Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 25 June 1906, page 4


FOOTBALL.

AN OFF DAY.

THE BALLARAT VISIT.

NOTES BY OBSERVER.

Saturday was an off day with the league, and in a lesser degree with the association, which had a team, picked equally from all its clubs, in Ade-laide, where they beat South Australia handsomely, after being in arrears on the scores for the greater part of the game. The association have now fairly taken over the interstate games with South Aus-tralia, and have shown that they are quite compe-tent to carry the football credit of the state. The association matches for the premiership were played as usual, and, as the followers of football clearly wish to see a game played for points, they picked the match between Williamstown and North Melbourne as most likely to furnish excite-ment, and were not disappointed, as the game was decided by one point only. In the association West Melbourne are still unbeaten, and next to them in order of merit come North Melbourne, Wil-liamstown, and Footscray.

BALLARAT AND THE LEAGUE.

A ONE-SIDED GAME.

The annual Ballarat visit in an occasion when footballers of the two cities have a pleasant re-union and a match which is mainly of a picnic character. On Saturday, for the first time, the three Ballarat teams visited Melbourne as a united body. They had with them Mr. A. B. Berry (presi-dent of the Ballarat Association) and the pres-dents of the three teams, Mr. R. T. Bryant (Balla-rat), Mr. J. Kerby (Ballarat Imperial), and Mr. T. Breheny (South Ballarat). Mr. Bryant has been a member of the Ballarat club since it was first formed in 1862, and when the league entertained the visitors at lunch he and Mr. H. C. A. Harri-son, naturally, had some interesting reminiscences to exchange. Mr. Bryant, in speaking of the de-sirability of maintaining football as an amateur and honorable sort, gave points to his plea with an anecdote:—"The father of a late Victorian judge when on his death-bed called his son to his side, and gave him one bit of advice, which he wished him to remember all his life. 'If you can't be a Christian,' he said, 'be a gentleman, at any rate.' " Mr. Fairbairn (captain of the visiting team) made a good point, too, in his speech. Al-though Ballarat always went home beaten after these matches, they were consoled by the reflection that they had discovered and taught some of the finest players Melbourne had seen.

The game itself may be briefly dismissed, for it was not interesting, except as an exhibition. It was Ballarat's bad luck that, coming as a united team-representative of their city, and deserving a win to celebrate that unity-they met one of the strongest teams the league has ever put into the field. There were about 4,000 people on the Mel-bourne Cricket-ground, but none of that keenness or excitement which marks the progress of every game for points was manifest. They were "not playing for keeps." There were capable players in the Ballarat team, but they had not the gift of helping each other as the league men did once they settled down to their play. The Ballarat men held their own fairly well in the first quarter, and began the second term by scoring first point. But for the rest of that quarter the league team played a smothering game, and scored 10 goals in quick succession.

After half-time the Melbourne men appeared to

be less anxious to put on the points, and Andrews,

Hayes, and Scott all scored goals for Ballarat. If the game was not as keen as either side would have played it for points in their premiership games, it was decidedly clever, and such as exhi-

bition as one would have wished foreigners to see

if he desired to impress them with the good points of the Australian game. Right through the second half it was more even, but the league won com-fortably, and could have scored a point or two more if the points had been badly needed. As in nearly all these picnic matches, the goal-kicking was first-rate. With all sense of responsibility re-moved, the forwards shoot straighter, and the bad kicking in pennant matches is often due to over-anxiety.

The Melbourne team was so strong and even that it is hardly worth while making comparisons, but Cameron, when roving, was certainly the smartest player on the field; and Madden and Balme in defence, Caine, McKenzie. and Onyons for-ward, and Elliott, Young, and Fogarty on the ball, all showed their powers to perfection. Caine scored seven goals. In the Ballarat team Burke, about the centre, was one of the smallest men on the field and one of the best. Both their wing

men, Remington and M. Hutchinson, also played cleverly. The pick of their defenders was Eason, with Bant, a good second. Fairbairn, Reirdon, Hayes, O'Hehir, Morrisey (a first-rate followers), and Andrews ( a smart rover) were all seen to ad-

vantage.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

EXCITING GAME AT NORTH MELBOURNE

WILLIAMSTOWN LOSE BY A POINT.

There was a crowd of between 8,000 and 10,000 people on the North Melbourne ground to see the game between North Melbourne and Williamstown, and this is said to be the largest number seen on the Northern Oval since the league and associa-tion parted company years ago. They witnessed one of the most exciting games of the season, and the association has furnished some remarkably close finishes this winter. The wind was blowing across

the ground and favouring neither end. As a conse-quence it was a ding-dong battle from start to finish, with neither side at any stage of the match holding what seemed to be a winning ad-vantage, In the first quarter each scored a goal, and in the second North Melbourne might have secured a sound lead, but that Kenny, one of them forwards, although playing a fine game and getting the ball frequently in a good position, could not kick straight. During this quarter there were

frequent acts of hostility between Dalton and Alley; but, as the teams otherwise were playing a fair and friendly, it keen, game, the umpire de-cided apparently to overlook the offences of these two black sheep in the flock. Dalton, if I am not mistaken, has figured in this sort of thing be-

fore.

At half-time North Melbourne were leading by three points. Immediately on counting Erring-ton scored his second goal for Williamstown, but Little and Kenny almost immediately replied for North Melbourne, and at the last change they led by 3 goals 7 behinds to 2 goals 3 behinds. The excite-

ment, which was keen all through, fairly burned in the last quarter, and when North Melbourne to-wards the end of it scored an exceedingly clever goal it looked as if they had the game safe, for, with only seven minutes to play, they were eight points ahead. At that crisis Williamstown rallied splendidly. Garbutt got a place shot for them, and scored a goal. They came again to the assault in fine style, had a chance to win, but scored only a behind, and immediately upon the heels of this came the final bell, which left North Melbourne the winners of a splendid match by a point only.

Considering the amount of rain that had fallen, the ground was in first-rate condition for football. The ball was wet, yet the high marking was really good, and in this North Melbourne showed, per-

haps, to the greatest advantage. The play of their defenders went a long way towards their nominal success. Barnes, in front of goal, played fine foot-ball, both his marking and kicking being excellent. Jamieson was a good second to him, and Watson, Thorpe, and Linehan all capable defenders. Others who played well for North Melbourne in their places were Martin (one of the best on the side), M'Vee, Rapp, Londerigan (who was roving at his best), Boyle, M'Cann, and Kenny. The backs on

both sides were sound, those who showed to greatest advantage in that quarter for Williamstown being McKenzie, Outen, Woods, and Graham. Dick was a coll, judicious rover, and had best aid from Kerr, McNeilage, Alley, Britt, Julier, and Ken-

nedy.

EASY WIN FOR WEST MELBOURNE.

There was a fair crowd at Brunswick to see what the local teams could do against West Melbourne, the leaders in the Association. They did fairly well when the wind favoured them, and were in-effective then mainly because their forwards man for man were no match for the even and effective West Melbourne defence. The sandy ground is one of the best in Melbourne for wet waether football. To look at it one would hardly have thought that the rainfall amounted to a heavy shower, but it has the disadvantage of being lumpy as Victoria-park was when Collingwood first played on it. A top-dressing of street sweepings would be a vast improvement, but the rising clubs of the Association have to go slowly, and be sure that they can walk before they attempt to run.

In opening the game Brunswick had the advan-tage of the wind, but in the first quarter the ball was much along the wings and often out of bounds. In this way valuable time for Brunswick was wasted. They kicked well, but did not kick often enough with the wind, and showed no judgement in playing for position in front of goal. The only goal of the quarter was scored by West Melbourne.

On changing ends West Melbourne at once at-tacked, and the game became fast and more skil-full. Clarke had three tries for goal, and all

missed, but Dawson and Rankin both scored, and McCann, a clever little forward, was exceedingly active. He got three goals for West Melbourne during the quarter. Scott had an easy chance to score for Brunswick from a free-kick, but missed badly. He formerly played for Essendon, and is still a bit impetuous in soaring for the ball a little too soon. At half-time West Melbourne had the game in hand with 43 points to Bruns-wick's 2. The home team were not by any means at their best, yet deserved better luck than came to them. The third quarter was very evenly played, the slight wind just about covering the

difference in their strength, but forwards that were generally weak against strong backs gave Bruns-wick little chance. They scored a point more than their opponents in the quarter, and played their best at that stage. In the last quarter West Melbourne, though kept at their top, got goals regularly, Clarke, who had been missing his chances, finishing up with two good goals.

Brunswick were clearly a less experienced team than their rivals, with plenty of dash but in-sufficient skill and hardly any method. West Melbourne were very smart in hand-passing, and rarely made mistakes; while Brunswick, in trying the same plan, frequently gave the ball to an op-ponent. The pace and system of the winners, coupled with their strength forward and back, were too much for their opponents. M'Cann showed himself a smart little forward. He and Clarke each got three goals, and M'Cann might have had more but for his unselfishness in playing to men no better placed than himself. I liked Madden most of their defenders, with H. Gregory as a good second. Other men who took a useful part in the match were Rankin, A. Johnson, Bourke-the last two safe rather than brilliant-and William-son. Braid, in the centre, was about the smartest player on the Brunswick side, and next to him in order of merit stood Crennion, Kennett, Way-land, Andrews, Leeds, and Belcher.

FOOTSCRAY BEAT PORT MELBOURNE.

There was not apparently much local interest in the game between Footscray and Port Mel-bourne, on the latter's ground, though the home team showed considerably better form than in their recent matches. They were slow in begin-ning, however, and only made one really effective dash in the first quarter, when they scored a goal. All through the rest of the term Footscray had the best of it, but the wind was then in their favour. On changing ends, however, they still managed to retain a slight lead. Port Melbourne in their attacks failed chiefly through not keeping to the centre. They had a marked preference for one wing, and found their progress on that side continually blocked by Marmo, who was defending

ably.

The second half of the match was more even, and an altogether better display of football. Port

Melbourne, through their smartness in getting to the ball, especially in ground play, had quite as much to say in the affair as Footscray- perhaps a word or two more. They held their own every-where save on the forward lines, where they were undoubtedly weak. At the commencement of the third quarter they went off with a fine burst, and scored a couple of goals quickly. In the last quarter, too, they often got the ball within scor-ing distance, but their marksmen were neither clever in getting it nor in using it when they had possession. On three occasions their shots, how-ever, got so close that Footscray backs marked in goal. A fast and good game, with occasional flashes of bad temper, ended in favour of Footscray by 22 points, though the losers were not all

disgraced.

The two best men for the winners were Marmo (half back and raging up to centre) and Jacobson, who whether placed or following took a sound share in the match. Others who did really good work for the winners were Hughes (in the ruck), Hinch (back),Greenwood (roving), and Clarke and M'Carthy in the forward ranks. Sulli-van, of Port Melbourne, was one of the best men on the ground. His place was the centre, but he roved between the half-forward and half-back lines, and was conspicuous everywhere. M'Gowan, whether in the centre or following, stood second to him, and other useful men in the colours were Gilchrist, Dean, Laver, Brennan, and Ayles.

COMFORT FOR RICHMOND.

After an unusual spell of adversity, Richmond got to the front again by beating Essendon, though

had the latter begun the game in as good style as they finished it they would have made a much bet-ter show on the scores. In the early part of the match Essendon performed badly, and though they were never at any stage of the game able to hold their own with the premiers of last year, they improved considerably as the game advanced. They have a few first-rate players, but the diffi-culty of about eight good men trying to hold their own with a more even eighteen was always apparent. Although Richmond scored more heavily in the third quarter, it was always a better match than the scores show it. The last term was the best part of the match, the oppor-tunities being equal on either side, though Rich-mond made rather the better use of them, and on the whole game had a sound advantage of nearly

50 points. Richmond improved greatly as a side,

and are coming on in a way that suggests they may recover much of their lost prestige before

the season ends.

For the winners very good football was played by Fildes, Sykes, Edmonds, and Lough, chiefly in defence. Their attacking lines improved, too, Carkeek, who is working up to his best form, got three goals, and Hutchinson, another of their for-wards, once greatly feared, is recovering his ac-curacy and skill. Bowden, one of the Colling-wood reserves, has come over to Richmond, against who, he shaped well in a trial match. Bennion, Hardiman, Hill, Marsh, and Lang all shaped well. For Essendon, Duff played really fine football, and Cheffers followed effectively right through the match. Amongst others who did good work for the side were Makin (two goals), Williams, Mitchell, Orr, Durby, M'Namara, Bennett, and Graham. Souter was a first-rate field umpire.

ANOTHER WIN FOR PRESTON.

Preston are playing on, and the only chance they gave Prahran to beat them on Saturday was in missing so many of their tries for goal. In this respect they began well but finished badly. Their first three shots all scored goals. After that they scored one goal in 14 tries, which is just about as bad a bit of sharp-shooting as a side can afford if they want a winning margin. The first half of the match was fairly even, with Preston perhaps a little in the lead always. In the second half they managed to keep the game more open, and in this style of football could always beat Prahran in the air. Their superiority at this stage was greater than the points at all in-dicate, though Prahran made their best show for the match in the third quarter. On the winning side the men who did most for victory were Her-rington, Brown, Hollis, Mason, P. Hall, and Yeo-masn. Fraser, the Prahran captain, has gone out of town, and in his place as leader they chose Hagbloom, who commenced his captaincy by play-ing in first-rate form. His best assistance in the game were Bullen, Lethbridge, Haughton, Trus-cott, Jones, Sykes, and Carlson-the three last-named being all players new to the colours.

SC011KS.

Thne.

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Final.

17-131 10-10

IS

METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION.

Results of Saturday's matches.-Leopold, 10 goals 8 behinds (68 points), v. Hawthorn 5 goals 8 behinds (38 points) ; South Yarra (4 goals 10 be-hinds (34 points), v. Collingwood District (5 goals 3 behinds (33 points); Caulfield, 6 goals 9 be-hinds (45 points), v. Beverley, 4 goals 12 behinds (36 points); University, 6 goals 6 behinds (42 points), v. Brighton, 5 goals 5 behinds (35 points); Collegians, 6 goals 15 behinds (51 points), v. Port Rovers, 4 goals 4 behinds (28 points).

Position of clubs to date :_

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hoiilli Yarra .... 7 I X] S» I'nltrnlly '..,.. <t . , 1' ' ,M . » brighton. 4 4 JJ HI ivlilhrsvooel Ditt, .1 «34 1« Lronnhl. 4 I J' HI Pen ltoivra. ¡t .1 :ts li Caulfield. 'J It .Ti N lliwihorn. 1 7 .ii I llrstrley. h it- ..

VICTORIAN JUNIOR AT KYNETON.

KYNETON, Saturday.-There was a fine game this afternoon on Barkly umpire, when the local players met the representative chosen by the Vic-

torian Junior Football Association. W. French acted as umpire. The game, which was brilliantly

contested in splendid weather, resulted in a vic-

tory for Kyneton by 6 goals 6 behinds to V.F.J.A. 4 goals 5 behinds. The visiting team were enter-tained at lunchcon after the match by the Kyneton

players.

FITZROY TEAM AT HOBART.

FOOTBALL IN THE SNOW.

HOBART, Saturday.-There were snowfalls dur-ing the progress of the Fitzroy-South Tasmania football match this afternoon, but fully 2,000 people attended. The local men played much bet-ter than had been expected, and gave the visitors a real good fight. The visitors showed to advan-tage, and the spectators greatly enjoyed the game, which resulted-Fitzroy, 6 goals 18 behinds (54 points) South Tasmania, 5 goals 5 behinds (35

points).

Retail Softgoods Association.-Mutual Store, 6 goals 7 behinds (43 points), beat Craig, William-son, 4 goals 6 behinds (30 points); Lincoln, Stuart, 8 goals 4 behinds (52 points), beat Robertson and Moffat, 3 goals 5 behinds (23 points); Connibere, Grieve, and Connibere, 8 goals 15 behinds (63

points), beat Brooks, M'Glashan, and M'Harg, 0 goals 3 behinds (3 points).

Army Challenge Cup.-Australian Garrison Ar-tillery, 9 goals 15 behinds (69 points), beat Engi-neers, 5 behinds (5 points).

Civil Service Stores, 3 goals 9 behinds (27 points), beat Dunlop Tire, 3 goals 1 behind (19 points).

SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Prahran College v. King's College.-Played on Friday, at Albert-park, resulted-Prahran College, 1 goal (Bruce) 2 behinds; King's College, 3 be-

hinds.

Camberwell Grammar School, 21 goals 28 behinds, to Box Hill Grammar School, 3 goals 3 behinds.

INTERSTATE SCHOOL GAMES.

The Launceston Church Grammar School football team, which has held the premiership of Tasmania for the last five years, arrived on Saturday morning by s.s. Loongana to play a series of games with Victorian public schools. The boys, who are ac-companied by their head master, Mr. H. Gillett. M.A., and Mr. Butcher, sports master, are a very light lot, and are somewhat bashful in facing the Victorian schools. They are being entertained as guests by the Melbourne public schools, the ar-rangements having been made by Mr. I. A. Adam-son, head master of Wesley College. The pro-gramme of macthes arranged is v. Scotch College, on the M.C.C. ground, to-morrow; v. Melbourne Grammar School, at the Grammar School, on Thursday, v. Xavier College, on the Friendly So-cities ground, on Saturday; and v. Wesley Col-lege, at Wesley College, on this day week. It is hoped that a match may also be arranged with Gee-long Grammar School, at Geelong. The boys will return by s.s. Loongans on Wednesday week. The members of the team are-A. Anderson (captain), L. Darby (vice-captain), W. Conder, H. Webster, T. Hoskins, I. Hayes, A. Hinman, H. Smith, G. Fairthorne, C. Thompson, J. Webster, W. Brown. R. Webb, k. Patterson, C. Smith, H. Holder, C. Hawker, H. Woodsman, K. Lewis, and J. Came.

Two Victorian public schools have arranged inter-state tours during the midwinter holidays. Wesley College will visit Tasmania, and Scotch College, who are leading for the Victorian premiership, will go to Adelaide to meet St. Peter's College and Prince Alfred College.

STATE SCHOOL MATCHES.

In connection with the state school competition, the undermentioned matches have been played dur-ing the week, with the following results:-June 14

-South Yarra, 3 goals 6 behinds (21 points), beat Brighton, 1 goal 3 behinds (9 points). June 15-Northcote, 4 goals 9 behinds (23 points), beat Heidleberg, 2 goals 2 behinds (14 points). June 15- Eastern-read, 2 goals 2 behinds (14 points), beat Port Melbourne, 1 goal 7 behinds (13 points). June 17-George-street, 3 goals 5 behinds (23 points), beat Victoria-park, 1 goal 5 behinds (11 points).

June 18-Malvern, 8 goals 10 behinds (58 points), beat Hawksburn, 2 behinds (2 points). June 21-

St. Kilda, 6 goals 7 behinds (43 points), beat Brighon, 1 goal 6 behinds (16 points). Middle-park, 3 goals 9 behinds (18 points), beat Eastern-road, 1 goal 6 behinds (12 points); Yarra-park, 12 goals 14 behinds (88 points), beat Burnley, 1 be-hind (1 point). June 19-High-street, Prahran, 7 goals 4 behinds (46 points), beat Caulfield 1 goal 4 behinds (10 points); Yarra-park, 2 goals 11 be-hinds (23 points), beat Armadale, 2 goals 2 be-hinds (14 points0. June 20-Abhotsford, 6 behinds (6 points), beat Vere-street, Collingwood (1 point); High-street, 3 goals 6 behinds (24 points), beat South Yarra, 2 goals 1 behind (18 points).

M:IV WII III « u.i.s i. vi'i:iAsi,.iNii.

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SYDNEY, Sunday.-A football match, under Aus-

Queensland and this state, took place on the Sydney Cricket-ground yesterday, in the presence of about 4,000 spectators, including their Excellencies Lord Northcote and Sir H. Rawoon. The visitors were outclosed but played a plucky game. The

scored at half-time were 21 to 16, and at close-

New South Wales, 11 goals 19 behinds, 16 points; Queensland, 3 goals 5 behinds, 23 points.

VICTORIAN BEAT SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

ADELAIDE, Sunday.-The football match be-tween the South Australian and Victorian Associa-tion teams attracted 7,000 or 8,000 people to the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. The takings amounted to £388. The visitors kicked the first goal, but about half-way through the first quar-ter Paln (Victorain) broke his niilirtsu»», and had to leave the ground. At the beginning of the

next quarter Neil took his place. In the reason-time, however, South Australia, with a brilliant dash, put on 3 goals. The scores at the end of

the first quarter were:-Victoria, 1 goal 1 behind;

South Australia, 3 goals 3 behinds. In the second term the play was remarkably level, and at half-time the figures were:-Victoria, 4 goals 2 behinds;

South Australia, 6 goals 5 behinds. In the third quarter the Victorian gradually wore down their opponents, and at the end of the third term had

got 6 goals 7 behinds against the local men's 7

goals 8 behinds. In the final quarter the visitors ran all over the South Australians, and in the last, 10 minutes or so scored 4 goals. The final tally was :-Victoria, 10 goals 8 behinds; South Australia, 7 goals 9 behinds.

The game was not a particularly good one be-

cause of the lack on either side of combination. In this respect the Victorians improved in the second half. The best man on the Victorian side was Armstrong, who roved with untiring energy and great skill. Hedley and Gregory followed

well. Chase, in the centre, generally best Cor-ston. Cope distinguished himself on the wing,

and Matthews played a fine game forward and

kicked beautifully. The Victorian goal-kickers were:-Matthews (5), Jones, Armstrong, Smith, Stanlake, and Cope; South Australia-Gibbons (3), Gwynne (2), Johns, and Davis.