Australian Football

Match Report

FINE TACTICS BY MELBOURNE

Pennant Won in Wet

MELBOURNE 15-17,107 RICHMOND 10-8,68

By PERCY TAYLOR

Melbourne handsomely defeated Richmond on the Melbourne ground on Saturday, and thus won the premiership of the Victorian Football League for the second successive season.

Rain fell during the morning, and in- creased just before the game was to start. Melbourne has a reputation of playing well in the wet, and so it proved. Its tactics were so well planned, and so many of its players showed such excellent form, however, that it would probably have won in any conditions. The margin, probably, would not have been so great. By an almost universal vote Richmond was chosen to win, but it was outplayed by a team that followed out well planned tactics to the utmost, and that played clever football on the wet ground.

Injuries to players made it necessary for Melbourne to defer the completion of its team until just before the match. To general regret Fischer was found to be still suffering from an injury to his ankle, and he had to be omitted. Lock and Baxter were also unfit, and Dowsing was omitted. In their places O'Keefe, Fanning, Roberts, and Truscott were chosen. Richmond also had reserved the right to alter its team if the weather made it necessary. At 2 p.m. the ground was inspected, and the opinion of senior players in the seconds' match was sought. The ground then was in fairly good order, and it was decided to leave the team as selected. Shortly afterward, however, rain fell heavily, but it was felt unfair to make alterations at that late hour. If it had been possible, however, Scott, a noted wet-weather player, would have been included, despite the fact that he was short of match practice. It was noticed that some of the Richmond players had trouble with their stops.

DASH AND CONFIDENCE

From the first bounce there was dash and confidence in every Melbourne move. Pace, initiative, and clever handling, with players leading out well, and showing dexterity in handball and passing, quickly gave Melbourne the ascendancy, which, until the last quarter, it never looked like losing. How complete was its control is evidenced by the fact that Richmond had only three scoring shots in each of the first three quarters, at the end of which Melbourne lead by 13-15 to 5-4 a margin great enough to dispirit any team. The tempo of the game became slower in the third quarter, when it looked as if Melbourne slackened its efforts considerably. Then in the last quarter Richmond took advantage of that slackness, and or the fact that the direction to Melbourne players that they should kick along the ground into the open spaces was not being carried out. Richmond attacked for most of the quarter, and was so successful that it doubled its score. Melbourne was then showing signs of tiredness.It was in this quarter that Ball and Mueller rose to great heights in defence, their high marking and strong dashes turning Richmond back time after time. The margin of 39 points in Melbourne's favour was scarcely a true indication of the difference in the general play. It was a severe drubbing. While the game was hard and vigorous there was little to which exception could be taken. Occasionally there was a feeling that certain players on each side had, in the heat of the moment, forgotten their sportsmanship, but it was momentary, and, generally, the game was played in a fine spirit.

STARS OF THE GAME

In a team where every Melbourne player came under notice at times there were five who deserved most credit. Beames always a "star" in the wet, was brilliant all day, his handling of the wet ball being masterly. La Fontaine, in the mud in the centre, led many moves, and his passing and evasion made him most valuable. O'Keefe had a difficult task in watching Dyer, and in sticking so close all day he robbed his great opponent of much of his effectiveness. Mueller, was frequently a dominant force in the ruck and in a place, particularly when in defence in the last quarter. Ball was another star defender, his best work also being done in the last quarter, when he took some remarkable marks.

Fanning, despite a cut over the eye that affected his sight in the first half he had two stitches in the wound at half time. Norman Smith's seven goals tell the whole story. He frequently raced away to mark in front of Smeaton, and kicked more accurately than he did in the last match. Baggott, despite a severe buffeting, was a most valuable player, McLean was safe, dashing, and determined on the half back line, where Hingston also was frequently conspicuous. Roberts watched Titus closely, but did not have much to do, as that player had few opportunities. Anderson was particularly effective on the wing, his handling of the ball being superb. Emselle checked Harris in the first half. Dyer, Harris, and Symons were Richmond's best players. Dyer did not exercise his usual dominance, the close watch kept on him by O'Keefe apparently putting him out of his stride. Nevertheless there was class in many of his movements, and he rarely wasted a kick. He was at his best in the second half. Harris was always busy, although Emselle hampered him in the first half, He kicked five valuable goals. Symons,whether in the ruck or placed, was one of the hardest and most consistent players on the side. Steele was useful all day,and on the other half-back flank Cotter was solid and reliable, keeping Gibb fairly well in check. McDonald was good on the wing, and played brilliantly in the last quarter, when Bawden also shone.O'Neill did well.

TREND OF THE PLAY

Once again the players stood in the centre of the field while the National Anthem was played by the band. The large crowd sung lustily, and the hundreds of members of the forces present stood smartly to attention. With a coin handed to them by the bandmaster, Beasley and La Fontaine tossed for choice of ends. Beasley won, and there was a great roar as the ball was bounced. There was another roar when Baggott was given a free kick and Smith marked his kick for first goal. Mueller was quickly out of the ruck and went half-back, but he was not in position when Crane marked for first goal for Richmond. Alter Harris had scored again the play became hectic, and two Melbourne players were reproved by the umpire. Melbourne gave away a number of free kicks at this stage, but its strong defence kept Richmond out, N. Smith shepherding Smeaton away. Beames scored a goal, and it led to a persistent attack, in which pace and position play led to more goals. Dogged Richmond defence made some of the shots hurried but at the end of the quarter Melbourne led by 4-8 to 3-0. Wattman came out of a crush with an injured back, and Barassi, usually a rover, took his place on the wing.

In the second quarter Richmond began to play wildly, and the first two goals to Melbourne came from free kicks. Melbourne applied the pressure and neat handball and position play made many opportunities. It was a ragged and bewildered Richmond that went in at half-time with the score

10-11 to 4-2.

Early in the third quarter Baggott was again buffeted, and a Richmond man was spoken to by the umpire. Again Baggott was knocked solidly, and another opponent had his number taken. Twice Melbourne hit the post. It had most of the play but was not making the most of its opportunities. The few Richmond attacks were beaten off by strong defence.

Dyer was shifted to centre half-back, but O'Keefe quickly joined him, and Baggott went to a forward pocket for the few minutes that Dyer remained in that position. Although giving away many free kicks, Richmond attacked with energy, and Harris, after hitting the post, added a goal. Melbourne regained control, however, and Smith, beating Smeaton for the mark, and holding the wet ball well scored again. At the last change Melbourne led by 13-15 to 5-4, and the silence of Richmond supporters could almost be felt. Smeaton was sent to centre half-forward and Crane went full-back when the players changed over. Crane immediately turned a Melbourne attack, and when Bentley passed neatly to Titus, who reached his 100th goal for the season, the applause was general. Harris scored again cleverly but despite great defence by Mueller and Ball, Richmond came again. It showed great dash and determination. Everything was going right for Richmond, which handled the ball much better than previously. When Baggott was again attacked, the crowd roared its disapproval, but Baggott neatly screw passed to Smith for a goal, and followed with another to make the victory complete.

Goals.- Melbourne: Smith (7), Baggott (2), Beames (2), O'Keefe (2), Truscott, Fontaine. Richmond: Harris (5), Titus (3), Crane, Bawden.

REPORTS

AHarris (Richmond) was reported having charged Baggott (Melbourne)