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FOOTBALL CHATTER.
BY ROVER.
"No game was ever yet worth a rap
For a rational man to play
Into which no accident, no mishap
Could possibly find its way."—GORDON.
The subject for discussion this week is of course
what has been the all absorbing football topic for
some time past, the match between Carlton and
Geelong. The result is notw a matter of history, how
that the Geelong are once more halled the victors on
their own ground, the scene of many a hard fought
struggle in which the locals have rarely been overthrown; and
how the Carlton succumbed for the first
time this season in a senior contest. The crowd that
journeyed from the metropolis was very large indeed
and many staunch supporters of other clubs threw off
had it that heavy rain had rendered the turf
unfit for play and on arrival at the ground Messers.
and were apparently that his side good service.
The play at starting was of the most desperate
character seen for a long time, and it was evident the
contest was to be a severe one. In the first quarter
of an hour or so the tremendous attack by the locals
seemed to completely demoralise the visitors, who
played in a very slipshod manner; and when the
local favourites had three goals to the good in the
above short space of time, and followed soon after
with a fourth, their supporters went fairly wild with
excitement, and to have suggested that the
Pivotonians could not "lick creation" would have
been considered rank heresy.
From the finish of the first quarter till nearly the
end of the last Carlton had considerably the best of
the game, but their goal-kicking was wretched in the
extreme, and in addition their forwards were over
matched by the Geelong backs. Though Carlton had
the best of the game it must not be supposed that
they had it all their own way, as after the first
successes Geelong contented themselves by playing a
very strong defensive game, and all round they showed
to much greater advantage than their opponents;
and to an impartial observer it was evident that the
game was practically over, something seeming to
suggest that an extra effort by the locals would
speedily constitute them the attacking party.
M. Douglass was injured before half time ; the
winners, therefore, had to play with practically only
19 men, which makes the performance all the more
creditable.
Carlton showod much bettor form than they did
against South Melbourne a few weeks back, but their
luck was out in the goal-kicking line, as the post was
hit twice, and several easy shots were missed. To
counterbalance this, Talbot hit the post from a fine
place kick near the end of the game, and as the bell
rang time the bail just skimmed the Carlton post.
Had it gone through, there might have been matter
for the association to exercise their talents on, as it
was a very hear thing.
I cannot help thinking that a little more coolness
and judgment on the part ot the Carlton after the
first goal was kicked would have put a very different
complexion on the game. As it was, they are to be
complimented on the dashing and plnnky style In
which they fought an up-hill game. Hickinbotham
was the most conspicuous man of the 40 and his
cleverness in wriggling out of a rack of opponents was
the theme of general admiration, J. Pike's play was
very neat and effective, and might have been more so
had he not once or twice held the ball too long.
Julian performed in dashing style, and appeared to
greater advantage than at any other time I
have seen him play this year. H. M'Lean,
though closely watched, did what was required of
him; J. M'Lean and Kearney both showed fine
defence, and Talbot, Sykes, and Turleyy followed in
fine style. For Carlton, Moloney, back, never made
a mistake; Leydln, also, was more than a match for
any opponent. Strickland performed brilliantly.
Baker played desperately and never spared himself
throughout. Cook and Berry did a lot of good work,
and mention must be made of the fine play of
Batters. Coulson played well and unselfishly, and
was the only forward of his side who played up to
form.
Heavy rain at half-time spoilt the rest of the play,
making the ball difficult to hold and the turf slippery,
but I do not think it interfered with the result In any
way.
J. Kennedy as field umpire, although evidently
impartial, was hardly equal to the occasion. His
decisions were very uneven, and he allowed many
palpable eases of holding and pushing to pate un
noticed, and when a decision is expected, but not
given, It is apt to interfere with the peeper conduct of
the game.
Carlton, notwithstanding the reverse, still hold
pride of place for the pmoierehtp. To-day they play
Essendon, and next Saturday (the lost of the season},
meet Fitzroy on the tatter's ground. The match to
looked forward to with great interest, as another loss
to Carlton would morally entitle Geelong to premier-
ship once more.
At the last meeting of the association, the protect
lodged by Fitzroy, claimng a goal against Geelong In
the recent match, was gone into. The matter dis-
disclosed some peculiar features.It came out in evindence
that neither of the time-keepers could see the play at
the time the bell was rang, when the goal was said to
have been kicked, and also neither the goal umpire
nor the field umpire heard the bel. Considerable
evidence was called for both video, and, as usual in
dispute of this kind, of the most contradictory
nature; the bulk, however, of the moat reliable tew
mony all pointed to the tact that the goal was kicked
come seconds alter the bell had rung and the meet-
ing decided in favour of Geelong by 23 votes to 3.
From personal observation I can endorse the verdict
as a thoroughly just one. Mr. Jearey was elected
delegate for Melbourne for the rest of the season, vice
Mr. Morris, resigned ; and was also elected to flll the
latter gentleman's place cm the Permit Committee.
Essendon on Saturday last shaped much better than
they have done for some weeks past, and for more
than three-parts of the game fully held their own
with South Melbourne; the last quarter, however,
found them out badly, and once more they had to
succumb. As aforesaid, tocy meet Carlton today On
the South ground, but unless there is a considerable
improvement in condition during the week it is
difficult to speculate on their chances of success. The
red and black have had a "hot" safes of matches to
wind up their season, and in their weakened state are
gradually taking a very "back seat" on the year's list.
Fitzroy have also had some tough matches of late
but hare performed more than creditably, and I
should not be surprised to hear of them on their own
ground defeating the red and white today.
Hotham have had a very in and out seasen; last
Saturday they mode short work of Melbourne.
Sykes, who has been the subject of considerable dis
cussiou on tho association, was not objected to by
the "Beds," and showed his gratitude by playing a
fine game against them. Today they try conclusions
with Ballarat on the latter's ground, and unless I am
much mistaken have a big contract before them.
Port Melbourne have been overthrowing their
opponents with great slaughter, and kept up their
average by defeating st. Kiida last week by 10 goals
13 behinds to 2 goals 4 behinds, a performance not to
be despised, when it is remembered that the defeated
ones beat Hotham the previous week. 1 have a great
Melbourne,
respect for the Port Melbourne. and expect them to
occupy a very prominent position next year if the team hold together.
Ballarat once more asserted their superiority over
the Ballarat Imperial, whom they defeated by 3 goals11
behinds to 1 goal 13 behinds, and can now farily
claim to be the premier dub of the " Golden CMy,"
claim to be the premier club of the Golden city, although their general performances do not read so well as their two local reivals.
Footscray found another victim on ssaturday in the
Prahran, defeating them by 2 goals to 1. This second
win puts the former one step higher on the list-they are now second
The return match between the Geelong and Melbourne Grammar scholl came off on Friday
on the Corio ground. The first match resulted ina a victory
for Geelong but the Melbourne boys turned the tables yesterday, and after a finely contested game
won by 5 goals 8 behinds to 4 goals 6 behinds.
a report of the match appears in another column.
I shall have something to say regarding the individual players next week.
List of senior club matches up to and inclusive of September 10, including those played in Jubilee week:-
ObMbu
Oedong' „ ,
outhfMbohnie
South!
Vltaroy
IVwt .i
WUliamstown
St KUda .
Univctaity
'""•a
Mouth jteMarat
Balieret Imparial
fit
M
- ■
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