West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 27 August 1934, page 14


STRONG FINISHING EFFORT.

South Fremantle Beat* East Perth.

A. sprinkling of spectators attended at the Fremantle Oval on Saturday when South Fremantle defeated East Perth by 5.9 after a match that was hotlv contested

until ten minutes belore time, when South Fremantle overran its opponents, and kicked six goals. Aided by a strong wind East Perth 'scored eight goals from a like number of- shots in the first quarter, but South Fremantle with methods proper to the conditions held an advantage of 12 points at half time. Kicking inaccurately and_ opposed by strong backs, East Perth failed to establish a sufficient lead in the third quarter to tide it over South Fremantle's forceful football in the last term. Once South Fremantle had drawn level, East Perth broke down badly under the strain, and towards the end of the game it was outplayed. The teams were: — SOUTH FREMANTLE.— Backs: Back, E. Lawn. Edwards. Half-backs: Hagen, Edgar, Brown. Centres: K. Miller, White, Whitmore. Halfforwards: Dodd, C. Jennings, A. Richardson. Forwards: Hugall, Jones, Matthews. Ruck: Ditchburn, Robertson, Caratti (rover). Nineteenth man: Lancaster (did not play). EAST PERTH. — Backs: M. Ryan, Bennett, Mather. Half-backs: Matson, R. Lawn, Woods. Centres: Leeder, Miller, Guhl. Half-forwaTds: Dempster, Dolan. Garnaut Forwards: JIcCullough. Crow, J. King. Ruck: B. Ryan, Booth, Screaigh (rover). Nineteenth man: W. Thomas (replaced Mather late in third quarter) UMPIRE.— O. Cook. Against a stiff north-westerly wind, South Fremantle -scored a goal within a

minute of the start and held the upper hand for a period. With B. Ryan exerting a strong influence in. the ruck, East Perth levelled the score when J. King goaled. South Fremantle, however, kept pace with it until both 6ides had scored two goals, after which East Perth monopolised the scoring. South Fremantle when attacking found Wood hard to pass, and failed in its short passing. The wind at East Perth's back enabled it to score solidly, and a string of five goals brought its score to eight goals, before a behind was added. South Fremantle hit the goal post twice and was four goals behind— 8.2 to 3.6. South Fremantle at once realised the value of the long kick, and attacked down the centre. Results quickly followed, four goals in succession bringing the scores evel 12 minutes before half time. East Perth then pierced the centre, and with the whole of South Fremantle's back lines drawn out too far, a race to the ball was won by Garnaut, who again placed East Perth in the lead. A dashing effort by Caratti, however, was crpwned by an equalising goal. Maintaining the pressure but sorely handicapped by its inaccuracy, South Fremantle's general play was much superior to that of East Perth. Telling football was played by South Fremantle's ruck and centre line. At half time 12 points separated the scores, which were as follows: — South Fremantle, 9.15; East Perth, 9.3. East Perth's difficulties increased when ?Tones scored a goal against the wind, but King and Dempster quickly off-set this. East Perth's shooting sadly deteriorated, and nine behinds were added to its score. Half-way through the quarter, scores were once again even. The wind was still strong, but little time remained for East

irerth to utilise its advantage. Its general play was poor, and weak links were apparent in every division. South Fremantle defended, determinedly and was able to keep East Perth's lead to a point until the last kick of the term when B; Ryan goaled and made the scores at three-quarter time:— East Perth, 12.14; South Fremantle, 10.19. Sensing defeat, Dolan went into the ruck and showed fine form. South Fremantle was in an excellent position when Jones reduced East Perth's lead to a point. East P^rth made several futile attacks under the lee of the grandstand, but South Fremantle's defence proved reliable. East Perth defended so vigorously that for ten minutes South Fremantle was held at bay. Witt ten minutes to go South Fremantle equalised the -scores. Once in the lead South Fremantle played 'wide, fast' football, and East Perth gave ground. A strong ruck— Ditchburn, Robertson and Caratti— was assisted by a strong centre line, and a dashing set of forwards proved more than East Perth's backs could cope with. Six goals in rapid succession made the final scores: — SOUTH FREMANTLE . 17.23 (125 pts.) EAST PERTH ? 12.14 (86 pfe.) Goalkickers.— South Fremantle: Jones, (7), Matthews (2), Dodd (2), C. Jennings, A. Richardson, Whitmore, Caratti, Hagan and Miller. East Perth: J. King (3), Dolan (.2), Crow (2), Screaigh (2), Garnaut, Dempster and B. Ryan. South Fremantle's best player was Caratti, who Toved in. determined style, and did a tremendous amount of work. Robertson followed- strongly, and the whole' of the centre line acquitted .itself with credit. Others who took a prominent part in South Fremantle's victory .were E. Lawn. Edgar, Ditchburn, Jones, Matthews and Hagan. For East Perth Wood stood out with a dashing display at half back. Dolan followed in fine form in the last quarter. Booth, and M. Ryan were solid performers .throughout, while the best of an uneven remainder were Bennett, Miller and J. King.