PLAY AND PLAYERS - LEADING POINTS NOTED - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) - 17 Jun 1921 (original) (raw)
Fri 17 Jun 1921 - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)
Page 3 - PLAY AND PLAYERS
When tile League was notified that
"the Springboks"—the Rugby Union
players from South Africa — were com-
ing to Melbourne, they agreed to ex-
tend a welcome to the visitors as foot-
ballers. It was arranged that as they
would be in Melbourne for a day or
two before they went on to Sydney, a
match should be played on the Mel-
bourne cricket ground, if the base-
ballers would forego their game that
was to have been played before the
Melboune-Fitzroy match. The base-
ballers have agreed, and the Spring-
boks will provide the curtain-raiser to
the League game. The League's action
has been appreciated by the Rugby
Union of Sydney and the followers of
the old English game in Melbourne.
Twomey was unable to make spec-
tacular flights and runs agninst South
Melbourne by the heavy nature of the
ground, and by the close, consistent
watch kept on him by Wood, the
actlve and alert little wing man In the
southern jersey. Wood's performance
marked him out as one of the few
South Melbourne men who played well.
Hisklns, the South Melbourne back,
was in great form at Victoria Park.
His marking and dash were respon-
sible in a large measure for the father
disappointing work of Lee, .the famous
goal-getter for Collingwood. Makin
was good on the half-back line.
Tandy's absence was a big handicap
on South Melbourne in their match
against Collingwood. He had been
kicked on the ankle at Seymour on the
previous Monday, when he played
there, with the Leopold team, of which
he is the coach. The kick left its mark
and pain, and made it impossible for
him to strip at Collingwood.
The Collingwood rucks overshadowed
those of South Melbourne. Great foot-
ball was played by M'Carthy, Rowe,
Seddon. Hughes, and their rovers—
Webb and Hammond. In the absence
of Laxton, who was a spectator owing
to an injured leg, Hammond had to
be played roving. Thus the fine dash-
ing rovers on either side had to take
a rest owing to injuries—Tandy and
Rogers, of South Melbourne, and
Pannam were opposed in the centre.
The Collingwood man know more than
the young southerner, who shaped well.
With experience he should Improve
into a really good mid-flelder. Gibb, the
young wing man for South, had a
heavy job in minding Drummond. He
strove well, but the Collingwood re-
presentative knew too much for him.
Murphy and Keogh made their ap-
pearance in the Collingwood colors
against South Melbourne, and each
acquitted himself well. Murphy's work
half-back was highly satisfactory.
Keogh worked round about the half-
The success achieved by the Gee-
long League club is having its effect
on the Geelong district games. The
gates at the district matches last
Saturday represented less than £10.
One club could not complete its team,
and had to forfeit its match.
Throughout the Geelong-St. Kilda
match the St. Kilda men showed some
fine marking, Lever, Williams, Kerley,
and Lowrie being particularly con-
spicuous. In the air Geelong were
well served by Gray, A. Rankin,
Haggar (who effectively worked in
opposition to Eicke), and Sharland.
Tho proposed testimonial to Alex.
Eason was placed on a sound footing
at a public meeting at Geolong. A
committee of leading residents has
been appointed. Eason played an-
other fine game last Saturday. His
rovlng was most effective.
Toward the close of last Saturday's
match M. Kroger injured his ankle,
and it is uncertain if he will be able
to play tomorrow. This is the second
of Geelong's best half-back men to be
injured. Gross, however, is improv-
ing, and hopes to be in the fray again
M'Carter played a very telling game
for Geelohg against St. Kilda. He
had a roving commission, but did his
best when on the half-back line. A
Rankin gave Carr no quarter, while
Curtayne and De Garis were out-
played by Peck and Feder, and Gee-
long's centre line was in fine form.
Feder's play was most encouraging.
It was his first match in League foot-
ball. He marked well and showed
dash. It is likely that he will be given
a trial on the half-back line.
Nicholson (a Geelong College
master) and Sullivan, who have been
showing great form with the Newtown
and Geelong West junior teams
respectively, have started training
with Geelong. Both are "six-footers,"
and should be an acquisition to the
A fine friendly spirit was manifested
in the Geelong-St. Kilda match. After
the contest Mr. E. L. Jones and offi-
cers of the St. Kilda club, called into
the Geelong dressing-room, and con-
gratulated the winning team. They
were satisfied that the best club
Open play and quick ground work,
low passing, and complete under-
standing among the players, have
served the Geelong team so well this
year that supporters are satisfied that
the team is capable of defeating Carl-
ton. Certain it is that the club will
have a big following to the metro-
polis. Two special trains have been
chartered and 2000 tickets secured.
Brown was more than a match for
Nadort, who took a place half for-
ward. Brown marked the wet ball
When Lawrence kicked four goals
in his first game against Carlton he
set a standard which he will find hard
to live up to. He played well about
the goal zone at Victoria Park, but
although he had a number of shots,
he failed to add to his list of sixers.
Allison, in addition to showing excel-
lent work, added a pair to his credit.
Essendon. have been urging their
big men to use their weight more
than they have been doing, fairly, of
course. Woodfleld followed the ad-
vice on Saturday, and it is claimed
that he made a better showing than
against Collingwood. He played fine
football in the centre against Black-
man. Sullivan against Canet and Gar-
den against Stevenson more than held
Beckton, Essendon's recruit of this
season, has developed into an excel-
lent footballer. It was noticeable af-
ter the match against Carlton that the
followers of the Blues spoke in the
highest terms of his play. His mark-
ing against Clover was excellent, and
his work on the ball was equally at-
tractive, His kicking was good, and
he figured among the goal-klckers
with three opposite his name.
Clover has struck top form. He
scored five goals against Essendon.
His flights in the air were extraordin-
ary, and he was cheered from all
parts of the ground. His kicking was
also worthy of special reference. He
punted and got his goals with kicks
like those which made Frank Caine
famous when he played for Carlton.
Two of Clover's successes were the
result of shots which covered a dis-
tance of fully 50 yards. Morgan was
a brisk, and busy forward, and he re-
gistered five goals. Daykln was also
sound, and Duncan's high marking
was as good as anything of the kind
in the match. These men make a
powerful forward division.
P. O'Brien's presence on the half-
back line was of high value to the
team. The former captain's first
game ot the season showed him at
his best. Little Fred M'Donald, of
Essendon, did a daring act when on
one occasion O'Brien was kicking the
ball. He rushed in to beat the ball
off the big Carlton man's boot. Such
daring is decidedly risky.
Laing, the Essendon vice-captain,
played himself to a standstill. He
found Duncan too tall for him to hope
to cope successfully in the air with
the Carltonian, but when it came to
the ground play Laing did well, dash-
ing the ball away to safety time and
Although Percy Ogden, the Essen-
don captain, played a serviceable
game against Carlton, he was handi-
capped by a strained sinew in the-
back of his leg. This injury was caus-
ed while playing at Maryborough a
fortnight ago, when the team visited
that town. He has been ordered by
his doctor to rest the leg.
Maher, who was unable to play for
Carlton, as he has not qualified resi-
dentlalty, made his appearance with
Essendon against the Dark Blues. He
was forward and roving, and proved a
nippy, smart performer, with a quick
dashaway for about ten yards, at the
end of which he gets rid of the ball.
A good point this, for it is better to
be satisfied with the kick than to try
and run a great distance and then lose
the opportunity of doing so. Maher
has the faculty for turning quickly.
Very cosy shots were missed in the
first quarter by Essendon, whose for-
wards were in too great a hurry to
score. They should have gained more
The trouble with regard to the Ben-
alla-Yarrawonga Association has been
settled. The League has granted their
registration, and henchforth umpires
will be appointed to officiate in that
Carew has been more unfortunate
than most of the Richmond players.
He received a kick on the knee dur-
ing the match against Collingwood
and was unable to take part in the
game against Melbourne. Hede filled
the vacancy, but he could not go
through the whole of the play, because
of injury in a collision with Farrow.
A deep cut was caused above the
Richmond's straight kicking in the
first half saved them from defeat by
Melbourne, for in the last quarter Mel-
bourne had by far the best of the
bout, but they failed to score off the
easiest of chances. There was a fine
opportunity for Percy Wilson to have
won the game for his side, but he
kicked wretchedly, and there was no
more severe critic of his shot than
Melbourne are to be congratulated
on their fine play against Richmond,
with seven players new to the team
this year it was not to be expected
that they would fall into one another's
ways quickly, but last week's work
showed that they are well on toward
it. They will "team" better in a
At Richmond the midfield was so
muddy that the field umpire had to
bounce tho ball away from the circle.
Melbourne played Ogilvy, one of their
juniors, on the wind, and were satisfied
with the manner in which he shaped.
Bourke, the man from Ballarat, gave an
improved game compared with his first
effort, and did well in the last quarter
Flanagan, half-back; Boyd, back;
Haines, forward and roving, were
among the best men for Melbourne at
Richmond. Jack House, whether in the
centre or roving, played a great game.
Richmond's best back in the first half
was Harley. Taylor was also in fine
trim, and Thorp played as usual in bril-
M'Intosh in the midfield position
again made a fine display for Rich-
mond, in opposition to Wilson, who in
the last quarter went forward and
headed attack after attack on the Rich-
Schmidt signalised his re-appearance
with Richmond by roving well, and by
getting a goal. Bayliss came into his
own again by kicking five goals for the
M'Latchie's roving for Carlton was
one of the bright features of the game
at East Melbourne. Another player
whoso work was high-class was Baring.
The old Essendon follower showed
much of his former brilliance.
There was not a long discussion at
the special meeting of the League re-
garding the proposal to give players
the right of appeal against the de-
cision of the permit and umpire com-
mittee. No new arguments were
brought forward, and the proposal was
defeated. Collingwood, St. Kilda,
South Melbourne, and Richmond were
the only clubs who voted in favor of
the alteration of the regulations. About
this time last season a similar attempt
was made to have the regulation al-
tered. On that occasion Carlton, Col-
lingwood, Richmond, South Melbourne,
and St. Kilda were in favor, but they
did not comprise the necessary three-
fourths majority, and the matter
Mr. E. L. Jones, president of the St.
Kilda club, has returned from a trip
to Sydney, where he attended differ-
ent mutches played under the Austra-
lian rules. He tells me that encourag-
ing form was shown, and that there is
a marked Increase in our class of foot-
ball where Rugby League and Union
are the popular games. Mr. Jones is
of the opinion that a decided stimulus
would be given to the game if two of
the Victorian teams were sent to Syd-
ney to play during the season.
For the matches between Northern
and Southern Tasmania umpires in
Melbourne are engaged. G. Green has
been appointed to go to Hobart for the
match, tomorrow. His fees and ex-
penses which are paid by the Tasma-
The South Melbourne team will
play at Ballarat for the assistance of
a fund being raised for W. M'Donald,
one of the Imperial players, who was
recently injured at Ballarat. Advan-
tage will be taken of the opportunity
to try three aspirants for inclusion
among the South regulars.
Fitzroy defeated Korumburra last
week. Wigraf took part in tlie game
and did well. Richardson, a South
Australian follower, also played for
"Magpie" (Clifton Hill) writes sug-
gesting that as an improvement to the
game boundary umpires should be sup-
plied with whistles to signal when the
H. Manson, who played for St. Kilda
in 1915, before he went to the war, has
been granted a permit, to play for Gee-
long. P. Malony, another St. Kilda
player, has transferred to Port Mel-
J. Barnett, who came from Tas-
mania, has received a permit to play
Netherton, the field umpire, has been
ill since he officiated in the Colling-
wood and South Melbourne match.
Jack Elder reported on Wednesday
night that Nethorton was suffering
from pleurisy and pneumonia.
About 60 umpires attended the meet-
ing of the Umpire and Permit Com-
mittee on Wednesday night. As they
were not prepared to go on its was
decided that they should meet again
Writing to the St. Kilda executive
of the doings of his club at Geelong
last Saturday a disgusted barracker
voiced his opinion that the side
"shaped like a lot of old women in
hobble skirts." He would be a severe
barracker of the women players in
The social aspect is being attended
to at Geelong, where after each home
game the local team are invited to
dinner. Last Saturday Messrs F.
Garson. H. A. Bennett, and W. Han-
bury attended on behalf of St. Kilda
Club, and they speak highly of the
hospitality of the Geelong people.
O'Rourke, Shelton, and the Morden
brothers, all of Koo-wee-rup. have been
training at St. Kilda this week. The
first two played in the concluding
match for St. Kilda last season, and
both will be again given a chance to
prove themsolves at the earliest op-
The veteran St. Kilda player, Wood-
cock, strained the muscles of his leg
at Geelong, and has been unable to
train during the week. His inclusion
among the 18 tomorrow is doubtful.
Mr E. L. Jones, president of St.
Kilda, is tendering a dinner to the
players and officials on the evening
of June 25. An invitation has also
been sent to the Richmond players
and committee, and it is expected that
a large number will attend.
St. Kida's executive has been much
concerned over the loss of the services
ot their three big men—Cameron, Cub-
bins, and M'Namara. The two last-
named are recovering from their in-
juries, and it is also hoped, that the
popular Tatura man will be soon afield
The South Melbourne Club will send
a team to Ballarat tomorrow to play
against the Ballarat League second
eighteen in a benefit match for the
fund established on behalf of W.
M'Donald, of the Imperial team, who
sustained a broken kneecap when cyc-
ling to the training ground recently.
A team representative of the Bal-
larat Football League will play a Ben-
digo League team tomorrow at Ben-
digo, and opportunity will be taken by
representatives of the Leagues to dis-
cuss various matters relative to the
control ot football in the country, in-
cluding the question of forming a pro-
vincial association, the appointment of
umpires, and the dealing with clear-
ances between Victorian League and
the country governing bodies. It is
intended by the Ballarat League dele-
gates to introduce the subject of the
Melbourne club's refusal of a clearance
to R. J. Corbett to play with the Gold-
en Point club, in the hope of an
agreement being arrived at by which
the country leagues will provide the
right of appeal for players placed in
a like position. What further action
the Golden Point club will take will
depend on what action, if any, is taken
at the Bendlgo conference. Corbett is
now playing with the Golden Point
second eighteen in the local associa-
tion competition, where his presence is
much more appreciated by the team
It surprised the committee of the
Carlton Club last night when Charlie
Canet submitted his resignation of the
captaincy. He said that the reponsi-
bility of the position was hampering
his play, and he thought that in his
and the team's interest it would be
better if he vacated the position. A.
Daykin and G. Green were nominated
as his successor, and Daykln retired
in favor of Green, who will lead the
Colechin and Webb received slight
injuries in last week's match, and will
make room for Curtis and Laxton in
the Collingwood team against St.
T. Smith received a severe knock in
last week's match, and will rest to
morrow. V. Schmidt has to play in
a match at Warracknabeal, and will
not be available for the game against
Essendon. He expects that he will be
in town to take his part in the struggle
against his old team, St. Kilda. Hede
and Nott are also out of tomorrow's
team. The places will be filled by
Carew. Moffatt, Hughes, and G. Wea-
therill. Ogden has been advised to
rest owing to an injury sustained at
Maryborough. Consequently he will
be out tomorrow. Fehring and Gar-
diner have not been chosen. Stock-
dale, Day, and Hunter will be with
M'Kenzle will displace Clowe in
Carlton's team tomorrow. Otherwise
the side will be the same as that
which scored so heavily at the expense
Lethhridge, of Fitzroy, having re-
covered from his injuries, will re-
Griiffiths, Aldridge, O'Rourke (from
Kooweerup), and Howell (from Moor-
abbin) will take the places with St.
Kilda tomorrow of Woodcock, Car-
barns, Ricketts, and Lloyd. Ricketts
may not play again. Williams will lead
Gray has not been, selected for
tomorrow's match by Melbourne.
Thomas will be one of the team.
Umpires of the League are engaged
from the Mallee to Orbost and Tas-
mania. This week the League has
received from different associations
who have called for umpires the large
amount of £233 to cover the fees.