Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 2 October 1944, page 12


41,000 SEE MATCH

£14,493 for Series

Despite transport difficulties, £1,000 people attended the grand final football match at St Kilda, and the takings were £4,430. Many of them came early, and there was no congestion. The attendance for the four games was 134,542. and the gross takings £14,493. The figures for the series at Carlton last sea-son were 133,382 and £15,949 respectively. The difference in the takings was due to the great number of services personnel at the matches. On Saturday, for example, they constituted one-third of the grandstand and one-fourth of the outer, paying half-price to each.

At the half-time interval on Saturday Mr Peter Burns, a player and official for 62 years, received a presentation from the League for valuable services rendered. Dr J. Jones, vice-president, made the presentation. Mr Burns, a former player for South Melbourne and Geelong, was Geelong timekeeper for 40 years. More than 30 former Sandhurst players and officials held a reunion at the House of Commons Hotel, Elizabeth st, on Saturday. Later they attended the grand final. The club hopes to play in the Bendigo League next year to revive the game. Mr Val Cocking was elected president of the club, Mr R. J. McCaskill (coach of North Melbourne), senior vice-president; Mr Tom Barber, junior vice-president; Mr A. (Pixie) Odgers secretary; and Mr Cyril Bogle

treasurer.

OPPY REPORTED

Oppy (Richmond) has been reported on a charge of having hacked Sier in the first quarter. The charge was laid by Batty, a boundary umpire.

Although Jones was not in Richmond's original selection, he was included in the team, which was, therefore, the same as for the previous week. Keith Cook was made 19th man, and replaced Jones injured leg) at half-time. Just before the game ended Price left the field and Murray came on for Fitzroy.

Fitzroy and Essendon will play a match at Bendigo next Saturday in aid of RSL. Each club will be strongly represented, and. because of their respective positions, it should be an attraction. Fitzroy seconds will play a combined Ballarat team on the same day, and both teams will train on Thursday.

Leo Merrett has won the best and fairest trophy for Richmond, defeat-ing the other wingman, Edwards, by 99 votes to 98. Five players are chosen each week, and votes range from five to one. Altogether 25 players participated. Best of the others were Morris (80), Smeaton (78), Perkins (668). Mooney (59), Maguire (58), Waldron (58). Bawden (47), Oppy (42).