Australian Football

Match Report

A POOR EXHIBITION

SCRAMBLING, CONGESTED PLAY

The small attendance at the Melbourne ground witnessed a dull, uninteresting game between Geelong and Melbourne, far below League form, the kicking especially being poor. The first half was not worthy of either team, and, although the second was somewhat brighter, it was a most unsatisfactory display. At some stages more than half the players were following the ball, and in consequence the game was rarely in the open. What little there was in the way of good football was on the Geelong side. Len Incigneri, the Melbourne captain, was unable to play owing to influenza, and Lilley has not recovered from an injured leg. Evans and Quinn reappeared. Dalton and Slater were away from Geelong and the places were filled by Blencowe and Martini.

1st Quarter

The wind blew across the ground slightly in favour of the east goal. Melbourne had the benefit of it at the start. Geelong were first to attack, and after two behinds had been scored quickly Heinz snapped first goal from the ruck. Healey, with a shot from the wing, hit the post, but half the quarter had gone before Daly dropped the first point far Melbourne. This was followed by a goal which Cannole snapped after a great dash forward by Trahair, McKenzie, and Quinn. Geelong had several shots, which went wide and the quarter ended with the scores:—Geelong, 1 goal 5 behinds; Melbourne, 1 goal 1 behind.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter was a repetition of the first, loose play all over the ground being noticeable, and the ball being kept hovering between the half back and forward lines, neither side being able to get near enough to score for the greater part of the term. Martini being off the field, Geelong were a man short, but Melbourne were not strong enough to take advantage of it. Only one goal was scored, however, by Geelong, Orchard almost at the outset getting it, while Melbourne failed to score. A fine run by Heinz was the only feature of the quarter, and at half time the scores were:—Geelong 2 goals 7 behinds; Melbourne, 1 goal 1 behind.

3rd Quarter

The third quarter saw some improvement in the kicking, and Geelong generally playing a stronger game, especially in the ruck, where Gray, Orchard, and Heinz were doing splendidly. Alec Eason helped Martini to add Geelong’s next goal. Bill Eason got another soon after, and then Melbourne gradually worked forward, and Quinn scored their second goal. Bill Eason snapped fifth goal from the ruck, and Orchard, dashing into goal from half-forward, registered Geelong's sixth. At three-quarter time the scores were:—Geelong 6 goals 9 behinds; Melbourne, 2 goals 3 behinds.

4th Quarter

Geelong were much too good for Melbourne in the final term. The play was a good deal about the centre, however, and Melbourne were rarely able to break through the defence. Heinz snapped the seventh goal for Geelong, and, after some dodging about the forward mark by Alec Eason, Blencowe kicked another. A series of marks between Scown, Orchard, Baker, and Fairbairn ended in Heinz getting the ninth and final goal for Geelong. Best got Melbourne a third goal cleverly, and the game ended with the scores:—

GEELONG, 9 goals 14 behinds, 68 points.
MELBOURNE, 3 goals 4 behinds, 22 points.

For Geelong, Heinz roved in his best form, and he had much assistance from Orchard, who ran and kicked splendidly. Gray put in solid work in the ruck, while McCarter, Grigg, Bill Eason, Johns, and Marsham were all noticeable at times. For Melbourne the most prominent were Cannole, Trahair, Evans, Baquie, Allen, Gunn, McKenzie and Lugton. Winslow had an easy game to umpire, but did not seem to please either side.

FOOTBALL INCIDENTS

Geelong were deprived of the services of Martini during the second quarter of the match on the M.C.C. ground, owing to an accidental knock. Several players made a rush for the ball, and Allen, of Melbourne, got it. Martini, who was just behind, with another Melbourne man close by, was "sandwiched" between the two. He was carried off on a stretcher, and, after receiving attention, was able to take his place after the interval.