Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 27 September 1940, page 14


Football

GREAT FIGHT

FOR PENNANT

A

w

Grand Final Doubts

By PERCY TAYLOR

Melbourne or Richmond? That is the question all football supporters are asking themselves on the eve of the grand final match of the Victorian Football League More than 60 000 people are expected to attend the Melbourne ground to-morrow to see how the question will be answered

Melbourne with several players doubtful could not complete its team last night Richmond with every player fit and well replaced Priestley by Crane

While most enthusiasts feel that Richmond is certain to win the 1940 premier-ship Melbourne supporters are confident that the match has yet to be won Richmond looked impressive at training but those who visited the Melbourne ground found the players bright and active and exuding an air of confidence The Melbourne

story is that Richmond with its best possible team played as well as it could possibly play in winning the semi-final Melbourne although short of a gallop in that game lost by only six points That match and the one against Essendon last week have toned up its players to such an extent that they are now with the exception of several who are still nursing injuries back to their

best form

Thus a great and keen game should be seen and It should be one that will long be remembered Incidents of a fortnight ago are adding zest to the game but they have been forgotten by the players and all the indications point to a sporting contest with nothing given away and with the 36 men playing football all the time

CRANE IN, PRIESTLY OUT

After a long discussion last night Richmond decided to replace Priestly by Crane It was thought that Scott would be chosen but the selectors felt that he had had insufficient work He has not played for

six weeks

A change in position was also made Bawden who played centre half-forward last match will begin in a forward pocket and will partner Symons in the second ruck Crane will be centre half-forward Richmond has reserved the right to change the team if the weather changes

Titus who had an injured heel reap peared at training and was greeted with applause from more than 300 onlookers who included many country visitors and three fathers of players Titus trained for three-quarters of an hour and left officials in no doubt about his ability to give his best performance to morrow With a record total of 97 goals for the season Titus hopes to make his century against

Melbourne

Dyer and Smith appeared late but they trained until darkness forced them back to the pavilion Both players were fit Symons did not appear Officials said that he had been advised to relax

Old supporters recalled last night that Richmond defeated Melbourne in the first League match ever held and were again successful when the rat al teams met in the first semi final in which they were opponents last Saturday week They consider these wins a happy augury for to-morrow

MELBOURNE PICKS 23

Because of a doubt about several players Melbourne did not complete its team last night The selection will depend on the result of a trial of the doubtful to-morrow morning. A list of 23 players from whom the 18 will be chosen was announced

Of those who played last week Lock and Furniss were pronounced unfit and Roberts and Truscott have been included There are three doubtful players all of whom are still suffering from injuries suffered last Saturday They are Baggott Fischer and Baxter To a less extent Truscott is also not perfectly fit but he trained well and is expected to be available

Baggott said after training that he felt well and he had no doubt about his ability to play Whether the medical officer is of the same opinion will be known to-morrow Fischer who earlier in the week was considered certain to be an onlooker trained fairly well and pleased officials After all the players had left the field Fischer and Checker Hughes coach remained and Fischer tested his ankle injury at kicking He suffered no ill-effects on a fairly hard ground and should know to day if the work proved too much for the injury

in the Inner circles it is felt that Fischer will play that Baxter will at least open as full back although a surprise move is mentioned and that O'Keefe or Fanning will fill Furniss s place Truscott may be preferred to Dow-sing because of his greater physique

Several trophies have been offered by supporters if Melbourne is successful against Richmond A dinner has been arranged for Saturday night by the MCC Mr J C Hall chairman and P Page secretary were preparing yesterday for the continuation of festivities next week if the team is victorious

TEAMS CHOSEN

RICHMOND

Backs Symonds Smeaton O'Neill Hall books Steele Hull, Cotter

Centres McDonald Waldron Edward' Half forwards Martin! Crane c L Smith 2 Forwards Bawden runs Harris

Followers Bent ley Dyer Rover J Quinn

En agencies Priestley Merrett Scott In Crane Out Priestley

MELBOURNE

From Anderson Batreott Ball Beames Barassi Baxter Dowslne D Hard Emselle Fisherman chair Gibb Hingston a Jones La Fontaine Mueller McLean O'Keefe Roberts Rodda Smith Truscott Wartman