Australian Football

Ron Todd Joins Association - In Williamstown Side To-day

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League officials were staggered and Association stalwarts delighted last night to hear the declaration by Ron Todd, outstanding forward of the V.F.L. and of Australia, that he was deserting the League cause to cross over to Williamstown club in the Victorian Football Association. Todd will play to-day at Yarraville!

Todd last night said, "I feel that whatever my personal preference might be, I must honor my agreement with Williamstown. I shall have to leave Colllngwood, and all my friends who are there, and I do that with very great regret," he said. "I feel that I owed a great deal to Collingwood. I learned my football there five years ago, and I know that I owe a lot to Jock McHale, the coach, and the players.

"In my opinion, Colllngwood is the greatest football club in Australia, and I still stick to that opinion. I have had a good time there, and I can say to my successor—whoever he may be—that he will have the finest band of chaps to play with that it is possible to have. I do sincerely wish Colllngwood the very best of luck."

Todd said that he was approached by Williamstown to play for them about six weeks ago, and after considering the matter, he accepted that club's offer, and on March 20 signed a contract to play for it for three years. About three weeks ago he decided to train at Williamstown.

"While I was at Williamstown I made many friends among officials and players, but after reflection, I realised that I owed a lot to Collingwood, and I was in two minds. This has been a very difficult decision to make, and I take my share of responsibility in the matter. "I have always honored any contract I have made, and I feel that I must honor my agreement with Williamstown," he said.

TODD'S DILEMMA

Todd's appearance at Williamstown to-day will end one of the most sensational struggles for a player's services in the long history of Victorian football, and one which was not without its dramatic highlights. On the one hand was Williamstown, last year's Association premiers, and on the other Colllngwood, one of the most powerful and famous of League clubs. Williamstown had a contract with Todd, and Colllngwood refused to give him a clearance.

Todd was the player whom both clubs wanted, and neither felt they could do without, and over him League and Association came to grips. His final decision yesterday was no easy one to make. He had agreed to go to Williamstown, and then felt that he owed a debt to Collingwood, and there were unpleasant alternatives to either course of action.

If he went to Williamstown he would have to stand down for three years before he could re-enter the ranks of League sides. If he remained with Collingwood he ran the risk of legal action by Williamstown. The final phase of the struggle broke with dramatic suddenness when Todd, who had been training with Williamstown, turned out with Colllngwood in a practice match last Saturday afternoon, when Williamstown was expecting him to play in a similar fixture there. Immediately the rival clubs and rival codes began their campaigns to assure themselves of Todd's services, and developments followed swiftly, as first one and then the other gained an advantage.

APPLIES FOR PERMIT

Todd applied in person last night to the Victorian Football Association Permit and Umpire Committee for permission to play with Wllllamstown to-day. It was granted with the unanimous approval ol the committee, whose members congratulated him on his decision to play as a V.F.A. footballer, and assured him of their utmost support and encouragement at all times.

The president of Williamstown club (Mr. J. Le Brun) moved that permission be granted to Todd to play with Williamstown. Mr. Le Brun said much had been written and said about Todd, whose only desire was to play with Williamstown. Much pressure had been brought to bear on Todd by other sources, but his sincerity in adhering to his contract with Williamstown was borne out by the fact that he had come to apply in person for a permit.

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"Todd has been misjudged." Mr. Le Brun declared, "and when the full story is written regarding the application to play with Williamstown, I feel sure that the sport-loving public of Melbourne and, indeed, of Victoria, will give - him their best wishes. Williamstown had never wavered from the opinion that Todd was a gentleman and a footballer of high calibre."

Mr. Le Brun went on to say that Wllllamstown had had to adopt methods that had never before been experienced in the Association, but they had resulted in Todd's appearance before the Permit and Umpire Committee. He believed the other eleven clubs were behind Todd in seeking the Application, and they felt, like Williamstown, that he would be an asset to the Association, and that no hard feelings would be borne by anybody.

Todd was a young man, and he had a better future in the Association than in the League. Williamstown recognised all Todd's qualities, and he would receive far better treatment from the V.F.A. than he had ever received from the V.F.L. and all associated with It. The application was seconded by Mr. O. Schultz, of Oakleigh. He congratulated Williamstown in bringing the matter to a successful issue, and predicted a bright future for Todd in the Association. 

Mr. H. Wake (deputy chairman) also welcomed Todd to the Association, and said that he would be a good clubman and a good footballer. Todd thanked the committee for the kindly welcome, and said that he would do his best for Wlliamstown as a player and clubman. He believed he would be happy with the club.

V.F.A. CHAIRMAN PLEASED

The only comment Mr. J. J. Liston, chairman of the Victorian Football Association, would make last night was, "I am very pleased that Todd has made this decision."

COLLINGWOOD VIEW

"We have got several new men, coming on. I think we will have an excellent forward line, a better one than last year," said the president of the Colllngwood club (Mr. H. R. Curtis) last night. He declined to make any comment regarding Todd's decision. Other Colllngwood officials also refrained from expressing any views on the situation.

HISTORY OF CASE

Saturday. — Todd appeared at Collingwood.
Monday. — He announced his decision to seek cancellation of Williamstown contract. Had interview with Williamstown.
Tuesday. — Todd signed second contract with Williamstown. Did not train with either club.
Wednesday. — Todd's intention to play with Collingwood announced. Offer of return of £100 received from Williamstown was refused by that club's secretary.
Thursday. — £100 paid to Australian Comforts Fund. Todd trained at Colllngwood. Williamstown chose him for game, and threatened legal action if he did not play on Saturday.
Friday. — Todd announced his decision to play with Williamstown. Received permit from V.F.A. committee. It is reported that Todd has entered into a third substantial contract to play with Williamstown, and that the contract has been made with a resident of that city.