The football season, 1874
×
Right ▼
The Albert Park season for 1874 is now ended, and we propose to review its career, pointing out defects where they have occurred, and giving the meed of praise where valour has been shown.
The season opened well with two wins against odds, and on May 23rd the first senior match took place with the Carlton, resulting in a draw but for the indecision of the central umpire, who confused his two decisions, and adhered to the second one. On May 30th the prize of victory was wrested from the Albert Park by the St. Kilda, but next Saturday the club redeemed its name by beating the Melbourne in the Richmond paddock.
After the Carlton, on June 13th, resulting in a loss to the Parkites, through the crowd preventing the goal umpire from seeing the ball behind, several matches followed (of course wins), enabling the club to compete on more equal terms with the other seniors; but a fluky kick from Towle secured a win for Melbourne, driving the Albert backers to desperation, and, as a consequence, on July 11th the grand battle already described in these columns took place in the Park between the Albert and the Carlton, resulting in a draw; and on account of the good play shown by the team, a contribution of £1 was handed over to the Albert—a contribution which should be the forerunner of many such.
The Albert Park here fell off and lost its energy, owing to the absence of several men. The club was now beaten by the North Melbourne, drew with the St. Kilda, and barely succeeded in winning the Richmond; after which it rested a week, to recover its lost sheep and prepare for other contests. Refreshed by the spell, the Alberts proceeded to the Royal Park, on August 22nd, and there crowned their previous efforts by winning the Carlton, but for the goal umpire, who declared that the ball was touched six inches in front; but the umpire and Boyle were hooted by the mob.
In this match the Albert played with 14 men and 4 emergencies, a thing which they repeatedly did during the season. Next Saturday the club came down by the run, being thoroughly beaten by the Melbourne; but the Albert never will play on that dangerous ground after the taste they got at the beginning of the season.
The next three matches ended the season, all being wins—viz., the St. Kilda, North Melbourne, and Geelong. At Geelong, G. Atkinson kicked his first goal, and on this occasion the club kicked two goals, against the Geelong, being weakened, however, by the absence of Messrs. M. Macdonald, A. Blair, G. Crooke, C. Baker, H. Swift, C. Chessell.
The club proposes to give four medals to the four best players of the season, which, to be fair, should be done by ballot, only those who have been picked in the senior team to be allowed to vote for these trophies, which are presented by Mr. Thompson. The four who should get them are the following:—1st. F. Baker; 2nd. G. Atkinson; 3rd. J. Macdonald; 4th. W. Reeves. Mr. Bracken would have been higher if he had not to labour under tha disadvantage of being captain, and therefore having to provide for the wants of others instead of his own.
Tho Albert Park will be the premier club next season if it attends to the two following things:— 1st. Not to run too much with the ball, as in the case of Blair, Fraser, and others. 2nd. To play a more forward game than at present. The fortunes of the Albert Park, showing both great victories and heavy defeats, are best expressed by the old Latin adage, "Sic transit gloria mundi."¹
Footnotes
1. The phrase translates as "Thus passes the glory of the world." It has been interpreted as "Worldly things are fleeting."
Title: THE FOOTBALL SEASON, 1874.
Author: Un Jouer a Ballon
Publisher: Record and Emerald Hill and Sandridge Advertiser (Vic. : 1872 - 1881)
Date: Thursday 24 September 1874, page 3
Web: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10849799...
Comments
This article does not contain any comments.
Login to leave a comment.