Australian Football

Interstate carnival memories

The first carnival, Melbourne, 1908

Perhaps my most vivid memory of carnival football days is the jubilee carnival in Melbourne in 1908. Before our first match all teams paraded, including one from New Zealand. The seven teams in their various State colours made a picturesque sight. This occasion was unique, as New Zeland has not since been represented at these carnivals. After the parade, each team gave its war-cry, the Maori yell being outstanding.

At this time the American fleet arrived in Port Phillip Bay, and it was a novelty to see picked teams from the warships play the American grid game of football. We were astonished to see the protective gear and reinforced uniforms worn by the players. The Americans, in turn, seemed impressed by the fast, open nature of the Australian code.

In Western Australia's first match we were opposed to South Australia. Our party consisted of twelve men from the goldfields and twelve from the coast, and comprised William Trewhella (captain), S. F. Jeffrey, Charles Doig [snr], Harold Crase, Frank ‘Diver’ Dunne, Jim Everett, Len Edwards, Sam Gravenall, Charles ‘Dick’ Sweetman, H. Edgar Thompson, William ‘Billy’ Metherall, Joe O'Dea, R. Polglase, Alec Robinson, George Renwick, Walter ‘Poet’ Smith, William ‘Nipper’ Truscott, Charlie Tyson [snr], George Tyson, Billy Orr, Tom McNamara, William Cook, Phil Matson and Harry Sharpe.

After an exiting tussle Western Australia won its first Australian carnival football contest against South Australia, by six points (8.11 to 8.5). Western Australia then defeated New South Wales, 17.12 to 12.3, but lost the grand final against Victoria, 13.22 to 6.8. Victoria won all its engagements and thus carried off the jubilee championship. Our side did well to be runner-up.

For this carnival Victoria fielded a powerful all-round team, the mainstays being Albert Franks, Paddy Shea, Barclay Bailes, Harvey Kelly (all of whom had previously played football in Western Australia), Billy Busbridge, Dave McNamara (holder of the Australian long distance kicking record), Dick Lee, one of the greatest Victorian forwards. This side was lead by Henry Young of Geelong.

Players from other States who were prominent included R. Robertson (NSW), who represented his State in three successive carnivals, and who was noted for his ability to drop-kick the ball with either foot, F. Carrick (N.S.W.), Rahilly (Broken Hill), A. McKellar (Queensland), G. Paget (Q.), J. Badcock, W. Burrll, W. Arnold, A. Trotter (all from Tasmania) and G. P. Dempster (New Zealand). New South Wales drew its players from places as far apart as Broken Hill, Wagga, Hay, Narrandera and Sydney.

Western Australia's team during this carnival was managed by Mr. J. J. Simons, who did much in the early days to further the cause of Australian football in this State. Mr. T. J. Brett, of Kalgoorlie, was assistant manager. Followers of the game here will read with interest the personnel of our side at this time. Jeffrey is now West Perth's delegate to the league, Orr is secretary of the league, while ‘Poet’ Smith, the Tysons and C. Doig have prominent representatives of their families playing in league teams today. Perhaps our outstanding players during this carnival were Sam Gravenall (centre), Dick Sweetman (rover), Phil Matson (utility), Alec Robinson (ruck) and George Renwick (wing), but the champion of the carnival, in my opinion, was Billy Busbridge of Essendon, who played at centre-half-back for Victoria.

The Adelaide carnival, 1911

This carnival was held in Adelaide in 1911 and was won by South Australia, all States being represtated with the exception of Queensland. Western Australia's team was captained by Hughie Gavin, who originally played with Essendon. He was a fine player, who filled a half back position. Once more, 12 players were taken from both the goldfields and the coastal associations. The team consisted of Gerry Balme, G. Barnes, Billy Craig, Charles Doig, Phil Matson, W. D. Moffatt, Ted Ralston, Ernest Riley, Archibald Strang, James Toohey, C. Waugh, Thomas Willoughby, A. J. Aldridge, J. Baker, Albert Daykin, H. Denton, Hugh Gavin, Reg ‘Bonner’ Hebbard, Bill Mayman, Thomas Puddey, Walter ‘Poet’ Smith, William Tremberth, William ‘Nipper’ Truscott and George Tyson.

On this occasion Western Australia won only one game, defeating New South Wales after a keen match by one point (9.13 to 8.18). We lost to Tasmania by five points, and gave Victoria a good game, the final scores being 8.8 to 10.16. South Australia was unbeaten in this series and deservedly carried off the championship, beating Victoria in the vital match, 11.11 to 5.4.

At this carnival, the players who performed well included:

For South Australia, Vic Cumberland, Bert Renfrey (captain, and previously of Western Australia, Harold Oliver, Henry ‘Dick’ Head, Tom Leahy, ‘Shine’ Hosking, A. Congear, and G. Oakley.

For Victoria, J. F. ‘Jock’ McHale, who is now coach of Collingwood, Fred Baring, A. Belcher, Dick Lee, Teddy Rowell and George Heinz.

For New South Wales, T. Ashley, P. McCann, and A. Pincombe.

For Tasmania, L. Bennison, L. Hay, Harvey Kelly, who represented Victoria at the 1911 carnival, and H. Morrissey.

For Western Australia, Phil Matson, Archibald Strang, Gerry Balme and Ernest Riley.

The Sydney carnival, 1914

In 1914 the third football carnival was held at Sydney. It was while we were enroute that we learnt of Britain's entry into the Great War. This naturally had an effect on the carnival. As a result of this carnival Western Australia was recognised as a powerful football State and a worthy opponent for South Australia and Victoria. Although not carnival champions, we fielded a very strong team and were beaten only after hard-fought and closely contested games, against South Australia and Victoria.

Western Australia's matches during this series resulted:

Lost to SA., 12.11-12.16.

Lost to Victoria, 11.14-13.16.

Defeated Queensland, 32.31-6.5.

Defeated Tasmania, 30.14-12.8.

Defeated New South Wales, 23.24-8.10.

Western Australia finished third, but played much better against the Victorian champions than did South Australia (second), which lost with 5.10 to 11.11.

Wells Eicke and Bruce Sloss, of Victoria, both played grand football throughout. Victoria was well served, also, by Ogden (Essendon), Dave McNamara, Charge, Dick, the captain, who, if my memory serves me, was minus an eye, George Heinz and Dick Lee.

South Australia was captained by Bill Mayman, who played for Western Australia in the previous carnival, and for Tasmania in 1924. Its best players were J. W. Robertson, Harold Oliver, J. Ashley, Frank Golding, who played many times in Perth, and Tom Leahy.

Outstanding players for the other States were R. Robertson, V. McCann, A. Ratcliffe (N.S.W.); C. Dunn, J. Pennicott, R. Bailey (Tasmania); E. Bliss, D. Duffy, P. W. Jones (Queensland). Probably this State's best were Norm McIntosh of South Fremantle, Hedley Tompkins, Phil Matson, Albert Tapping, and Gordon Fisher.

During this carnival the Australian goal-kicking competition took place. Three straight kicks were taken, one from each angle, and one from in front. ‘Dally’ Messenger, of Rugby fame, took part, and this contest aroused great interest H. Limb (Subiaco), the West Australian forward, performed creditably. We also had the pleasure of seeing Dave McNamara (Victoria) put up the record long-distance kick.

An innovation was the awarding of ‘Referee’ medals to the players adjudged to have given the best service to their respective States. These were awarded to the following: - George Heinz (Victoria), J. W. Robertson (S.A.), A. Tapping (W.A.), J. Pennicott (Tasmania), R. Robertson (N.S.W.), and P. W. Jones (Q.).

The Perth carnival, 1921 - Western Australia wins

In the memorable 1921 series held in Perth, Western Australia made football history. Those privileged to be at Subiaco Oval when our team was successful against Victoria (6.16 to 6.11), probably will consider that game the fastest and most exciting ever seen here. What follower of the game could forget the closing minutes of this match?

At three-quarter time Western Australia led, but the Victorians, concentrating on their tall centre half-forward, Horrie Clover, and their champion goal-sneak, Dick Lee, fought like demons to avert defeat. They snatched a slender lead with a few minutes left. But the West Australians were not to be denied, and played on to gain the lead by five points. Victoria was constantly in attack, the last minute being particularly thrilling. The ball was rushed to Dick Lee. In complete silence he set the ball in position for a place kick for goal However, instead of kicking, Lee changed his mind, picked up the ball, and tried to pass to Clover. But the move was anticipated [Note: By Truscott himself!] and the ball intercepted, right on the ringing of the bell.

Probably my proudest moment as State representative, and team captain, was enjoyed at Perth Oval on Saturday, August 13, 1921, when Western Australia won the Australian championship for the first time. Followers of the game in this State will recall this match with pleasure and pride, no doubt, on account of the State team's phenomenal goal kicking; 11 goals straight, an Australian carnival record. Final scores were 12.3 to 9.11.

It is interesting to remember, however, that this record was equalled by Western Australia, when opposed to a South Australian team on the same ground 14 years later. Western Australia had a really fine side of good fellows, who did everything asked of them. This team comprised: Ernest F. ‘Ike’ Allen, W. J. Adams, Harold Boyd, H ‘Bonny’ Campbell, Len Cinoris, Norm Ford, Clem Bahen, Barney Sheedy, Wally Steele, Fred Wimbridge, W. Hebbard, Cyril Hoft, Nipper Truscott, Ray Mudie, Reg Brentnall, William ‘Digger’ Thomas, Arthur Green, Wally Gunnyon, Alex ‘Snowy’ Hewby, Fred ‘Fat’ Ion, Dolph Heinrichs and Tom Outridge.

The complete scores for this series were:

Victoria, 11.12 v. South Australia, 6.7.

W.A. 6.16 v. Victoria 6.11.

W.A. 12.3 v. South Australia, 9.11.

Ivo Crapp, the ‘Prince of Umpires’, officiated at the carnival.

There was truly a clash of champions. The Victorian team included Horrie Clover, Mark Tandy, Dick Lee, Charlie Pannam, Lloyd Hagger, Con McCarthy (captain), Roy Cazaly, Vic Thorp, Cliff Rankin, Albert Boromeo and Bill Cubbins.

South Australia fielded, among others, Tom Leahy (the "evergreen"), Jack ‘Snowy’ Hamilton, Harold Oliver, Walter ‘Whacker’ Scott, Dan Moriarity, Owen Beatty and John Karney.

An extraordinary happening at this carnival was the experience of Karney, South Australia's brilliant half-forward. Playing against Western Australia in the final match, he received a bad knock, but played on with a heavily bandaged head. He scored several goals and was one of his side's best players. After the match, it was discovered that he had sustained severe concussion. Karney did not remember playing the second half of the match at all.

The Hobart carnival, 1924

For the 1924 carnival the playing ground was North Hobart Oval. In the distance was Mt. Wellington, snow capped throughout the whole carnival. Outside, on the opposite side of the ground, was a real ‘Scotsman's Hill’, which was always well patronised, although it was some distance from the field of play.

The oval itself was good and the weather fairly kind to Western Australia. All matches were played on the same ground, and as six States were represented, this meant that on some days two matches were played, the first starting at 1 p.m. The teams for the second match were ready, and came straight on, so that play was almost continuous. Patrons of these games certainly got their money's worth.

Many local football followers are of the opinion that Western Australia's team at Hobart was equal to any from this State. On paper, this appears to be correct, and the team fully played up to expectations. With just a little more of, shall one term it, the luck of the game, this side would have repeated Western Australia's win at Perth in the previous carnival. The team domprised:

W. Hebbard (capt.), G. Owens, J. Hamilton, J. Gosnell, T. Outridge, J. Dolan, J. Campbell, J. Craig, A. Green, L. Duffy, J. Leonard, H. Campbell, H. Boyd, J. McDiarmid, W. Fletcher, G. Scaddan,. Harry Sherlock, A. Sheedy, R. Mudie, W. Truscott, G. Taylor, W. Thomas and H. Harrold.

Mr. C. Norton, who did so much good work for the East Perth club a few years ago, was manager of the team, with Mr. T. C. Wilson as his assistant.

We were fortunate in having as coach that fine player and shrewd judge of the game, the late Phil Matson. Great credit must be given to Matson for the way he inspired the players and encouraged them by his enthusiasm to give of their best.

Western Australia's matches resulted as follows:

WA 16.13.109 d SA 10.12.72 VIC 15.13.103 d WA 14.11.95

WA 43.19.277 d Q’ld 2.1.13

WA 13.5.83 d TAS 5.14.44

WA 27.21.183 d NSW 9.12.66

Tasmania's improvement

All states, except Victoria, were defeated. Tasmania's side in this carnival played very well and showed great improvement upon previous carnival performances, Horrie Gorringe, its rover and forward, being one of the best players of the series. C. Deane, R. Cummings and A. Leitch were others who excelled for Tasmania. New South Wales and Queensland fielded comparatively weak sides.

After our win in a high scoring match against South Australia, and defeating all the other States, we qualified to play Victoria in the grand final. This match was watched by a record crowd for Tasmania.

The match was a classic and one that will live long in the memory of those who saw it. Much has been written of incidents during the game. The scores throughout were very close and at no time did either side appear to have a marked superiority. The magnificent play of Colin Watson, who initiated most of Victoria's thrusts from the wing, was offset by the solid defence of Craig, Gosnell, Mudie, Boyd and Sherlock.

With eight minutes to go Western Australia led by seven points, and appeared to have the game in its keeping. But Victoria called on all its backs to sweep Western Australia off its feet, and they seemed to be in mass formation. The ball came up to Lloyd Hagger, who had just previously been injured and was about to be carried off the field by the ambulance men. This great forward, gamely forgetting his injury, kicked a goal, which performance he repeated almost immediately to give Victoria the match by eight points.

It was during the latter part of the game that the play became strenuous. As this match decided the championship, it naturally developed in the last ten minutes to hard going, and the best football was lost through over-anxiety. Hard bumps were given and returned. Players such as Roy Cazaly, Goldie Collins, Alec Duncan, Vic Thorpe, Albert Chadwick, Tom Fitamaurice and Paddy O’Brien (captain of Victoria), having the physical ability for a game of this type, hurled themselves into the play with reckless abandon, and the will to win.

None did better [for WA] in the hard going than George ‘Staunch’ Owens, Jack McDiarmid, and our two brilliant rovers, Larry Duffy and Johnny Leonard. Others who stood out were Jimmy Gosnell, Ray Mudie, Billy Craig, George Scaddan, Tom Outridge, Harry Sherlock, and, of course, Bonny Campbell, who kicked half the side's goals.

No unfair play

Participants may have different opinions with regard to the tactics used during the last vital minutes of the game, but, as an onlooker, I did not see any unfair play. Jack McMurray, Victoria's leading umpire, had charge of this game and gave a fine exhibition. W. Blackburn, from the same State, who officiated last Saturday, reminded me of McMurray in his decisions.

To my mind, the players of the carnival were: Colin Watson, Lloyd Hagger, E ‘Carji’ Greaves, Tom Fitzmaurice, Mark Tandy, Roy Cazaly, Norman McIntosh (who also played with South Fremantle, and for Western Australia in the 1914 carnival in Sydney), Alec Duncan, a brilliant half-back, Collins, ruck and forward, and Vic Thorpe who kept goals ably in all matches.

Perhaps the most sensational player was No. 13 for South Australia, Leonard ‘Tiny’ Mills, who was 6ft. 7in in height and weighed 14 stone. R. Brown (captain), played excellent football in the centre in all matches for South Australia. Others who did well were Les Dayman, Bruce McGregor, L. Mutton, Horrie Riley and Joe Scanlan, the winger.

Undoubtedly Western Australia's champion was ‘Staunch’ Owens, who was effective in the ruck and in the forward lines. ‘Bonny’ Campbell established the record of 23 goals in the match against Queensland, and finished the series with the record total of 51 goals [from five games]. (It is worth mentioning that in the 1921 series in Perth Campbell was the leading goal sneak with 11 goals). The Subiaco back man, Arthur Green, the captain, ‘Paddy’ Hebbard, and ‘Digger’ Thomas deserve mention for consistent play.

With the leading teams so evenly matched, and considering the high standard of play maintained, it, is very hard to discriminate with regard to the players from both Victoria and Western Australia.

Victoria's Roll of Honour

Naturally, Victoria has produced the greatest number of outstanding exponents of our national game. With 12 teams competing in its league matches every Saturday, and the players drawn from hundreds of teams throughout the State the best players are attracted to the Victorian capital, and this ensures a high standard of play being maintained. Accordingly, representative Victorian sides invariably attain a very high class of play. Their game is noted for the go through style, good hand-ball, and heady position play. They always have strong men in key positions, and, in support, men of experience and marked ability.

Teams from that state are well known for their brilliant non-stop football, which is a result of the excellent training preparation. This enables them to see out 100 minutes of high-class football, and probably accounts for their success in six of the eight carnivals played to date.

In the first interstate carnival, in Melbourne in 1908, the champion was undoubtedly William ‘Billy’ Busbridge, the high-fying Essendon centre-half-back, who played brilliantly throughout. Dick Lee was one of Australia's greatest full forwards, a brilliant kick and clever position player, who was a tough proposition for any back man for a number of years.

In Dave McNamara, St. Kilds possessed, perhaps, the finest kick in the game. He was a menace in the forward lines; Paddy Shea, a forward who employed the too rarely seen place kick; Barclay Bailes, an excellent wing player; Albert Franks, strong follower, and Harvey Kelly, forward, were others prominent at that time.

E. M. ‘Teddy’ Rowell, Collingwood's centre man [originally from Kalgoolie], stood out during the 1911 series. He was my ideal type of footballer. Past, clean, always in position, a good safe mark, with an eel-like turn, he always topped off his heady play with an accurate pass to a team-mate in good position. Teddy was a real champion, and a fine sportsman both on and off the field.

Collingwood's present coach, J. F. McHale, played great football at Adelaide then, as did the Essendon stalwarts, Fred Baring and Alan Belcher (another ruckman). Repeating his dashing play of the previous carnivals, George Heinz, Geelong's brilliant centre line player, deservedly carried off the "Referee" medal for the Victoran adjudged to have given best service to his State during the 1914 series. Wells Eicke (St. Kilda) and Bruce Sloss (South Melbourne) were little behind Heinz for consistent, solid, and brilliant play. The elusive Ogden, from Essendon, also proved himself a real champion, while Sloss's team-mate, Les Charge, followed the ball with success in every match.

No doubt the memorable carnival in Perth in 1921 is still fresh in the minds of numerous enthusiasts, local and visiting. For these games, Victoria selected what was generally admitted to be a powerful team and which went very close to carrying off the championship. Mark Tandy upheld his reputation as a class footballer. Horrie Clover, the tall centre half-forward, although subdued by ‘Nashy’ Brentnall in the decisive match, was a freak high mark and a long kick. Goal-keeper Vic Thorp, whose safe marking, effective spoiling and accurate kicking from goal were features, needs no further commendation than to mention that Bonnie Campbell headed the goal kicking list for the series with only 11 goals. Clever, fast and elusive, with an excellent stab-kick, Charlie Pannam was the spearhead of many of his side's attacking moves, and one of several champion centre line players whose play was a treat to watch in Perth. Mention must also be made of the Victorian ruck men, Albert Boromeo and Con McCarthy (who captained the side).

For the fifth carnival at Hobart in 1924 Victoria took no chances and selected a team of champions. A feature was the keen leadership of Paddy O’Brien, whose astuteness meant much in the closing stages of the vital game against Western Australia. This team comprised: M. Tandy, N. Cockram, E. Greeves, E. Elliott, A. Duncan, L. Wigraft, L. Hagger, T. Fitzmaurice, G. Collins, J. Moriarty, V. Thorp, C. Watson, R. Taylor, M. Beasey, A. Chadwick, R. Cazaly, E. Wilson, H. Brew, A. Pink, J. O’Connell, W. Shelton, and N. McIntosh.

Colin Watson, the flying wingman, gave brilliant exhibitions throughout. His play undoubtedly was high-class, [with] high marking, running and kicking. He was, in my opinion, the player of the carnival.

Outstanding South Australians

During the carnivals played to date, South Australia has fielded numerous champions. Perhaps South Australia’s chief characteristic in all series has been its fast, open, systematic game, which calls for accurate short passing, deft hand-ball, and heady position play. Accordingly, one finds that the outstanding players have been those best adapted to this style of play.

Tom Leahy, from North Adelaide, was considered South Australia's best ruck man in the first four carnivals. Leahy had a characteristic way of winding his arms when about to kick the ball. He held his own with any ruckman in Australia, and won the Magarey medal in 1913. James ‘Sorry’ Tierney was another ruck man and a great foot baller. I think he was South Australia's most serviceable player in the first carnival. Others who performed well were Alby Bahr (captain), A. Ewers, Jack Tredrea, E. Johns and S. Geddes.

South Australia won the 1911 carnival at Adelaide and was definitely the best side. Players such as Harold Oliver, Shine Hosking, Vic Cumberland, Bert Renfrey (captain), Arthur Conlin, ‘Shrimp’ Dowling, Dick Head, E. John, Tom Leahy, G. Oakley, T. Hansen, A. Congear, E. Jones, J. Tredrea, L. A. Lewis, P. Robin., D. Low, A. Taylor, all playing at their top, never gave any of the other sides a chance, as the scores will disclose.

They defeated New South Wales, 12.20 to 2.9, Tasmania, 13.13 to 3.6; Western Australia, 13.18 to 3.5, and Victoria, 11.11 to 5.4.

This, I consider, the best side South Australia has produced in all carnivals.

An unusual distinction was enjoyed by Bill Mayman, who captained South Australia's team in Sydney in 1914. In the previous carnival Mayman played for Western Australia, and in 1924 captained Tasmania at Hobart.

The ‘Referee’ medal, for the most serviceable player for South Australia at Sydney was won by that fine all-round footballer, John Robertson. Little behind Robertson was Harold Oliver, the high-marking centre-half forward from Port Adelaide. Oliver's Adelaide admirers inspired him. When the ball was approaching him they would cal in unison: ‘Up! Up! Up! Up! Oliver’

McGregor recalled

One of the biggest men to represent South Australia was the long-kicking Bruce McGregor, height 6ft. l in., weight 12st. 10 lb - the ruck man and half-forward whose phenomenal marking and kicking surprised Perth enthusiasts in 1921.

That fine Start player, Frank Golding, had the unique record of representing his State with distinction in two difficult positions on the field. He played first at centre-half-forward, but he will be remembered in this State chiefly for his fine displays as goal-keeper. He was one of the few players who employed the now lost art of place kicking.

No critic will cavil at my selection of Dan Moriarty as one of the three outstanding players of the 1921 series. This magnificently built centre-half-back had every attribute of a champion. He marked brilliantly, was good on the ground, and a fine kick. Walter ‘Wacca’ Scott, was a freak high mark of the Flemming type, who retained his form in four successive carnivals. ‘Snowy’ Hamilton, who came to Perth first for the 1921 carnival, will be remembered for his ability in all the finer points of the game.

Other South Australians one recalls readily include Owen Beatty, who captained South Australia against Western Australia in the absence of Tom Leaby, owing to injury, at the Perth Oval in 1921, when Western Australia established its carnival record of 11 goals straight. Beatty was the main ruck man on that occasion, against F. C. ‘Fat’ Ion and Tom Outridge; Sturt’s dashing ruck man, R. H. ‘Snowy’ Whitehead, Jim Handby, A. J. Ryan, of Sheffield Shield cricket fame, Horrie Riley, noted for his high marking, R. Brown, the centre man who captained the 1924 team, T. Owens and ‘Cool Alec’ Bent, forward.

Cyril Hoft, who played with Perth for a number of seasons and was a member of Western Australia's champion team in 1921, played with South Australia in 1924 at Hobart. He also did well for South Australia at Melbourne in 1927.