Australian Football

The League final: South Melbourne premiers

An ideal day for football and the prospect of witnessing what proved to be the final match of the season brought a record attendance for war-time football to the Melbourne Cricket-ground on Saturday to witness the play-off for the League premiership, between South Melbourne and Collingwood.

In the corresponding match last year, when Collingwood and Fitzroy met, the attendance was only 22,876, and the taking £579/13/. Nearly 40,000 people were present on Saturday, the official figures being: Attendance, 39,168; Re- ceipts, £1,175/7/. This is a remarkable increase, but still is a long way below the record of 1913 - the year before the war - when the attendance was 54, 846 and receipts £2,109 [Editor’s Note: this figure refers to the Final between Fitzroy and St. Kilda. The Grand Final between the same clubs a week later drew a record crowd of 59,556 with receipts of £2,304]. The two semi-finals and Saturday's game have returned to the League the sum of £2,932/16/9, and the patriotic funds should substantially benefit.

It was another great game, cleanly played and keenly fought out. The day favoured the good exposition of football, and high-marking and long kicking were features. At times there was a good deal of fumbling, but this seems to be a natural result of final games, players generally being over-anxious. On the day the honours were with Collingwood, whoso ruck and back line more than held their own. South Melbourne, however, by sheer doggedness wore their opponents down and in the last minute just managed to get in front. They possess a remarkably even combination, and on the merits of the season's play have undoubtedly proven themselves to be the best team in the League. Only one defeat is debited against them during the season.

In the first quarter South Melbourne, having the advantage of what little wind there was, immediately attacked. Caldwell passed to Robertson who, with a beautiful place kick, scored first goal. Collingwood then pushed forward vigorously, Hughes, in particular, proving himself a tower of strength. Lee, from a snapshot scored Collingwood's first goal, while Lumsden dribbled the second, and Laxton the third, the goal being left unguarded in each instance, Before the quarter ended South scored another goal, the quarter-time scores reading:

Collingwood, 3 goals, 3 behinds; South Melbourne, 2 goals, 5 behinds.

The second quarter was all in favour of Collingwood, who scored 1 goal 6 behinds, while their opponents failed to add a point. The play became rather crowded in this term, Collingwood continually working the ball along the grandstand wing. Lee, with a splendid one-hand mark, scored the only goal for the quarter, although Lumsden and Wraith both hit the post with hurried shots. Collingwood continued to press the attack, but the South Melbourne backs, led by Rademacher and Turner, proved fully equal to the occasion. When the half-time bell rang the scores were:

Collingwood, 4 goals, 9 behinds; South Melbourne, 2 goals, 5 behinds.

During the half-time interval twelve recruiting sergeants appealed from various parts of the ground for recruits to come forward and become participants in a greater game than football, and also explained the ballot system. Judging from the response to the appeal - no recruits come forward - the eligibles among the crowd evidently thought that only one game counted.

In the third term the play opened on considerably, South Melbourne for the first time showing a glimpse of their true form. Out of some scrambling play in front of goal Robertson scored third goal for South. A fine run up the centre and an equally fine pass by Woods to Barber scored South's fourth goal, and brought them within six points of their opponents. South Melbourne at this stage had Collingwood somewhat ‘rattled’. Hughes, however, with a high punt scored a goal, and again gave Collingwood a serviceable lead. Lee and Lumsden had further chances for Collingwood, and scored six points each, while Laird, who beat the Collingwood goal-keeper, scored for South. At the last change of ends the scores, Collingwood 7 goals 12 behinds to South Melbourne's 6 goals 6 behinds - gave Collingwood a handy lead of 12 points.

The last quarter proved the most exciting of the day. South Melbourne's chances of victory did not look too good, and Belcher was taken into the ruck, where he immediately made his presence felt. O’Halloran, who was showing great form, passed out to Ryan, who scored South’s seventh goal. The same player, from a doubtful mark, registered the eighth, thus bringing the scores level - 56 points each. The crowd were now wildly enthusiastic, and play became desperate. Lumsden scored a behind for Collingwood, once more putting them in the lead.

There was now less than three minutes to play. In a rally, in which Tandy was prominent, Ryan drove the ball into the teeth of the goal, where Laird, amidst great excitement, quickly dashed through and snapped a goal just on time, thus giving South Melbourne the match and the premiership by the narrow margin of five points. The game, which was all in favour of Collingwood in the first half, improved considerably in the third and fourth quarters, South Melbourne finishing better than their opponents. The final scores were:—

South Melbourne 9 goals, 8 behinds (62 points) Collingwood, 7 goals, 15 behinds (57 points)

Whether placed or following O’Halloran was always in the thick of it, and was easily South Melbourne's best man. Howell also rendered invaluable assistance, his high-marking being good. Of the back men Turner, in goal, kicked off well, and was ably supported in defence by O’Donoghue and Rademacher. Tandy and Woods shaped fairly well across the centre line, while Laird (three goals) and Ryan (three goals) both proved themselves to be tricky forwards.

No one on the Collingwood side worked harder to stave off defeat than Hughes, whose work, whether on the ball or in a place, stamped him as the finest performer of the match and one of the best players of the season. He was closely followed by Walton, who played clean and effective football. On the back line Saunders, in goal, was perhaps the pick, while Pannam, Wilson, and Twomey were a very effective centre line, Pannam in particular having the best of the deal with his man. R. Lee (three goals) was as cool as ever forward, while Lumsden and Laxton (towards the finish) were also prominent.

Elder umpired, but was not up to his usual standard.

During the afternoon the Richmond Juvenile Brass Band contributed selections.

A portion of the grand-stand was reserved for soldiers in uniform, who were admitted free.