Australian Football

Southern Tasmanians toss the Croweaters

Prior to the famous defeat of the mighty Vics at York Park in 1960, arguably the finest moment in Tasmanian football history came at Adelaide Oval in 1923 when a South Australian 'next best' combination was overwhelmed by 32 points in front of 25,000 of its own supporters. South Australia's first choice combination was playing against Western Australia in Perth the same day.

The team of Tasmanians responsible for inflicting the 14.14 (98) to 9.12 (66) defeat were drawn exclusively from the four Hobart-based TFL clubs of Cananore, Lefroy, New Town and North Hobart, and so, in the strictest sense, given that there were no northern representatives, it was not a bona fide Tasmanian state team. Not that this would have made the bitter pill of defeat any easier to swallow for the Croweaters, whose pain would have been exacerbated still further by the realisation that their demise had been masterminded - and, to a large extent, effected - by former Sturt player Bill Mayman.

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Originally from Kalgoorlie, Mayman (pictured left) had captained Sturt to its first two league premierships in 1915 and 1919, and was now captaining fledgling TFL club New Town. Having left Sturt in somewhat acrimonious circumstances his performance against South Australia may well have been fuelled by a certain measure of resentment, but whatever the reason he was comfortably the most influential player on view, with three goals and a stream of telling possessions. Among his team mates was pacy rover Freddy Odgers, who hailed from South Australia, and had played alongside Mayman in Sturt's 1919 premiership side. Like Mayman, Odgers seemed to relish the experience of putting one over his former compatriots, and was one of the TFL side's most effective performers on the day. Others to play well for the Tasmanians included Charlesworth, the legendary Horrie Gorringe, Brooks, Martyn and Dunn. So plucky was the Tasmanian display that by the final quarter the home supporters had taken to booing their own team and applauding the work of the visitors.

Sadly for the Tasmanians the superb form displayed during this game did not carry over to the following year's Hobart carnival when the team could manage only two wins from five matches.

The Tassie heroes of 1923

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BACK ROW (L-R): M. Munro (Cananore), V. Geard (Lefroy), R. Freeman (Lefroy), L. Sheen (Lefroy), R. Byrne (Lefroy)
THIRD ROW (L-R): E. Byrne (Lefroy), C. Wills (New Town), P. Martyn (North Hobart), J. Charlesworth (Cananore), C. Deane (New Town), A. Mortimer (North Hobart), A. Leitch (New Town), H.O. Smith (Lefroy)
SECOND ROW (L-R): H. Gorringe (Cananore), M. Stuart (Cananore), J. Dunn (North Hobart - vice captain), J. Sharp (Manager), W. Mayman (New Town - Captain), E. Weymouth (Secretary), E. Smith (Lefroy), L. Stevens (North Hobart), F. Odgers (New Town)
FRONT ROW (L-R): K. Downie (North Hobart), H. Brooks (North Hobart).

Disappointment at the poor showing of the home team was mingled with warm appreciation of the game played by the Tasmanians on the Adelaide Oval. The play was reminiscent of the contest with Victoria a few weeks ago, but this time the visiting side displayed superiority over the home team as marked as that of our first team over the Victorians on the same ground on June 30. No explanation can be offered by the South Australians for the reverse, save that they met a better side.

Mr Raven, the central umpire, permitted the Tasmanians to engage in handball of a type freer than is usually allowed in this State, but to ascribe the defeat to that or any other action of the umpire is unsportsmanlike, and entirely unjustifiable. It may be added that Tasmania's handball is more of a throw than our own, it does not detract from the attractiveness of the play.

Within two minutes of the start Tasmania gave a hint of what they had in store for the representatives of the central state, and delivered on attack so quickly, confidently and expertly that keen judges realised that the home men, at their best, would be hard pressed to withstand the fast, open team work of the visitors. In that quarter the men from the island state beat up against the wind with perfect passing and marking, and scored four points more than the South Australians.

By half-time they had a lead of nearly five goals, and though there were some who thought the South Australians had not yet attained their best and could wear down the visitors, there seemed slight ground for the hope, and it was soon realised that the local men were being beaten in tactics, in team play, and a good deal in individual contests. The visitors marked and kicked as well as the South Australians, and played confidently, while their opponents were frequently over-anxious.

The Tasmanians also took the shortest route to goal, led out with dash and judgment, and carried on the play without faltering, recovered with lightning speed if momentarily beaten, went up one at a time when going for a mark, and not in twos and threes like the home team, and pounced on the ball first nearly every time it came off the hands of soaring players. There was scarcely any point in the game in which the visitors did not excel.

The weather was fine, but the skies overcast and threatening. The ground was very heavy, particularly where the cricket pitches were situated. The players were five minutes late in taking the field. The Tasmanians were a heavy side, possibly a shade heavier than the South Australians.

There was a good deal of interest in the rival captains, Richardson and Mayman, both former captains of Sturt and of the [South Australian] State team. They were applauded when they met to toss the coin. Richardson was successful, and South Australia kicked to the southern end, backed by a fairly strong north-easterly breeze.

Tasmania leads off

The Tasmanians opened very promisingly. They checked a South Australian rush and then made a well-executed movement through centre half-forward, passing exceptionally well with long kicks, Stevens to Gorringe to Odgers, and back across the field to Charlesworth who goaled with a fine kick two minutes after the bounce. Thereafter South Australia predominated but their aim was not good, and two behinds were scored before Way broke from a wing scrimmage, and with a fine running kick scored the home team's opening goal. The offensive was maintained and Allingham had a snapshot on the run from near the behind post, but missed. South Australia kept up the attack, but was held off for some time.

A free kick to Dayman close up brought South Australia's second goal. Tasmania took charge again, and played a dashing game against the wind, soundly beating South Australia in team work. They were fast and clever, and kept the play going at a great pace. E. Smith did good work near the goal, and Brooks scored six points easily. After fine work by Odgers, the former Sturt player, Brooks got a good shot home. The Tasmanian drives were rapid and systematic, and their forward work better than that of the home team. Beating up against the wind, E. Smith got the ball on the goal line with the opening unprotected and put it through. A swift wing attack by South Australia resulted in Nicolle scoring a goal, but the local men were still behind when the change-over took place.

Home team's play degenerates

South Australia had been out-pointed in the first quarter, but began the second term well, driving the ball in twice by good combined play. The first time Barron just missed, but Waye marking nicely well within range, equalised the goal tally and put South Australia in the lead for the first and only time in the match. In the first quarter Mills, on being brought on to the ball, marked uncommonly well, and he continued his aerial feats in the second quarter. This held up Tasmania for a while, but the offensive was kept up. For a time it looked as if bad goal shooting would spoil the visitors' work, but after three behinds had been scored Mortimer got a goal. Brilliant play by Gorringe at half-forward enabled Mayman to put on another.

South Australia fumbled hand passes otfen at critical times. Richardson had much trouble to keep the men in their places, and the home team's game steadily deteriorated. Several of the South Australians passed badly with hand and foot, and in that way gave a good deal to their opponents. The island team gave little away. They forced the game all the time, and although Strugnell, Huxtable, Dobson, and Colquhoun at times did good work, the South Australian backs were frequently disorganised. The Tasmanian forwards kept the play open, and passed the ball from one to another with great skill. The visitors were altogether too fast for the local men.

Charlesworth, the Tasmanian centre man, who covered a lot of ground and had the better of the argument with Richardson, scored a great goal. Deane, with a magnificent kick from near the centre, made his team's goal tally double that of South Australia, and the total score only one point short of double. At half-time Tasmania looked like winners.

Great third quarter tussle

South Australia went out after the interval prepared to do big things, but Tasmania led off with a goal within a minute, won by long kicking, high marking, and machine-like precision. Wills took a long pass from Deane and scored a goal. South Australia then took command, but the forwards, though active, were not able to kick straight. There were tremendous scrimmages near goal, for the visitors were cleverer in getting the ball out of crushes, and were always ready for a rough and tumble.

The home team's forwards still seemed over anxious. The quarter was half over before South Australia got a goal. Mills did the trick after a fine mark. The visitors then made one of their characteristic fast advances, and Brooks sent the ball to Gorringe, who kicked straight. South Australia scored another goal, Marvell finding the centre from an angle. Following this Tasmania overwhelmed their opponents until the end of the quarter, beating them in every department and carrying on the game at a great rate. Gorringe goaled and a little later hit the post. At three-quarter time the margin was 5 goals 3 behinds.

South Australia did not win a quarter

By this time the Hobart men had the game won. Richardson was hurt late in the third quarter, and started to limp as the bell rang. In the last quarter he resumed at centre, but soon went right back, and Vickers moved to centre, Oliver coming out as loose man.

South Australia went away at once, and farely easily scored a goal. Before two minutes of the quarter had sped, however, Deane had scored full points for the visitors. South Australia carried the ball right forward by means of handball, and Allingham just missed. More sparkling play by Tasmania kept South Australia long on the defensive, and Mayman kicked the thirteenth goal. The home men asserted themselves, and Nicole drove the ball to the goal opening, where Waye marked, and South Australia’s eight goal was on the board.

Several more attacks were turned, but good work by Pain led to the ball being knocked to Waye, and South Australia crept six points nearer to their opponents. Another attack was quickly turned, and Tasmania delivered a quick thrust, and E. Smith goaled. South Australia fought to a finish, but the Tasmanian superiority was maintained. Mayman was carried from the ground on the shoulders of his comrades.

The quarter scores—

First quarter: Tasmania, 4.2.26 vs. South Australia, 3.4.22

Half time: Tasmania, 8.11.59 vs. South Australia, 4.6.30

Third quarter: Tasmania, 11.13.79 vs. South Australia, 6.10.46

Final score: Tasmania, 14.14.98 d. South Australia, 9.12.66

There were several passengers in the South Australian team, but the combined work of Tasmania was so good that every player on that side was given his chance, and few failed to rise to the occasion.

Gorringe was the best man on the ground. The other leading Tasmanians were Charlesworth, Deane, Odgers, Dunn, Mayman, Leitch, E. Smith, and Brooks. South Australia's best were Strugnell, Waye, C. Dayman, Oliver, Pain, Colquhoun, Richardson and Huxtable.

Goalkickers – Tasmania: Charlesworth (2), Brooks (2), E. Smith (2), Mayman (2), Deane (2), Gorringe (2), Mortimer, and Wills.

Goalkickers – South Australia: Waye (4), Marrell (2), Dayman, Nicolle, and Mills.