Melbourne failed because they were stale - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 4 Sep 1950 (original) (raw)

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Mon 4 Sep 1950 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)
Page 9 - Melbourne failed because they were stale

By DICK REYNOLDS, captain-coach of Essendon,

AFTER watching Geelong easily defeat

Melbourne in the first semi-final at the

M.C.G. on Saturday, I believe the top-heavy

Melbourne team has gone stale.

Melbourne appeared sluggish, and it was

apparent many of their stars were out of touch

through lack of condition.

ditions and thoroughly de-

Woods, and Rodda, who usu-

ally influence the game for

sighted and on the day were

Woods and McKenzie were ob-

viously hampered by injuries.

Apart from the fiist quarter,

Woods was rat ely sighted, but

whether this was due to a recur

íence of his leg injury or lack of

match practice, he was not the

dominating force he has been.

McKenzie and Dockett, fast

moving half-forward flankers,

who normally initiate most of

Melbourne's scoring moves, gave

the worst display I have ever seen

McKenzie appeared to be carry-

ing a leg injury, but the many

times Dockett was caught in pos-

session showed he was completely

Rule gave away many free kicks

in the early stages, and, although

he usually plays well in heavy

going, his judgment on Saturday

Rodda showed up in the first

quaiter, but after that was

eclipsed by his less experienced

opponents. He showed dash and

cleverness early, but as the game

progressed his kicks became

Geelong's win proved Melbourne

are top-heavy. This was further

shown by replacing Geoff Collins

by Noel McMahen, who was given

the job of minding the speedy

Davis was yards too fast for

McMahen, and had little difficulty

in eluding him, and he made

McMahen appear a much less

efficient player than he is.

only defender who could have

been used against Davis, and

this shows that Melbourne's lack

of another player of Collins' type

contributed to their downfall.

Geelong's half-forward line was

mainly responsible for their win

Flanagan, Tate, and Davis formed

a match-winning trio, who made

full use of scoring opportunities.

Geelong's defenders also played

well Their tactics - particu-

larly those employed in smother-

ing Mueller and Melbourne's

half-forwards - could not be

Fulton and Leo Turner were

brilliant on the wings after the

first quarter, and Melbourne's us-

ability to check Turner had them

Bernie Smith, Geelong's captain

and centre, was one of the out-

standing players afield, but his

opponent. George Bickford, was

Melbourne's best player Both

played wide of each other, but

their clever position play gained

Geelong had many stais, but I

consider Flanagan their outstand-

ing player. His high-marking,

clever position play, and well

directed kicking worried Mel-

bourne throughout. Melbourne

made an unsuccessful, last-minute

attempt to check him by switch-

ing Woods to centre half-back.

George Goninon, Geelong full

forward, was not troubled by the

rugged, bustling Shane McGrath,

and as the game progressed his

general play Improved. His six

goals in the bad conditions were

Geelong's followers used spoil-

ing tactics cleverly, and the

clever scoutuig and greater place

of their small men kept Mel-

Their form on Saturday was far

superior to that in then* two

games against Essendon during

the season, and if they can re-

produce it they have a great

chance of playing in the grand