Australian Football

Match Report

UNIVERSITY'S IMPROVEMENT

SOUTH MELBOURNE HARD PRESSED

University had shown greatly improved form against St. Kilda a week previously, but probably few, if any, of the 8,000 spectators at South Melbourne on Saturday expected to see the Students thoroughly extend and almost defeat the home side. Had it not been for over-anxiety in the last quarter, University would probably have won their first game in two seasons. They were faster and displayed greater dash than South Melbourne, who were rather ragged throughout. The latter greatly missed Tandy, Caldwell, Mullaly, and Rusich. Sloss reappeared, and the eighteen also included Payne, Thomas, and two new men in Laidlaw and Matthews. University, with Bray and Hartkopf in again, had their strongest side afield. They played Bryans, from the Cananore club (Hobart), for the first time, and he proved an immediate success. The gate receipts totalled £47.

1st Quarter

South Melbourne were the first to move, but Bryans drove them back, and for a time the visitors monopolised the attack. Bryans had a long running shot, which found the goal unguarded, but the kick lacked direction, and only a behind was obtained. Two more points followed before the Southerners raised the siege. Their fresh recruit, Laidlaw, had a fairly easy shot from a free kick, but nothing came of it. Payne scored their first point. Kelly marked the kick off right in front, but Woods just managed to touch the ball as it sailed through the goals. After another Southern assault had failed Doubleday got University's second behind. Towards the end of the term South Melbourne had a run of success. Belcher and Hiskens gave Payne the chance to score the first goal. Freeman failed with an angle shot, but a moment later fine play by Sloss enabled him to get the second goal with a quick and clever snap. Payne put on the third just before quarter-time when the scores were:—South Melbourne, 3 goals 4 behinds; University, 4 behinds.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter opened with a series of Southern attacks, but they were repulsed, chiefly through the agency of Woods. Then an attack by the Students, engineered by Bryans and Doubleday, resulted in Marks punting an easy goal. Bryans to Marks, and the second goal followed almost immediately. The ball hung about the centre for a while, then Brake sent it out to Schrader, who passed it on to Park. The crack forward picked it up cleverly, and snapped third goal for his side. Next Bryans forwarded to Park, from whom Doubleday received the ball. His shot gave University another goal and the lead. The game had livened up considerably, and the hitherto quiet crowd awoke to the realisation that it was not to be a runaway victory for South Melbourne. The Southerners rallied, and Hiskens had a shot, but missed. However, he raised the two flags when Morgan and Hair afforded him another chance a moment later. At half-time the board showed South Melbourne, 4 goals 8 behinds; University, 4 goals 4 behinds.

3rd Quarter

The third term showed University at their best. Playing with great dash they had South Melbourne hard put to keep them in check. Sloss began with a goal from a running shot, but University promptly replied through fine work by Bryans and Marks, the latter kicking his third goal. Almost at once Freeman snapped another for South. A quiet period followed, until Willis, who was doing well, kicked a beautiful goal for the visitors. Bryans’ great dash only added a point, and Charge put on a single in reply. Then Willis punched the ball to Hartkopf, who knocked it on to Park, and again the two flags were required. For the first time this season, University led at three-quarter time, the scores being:—University, 7 goals 7 behinds; South Melbourne, 6 goals 11 behinds.

4th Quarter

The last term provided a keen struggle, in which South Melbourne gradually gained the upper hand. Freeman snapped a point, and then Payne, by hitting the post, equalised the scores. Morgan, with another behind, put South Melbourne ahead. University rallied desperately. Doubleday and Hartkopf gave Park an easy chance to add a goal. He tried to run, was held illegally, and received a free kick only a few yards from the posts. Very foolishly, he again tried to run, and the chance was lost. Hartkopf, however, put University 3 points ahead with a running shot. Saltau repulsed another dangerous sally, and the tide turned. South regained the lead by the aid of Freeman's clever foot, and the same player made victory certain a few moments later in kicking another goal. Morgan added the ninth just before the bell rang. The final scores were:

SOUTH MELBOURNE, 9 goals 16 behinds (70 points).
UNIVERSITY, 8 goals 7 behinds (55 points).

For the winners Sloss and Belcher did good work all through, whether placed or in the ruck. Freeman got 4 goals and earned each one. O'Donoghue (a valuable recruit), Morgan (in the centre), Hair, Charge, Saltau, and Payne all played well. Prince was patchy, and Harvey Kane had an off day.

University have secured a "find" in Bryans. His work in the centre was dashing and finished, and he picked his men out well. Marks and Schrader both played splendidly, while Doubleday and Willis were excellent in attack, Rodriquez and Martin on the wings. Brake, Woods, Don, and Hinman were always prominent. Wickham umpired very well.