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