Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

LEAGUE SECONDS.
PRELIMINARY FINAL TO-DAY.
Melbourne v. Collingwood.
Followers of football and show visitors
should be well catered for to-day, when the
League Second eighteens will stage their an-
nual Show day match—the preliminary final—
on the Melbourne ground. The competing
teams will be Melbourne, winner of the first
semi-final and premiers for the preceding four
years, and Collingwood, defeated by Geelong
last Saturday in the second semi-final. Both
sides will include a number of players who
have appeared with the senior sides during the
season, and a good game is assured. Meet-
ing twice during the first round, Collingwood
was successful on each occasion—on 25th
May, kicking 13.18 to 11.7, and on 24th Au-
gust on the Melbourne ground, 14.20 to
11.10.
During this afternon's match the results of
the Ascot races will be posted at the ground.
MELBOURNE club has a full muster of
players in training tor the match, and is con-
fident of another pennant. R. Truscott, the
centre player, was awarded the trophy given
by Mr. J. C. Blair, chairman of the M.F.C.
committee, as the best player in the first
semi-final. Halloran, the big follower from
Kyneton, has recovered from a poisoned leg,
and will go into the first ruck with the cap-
tain, W. Adams, and J. Carr, the winger from
Stawell, has recovered from an injured ankle,
and will take his place on the wing. P.
Cheffers also is training again, and if fit will
take his place in the centre. J. Young, late
of Carlton and Melbourne firsts, received a
knock against Carlton In the first semi-final,
but should be fit.
First-season players who are likely to be
playing in the final are:—R. Emselle (half-
back wing), who has pace and anticipation,
and has been playing consistently throughout
the season; R. Truscott (17 years), who is a
player of distinct promise, and a good mark
and kick; F. Halloran, a 6-foot 14-st. fol-
lower from Kyneton; J. Ball, 5 ft. 10 in. and
13 st., who is a strong utility player from
Yarrawonga, and has also played with the
senior side, R. Miller, who is a fearless half-
back from Brunswick, and has plenty of pace;
J. Furniss, 6 ft. and 13 st. 7 lb., who is a
strong 19-year-old player from Glen Iris; J.
Carr, a clever wingster from Stawell, played
with the senior side, but has been handi-
capped by injuries throughout the season, and
F. Russo. who is a clever half -forward from
Port Melbourne.
D. Hooper will probably play centre half-
back, where his long, driving kicks are in-
valuable. A. Roberts and J. King, who will
operate in the second ruck, are both experi-
enced players, and will form a good combina-
tion. With Len. and Norm. Smith and J.
Sambell playing across the half-forward line,
it should be strong, as all have had senior
experience, and have participated in finals
before. Ron Baggott and R. Feltschier have
both scored many goals with the team during
the season. With Feltschier changing in the
roving position, and with Ball resting on
the forward line, this line should operate
well all day. J. Kinnear, who played his
usual game against Carlton, and was one of
the best players afield, will again be the full-
back, ably backed up by Young and King.
McNamara (half-back wing) is playing con-
sistently, and has completely recovered from
an injured shoulder. The average height of
players will be 5 ft. 10 in., and the average
weight 12 st.
COLLINGWOOD, although defeated by Gee-
long in the second semi-final, is not down-
hearted, and as it has defeated Melbourne in
both games played this season has reason
to be confident of repeating the performance.
Patrons of the match can rest assured that
they will see a game worthy of the occasion,
and that the team will uphold the prestige of
Collingwood and also of the coach, Hughie
Thomas, whose good work has helped the
players to reach such a high position on the
premiership list. Against Geelong the Col-
lingwood representatives were without the
services of Ron Todd, who played with the
seniors, but owing to the recovery of L.
Murphy he is now available for to-day. Pat
Fricker (their centre player), out through
injuries, has recovered, and is also available.
These players should be a great help to the
side, as they play in key positions. Jim
Toone has not sufficiently recovered to be
included. Ted Baker, ex-Geelong and
Collingwood seniors, is the captain,
with Bill Fitzgerald as vice-captain. Play-
ers on the senior list are R. Gibson, G.
Kanngeiser, A. Fyfe and M. Ryan, while
Bruce Andrews has had lots of senior experi-
ence. New players this year include H. Read,
M. Boyall, W. Hill, K, Stackpole, D. Langden,
C. Newton, F. Virtue, A. Gray, P. Rowe and
R. Harper. Other players with senior ex-
perience are C. Ross, R. Hart, J. McIntosh
and S. Baker.
$