Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 25 May 1942, page 6


FOUR TEAMS ON TOP

Large Margins

By PERCY TAYLOR

Smashing victories by several teams, and a close call to Essendon, leave 4 teams still undefeated in League football, the third round of which was pla ed on Saturday.

Monaghan (Fitzroy) has been re-ported on a charge of having used abusive language lo the umpire, and on another charge of misconduct. O'Keefe (Melbourne) has been re-ported on a charge of having elbowed B Calverley (Fitzroy).

Essendon had to change its team, as Dearie and Bryce (19th) were detained at work. Silk filled the vacancy, and Dick Reynolds placed himself in Dearie's place in the

centre.

Carlton did not complete its team until just before the game. Five changes were made, McIntyre, Anderson, Fitzgibbon (Brunswick), Collins (Coburg), Bennett, replacing McInnes, W. Atkinson, Green, Baird, and Howell. Chitty was placed in the centre, but was not happy there. He may not be able to get leave to play this week. Collins apparently had not recovered from the ankle injury that compelled him to with-draw from the team on the previous Saturday. After half-time he went from full forward to centre half-forward, changing places with

Wrout.

Richmond supporters provided 5 trophies for best players, and a special one for Joe Reilly, 19th man, for his fine club spirit. Edwards has a severely bruised thigh, but may be fit for the next match. Before the game Mr Alex Edmonds, captain of 1902 premiership team, handed to the club his premiership medal, and to perpetuate the memory of Mr George Beachcroft a former secre-tary, a mirror for the use of players.

MELBOURNE DIFFICULTIES

Melbourne, which had some good players unavailable, had to replace 3 more before the game. Baggott and Archibald had influenza, and La Fontaine was unable to get leave. Three new plajers filled the vacan-cies. They were Ferguson (recently cleared by Richmond), who excelled at centre half-back, Franklin (Sed-don), who did well in the centre, and Bush (St Kilda), who shaped well at full back. Smith and Wartman, in addition to the 3 mentioned, may be fit for Saturday. Ted Cordner may have his first game for the season, and Hingston may also be available. Mueller, who has 2 injured ankles, may rest on Saturday.

Footscray was much heartened by the form of Houston, who was awarded a special trophy. Dolphin and Sampson may be available for Saturday.

For Hawthorn Albiston could not play, and Herbert came in. Brain in-jured his arm, and may have a broken bone. He was replaced by Boyle in the second quarter.

Fitzroy has lost the 5 West Aus-tralians, who returned to Perth last night. It Is possible that several of them will return to take another course at the physical training school. Fitzroy was satisfied with the form, but will have to find room for such plajers as Hearn, Wright, Denning and Grant, all of whom are expected to be available on Satur-day. Wright could not play, and Ivan Clay took his place, showing good form, Bunton suffered another ankle injury, and was replaced in the second quarter by E. Hill.

At Collingwood Bushbridge hurt his ankle and was replaced by Mears.

Lloyd, St Kilda full-back, hurt his leg, and was replaced at half-time by Mudge. He may miss the next match. However, officials hope that Fountain, Lowry and J. Kelly will return on Saturday.

There is great enthusiasm at South Melbourne, and the team is playing particularly well. Collard injured his leg, and was replaced in the last quarter by Kelly.

ESSENDON EXTENDED

Good football in flashes only was seen at Essendon, where the home team defeated Carlton by 5 points after a most exciting finish. A few minutes before time Carlton was in front, but Essendon fought back strongly. Strength in the ruck and a slightly better defence were chief points in Essendon's win, but each team had weaknesses at half-for-ward, where theie was too great a tendency to crowd in and lose position. Generally the kicking lacked direc-tion, and Carlton, in particular, usually failed to get in front of op-ponents.

Torney, superb in the air and dominating the ruck, and Dick Rey-nolds, for his coolness and general dependability, were best for Essen-don. Hird, Buttsworth, Ruddell,

Flanagan, and Rawle were best of the others. For Carlton Gneil shone at full-back, Fitzgibbon did well on the wing, and Sanger, Mooring, Anderson and Bailey also excelled.

SOUTH TRIUMPHS

Too strong in every department South Melbourne easily defeated St Kilda at Carlton. Its attack was possibly the strong link, as there is still a slight weakness in defence. St Kilda has a number of weak-nesses, and may possibly call on some players in the seconds.

Graham (who hurt his thumb in the second half and may have a broken bone) was best for South Melbourne, his marking and ruck work being brilliant. White, an excellent mark and kick, earned his 10 goals, while good support came from Matthews, Cashin, Harwood, King, Castles, and Mullenger. Best for St Kilda were Gray, Butler, Knight, Garvin, Weiss, Meek, Comerford, and Orger (who is, however, a little too light for centre half-back).

FITZROY COMBINES WELL

Good combination and strength in most positions enabled Fitzroy to de-feat a weakened Melbourne. The los-ing team, however, has no regrets, and feels that the team will settle down to a good one later. It was only in the last few minutes that Fitzroy, then 2 goals ahead, raced away to clinch the victory.

Monaghan, at centre half-forward played his best game for Fitzroy. M. Hughson (centre) was in grand form, and F. Hughson, Toyne, Oliphant, Stackpole, Gillespie-Jones, and B. Calverley all played well. Ferguson, cleared to Melbourne by Richmond, played remarkably well at centre half-back in his first game. He kicks either foot and marks splendidly. Emselle, Gibb, Hewson, and Cordner

were next best.

FOOTSCRAY WINS EASILY

Good form was shown by Footscray, which is rarely happy at Hawthorn. It won comfortably after a game in which there was much scrambling play. Hawthorn lacked system, but some of its moves came from fast and dashing play.

Houston played splendidly at centre half-forward, and Ware and Olliver were also in fine form. Thoms, Mor-rison, and McCankie played their parts. Bennett, Barker (who were the only Hawthorn players who could oppose Ware, Olliver, and Co. in the air), Angwin, Pavey, Horkings, Burke, and Ryan were best for Hawthorn.

RICHMOND TOO STRONG

Greater experience was a factor in Richmond's overwhelming win over Collingwood. It held command in practically every position. The loser fought well In the early stages, but fell into error and lacked steadiness, which Is not surprising when it is remembered that so many good players are on service.

Merrett, Smeaton, and Titus were best for Richmond. Brennan, Ablett, Hull, Crane, Harris, and Bawden also excelled. Campbell shone in the centre for Collingwood, and Galbally and Burns were best of the others.