Footscray wins the 'Championship of Victoria'
For the first time in the history of football in Victoria the premiers of the League and of the Association met on Saturday to decide the premiership of Victoria. Ever since the League clubs broke away from the old Association in 1897 I have been urging such a game, but the League was never willing to give its rivals a chance to show their worth. The Association has always been anxious to play, but it was not until Dame Nellie Melba made an irresistible appeal on behalf of the limbless and disabled soldiers that the League abandoned its policy of aloofness and consented to the match.
At first it seemed as if the match would not be played, but Essendon, winning the League premiership without a grand final, left Saturday free, and the game was arranged. The agitation for the inclusion of Footscray to the League aroused the curiosity of those who had never seen an Association game, and the enthusiasm for the Association by its own followers attracted many; but the moment it was announced that the match would be for the championship of Victoria its success was assured.
The weather, though threatening in the morning, was perfect in the afternoon, and 46,100 people crowded the Melbourne Cricket-ground, and contributed more than £2,800 to the fund for the soldiers.
A splendid exhibition
The game was worthy of the occasion, for the football displayed was the best of the season. It was fast, open, clean, full of fire and go, and the skill and speed of the players was one of its outstanding features. For many years I followed the Association clubs, and I have never wavered from the belief that the best standard of the Association clubs was not far behind the League. In each competition one sees bad matches, but at its best the Association game does not suffer by comparison with that played by the League.
As long ago as 1908, when Footscray and Brunswick met on the Melbourne Cricket-ground in a semi-final match, the exhibition was magnificent, and I have often heard men say that that was the best display of football they have ever seen. Since then I have seen many excellent Association games, and so knew what the best Association team could do, but I must confess that I did not expect the triumph of Footscray, such as we saw.
In all points of the game they were the better side. They were fitter, faster, cleverer, and, while admitting that Essendon were below their best, Footscray's play was electrifying. They worked together like a well-oiled machine, individually they triumphed, there were no weak spots, and their handball - if not always in strict conformity with the rules, and often overdone - was bewildering. Essendon, by comparison, were slow and indecisive, and with about four exceptions, the men did not show up. Whether it was that they were beaten by better men, or that they held their opponents too cheaply, or that they had slackened in their training, it would be hard to say, but they did not present that bold front to the enemy that won them their premiership, and long before the finish they were a beaten and disorganised side. On the form they displayed it was fortunate that the premiership had been already won, but its lustre has been sadly dimmed by the defeats by Richmond and Footscray.
It was a sharp surprise for the League, and considerably strengthened the claims of Footscray to the much debated and coveted position of tenth club. This matter is dealt with in another column, but it may be said here that on purely football considerations there does not seem to be the slightest justification for the exclusion of Footscray.
Association gains prestige
The effect of the match will be far-reaching, for it is the first time the Association has been officially recognised by the League on terms of football equality. Thousands of spectators were delighted with the form displayed by Footscray, and wherever one turned he heard the same mandatory comments. "This side will do me," said one old player, "for I have not enjoyed a game so much for years." Another, an Association supporter, said, "I am not surprised, though I did not think Footscray would win as easily as they did. It takes a good side to win the Association premiership. I don't see what Footscray want to get into the League for. I think they would be degenerating to do so."
A very old player who has followed the game closely, said, "The Association teams have nothing to learn if that is the standard of their play. What surprised me was the speed and the way they played handball. It may not have been quite in accordance with the strict letter of the rule, but it was no worse than I have often seen, and it made Essendon look ridiculous. The League will have to look to its laurels, for the Association is a more formidable rival than ever before. I can see a considerable accession of patronage to the Association next year."
Footscray's effort
Footscray, who were the first to appear, received a rousing welcome from the crowd, and they looked very fit in their red, white, and blue jerseys, white knickers, and red stockings. Essendon, darker in blue, came out soon after, and were greeted with three cheers by their opponents. Barker won the toss for Essendon, and took advanatage of the breeze, which favoured the Richmond end. The beginning was sensational, for within a minute Essendon had their first goal. Farrell and Watt forwarding to Jenkins, who scored with a beautiful dropkick. Then Footscray attacked and early had a taste of Fitzmaurice's ability as a defender. When they came on again the forwards bunched badly, and Laing drove them off. A run by Merton and clever handball, though rather overdone, gave Footscary another chance, but again Laing was in the way. It was fast and sparking. Quick passing between Doolan, McCarthy, Gibb, Hopkins and Mullens brought first point to the tricolours, who were playing with the greater dash, and were handling the ball better; but neglecting their kicking. Essendon, however, made the most of their opportunities, for when from a free kick Maher landed the ball in Jenkin's arms, straight in front, second goal followed as a matter of course. Two shots two goals was a good record, but after that Jenkins fell away.
Just then the people began to think Essendon might get away with it, but Footscray threw themselves into the struggle with late abandon and, but for faulty work forward, should have gone right ahead. They have had so many games against weak teams that their men seemed inclined to take liberties, and they would have done better if they had kicked more. Eventually a free kick to Samson brought them a goal and loud cheers. Eason, with a run straight down the centre, brought the ball in again, but Donaldson returned in grand style. Laidlaw, O'Brien, and Samson persevered, however, and from the back of the crush Punch, skirting round, snapped second goal.
It was a rare struggle with Footscray doing most of the attacking, and but for the work of Fitzmaurice, Donaldson, Maher, and Watt Essendon would have been overwhelmed. Merton had been beating Sullivan on one wing, while Watt had been outpointing Gibb on the other. So Merton was sent across to look after Watt. A grand bash by Laidlaw ended in a free kick, and then Essendon rallied and, showing some of their true form, Beckton and Barker, by clean handball, served Maher, who passed beautifully to Jenkins. He made a good attempt, but it was just to the right of the post. Fitzmaurice, on the Essendon half-back line, was unpassable, and at the other end Ford was marking grandly. Then Essendon came with a splendid rush, the handball between Maher, Sullivan, Shorten, and May being perfect, and the lastnamed capped it with a good goal, giving the League premiers the lead by 3-1 to 2-3 at quarter time. Just before the bell Laidlaw was hurt, but he was soon all right. As the teams crossed over they were cheered, and Leheny, who had acted as umpire, was applauded as he retired in favour of McMurray, who handled the game in the second and fourth quarters.
Footscray the better side
The second quarter was a repetition of the first, full of brilliant football, with Footscray the better side. Fine defence work by Doolan, on one side, and Donaldson, on the other was the outstanding feature, and the game went on at a great pace. It was delightful in its fairness, while laking nothing in strength. In one dash Laing was hurt, and was in the hands of the ambulance men for a long while. For the rest of the game he was almost useless, but pluckly remained on the field.
There was little scoring, but much to interest. The ruck work was well worth watching, with none of that hustling so unsightly to watch, but good honest struggling. They were all out of their places, but the game was not open. Eason, with a left foot flying shot raised one flag and, but for Donaldson, Farrell, and Fitzmaurce, Footscray might have gone ahead. After a long while Eason, from an undeserved free kick, sent the ball on to Gibb, who simply "fooled" Shorten and passed to O'Brien. Like a flash the ball was in Mullens' arms, and Footscray led again by 3-4 to 3-3. Before the term ended, however, Essendon added two behinds and were a point ahead at half time by 3-5 to 3-4.
Paralysing handball
Footscray were quickly at the attack when they resumed. Clever handball by McCarthy to Eason and on to Punch brought the fourth Footscray goal, and from that the game was never in doubt. Fitzmaurice stopped Footscray often, and if he did not Donaldson, and sometimes Farrell or Irwin, did the turning work; but farther afield Watt alone was showing form. On one side they were all workers, on the other the passengers predominated.
Foolish handball was Footscray's outstanding error, but Essendon could not avail themselves of the opportunities afforded. Owing to these mistakes Essendon had a spell of comparative success, but Shorten, Barker, and Jenkins each missed with shots that ought to have scored. The handball was as attractive as it was illegal, and Footscray revelled in it. Just before the final change clever handball from the wing between Eason, Con McCarthy, Zinnick, Mullens, and O'Brien ended in fifth goal, and they crossed over two goals to the good, with the board showing 5-8 to 3-8 in Footscray’s favour.
The triumph complete
The final term saw the rout of Essendon complete, and, as Footscray made their victory sure, the crowd became enthusiastic Essendon, attacking half-heartedly, added three behinds, one of which, a shot by Stockdale, hit the post, and then a free kick to Zinnick on the pavilion wing began a streaming rush, in which Eason, Hopkins, Mullens, and McHenry were unbeatable and McHenry snapped the goal. Another behind to Essendon, and then Footscray came in by the other wing. Punch, playing magnificently, gave Mullens a chance, and a beautiful left-foot shot brought seventh goal.
It was all over for Essendon who were hopelessly beaten and though Fitzmaurice, Donaldson, and Watt worked like tigers, and Farrell, Maher, and Stockdale backed them up, the rest were never in it. When Merton, Hopkins, Eason, and Mullens, by perfect hand-passing found McHenry again, and eighth goal was signalled, there was tremendous cheering; but when Essendon rallied, and Shorten scored there was hardly a sound, and though the game was well won, Footscray, to ram their triumph home, scored still another goal. Punch getting it with a long snap, and the game ended.
Footscray, 9 goals, 10 behinds (64 points) defeated Essendon, 4 goals, 12 behinds (36 points)
The goal-kickers: Footscray: Punch (3), McHenry (2), Mullins (2), O'Brien, Samson. Essendon: Jenkins (2), May, Shorten.
Free kicks: Essendon, 49 (Watt 8, May 7, Sullivan 6); Footscray, 41 (Gibb 6, McCarthy 5, Punch 5).
Victors congratulated
As the bell rang there was a scene of wild excitement. Delighted Footscray supporters rushed on to the ground, and every Footscray player rode to his dressing-room on the shoulders of the enthusiasts, who had seen their hopes realised and their wildest dreams exceeded. In the Footscray room it seemed as if pandemonium had been let loose. Everyone seemed anxious to speak at once, and they cheered and congratulated each other until the greatest triumph of all came in a speach of congratulation by the President of the League (Sir Baldwin Spencer), who was accompanied by the old Collingwood captain (Mr. W. Strickland).
This morning a meeting, convened by the town clerk of Footscray (Mr. Gent), will be held in the Footscray Town Hill at 11 o'clock, to consider how best to celebrate the great victory, whereby the championship of Victoria has been brought to Footscray. The team will go to Leongatha on Saturday for a holiday, and on their return they will be entertained at a championship and premier dinner.
The best players
It would not be too much to say that credit for the Footscray victory was equally divided, for it was team work all through that won the day. However, there were some who, perhaps, owing to greater opportunities, showed out more prominently than their fellows. Samson's strong, resolute ruck work and sturdy defence won the admiration of everyone, and he was probably the best on the side. Laidlaw, in the centre, was brilliant, and made some wonderful dashes. Eason, who was playing his last game as an Association player, showed the cleverness and dash that made him a League champion. Punch, roving and forward, was clever and persistent. McCarthy's brains were in evidence all through, and his great skill and generalship were invaluable. Ford was the pivot of the half back line, and turned many a rush.
This half-dozen one might put in the "A" class, with all the rest close behind them. It is safe to say there was not a man on the side who would not have been eagerly snapped up by any team in the League were they free and willing to transfer, but the agreement between the League and the Association holds them.
For Essendon, Watt, Fitzmaurice, and Donaldson were splendid all through; Maher and Stockdale always good and purposeful; Farrell, Irwin, Laing (till injured), and Sullivan (occassionally) playing well, but of the rest it were best to say that they did not approach their reputations, some of them playing quite as badly as they did at South Melbourne.
Mr. Frank Reid, the secretary, yesterday indignantly denied that there had been any trouble in the team among the players, his explanation of the debacle being, "We were beaten by a better team." If that be so, all the more credit to Footscray and all the more justification for the general criticism in these columns, that the League standard is very low.
Footnotes
Title: Footscray champions. Essendon badly beaten. The association's triumph. Author: 'Old Boy' (Reg Wilmott) Publisher: The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria, 1848-1956) Date: Monday, 6 October 1924, p.7 (Article) Web:http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2045552
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