Australian Football

Match Report

A ONE-SIDED GAME

MELBOURNE'S POOR SHOWING

A poor attendance witnessed a poorer game at East Melbourne, where Essendon and Melbourne were engaged. Though a number of men in Melbourne's colours worked hard their forwards were lamentably weak, the result being that Essendon scored a ridiculously easy victory. Perhaps it was as well that the game was so one sided, for in a close contest the umpiring, which was decidedly erratic, would probably have evoked stronger comment than the derision it frequently called forth. Essendon were without Belcher, Mann, and Bill Walker. Day (from Mordialloc) made his first appearance, and Baring and Ogden were also included. Melbourne's only alteration was the inclusion of Aubrey McKenzie (from Brunswick) in place of Williamson.

1st Quarter

Favoured by the slight southerly breeze, Essendon early asserted their superiority. Their first couple of attacks were turned aside, but persistence soon had its reward, Gordon placing the ball with Lumsden, who from a place kick scored the first of a long series of goals. It was not long before Gordon snapped the second and Baring from the centre, soon afterwards gave Lumsden another chance which was turned to profitable account. Allen, Lugton, and Connole were prominent in a movement that threatened trouble to Essendon, but Bowe took his side out of danger. Hanley and Kirby, working to windward, enabled Lumsden to score again from a running shot, while the point effort of Ogden and Kirby gave Gordon the opportunity to snap another goal. Five goals without a behind, and Melbourne with a clean slated. Despite the effort of Bacquie, Lugton, Gordon, and Incigneri, Melbourne could never get the ball past the half-back line. Though Essendon's marksmanship fell off somewhat, they still managed to keep the ball in Melbourne's territory for most of the term, the visitors' solitary score being a behind scored by Connole shortly before the bell. Essendon, 5 goal 3 behinds; Melbourne, 1 behind.

2nd Quarter

A new ball and a chance of ends brought little improvement in Melbourne's fortunes. They were first to take the aggressive, but Essendon's defenders wen too strong. Hendrie gave Connole a chance, but only a behind resulted. A feature of the play was the way the ball swung to and fro between the half back lines. Essendon in turn became busy up forward, and Hanley snapped a behind for them. Lumsden, marking from Wade, tried a place shot, and kicked into the man at his mark but Gove picked up the ball and scored a point. Essendon's sixth goal was obtained by Lumsden from a scrimmage, but shortly afterwards W. McKenzie cleverly eluded Chalmers and scored first goal for Melbourne with a flying shot. Essendon rallied but were repulsed. Lugton, marking from Lilley, had a shot which fell short, and Baring got the ball away. The interval came with the scores—Essendon, 6 goals 6 behinds; Melbourne, 1 goal 2 behinds.

3rd Quarter

With the breeze again to aid them, Essendon entered upon a repetition of the free scoring of the first quarter, Lumsden from the ruck immediately securing their seventh goal. At the other end Gordon, out of a scrum, hit the post. Another onslaught was more successful, Melbourne's second goal coming from a snap-shot by Evans. There succeeded a period of that seesawing play which though it speaks volumes for the pertinacity of the participants, is not calculated to work the spectators up into a frenzy. At length Lumsden created a welcome diversion by adding eighth goal for the home team, and Baring, from a free kick, soon followed his example. Shea bagged yet another ere Evans, with a running shot, was able to glean a like measure of success for Melbourne. Shortly before the term ended Essendon's eleventh goal was registered, Kirby being the agent. The totals then were:—Essendon, 11 goals 9 behinds; Melbourne, 3 goals 3 behinds.

4th Quarter

The last quarter saw Essendon attacking with unabated vim; Hanley, Webster, and Kirby sharing the honours of twelfth goal. Then Melbourne managed to break through, and after a brace of small points success came with a burst, Best and Gordon getting goals. Thence forward Essendon did as they pleased. All roads led to Lumsden and that useful forward, in addition to other scoring shots, annexed his seventh goal for the match. Melbourne showed an unexpected flash of defiance when Incigneri and Lilley brought the ball down to Aubrey. McKenzie, who got a well-deserved goal. The game ended:—

ESSENDON, 14 goals 15 behinds (99 points).
MELBOURNE, 6 goals 5 behinds (41 points).

Practically every man in Essendon's colours did his share, those particularly noticeable being Lumsden, Webster, Kirby, Gordon, Bowe, Baring, Chalmers, Wade, Hanley, and Shea, though others ran them very close. In Melbourne's ranks a little band of workers showed real grit in dispiriting circumstances. Chief of these was Bill McKenzie; others to do solid service being Trahair, Hendrie, Lillie, Evans, Gray, Incigneri, and Bacquie, the lastnamed in particular. Winslow umpired indifferently.