South Melbourne's successess
South Melbourne or Albert Park?—what's in a name?—has always taken a place in football in Victoria. The Albert Park club was founded in 1864, and was the senior club for the district until it amalgamated with South Melbourne in 1880 and gave up its name in favour of its junior partner, which had been formed in 1874 as a junior club. There were many clubs then playing in Albert Park, and among them were Albert Park (1864), South Park (1873), South Melbourne Imperial (1873), Rising Sun (1873), Emerald Hill Standard, St.Vincent (1877), Excelsior (1877), and others whose names have been lost. In later years the Leopold team was the upholder of junior football in Albert Park, and provided many champions to South Melbourne.
It is remarkable how many of the veterans of those days of long ago are still alive and hearty. For instance, there is John Baragwanath, the president of the South Melbourne Cricket Club, who was captain of the South Park team in 1876, and is described as a "stout, strong player, smart in picking up the ball, seldom loses his kick." In his team were the famous "Sonny" Elms, later captain of South Melbourne; Harry Latchford, for so many years the trainer of South Melbourne; and J. Garbutt, whose son and grandson became noted players.
The survivors of the South Melbourne team of 1876 are Bill Treadaway, the captain, [described as] “a cool, good player, displays sound judgment in placing his men, splendid place kick”; Dave Chessell, so well known as secretary of the Richmond Cricket Club, "one of the crack players of the team, plays a splendid back game, kicks well with either foot"; Harry Stevens, "plays well to goal sneaks, kicks and marks splendidly"; Bob Hutton, a “find, good sneak, splendid kick with either foot; the ‘artful dodger’ of the team."
The formation of these junior teams was due in a large measure to internal dissension in the Albert Park club and local jealousy. So strained became relations that in 1876 several players seceded. There was trouble at North Melbourne, too, and an amalgamation of Albert Park and Hotham, known as Albert Park-cum North Melbourne, played for a season until each side settled its own differences, and finaI amalgamation was achieved, and South Melbourne became a power in the land.
Strange to say, the chief officers of the combined team, Albert Park-North Melbourne, were the two Northern leaders, Harry Fuhrhop (captain) and Billy McLean (vice-captain), but at the end of the season they returned to North. Charlie Thomas and Jim Slight, the Australian XI cricketer, succeeded to their respective offices in 1877.
There were some famous players then; Mat Minchin, who was described in the Footballer as “Legs and Wings, good goal-sneak and maker of some splendid screws, talks too much on the field"; Charles Thomas, "one of the finest back players in the colours, bar none, and can play well forward”; J. Richards ("the little Wonder”), Jim and Willie Slight, and the Slater brothers.
South Melbourne became a senior team in 1879 under the captaincy of J.C. Gibson, who must have been proud of his description in the Footballer thus:—"Marks splendidly; travels like a deer; a magnificent all round kick either foot." C. Kellett was vice-captain, for whom the editor of the Footballer" could not find sufficient adjectives. John Baragwanath, the Addisons, the Robertsons, Billy Wells, Dave Chessell, Harry Petrie- Harry Stevens (from whom I have an interesting letter), Bob Hutton, J, Horsburgh, J.T Crowl, and Harry Newman were among the leading players. The team gained third place to Geelong and Carlton.
Albert Park, realising that South Melbourne, “a mere junior of the former years, shot up like a rocket, and fixed itself firmly in the very foremost rank," could no longer be despised, sank its identity, and in 1880 the teams amalgamated under the name of South Melbourne, but adopting the red and white uniform of Albert Park. The old South Melbourne ground was in the park near the Middle Park railway station.
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Among the famous players who came over with Albert Park was Jimmy Young, who had thus early established a reputation, and he maintained it until he retired in 1897. He was described as "The Little Wonder," a most reliable player, always bests his man, gets his run and his kick, returning to his place instantly; plays well to his men, is always cool, good kick and can travel." That is the sort of thing they say now about ‘March champions’, but they kept on saying it about Jimmie Young for nearly 20 years. When I played against him he had been playing for more than 15 years, and was still as lively as a colt. As you look at him to-day you can hardly believe that it is more than 40 years since he retired.
Other great men in the South team in 1880 were Mat Minchin, Jack Rosser, J. C. Gibson (the Captain), Charlie Thomas (the vice-captain), George Major, Tom Horan ("Felix," of "The Australasian"), Jim Moad, and the others I have mentioned.
South Melbourne won its first premiership in 1881, breaking Geelong's wonderful run of success. It had practically the same team as the year before. George Major was captain, with Mat Minchin at his right-hand man. The most notable newcomers were Tom Bushell, a very fine kick, who for years was a tower of strength to the side, and Fred McKnight, who was in my opinion one of the very best who ever stripped in Victoria. Another was the veteran Alf McMichael from Carlton, brother of Sam McMichael, of Fitzroy. All through the eighties South was strong. It won the premiership again in 1885, and then came again to the top, holding the premiership in 1888-1889 and 1890.
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Claims have been made on behalf of various teams as ‘the best ever’. Geelong's magnificent combinations between 1878 and 1886, Carlton's wonderful sides of 1887 and of 1906-1908; Essendon's teams which held the premiership for four years in succession 1891 1894; Collingwood's side of 1903, have all been mentioned, but I do not think there has ever been a better side than that which represented South Melbourne in 1888, 1889, and 1890.
Led by that forceful personality Sonny Elms, it was a wonderful combination. Just look at the names: Sonny Elms, Peter Burns, Dinny McKay, Jimmy Young, Ben Page, Jim Dunn, Harry Purdy (the astute rover), Billy Windley (the dashing centre man, who still looks after the footballs at South Melbourne), Fred Waugh, Archie McMurray (the father of Jack McMurray, the umpire), Dick Kerr, Billy Ellis, Billy Spence (what a flyer he was!), Jimmy O'Meara (whom I was glad to meet on Saturday), "Bolivar" Powell, Edgar Barrett (the goal-kicker), "Buck" Morton, Jim Brown, Bob Talbot, Jim Middleton, Jimmy Graham (was there ever a better high mark?), and so on. Just think of these fellows, you who can remember them! Was there a weak man among them? Did you ever see a better side, and what fine fellows they were!
Whenever the question, "Who was the best player you ever saw?" is discussed, there will be plenty to say Peter Burns, of South Melbourne. Much as I admire "old" Peter as a friend, much as I admire "young" Peter as an opponent, I think there are others more worthy of the title "champion of champions," and these I hope to discuss at some other time. There are not, however, any who have adorned the game more.
He played in a team of champions. He was a wonderful high mark and kick, a perfect sportsman, and a credit to the game. He played first with Ballarat Imperials in 1882, when he was aged only 16 years. Metropolitan teams which visited Ballarat returned with enthusiastic reports of this young champion, and of his more experienced companion, George McKenzie, and several clubs sought his services. In 1885 Peter Burns came to Melbourne. It is said that he had already been secured by Essendon, whose scouts were waiting at Spencer Street to welcome him. Unfortunately for Essendon, so the story goes, South Melbourne knew that the Ballarat youth was on the train, and when it reached North Melbourne the door of the carriage opened, and a voice from out the dark said, "Come on, Peter, out you get!" Peter got out, and was being driven to South Melbourne while the unsuspecting Essendon scouts waited in vain at Spencer Street. Next day Peter played for South against Essendon.
The story may not be true, but I have always understood that it was, and I give it as it was told to me. There are many instances of similar interception. From 1885 to 1892 Peter Burns reigned at South Melbourne. Then business took him to Geelong, where he played for 10 years more. He retired in 1902 and became timekeeper for the club, a position which he still holds.
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Ballarat has turned out some great footballers, notably Peter Burns and George McKenzie (South Melbourne), Jack Worrall (Fitzroy), Bill Crebbin (Essendon), and Dolly Christie (Melbourne).
After those three years of glorious success, that wonderful team broke up, and it was not until 1909 that South Melbourne regained the premiership. During that period of nearly 20 years South had many splendid players. Space will not permit of a reference to them all, but the mention of some of the most notable names will recall memories of many. Thus, just running through them quickly, there were Harry and Tom Duggan (the boxers), Mick Minahan, Jim McArthur, Dick Gibson (from North Melbourne), Sonny Elms (named by "The Australasian" as "the Napoleon of football commanders"), Doug. Irvine, Warwick Armstrong, Peter Forman (with whom I watched the match on Saturday), Billy ("Buns") Frazer (the goalklcker from Port Melbourne), Tom Fogarty, Mick Pleass, Charlie Goding, Charlie James (the full back), Billy Scott and Jack Todd (the dashers on the wing), Hickey (from Ballarat), and Bert Howson, who played from 1892 to 1908, and was a champion wing player. He was secretary from 1904 to 1920, and in all that time served South Melbourne as few have done.
That brings us up to 1904, when Paddy Hassett was the bright star, and then follow in quick rotation Bill Strang (father of the Richmond players), Billy Gent (with whom I renewed acquaintance on Saturday), "Bones" Clements (the goolklcker), Harry Lampe, Horrie Drane, Hughie Callan, and Bert Franks (to whom I will refer later).
When at last the pendulum swung in favour of South Melbourne, it was to some purpose, for it was a very fine side which wore the colours in 1909. Led by Charlie Ricketts, a scientific and able player, who had Bill Dolphin as his right-hand man, the team played very fine football. I met Bill Dolphin on Saturday, and we mentioned that year of triumph. There were some great players in that team, and among them I recall with pleasure Hughie Callan, who made the supreme sacrifice in France in 1917. He played for three years with South, and was an outstanding player.
Then there were Bert Franks, who came from Western Australia, where he walked 120 miles on one occasion to play in a match. He arrived the night before, played the best game on the ground and won a trophy, and then walked back again. "We were waiting for material out at the rabbit fence," he said to me last week, "so I walked in to Perth and out again." He gave South valuable service for many years, and then transferred to North Melbourne. It was interesting to meet him with Jimmy Young and Bert Howson, to whom I have already referred.
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Another character in that team was "Joker" Cameron. Like Bert Franks, Joker Cameron played the game hard and solid, but never took advantage of a weaker opponent. Ramsay Anderson, the Essendon player, who was six inches shorter and a stone lighter than Joker, told me the following story which redounds to the credit of two men—Jack Worrall and Joker Cameron. Essendon, with Jack Worrall as coach, was playing South Melbourne, and Joker, playing with the utmost vigour, was giving Alan Belcher, who was playing centre half-back, a particularly torrid time. A message was sent to Ramsay Anderson, who was playing on the flank, to change places with Belcher. Worrall's word was law, and the change was effected. At the end of the game Worrall said to Anderson, "How did Joker treat you?" Anderson replied, "All right; but why did you send me to mind him?" Quickly came the answer; "Because I knew he would not deal with a little chap like you." It was a tribute to the chivalry of a player who gave all and took all without squealing.
Others in that premiership side of 1909 included L. C. ("Mother") Mortimer, Dick Casey, Bob Deas, Victor Belcher, Tom Grimshaw, W. ("Sonner") Thomas, Arthur Hiskins, W. Moxham, and C. Wade, who made a very fine side.
In the years before the Great War I recall such players as Joe Prince, Dick Mullally, Norman Bradford, Claude Thomas, "Boxer" Milne, George Bower, Martin Pash, J. P. Abercrombie, Bill Laidlaw, Tot Rusich, Fred Carpenter, "Bubs" Kerr, and George Anderson. What a fine list that is, and many of them enlisted.
After the triumph of 1909 South Melbourne was always in the four until 1914, but in 1916, decimated by enlistments, [the club] dropped out of the competition. It took the committee all it could do to put a team into the field, but in 1918 the premiership was regained. The record that year was 15 victories to one defeat. Jim Caldwell was the captain, with Victor Belcher as vice-captain. And of the rest one recalls such good players as "Artie" Wood (on the wing), Mark Tandy, Harold Robertson, Tom O'Halloran, J. ("Chook") Howell (a strong follower, who transferred to Footscray), J. Graham, Arthur Rademacher, Mick Ryan (the golf champion), G. Ryan (who kicked 32 goals), Tom Hynes, C. Laird, Phil Skehan, "Chip" Turner, E. Barber, Bill Daly, and A. O’Donoghue. Bert Howson was the honorary secretary then, and, like O'Brien, now secretary to the League, was on the committee. The reorganisation of the team after the war was due to their efforts and the assistance given by the Leopold club, with Les Naylor as its moving spirit.
South Melbourne has had only one success since 1918, but it has striven manfully. Its last premiership was in 1933, when a very fine team, led by Jack Bissett, triumphed. Peter Reville, one of the most colourful of modern players, was vice-captain, and the side included Herbie Matthews (the present captain), Laurie Nash (now at Camberwell), Bob Pratt (the champion forward, who kicked 109 goals that year and 150 the next), Ron Hillis, Harry Clarke, Brighton Diggins (now captain and coach at Carlton), Len Thomas (now of North Melbourne), and others.
In that long period of 15 years of non-success there were many fine players in South Melbourne colours, and a glance at their names will recall many stirring incidents. For instance, there was the record score against St. Kilda (29 goals, 15 behinds), of which Harold Robertson kicked 14 goals. Both records have since been beaten. Then there were Paddy Scanlon (captain for several years), H. Alexander (now the South Melbourne town clerk), Arthur Hando, Roy Cazaly (one of the great players), H. Johnson (a goalkicker of merit), Frank Ross, Stan. Hiskins, Stan Wootton, Charlie Stanbridge, "Bobby" Allison, Joe ScanIan, Charlie Pannam (from Collingwood, who had to stand down three years for his permit), Joe Poulter (also from Collingwood), C. Pettiona, Austin Robertson (the dasher, now with Port Melbourne), Hec McKay, Hughie McLaughlin, Jacky Austin, J. H. Petchell (captain in 1929), Danny Wheelahan, Johnnie Leonard (from Western Australia), Billy Paul, Terry Brain, and many others.
South Melbourne had had its ups and downs. At times it has been invincible, though not in recent years, and at others it has lagged far behind. There is, however, an indomitable spirit at South Melbourne which nothing can suppress. It is not easy to hold the lead, but it is far more difficult to regain a lost position. As I look back over the years I recall many fine sportsmen, chivalrous opponents, and good comrades, and to them express the hope that it will not be long before the old red and white flag is flying once more from the masthead of the League.
Footnotes
Title: SOUTH MELBOURNE'S SUCCESSES
Author: Old Boy
Publisher: The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic: 1864-1946
Date: Saturday 13 July 1940, p.14 (Article)
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