Australian Football

Match Report

FINE GAME BY ST. KILDA

GEELONG'S GREAT RECOVERY

About 14,000 spectators watched the game between St. Kilda and Geelong on the St. Kilda ground, the attendance including a large contingent from Geelong. Geelong, after their victory over Carlton on Saturday, were expected to fully extend St. Kilda, Their play, however, in the second quarter was indifferent, but they made a grand recovery in the third quarter, just failing by a small margin to overtake St. Kilda's score. They then faded away again, and St. Kilda, with a fine rally, in which forcible play was combined with good judgment, were able to win by a majority of four goals. Some grand football was witnessed, especially in the passing along the wings. St. Kilda held the high marks better, while Geelong were all astray at some stages in this department. Geelong also kicked poorly in the outfield. Tom Brownlees reappeared for Geelong, Scown standing down. On the St. Kilda side Cumberland (who is suffering from a bad leg), Donald, and Chapman were replaced by Jane, Turnbull, and Foo. The St. Kilda captain placed Eicke in the centre and Dangerfield half-forward, and in the absence of Jory, McNamara had a turn in the ruck.

1st Quarter

St. Kilda kicking towards the Fitzroy street goal, were first to score, Schmidt passing the ball out of the crowd to McNamara, who got a goal. Schmidt also gave Foo the chance to add the second. The play was of a scrambling nature, McCarter was very noticeable in defence for Geelong. St. Kilda, who had much the better of the earlier stages, lost control later, and Geelong, making the most of their opportunities, scored two goals, Heinz and Bill Eason being the agents. There was nothing brilliant about the play, and after a fairly even quarter the scores were—St. Kilda, 2 goals 3 behinds (15 points); Geelong, 2 goals 2 behinds (14 points).

2nd Quarter

The second quarter was mostly in favour of St. Kilda, who had better system and combination Geelong failed at short passing, several fairly easy chances going astray. McNamara, with one of his very long kicks, gained third goal for St. Kilda, and Brady, with a smart punt, the next. After McCarter had had the better of Schmidt in several dashes for the ball, McNamara, who was marking splendidly, got two more goals. The second was from a very doubtful mark, the umpire being too far away to see a Geelong man touch the ball. Geelong only had a look in at the finish of the term, when they scored two behinds. Just on time Lever marked in goal, and with a brilliant run took the ball to the centre line. At half-time the scores were:—St. Kilda, 6 goals 5 behinds (41 points); Geelong, 2 goals 4 behinds (16 points).

3rd Quarter

After the interval Geelong made a great recovery. Heinz hit the post at the outset, and then, with rally after rally, the visitors gradually made up their leeway until they got within six points of St. Kilda They played with fine combination. Heinz, Orchard, Brownlees, and Martini took the ball from end to end without a St. Kilda man touching it, and Geelong were rewarded with a goal. Baker and Tom Brownlees also got goals, and for about 16 minutes St. Kilda were hard pressed. Then, led by Hattam, St. Kilda recovered their position and simply ran over Geelong for the remainder of the quarter. McNamara, Fowler, and Foo each got a goal, mainly owing to some fine passing along the wing by Collins, Eicke, and Fowler. The display aroused great enthusiasm. At three-quarter time the board showed St. Kilda 9 goals 7 behinds (61 points), Geelong 5 goals 6 behinds (36 points).

4th Quarter

The last quarter was evenly contested. St. Kilda, however, had more force in their play, and their stamina being better, they were able to hold Geelong in check. Brady added tenth goal, and Schmidt the next, for St. Kilda, and then Tom Brownlees got the sixth for Geelong. After Schmidt had raised another goal for St. Kilda Geelong made a spurt, and Martini added two goals. They had several more chances, but, as in the early part, their kicking was astray. The final result was:

ST. KILDA 12 goals 10 behinds (82 points).
GEELONG, 8 goals 10 behinds (58 points).

B. Davies, the umpire, was impartial, but some of his decisions did not please the visitors. On two occasions McNamara was allowed marks when an opponent had touched the ball in flight.

For the winners Collins, on the centre wing, was a brilliant and safe player throughout the game, while Bowden, on the opposite wing, was also of much service. McNamara kicked and marked splendidly. He got five goals, and was also valuable in the rucks. Cazaly and Hattam were the most prominent backs, and of the others Dangerfield, Eicke, Woodcock, and Fowler were generally useful. Schmidt again spoiled his play by over-running. On the Geelong side Alec Eason was the star player, his dashes from the back line being splendid. Heinz was a consistent rover. McCarter and Armstrong were hard workers in defence, while Allen, Gray, Dalton, Orchard, Grigg, and Marsham also deserve mention.