The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)(about) |
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Monday 19 September 1910
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2 corrections, most recently by australianfootball.com-SPGE - Show corrections
LANG'S STORY.
"TURNING THE TABLES."
"I MUST PLAY THE GAME."
Alexander Lang, Corlton's crack rover, made the following statement when seen last night at his father's residence, Gate- house-street, Parkville:-
"When I entered the dressingroom at the Melbourne ground on Saturday after noon, bag in hand, I went up, as usual, to have a look at the list of players, and I noticed, as I walked through the room, the fellows all looking up at me without saying a,word. I nodded to them, but they still kept looking at me without speaking. I thought it was curious, but I did not take so much notice of their looks until I glanced at the list. I looked at the rover's name, and then at the ruck, and saw that my name was not there. I was surprised, but I was amazed when my name was not among the half-forwards. 'So that's the team!' I ex- claimed, and walked away. I spoke to the president, and then to Mr. Ford, and asked them what was the matter. 'You have been bribed,' said Mr.Ford. M'Gregor came up to me and said he would not play. I told him the facts, and asked him to take off his clothes, and he then consented to play.
"As I told Mr. Ford and Mr. M'Gregor, I was approached in the street by a man who asked me, 'Will you run a bye?' I refused, and then i thought that as he was trying to play a game on me I would turn the tables. He wanted me to 'run the bye,' as he called it, and to pay up afterwards, but I de- manded the money. After some argument he handed me £10. I had not the money in my possession 10 minutes. I gave it to a friend to back Carlton with, and he got,
£12 to £10.
"I never intended for a moment not to push myself in the match. I would not know how to do it. I must play the game when I am on the field. Mr. Ford and M'Gregor asked me why I did not tell them. I told them that I wished I had, but, as they knew, I had been off colour somewhat for several weeks past, and I thought if I did not happen to give a good account of myself, my mentioning the fact that I had taken the money would be re- garded as an excuse to cover up my play, and they would be suspicious of me. I would not, for the world, take my comrades down, and I had no intention of not playing the game. I did not even promise to do so.
"Gillespie is as innocent as a babe in the matter. He and I were toddlers together, and that is the reason he is blamed, though I do not see much of him lately. Ho knew nothing about the matter. I believe Fraser was approached, but he did not take any money. I wish now that I had not taken the money. However, I have been asked to play in the final, and I am appear- ing before my committee to-night."