Australian Football

Match Report

RICHMOND'S FIRST VICTORY

GEELONG'S POOR DISPLAY

The attendance at Richmond to see the game between the local team and Geelong numbered about 9,000. It was a dull, uninteresting game, with hardly any life in it, especially in the earlier stages. The kicking generally was poor, especially for goal, while Geelong gave many the impression that they were tired. It was mostly a ruck game, where Richmond were always superior, and, in consequence, Geelong crowded on the ball in endeavouring to stop the grand play of James and other big men. At some stages fully twenty men were hovering around the ball, and spoiling the play. There was some improvement after the interval, and Geelong managed to pull up, but they failed to see it out, and the last 15 minutes was all in favour of Richmond.

There were three changes in each team, the most notable being the reappearance of the Richmond captain, Herbert, and two new men on the Geelong side in Conradi (Hawthorn Juniors) and Collins (East Geelong). Slater was still unable to play, and Allan, who played well in his first game, was not included in the Geelong team.

1st Quarter

Geelong opened with a fine series of exchanges between Marsham, Heinz, Baker, and Martini, the last-named scoring a behind. Hall got two goals quickly for Richmond, both the result of clever snaps from the ruck, the fine play of James helping him considerably. Martini got Geelong's only goal during the quarter. Richmond had a good number of chances, but failed to kick straight. Bettles was a most noticeable man back for Richmond. Martyn added the third goal for Richmond from a free-kick. The short-passing of Geelong was extremely poor, and at quarter-time the scores were—Richmond, 3 goals 8 behinds; Geelong, 1 goal 4 behinds.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter was a repetition of the first. Poor kicking by Geelong lost them much ground, although they gained six points, and had nine shots for goal, while Richmond got past the goal-line on three occasions. The fourth goal for Richmond was the result of grand exchanges between Nolan, Hughes, Mahoney, and Keggin. Shortly after Martyn got another goal, and then Martini, from out of the ruck, kicked two nice goals in succession for Geelong. At half-time the tally was—Richmond, 5 goals 9 behinds; Geelong, 3 goals, 11 behinds.

3rd Quarter

In the third quarter there was some strenuous play about the centre, players bumping a good deal at times, but no one was used unfairly. The kicking for goal was still wretched, however, and there was a succession of eight behinds, most of them for Geelong, before Maybury, from a free kick, got a goal with a long kick from the wing. In the latter part of the term A. Eason and Heinz from the ruck, snapped goals for Geelong, and at the last change a bare goal separated the teams the scores being Richmond 6 goals 15 behinds; Geelong, 5 goals 15 behinds.

4th Quarter

The last quarter commenced with the players on either side massing on the ball, and struggling for an opening. The spectators, for the first time during the match, showed some enthusiasm, and the cheering was general. Not, however, because it was good football, but the scores being close gave some interest to the supporters. For 10 minutes the scores remained unaltered, and then Herbert got a point for Richmond, Struggling on again, the ball was dropped right in front of goal, and it was at this stage that the mistake of an umpire, as mentioned elsewhere, took place. It took all the go out of the Geelong men, and for rest of the game Richmond took command, and three goals were added quickly by Maybury, Martyn, and Hall. Just on time Rankin got Geelong's sixth goal. Richmond's kicking for goal during the final rally was accurate and clever. An unsatisfactory game ended with the scores:—

RICHMOND, 10 goals 17 behinds (77 points).
GEELONG, 6 goals 17 behinds (53 points).

For the winners James was easily the best man on the ground. He played grand football, always fair, and his high marking was perfect. He has not been seen to better advantage than in this game. Some of the Geelong supporters declared that his play alone beat them. Bettles was a fine defender, as also were Thomas and Danks. Farrell in his new position, in the centre, was well placed, Hall and Mahony, the rovers, were splendid help to James, and on the forward lines the marking and kicking of Keggin was excellent. Martyn, Herbert, and Reeves were hard workers.

For Geelong no one stood prominently, the most useful men on the side being A. and W. Eason, Marsham, Healey, Heinz, McCarter, Dalton, and Fairbairn. Elder umpired.

FOOTBALL INCIDENTS

At the opening of the last quarter at Richmond only one goal separated the teams, and a great struggle commenced. Up and down the players battled for fully 11 minutes before either side got near enough to score. Just at this stage, when a goal meant much to either side, an unfortunate error by the umpire gave Richmond credit for a goal which was actually kicked by an opponent. After the game, James, of Richmond, was asked his opinion about the matter and he freely admitted that Alec Eason, of Geelong, had kicked the ball. Eason was asked why he had kicked against his side, and he said he had no option when about ten opponents had him in a tight corner. It is not the first occasion that a mistake of this kind has happened. It may be remembered that about four years ago when South Melbourne and Essendon were playing, Shea, of Essendon, kicked the ball through goal, and six points were awarded to South Melbourne.