Australian Football

Match Report

RICHMOND IN FORM

A ONE-SIDED GAME

When a few years ago Richmond exchanged a position of pre-eminence in the Association for one of comparative obscurity in the League they suffered the penalty of most who aspire to senior ranks. A series of drubbings, conscientiously administered by more experienced opponents, was their portion. But since those days Richmond have grown up, in a football sense, and on Saturday against the University, they demonstrated, in unmistakable fashion, their ability to mete out to the freshmen of the League the treatment they themselves received as tyros. The weather conditions were anything but favourable. The rain of the previous night and the light, drizzling showers which fell at intervals during the play rendered it difficult to retain a foothold on the turf or a grasp of the ball. About 6,000 spectators disregarded the warning of a lowering sky, and were treated to a display which could not at any stage be termed really interesting. The gate receipts totalled £52. In Richmond's colours Richardson made his first appearance for the season, and McKendry was also included. Ohlsen and Morgan were absentees. University's changes were the inclusion of McIntosh and Johnston for Kelly and Brake.

1st Quarter

Opening with the wind Richmond wasted little time in preliminary skirmishing. From a free kick to Herbert, Keggin marked, and first goal followed. After a brief respite, during which Park scored a behind for University, Maybury and Keggin brought it back, and, from a scrimmage in front of goal, James scored again. Richmond, pressing home the attack, confined operations to a danger zone around University's goal. Martyn, with a running shot, and Hughes scored again for them, and the term ended with the scores:—Richmond, 4 goals 4 behinds; University, 2 behinds. Though both sides were undoubtedly hampered by the slippery turf, Richmond were proving the more resourceful in adapting themselves to the prevailing conditions.

2nd Quarter

Even with the advantage of the breeze, the students were unable to render a better account of themselves. The play was of a scrambling nature, and Richmond had rather the better of it. The visitors' fifth goal was obtained by Hall, who was indebted to Farrell for the opportunity. The good defence work of Woods and Patton checked them for a time, but Mahony, Thomas, and McKendry worked it forward, and Maybury, from close in, kicked sixth goal. Though University on general merit deserved, perhaps, more than the four points which stood to their credit at half-time, it was patent to everyone thus early that the game was Richmond's. Few, however, could have anticipated the hollow victory that was eventually theirs.

3rd Quarter

University made a rather belated appearance after the interval, and this, combined with unpunctuality at the start of the match, for which the erudite men must also be held responsible, caused the game to be finished in semi-darkness. With a dry ball and a glimpse of sunshine Fortune smiled for a time on the students. They attacked at the commencement of the third quarter, and their efforts were attended with success, Marks marking and securing their first goal. Their triumph was short-lived. The wind, which had served each side in turn, now dropped, and Richmond gave a taste of their quality. Two goals, both from place shots by Maybury, were credited to them before Hartkopf, well served by Marks and Park, was able to score in similar fashion for University. Keggin to Hall to Martyn was a combination successful in raising the two flags for the visitors ere the bell rang, with the totals—Richmond, 9 goals 11 behinds, University, 2 goals 6 behinds.

4th Quarter

University played their best football in the concluding term, and showed no sign of slackening of in what must have been a dispiriting task. Richmond, however, had something in reserve, and with ten scoring shots, no fewer than seven of which were "possibles," finished up winners by a more than three-to-one majority. University worked hard for the three goals they obtained, the rest of the time being occupied by Richmond in repeated incursions into the enemy's territory. The welcome sound of the final bell left a disappointing game with the scores:—

RICHMOND, 16 goals 14 behinds (110 points).
UNIVERSITY, 5 goals 6 behinds (36 points).

For the winners Maybury and Mahony shone out, their effort being ably seconded by Hall, Reeves, Herbert, Farrell, Hughes, Thomas, Martyn, and McKendry. All, however, were valuable units in a strong side. In the opposing camp those most noticeable in an uphill fight were Vines, Martin, Marks, Rodriquez, Park, Neale, West, and Patton. Elder performed his task to the general satisfaction.