Australian Football

1920 WAFL Grand Final: A record attendance

FOOTBALL — THE LEAGUE FINAL — A RECORD ATTENDANCE

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The final of the league competition was played last Saturday afternoon on the W.A.C.A. Oval between East Perth and East Fremantle, and East Perth won in convincing style. There were the many usual know-alls who predicted a victory for East Fremantle so that there would be a challenge match, but, happy to relate the suspicious people got a set-back. We do not mean that we are pleased that East Perth beat East Fremantle, but we are glad that, if fate decreed that East Perth should be the champions, the issue was decided in a manner which would deal a death-blow to the growing imaginary distrust regarding players and their bona-fides.

There was a record attendance. The gate totalled £600. The W.A.C.A. Oval was in wonderful condition, the playing area as level as a billiard table and well-cut, and the turf dry, soft and springy. The game was hardly as close as anticipated, but was well and cleanly contested, with many flashes of beautiful football. The East Perth men played at their top — they have not played better football this season. The team work was good, and their men were fuil of vim and vigour. They were nippy, fast, and clever, and were quicker to the ball than were the seasiders.

In spasms Old Easts raised the hopes of their supporters, but they never looked winners, if one excepts their slight superiority in the second quarter. Their big men were disappointing. Most of us expected giants like Ion and others to play match-winning football in the final stages, if Old Easts were within striking distance, but they did not. Truth to tell, the exceptional pace set by the Young Easts and maintained all the way, had taken the sting out of their opponents what time an extra effort was required to pull the game out of the fire.

East Perth were without Brentnall. This was a severe loss, for he has played great football for them, but then Phil. Matson reappeared and the old champion's presence had an inspiring influence with the royal blues. A football genius, bright and sunshiny, with a winsomeness that can hold a side together, Matson did much to win the game for Young Easts. First up forward he did fine work, and then when the great Truscott was beating his man in the centre and leading to his attackers so well it was Matson who took him on, and in his matchless style killed Old Easts' centre supremacy and gave his own side the call in play in the key position.

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Old Easts had a couple of "dicky" men — Cinoris (left) and Riconi — both on the sick list. A bad leg robbed Cinoris of much of his value, and Riconi was hardly himself, despite several, clever and determined pieces of football.

The umpiring was excellent, and Collins showed astounding improvement on his previous Saturday's exhibition That he gave satisfaction to winners and vanquished alike speaks volumes. He held the game well in check, was quick in his decisions and did not spoil the continuity of the game with too much whistle.

The Play

East Perth jumped away gaily, Groom and Duffy showing out on the bounce. A lightning transfer up forward saw Owens bag a minor from the scrum, and a moment later a bad move by Wicks sent the ball to B. Harrold who set both flags waving. Off again Matson marked grandly in front and scored one point. Rawlinson gained applause for some fine clearing, but the royal blues could not be kept out, and two more minors were posted in quick time.

Young Easts were pouring in the shots, and their opponents did not seem to be able to cope with their extraordinary dash until Bell broke away on the wing and transferred the play in a flash to the far end, where an opening score — a minor — was made. From. the centre again Young Easts sent up forward, and the early part of the quarter was repeated, their men bombarding freely and Rawlinson, Mudie, Clark, and Brown striving valiantly to turn the siege, but without avail. Gepp missed an easy chance, Matson from another grand mark scored a minor, and Sparrow, Owens and B. Harrold added to the heart-breaking string of behinds.

East Perth were easily masters, and were having 90 per cent of the play. An Old Easts flash, in which Truscott appeared, gave Riconi an open goal, and full points resulted. For a few moments before the Bell the seasiders held temporary ascendancy. Scores at quarter-time were East Perth, 1.8; East Fremantle, 1.1.

It had been East Perth's quarter. They were into the fray with rare dash and pace before Old Easts found their feet, and maintained their ascendancy during most of the term. With any sort of accuracy in front of the goals they should have sealed the issue of the game.

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Still in the ascendancy East Perth were the first to score in the second quarter, fine football by Gepp paving the way to Sparrow kicking a sixer. This put East Perth 13 points in the lead. But then Old Easts awoke. Truscott with a "Truscott" pass to Lawn who sent up in front, gave Bidstrip a chance, and he scored full points with a clever snap. Ion was grand in the air just now, and neat play between Burns and Sheedy saw the latter hit the post.

Old Easts were playing very strongly, and Hicks marking brilliantly added a further point to be augmented a moment later with a goal from Archie Strang, who was fouled in front of the posts. A minute later Riconi put the seasiders a point in front from a snap. East Fremantle had done well and their recovery gave hopes that they would hold the Young Easts and wear them down.

The ball travelled all over the ground at a rare bat and in midfield play King on the wing for East Perth was playing wonderful football. An altercation stopped play for 45 seconds. A free to Matson saw a minor scored and the tally level. Young Easts had good opportunities in the final stage of the term but Owens and Sparrow kicked wretchedly. The second quarter was much more even than the first on play but the seasiders held the call. Scores at half time were East Perth 2.11 (23 points); East Fremantle. 3.5 (23 points).

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From the half Duffy roving for Young Easts had been the best man on the ground whilst Truscott with his brainy leads had been a great player for East Fremantle. Others noticeable had been King, Matson, Groom, Maloney and Sparrow for Young Easts and Rawlinson, Bell, Ion, Clark and Bidstrip for Old Easts.

East Perth were again first on the move after resumption and B. Harrold hoisted a goal immediately from a snap. A moment later Gepp to Duffy saw the latter hit the post. A great mark by Matson and a grand angle shot raised East Perth's fourth major. Young Easts were clamping the seasiders to their posts as they had done in the first ten minutes of the game and it was some time before a break away occurred. Bell again provided the relief with a dash down the field. Riconi received a free in front and kicked a major for his side. The play was now fierce and the pace a cracker.

Old Easts mulled a couple of opportunities by overdoing the passing in front of goal. Matson, who had moved to the centre to stop Truscott, earned much applause for beautiful marking. Feeding his forwards well Scott raised the thirteenth minor for the side. Play for the first time was becoming very close and the frees numerous. There were some fierce duels and terrific football in the crushes. The rucks were even and standing up to the bumping with rare grit.

A lovely dash between Riconi and Bell looked like giving Old Easts a chance but Oakley brilliantly relieved an awkward position. King on the wing had his man all out and the youngster was playing brilliantly, giving some beautiful leads. Keeping up a constant pressure East Perth sent up a fourteenth minor. Matson in the centre dominated the game and the Royal Blues racing all over their adversaries fired in the shots, but could do everything but score major points. Scores at the lemon bell were: East Perth. 4.16: East Premantle, 4.5.

East Perth had all the best of the term. The move in placings with Matson on Truscott was a wise one, the old champion dominating the game. Young King was wonderfully smart on the wing and raced away from all opponents. In the final quarter East Perth added two goals and East Fremantle a single point. Again Young Easts were the first to move and Thomas kicked a goal making the side 12 points up.

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Duffy was roving superbly and Oakley at one end and Mudie at the other defending well. Still pressing Sparrow snapped another goal for Young Easts and the game was out of doubt. The match became one-sided — the sparkle was out of the game. However, it was still worth watching and there wave spasms of fine football, but Old Easts were beaten. They tried hard enough, but they were showing signs of disorder brought about by a team playing winning football of a brilliant kind against them. The Royal Blues raced away in all parts of the field and without letting up left their adversaries inoperable of rallying in a last dying effort to pull the game out of the fire.

The final scores were: East Perth, 6.16 (52 points), East Fremantle, 4.6 (30 points).

East Perth won by a wide margin of 22 points and the margin was none too wide on the general play. They always looked winners and played with such pace, vim and confidence that they were a tough proposition to meet on the day. Perhaps the honours of the day on the winning side might be given to Duffy, Matson and King. Duffy roved superbly all through; Matson was just the Matson of old, and King on the wing was unbeatable. Few were able to foot it with him and he was a tower of strength to Young Easts. Others to do more than a fair share in an even side were Groom (a most useful game following), Oakley, McKenzie, Harrold, Hilton, Maloney, Scott and Sparrow.

For Old Easts the best trio were perhaps Rawlinson, Truscott and Bell. Rawlinson was sound all the way, putting in many relief bursts. Truscott was fine in the first half, if overshadowed in the final stages and Bell raced away in rare dashes on many occasions. The best of the others were Ion (very fine indeed in the first half). Mudie, Clarke, Bidstrip, Brown and Riconi (in flashes).

His Excellency the Governor was an interested spectator. He was attended by his private secretary, Mr. Ernest Chase, while the Minister for Mines (Mr. J. Scaddan), Messrs. Jas. Gardiner, M.L.A., A. A. Moffatt (president of the league), W. Orr (secretary), and J. Webb helped considerably to give his Excellency an insight into the Australian game. Sir Francis Newdegate was greatly struck with the absence of rough play and the strenuousness of the game, and desired to congratulate both teams on their fine showing. but owing to the huge crowd — a most orderly one he considered — his Excellency was unable to do so.

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