The 1911 WAFL season in review
The big final at Subiaco last Saturday week between East Fremantle and West Perth brought the 1911 season to a close, and although the game did not provide as interesting a struggle as some would have liked, yet the match gave some satisfaction to all lovers of the sport.
The chief truth brought home was that the popularity of the Australian code has not waned, but has gained in public favour. As a proof of this, as the gate alone would show, the takings constituted a record, whilst the number of members' tickets shown at the turnstiles was in excess of former years. To draw a gate of £320, as this year’s final did, from such a comparatively small population, is proof positive that the Western Australian public take an interest in the League games, and are ready to turn up in large numbers whenever a prospect of a first-rate struggle looms ahead.
Not only were the semi-finals and finals of this season extremely well attended, but the same may be said of all the games throughout the year. Every Saturday saw good and enthusiastic attendances, and clubs benefited to a much greater extent financially than hitherto. Of course, the League were indeed fortunate in the number of really fine weekends which occurred, but even this good fortune would hardly account for the big average crowds, and so one must incline to the view that the League games have caught on, and have increased the following to the Australian code.
The standard of play was good, some fine form being shown by many players. Judging form in comparison to former years is always a hard matter, and in nearly nine cases out of ten one hears the comparison generally in favour of the champions and teams of bygone days. Such a state has existed always, and maybe will continue for an infinite period. But to hazard a comparison of this year’s form with that of earlier years, one might safely say that the general excellence of play was equal to that of the previous couple of seasons, but a shade behind the great form of 1905, 1906, and 1907.
The reason for basing this opinion is that the men of bygone years, who are slowly mounting the ladder of age, are still playing as good football as their more youthful opponents. Men like Dolly' Christy, who is over 40 years of age, the Doigs, Jeffery, Gast, McNamara, Orr, Diprose, and younger men again like Sharpe, Kneale, and Strang, who have been playing the game for many years are still champions today. To hold their form like this proves that young stars that have risen to senior honours do not shine with superior brilliance enough to dim the lights of the older heads.
However, there are many good lads up in big football now and many of them give every promise of developing into great players—great players that the public dearly love to watch. In Riley, of East Fremantle, Jones and Kessell, of West Perth, Healy of East Perth, and many more, we have in sight lads who should be attractive ornaments to the game for many years to come. All they require to do now is to play the game for the game, keep their heads in a level way, live well, and they must blossom into champions, for they have all the other attributes which go to make, the champion.
The powers that ruled at the League table this year did good work, and deserve the good reward which their efforts resulted in. The duties of chairman were carried out by Mr. Jack Orr, an enthusiast who gave much of his time to the game, and acted as a representative of the local body at the deliberations of the Australasian Football Council, which met in Adelaide last August. That popular and enthusiastic friend of the game, Mr. Webb, again looked after the finances, and Mr. Lionel Boas ably filled the position of secretary consequent upon Mr. Simons retirement. Mr. Simons had, of course, to give up on account of the American tour of the Young Australia League. Mr. Simons worked the big undertaking up and accompanied the lads as manager and director, and it is safe to say that with the indefatigable "Jack" at the head of affairs that the American tour will be a gigantic success.
Happy to relate a more friendly feeling was in evidence between the big body and the junior associations. All the trouble that marred the relations a few years back has disappeared, and all the bodies locally now work in accord with one another. The schools and ex-Scholars divisions were well looked after, and much was done, as in former years, to encourage the youngsters and give them the best of football education possible.
Some of the very best football shown during the season was in the Secondary Schools' competition. Church of England Grammar School were a bit outclassed, but struggled with a gameness which was most praiseworthy. The other two sides, Christian Brothers College and Scotch College, played magnificently, and put up several close and stirring struggles. Both College boast of senior players in their ranks, and these lads are all fast and clever. The combination shown is always first-class, the handball is tip-top, whilst that vim and weight using in a truly sportsman-like manner are features which make the College struggles popular with a very large following.
Difficulty was experienced with the umpiring during the year, some funny old interpretations of the rules being inflicted on games earlier in the year. Joe Cooper, who was umpiring in particularly good form in the first few matches, was lost to the League having taken a post with the Eastern Districts Association. Crapp was again the “Prince of Umpires”. He gave entire satisfaction to both players and spectators. He always has players under control, and gives his decision in that convincing manner which spells finality.
The Appeal Board, happy to chronicle, had a light time. They were only called together a few times, which speaks well for the smooth manner in which the competition went along, and for the infrequency of black guardly conduct on the field.
Western Australia sent a team to compete in the big Australasian Carnival played out in Adelaide last August. The team chosen contained twelve men from the coast and twelve from the goldfield, hardly a mode of selection suitable for securing the best men to represent the State. Nevertheless, football lovers here expected the side to acquit themselves well, but this was never realised, and the team was badly beaten by all except New South Wales. Our men were badly affected by the boat journey to Adelaide, which kept them "rocky" for several days. Slowness at getting to the ball, and lack of dash generally were big features in the loss of their games. The team as a whole were uneven, but several of the men played particularly fine football. Toohey was grand all the way, Charles Doig and Truscott were always good, whilst Matson and Riley excelled even themselves in the air, and were voted by eastern critics to be a pair of the finest exponents of the game in the Commonwealth.
Amongst the teams, East Fremantle is entitled to first mention. Losing but two games during the season, and winning both the minor and major premierships, the "Old Easts'' fully demonstrated their right to the championship honours. They started off the season in very fine form indeed, and that fine form was kept up all the way, and they ended up the season by putting up one of the very finest of the many fine games credited to them in years past.
They had in their ranks a number of good and tried players whose knowledge of the finer points of the pastime always stood their side in good stead. With weight, pace, and brains, East Fremantle were a tough proposition to run up against. They believe in the strenuous method of playing the game, although be it said, that they rarely if ever use their superior poundage unfairly, most frequently preferring the fast open game.
The team was well led by Scotty Doig, who took the place of Wilson, retired from the active list. The onerous duties of skipper hampered the fine old half-back in his play a little, but he nevertheless found time to put in some fine flashes of form. After many threats of final retirement, that grand old player, Dolly Christy, found the sight of a football too alluring a charm, and so once more donned the colours. Notwithstanding his 27 years of active service, and his 40-odd winters, the old veteran played as well as ever. He does his football in bursts now, but his judgment is never at fault, and he always bagged a major point or two.
The brightest pair of East's football was the grand form shown by their centre line, which nearly always triumphed over any other centre line in the competition. On one wing Sharpe was unbeatable, on the other the eel-like Strang was mostly too clever for the opposition, whilst in the centre Kruger was fast, clever, and artistic. Sharpe on average form was very probably, Matson excepted, the finest footballer of the year. Up forward, Charles Doig played that gritty, solid, and clever football, which has always characterised his play, and be got nearly 30 goals. Percy Trotter, the one-time Fitzroy and Victorian champion, was at times really grand, showing those lightning dashes that so pleased Victorian lovers of the game only a few seasons ago. Riley marked in brilliant fashion, his aerial captures always being a source of admiration, and had he but kicked only respectably well he might have captured the goal-kicking competition. C. Wrightson (wonderfully improved) and Spence were the star defenders of the side, "Burly'' Hesketh and Craig took the ruck honours, and N. Wrightson, Robinson, Cleave and Jas. Doig, Beswick, Corkhill, and Sweetman played telling football all through the season.
The only happening which marred the pleasure of the season for Easts was an unfortunate accident to Sweetman, which has left him in practically a crippled state. He has undergone operations and at the moment is still in a bad way. Sweetman has played great football for his club for very many years, and his comrades and the public feel much sympathy indeed for him.
The position of runners-up was filled by West Perth, who showed some very fine bursts during the season, particularly in the final half. Their showing in the absolute final was poor, however, and they played much below form against a side playing magnificent football on the day. As in former years, Wests started off badly, but came along nicely towards the finish, and beat everything except the Old Easts in the final bouts.
They had some very fine footballers indeed, and the only weakness was in the fact that they were a bit unbalanced for the various places on the field. In defence they had the best lines in the competition, in the ruck their men held their own, but across the centre and up forward they were a bit uneven. The beating of their centre men was most often the cause of defeat, and they were unfortunate in not being able to strengthen themselves there on account of their champions being unfitted for centre work. Balme, Jones, Strickland, Mose, McCarthy, and Higgins were a grand sextet in defence, and were always a source of trouble to opposing forwards.
Jones, a recruit from Leederville, after playing very poorly indeed in the first two or three games, suddenly blossomed forth into a very high-class player. He is fast, big, and marks well, and should develop into the crack defender on the coast. Balme put up some fine games, his marking being much improved and very certain. Strickland, particularly in the finals, did fine work. Mose guarded the tall uprights well and kicked off magnificently, and Higgins and McCarthy were little behind the other four in general usefulness.
Barnes and Ives did the ruck work splendidly, while Gast as rover was excellent. The little chap was clever and gritty, and disposed of the ball to some purpose. Barnes's high marking was very fine and sure. Frank Jeffery was the king of the centre line, but showed a falling-off from previous seasons, although on occasions the cleverness of the old crack made his opponents look small. Kesselt did well at times, and Hudson, who only played a few games, was good. He is one of the prettiest and best natural footballers we have, and it seemed strange that his services were not more sought after.
In the forward lines Bellion was the star. He kicked more goals—37—than any other player in the League, and battled gamely all through the year. He is a wonder at snap shots, and no matter where he gains possession he gets very, very close to the big posts with either left or right foot. McNamara played just as well as ever, and Kneale showed flashes of good football. Hayes, too, played well at times, and I had nearly forgotten to mention the consistently good, gritty and clever exhibitions put up by Austin, a lad who has improved out of all knowledge.
North Fremantle were third on the list, and owed their position to consistent football and form from start to finish of the season. They were a fine, hefty lot of athletes, and made matters very willing in all their engagements. In Toohey and Matson they had two champion players, who put up herculean games in every engagement. Wherever placed, whether in the ruck or half-forward, Toohey was great. His air work, ground work, and fine kicking were of the highest order always.
To Matson belongs the title of champion footballer of the year. To watch him at half back capture the ball almost without a failure, and to watch the way be worked for every minute of four quarters always drew forth the admiration of supporters and opponents as well. Oates proved himself a clever forward, with the happy knack of putting the ball through the right opening. Sumpton, Brown, and Bell were a trio who were always noticeable for good play, and Whittle, Rowlands, Newland, Jones, Staton, Smythe, and Corkhill all did well.
Perth were the fourth team, and had an in and out year. At times their football led their supporters to believe that they held a big chance of gaining premiership honours, and at others they played very mediocre football. Lack of solidity in the team and bad luck as far as accidents went were two factors which worked against the success of the side.
Moffat, their skipper, who played really fine football early in the season, received an injury which will probably keep him off the active list for several years, and his loss in the finals was a big one indeed for the club. Willoughby, who was expected to do big things, was in only medium form. Jack Gomer, a good footballer, was incapacitated through injury, and Brady was kept out of the concluding round owing to a badly damaged foot. It will thus be seen that the redlegs met with a big slice of bad luck.
The big man of the season was Rogers. The big fellow was always brilliant wherever placed. At times he rucked it splendidly, and whether back or forward, his high marking and kicking were of great service. E. Davey, McCormack, Pascall, Orr, and Frank Coiner were a quintette who played solidly always, Waugh did some fine work at centre, and Glowery, Mason, Halliday, and Wimbridge (two lads with good prospects ahead) were tip top. Others to do well at times were Rodriguez, Marshall, Neave, Hepworth and Shocker.
South Fremantle were beaten out of a place in the finals, but they had a fine team which should have done much better. They were well led by Leckie, and perhaps it was a lack of dash which kept them back. Banks, Brown and Ralston were three of the best back players in the League. Banks, a brother of the famous "Darkey" Banks, played cool and clever football indeed, Brown, one of the biggest fellows playing the game here, was wonderfully improved, and Ralston was adjudged by the State selectors to be the best goal custodian in the State. Heindrichs, a brother of the famous Dolph and Albert, proved one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Groom was also good when following, and Thomas, Sutherland, Cooper, Wyatt, Strong, Turnbull, Dixon, Leckie, Burns, Snook, and Porter were conspicuous for good work at times.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the year was the poor showing of the Subiaco fellows. With many strong additions, they were looked to to play a big part in the premiership struggle, but their play was very in and out. At times they played like a premiership team, and at others they performed very poorly indeed. Their new men were ‘Horrie’ Bant, Scaddan, Laing, Thomas, Daykin, and Barry—six footballers of the very highest order. Barry was the best ruck man in the competition, but lacked that consistency to give him the title of a champion.
Diprose was as brilliant as heretofore. Joe Bushell was a great defender, who played wonderfully consistent football all the year, and McKay was brilliant on the wing. Morgans was as good a natural footballer as we had in the State, but spoilt his play by too much selfishness. Ridd did some clever things up forward, and H. Bushell, Snow, Christie, Annert, Styles, and Limb all did good work.
The winners of the "wooden spoon" were East Perth, a team who fell from the position of runner-up last year to last position this season. They had practically the same team, but suffered through the loss of Bob Burns as mentor on the field. Healy and Hesford were their best players of the year. Savage, until he went to England, played splendidly, and Harris, the Crawfords, Hardisty, Hall, Dorney, Sloss, McKenzie, Nash, O'Lochlen, and Guilfoyle were fair.
Footnotes
Title: Football: Review of the season
Author: Half-Back
Publisher: Western Mail (Perth, WA: 1885 1954)
Date: Saturday, 14 October 1911, p.38 Article
Comments
This article does not contain any comments.
Login to leave a comment.