stronger than

r. last, season's. The champion goalist, U.

'Rrereton. 1ms not been too well lately— one

-would not think so by his vigorous -batting

at cricket— and he may -be away .for a few

Saturdays, and tliat fine player Robertson,

who injured bis leg, does ntit intend to

plav. Slater, of Cce)ong, will be. in the

:-1eahi if be gets a clearance. Among the

new men reckoned on arc Tjugtori,u naif

' hack from Northcote; Morrison, cuntain of

1:isternwok last season; .Jordan and Rums,

: from Caulfield; Brady "Brothers, from Birre-

.. surra; Millhousc. rover, from .Norwood

(S.A.); i drums, a -toll follower from one of

the colleges; Boulder, wing playtr,- from

' Hastings: Carmieliacl, from Carlton; Potts,

" v rtifovwiml. from Western Australia: Settle,

frorm, Geelong; I/illcy, a linlf back, from

< Elsternwiek, and Angwin, from the Bail-

' way TJmted, Port Melbourne.

St. Kilila was the first in the held for

-the season, and up lo the present the team

lias had two practice games. It is, how-

ever, not a wise thing to start too early.

On the occasion of the first practice match

no fewer than 19 of the 24 players on the

list last season attended, and the remain-

;'. dor did not come down from the country.

-' The seaside team is going to make a very

, warm bid for this season's honors. It is

almost certain that M'Namara will remain

with Essendon (A.). The team last sea

son satisfied the committee that it was a

v. strong combination, hence the changes will

Ip- few. Vic. Rarwick lias had a run out.

Cullman 'and Collins (Railway United) are

two of tile juniors who are being tried.

The club has 32 names on the list, but in

' reality there are only about four places to

At Geelong the elections resulted in all

tbe old general committee who stood being

re-elected. Mr. G. Brownbill's place was

filled by tbe election of Mr. J, Solomon.

' The match committee will -lie Messrs. Hy.

Young, 1'. M'Coy, G. Heinz, J. DTIclin

and the captain. Messrs. Hickinbotlmm

and Slater, of last year, did not stand, and

Mr. W. Carr was beaten by one vote. Mr.

' Hy. Young is the only old member of the

' committee. The team lias only lost C.

Irmstronir. but J. Watt and J. Slater arc

doubtful. There are about 15 juniors to

try out, and there are amongst these some

of the most promising the team "has had for

several years. Practice started yesterday

afternoon, and a game will be played every

Saturday. The last two will be against

South Ballarat at Geelong, and Ballarat at

Ballarat. Last year was a record in every

way, and judging iw the interest already

slio'wn the coming season will eclipse it.

At Collingwood there is sure to be a

strong side. Just at present not much can

be gleaned regarding the new men, and

the quiet muv be taken as suggesting that

some good new players arc on hand. 11.

Lee may be in the field again; at any rate

he will give his injured leg a test, but he

docs not build up any great lmpes. That

fine and fair player Ryan is giving up the

, game. AH the players, excepting Lee, wno

were on the/injured list last season have

fullv recovered, and all, excepting Sharpe,

' T is anticipated, will be playing. The out-

look therefore is very bright. On Saturday

a practice match will be plaved at Pres

Richmond is one of the busiest clubs at

this stage. The disappointments of last

season have heightened the enthusiasm,

-and everybody locnlly seems to be doing

something in a direct or indirect way

towards helping the club along. By all ac

counts it is. going to be one of Richmond's

oust seasons. Mnhoney is back from Ade

laide. ami the. services of this great rover

will be of immense value to a team that

was strikingly weak in this department

last season. rl-Muionstoii, a fine centre

player from Ararat, 110 doubt will he in

the team; and Kent, who comes from

\\ urragul with a reputation, will be given

a trial. The club is .-staking a lot on its

juniors — and' it could Aot do better. Irwin,

ieo. Heath, Morgan and Richardson, with

others from the Beverley team, intend

joining. Lyons, from (Hamilton, and

Brownlees (a brother lo the Geelong

player) have selected Richmond should

Carlton. 1 am assured have so many

good players that when the committee

starts weeding out a list of 40 or 50 names

will have to bo gone through. The per

sonnel on hand is being kept us close a

secret as the Federal capital site was. and

in these times of hot opposition probably

the chili cannot lie blameu for its attitude.

Supporters of the club can rely on the

men at the helm— who are good judges ol

footballers— to do their best. M'Gregor will

be an absentee. Norman Clark lnis been

appointed conch at Brighton, and l'ayne is

up Ararat way. Wilson has signified his

intention of coming to Melbourne, and tlic

otliens of the teain are all available. Trials

will bo given to a large number of young

players, and altogether the outlook is as

satisfactory as it has ever been at this time

M'Lenmin, Fitzroy's fine cqntre man,

has decided to give up the game, nnd he

will leave it carrying the best wishes of all.

He has been - a great player and a good

club man. The personnel of the team is

not likely to be varied, although room will

be made no doubt for Toohey and another

fine Western Australian player. Mr. M.

Green replaces Mr. G. Moriarty as secre

tary. The new officer possesses plenty of

grit ami activity, and no doubt will fill the

position well. Mr. - Moriarty has promised

to render all necessary assistance. Notwith

standing any little feeling that may have

been infused into the recent election,

personal friendships have not been lost,

and the elub will start under the happiest

As far as the committee is aware, Essen

don (A.) team will be similar to last sea

son's. with the exception of one or two

players who arc retiring from the, game,

namely, L. Main and \V. Pain. Maine has

jlaycd for the club for five years, and Tain

.lor tbe last 11 years. There are several

new players who are desirous of throning

in their lot with the team. Training com

mences the first week in April.

Footscray feel assured that the following

juniors will be playing for them; — F. Law-

son, from Yarraville, a forward and fol

lower; F. Neilson, from Hawthorn (Metro

politan), a forward and follower. These

lads are sturdy players> and should

strengthen the weakest spots in the team.

J. M urmv, Footscray Juniors, a forward;

and J. Middlerton, Footscray Juniors, a

wing player, will take the place of J. Borth-

wick, who left last Monday under engage

ment to coach and play for South ISroaeii

Hill. The whole of last season's players

commenced training last Tuesday.

At Prnliran there are decided indications

of an awakening of a strong local interest

which augurs well for the immediate future

of the club. There should certainly be

ample scope in a populous city like 1'rah-

van, notwithstanding its close proximity to

the neighboring League club, St. Kilda,

for an excellent football club. Most of

last season's players are again available.

"Plionso" Wood, the erstwhile South Mel

bourne player, has returned from Broken

Hill, bringing with him J. W. Cain, a

South Broken Hill follower. D. Ryan,

of Collingwood, who had, as stated under

Collingwood notes, intended retiring from

the game, v.-ill probably be with the team,

and it more than likely that "Mallee"

Johnson's advice and experience will he"

aso availed of. The . selection committee

have their "official eye" on three good local

juniors, one of whom lias been much sought

after by several League clubs.- An altera

tion in the stylo of the club's- uniform hns

been decided upon. In future the jersey

will be dark blue, with a light band round

lire waist, light blue turnover collar, and

light blue cuffs, while dungaree knickers

will be discarded in favor of neat white