Essendon and St. Kilda rejoin the League for coming season
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Now that the cricket season has entered into its last phase, football prospects for the coming campaign are being discussed. At the outbreak of the war, it was my privilege in these columns to support the four clubs, Collingwood, Carlton, Fitzroy and Richmond, which, in face of bitter Press opposition in Melbourne, determined to meet the difficulties of keeping their organisations in running order, that is within the limitations imposed by the war. The executives of these clubs were no less keenly seized of the grave issues of the times than their critics, but had a wider range of vision. Only men of a certain age, and of the military standard of physical fitness could under any circumstances leave Australia for service in the war, and therefore thousands upon thousands must of necessity remain. What were these to do with themselves on Saturday afternoons after each sweltering, wearisome week in foundry, workshop and factory? As has been often emphasised, wholesale recreation is as essential to the health of a community as to the individual, and it has been demonstrated beyond possibility of contradiction for a period extending over 30 years that the football grounds on Winter Saturdays have met this want by providing a cheap and innocent form of open-air amusement for the masses.
As time passed the wisdom of continuing the game has become more manifest. Apart from the general aspect upon which I have touched, the financial question became a vital problem to the managements of those grounds which were headquarters of the non-competing clubs. While Collingwood, Fitzroy, Carlton and Richmond, if not flourishing, became self-supporting, such could not, of course, be expected of the others. And last season South Melbourne and Geelong, realising the position, took the field alongside those already playing. This accession added greatly to the interest, and now one learns that Essendon and St. Kilda have decided to join the others, since apparently bankruptcy was staring them in the face. The East Melbourne Cricket Club (upon whose ground the Essendon matches are played) is reduced to a handful of members, while the very tenure of the St. Kilda ground has been threatened.
Thus, with the exception of Melbourne, the number of clubs competing next year will be the same as in normal times. The Melbourne Cricket Club (in which the football organisation is incorporated) re-considered the outlook, but decided that their team shall still stand out. Of course, the Melbourne Club is in a unique position for such a crisis as the present, with their big list of members paying subscriptions year after year purely from, a sentiment of loyalty, and, although the club must, in common with all bodies of a like nature, have been hard hit, it has not so felt the blighting blast like the others. But the comment has frequently been passed that the Melbourne Club, while discountenancing football, does not object to accept any of the advantages that may accrue from playing the premiership finals on their ground.
While the friends of Dr. W. Kent Hughes, ex-president of the Essendon Football Club, and one of the finest sportsmen in the land, were delighted to learn that he had been placed in charge of the Anglo-Russian Hospitals in Petrograd, a distinguished position, this feeling was dispelled by the concern felt for his safety in the midst of the calamitous Bolshevik upheaval, which has threatened the stability of the civilised world. Readers therefore will be glad to learn that the popular Doctor safely escaped from that maelstrom of human passion, and is in Melbourne. His brilliant son, who, while captain of the Church of England Grammar School, enlisted though only 18 years old, and rose from non-commissioned rank so rapidly that he is now Major Hughes, adorned with the Military Cross.
Another old-time footballer, Arthur Brown, of South Melbourne, has a fine son at the front with the First Artillery Brigade. Young Brown has sent out as trophies a helmet and belt of a soldier of the Prussian Guard. I have seen them, and bright and shiny they are, though whether the late wearer is alive or dead not transpired. He rejoiced in the name of Hoxler. On the helmet was the inscription, "Mit Gott F. Fuerst U. Vateriend" and on the belt, "Gott Mit uns", showing that a stain of religious fanaticism runs through these hordes.
Arthur Brown was a member of the South Melbourne team that played so successfully in the late eighties. He preceded the writer some seasons as vice-captain of the Clifton Juniors, and was South's main half-forward, with strong rushes and prodigious punt goals. I remember those old days well, when Brown had to take the ball from the greatest luck of the time, Peter Burns, Harry Purdy, Dinnie McKay, Jim O'Meara, and Boliver Powell. One game I shall never forget. It was my first against South for Fitzroy, when they beat us after a terrible struggle, the scores running dead level almost to the death-knock. They just pipped us (12 goals to 11). The impressions of that first appearance before a great crowd of roaring partisans are indelible, a wild, swirling tangle of red and white mingling with the dark maroon and blue.
On my way to the cricket last week I called in for a while at the patriotic carnival of the Deep Rock Swimming Club, promoted by Mr. John Wren, who ushered in the movement characteristically with a donation of £1000 and numerous other gifts, including the £100 Hundred, which was won by young Carter, to whom Wickham gave 3sec. The time was good, 63sec, though by no means a record; but I always found river water heavier going than the sea. To return, however, to my subject, I met Alan Belcher, the Essendon ruckman, looking brown, burly, strong, and well. One wonders how he will shape in the come-back after Essendon's absence from the field. A glorious follower at his top, husky, willing, tireless, and a beautiful mark, he has borne the brunt of Essendon's ruck work for many years, and looks, good yet. Alan told with pride how his little girl of seven years old could, swim across the river.
Footnotes
Title: Melbourne Football Essendon and St. Kilda Rejoin the League for Coming Season: The Association to Play Matches Again
Author: ONLOOKER.
Publisher: Referee (Sydney, NSW: 1888 -1939)
Date: Wednesday 3 April 1918 p 5 Article
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