Australian Football

Match Report

RECORD WIN BY CARLTON

Stamina a Feature

Carlton won the 1945 premiership of the Victorian Football League from South Melbourne most decisively. In doing so they established a record. Never, since the system of playing finals was altered in 1931, has a team won the premiership from third or fourth place.

It was, really, one of the finest wins in the history of the League. Beginning with a young team, Carlton set out to build for next season. They lost the first three games, and, at the end of the ninth round, were ninth with three wins. They had then discovered that the youngsters were of a high standard, and they began to play with confidence. They worked up the list, and, with only one more defeat—they were three points down to Essendon on July 21—just reached the four. They won 13 of the last 14 games to win the premiership.

CARLTON BEGIN WEAKLY

When Carlton won the toss and had first use of the wind, which slightly favoured the northern goal, their supporters cheered. Their start was not impressive, as South won in the ruck, marked better, and defended stoutly. In fact, South had more of the play, and might have led with better kicking.

In the second quarter South began to shine after Carlton had kicked a goal. They raced to the lead, and seemed to be taking charge when the "rough stuff" started. While Carlton went on to play football, some of the South players seemed to be waiting for what might happen. There was more certainty in Carlton's play than in the first quarter, and they had gained the lead at half-tune.

Hands went full forward and Baxter centre half-forward when play was resumed in the rain, and with no wind. Nash gave South a four points lead with a nice goal, but Carlton quickly took control again. Delightful marking by Deacon and Brown, who were defending stoutly, kept South out in their sporadic attacks, and Carlton added goal after goal to lead by just under four goals at the last change.

In the last quarter South showed flashes of fine football, but too often they did not concentrate. Carlton, on the other hand, did not relax the pressure, and added to their advantage. Long before the finish the result was obvious, which made the several outbursts of rough play so unnecessary.

Brown's play at full-back was brilliant, and he was No 1 for Carlton, Baxter, McLean, Wines, Chitty, Sanger, Hands, and Savage were more conspicuously useful than the others, but most of them played their part.

Castles was South's best player, his cleverness and dash being outstanding. Smith was most reliable, and Dempsey, King, Grossman, and Graham (although he did not mark as well as usual) were best of the others.

GOALS
Carlton: Hands, Price 3; Mooring, Baxter 2; Bennett, Chitty, Wines, McLean, Savage
South Melbourne: Castles 3; Smith, Nash, Linden 2; Richards

INJURIES
South Melbourne had several severe injuries. Grossman has badly torn thigh muscles; Kelly slipped the cartilage and may not be able to play again; Smith injured his thigh and heel; Richards damaged his knee, and Nash tore a leg muscle.