West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 26 April 1937, page 7


SUBIACO BETTER BALANCED. Chances Missed by Swan Districts. Despite its inability to field a thoroughly representative side, Subiaco opened the season well on Saturday when it decisively defeated Swan Districts on the sublaco Oval. Better balanced, speedier and with system and accuracy the main feature of its effective forward play, Sublaco was unquestionably the better team on the day. The swan Districts team presented a distinct contrast in this department, its forwards adopted mass formation tactics and, with the sole ex-1 ception of Holdsworth, offered few leads and were usually outwitted when opportunities did come their way. Their back men, too, committed many breaches and allowed their immediate opponents too many liberties. The players as a whole handled the ball surprisingly welL The teams were:- . SUBIACO.-Backs: W. Yates, L. Daily, McCalluar. Half-backs: Davies, Strack, A. Fisher. Centres: J. Taylor, N. Smith, Peers. Halfforwards: F. Brophy, S. Daily, Murphy. Forwards: Mereon, Edmondson, Hambleton. Ruck; j Bant, Gilbert, Stehn (rover). Ninetenth man: Donovan. SWAN DISTRICTS.-Backs: Ford, Avery, Zilko. Half-backs: Murray, Sinclair, Andrews. Centres: Mosey, Darmody Krepp. Half-forwards: Me.Mahon, Rosewarne, Penberthy. Forwards: Corn, Holdswortb. Chester. Rock: Bravo, Randall, Sweetapple (rover). Nineteenth man: Moiler. UMPIRE.--H. Hooper. With the breeze in its favour swan Districts side launched the first attack but L. Daily in his customary position in goal, relieved the situation. Swan Districts again found him in the way in a further attempt to break through. Rosewarne, at half-forward, was creating opportunities for the visiting forwards and quickly set at rest any doubts as to his ability as an artistic and resourceful player; Holdsworth supported him well. Smith, Gilbert and Bant were prominent for Subiaco, while Murray's marking in defence for Swan Districts was bright in a term in which the standard never rose above the ordinary. The scores at the first change-over were:-Swan Districts. 4.4; Subiaco, 22. Twenty -seconds from the bounce Subiaco had reduced the gap with a goal from Hambleton. Encouraged by its early success Sublaco once more swept into attack; momentarily repulsed, it was ultimately rewarded with two goals, credit for which was due to Yates and McCallum. Holdsworth, the Swan Districts' goal-sneak. was outstanding in his side's forward division and, co-operating cleverly with the brilliant and umselfish

Rosewarne, was doing most of the scoring. His high marking and kicking pleased the crowd. Merson was doing invaluable work for Subiaco and apart from his own contributions was assisting his associates. Clapping on .the pace, Sublaco overshadowed Swan Districts and with 10.7 on the board had established a substantial lead of 23 points at halftime. A series of penalties enabled Swan Districts to issue a strong challenge in the early stages of the third quarter. The forwards, however, were overwhelmed by a quicker-thinking defence, of which the two Dailys and Davies were most conspicuous. In a desperate endeavour, Rosewarne shrewdly singled out Holdsworth and disappointment was evident when a magnificent kick yielded only a behind. Bant was doing yeoman service for Subiaco as a follower while Bravo and Krepp occasionally came under notice. The Swan Districts' goal-front inaccuracy considerably handicapped the side, more especially as Subiaco was kicking goals with regularity. Subiaco was attacking strongly and at the bell led with 11.9 to 8.4. With a lead of 15 points and a freshening breeze behind it, Subiaco was quickly into stride and had added six points before Swan Districts awoke to the seriousness of the situation. Rosewarne cleverly singled out Darmody. whose running shot from an acute angle hit the post for the fourth time during the match. Krepp was now playing brilliantly while another wingman in Peers (useful all day) brought a round of applause when he raced through to score his third goal. The play of Swan Districts amidfield left little to be desired. Receiving an unerring pass from Krepp, Gorn marked well but an easy chance went amiss when he kicked across an open goaL Merson and Rosewarne were playing strongly for their respective sides. Swan Districts had command of the situation but failures in front of goal made the task of wiping off the deficit too difficult. Murphy's skilful handling of his forwards was a feature of the play at a time when Subiaco made the issue safe. Smith and Taylor were a useful pair for Subiaco. With ten minutes to go, play reached a high standard. Swan Districts striving valiantly but vainly to rectify early blunders. Subiaco always had a response apd won easily. Final scores:SUBIACO ...... 16.11 (:: pts.) SWAN DISTRICTS 1L17 (83 pts.) Scorers:-Subiaco: Merson, 5.0; Stehn, 3.2; Peers, 3.0; Yates, 2.; Edmondson, 1.4; Hambleton, 1.0; McCallum, 1.0; S. Daily, 0.2; Gilbert, 0.1. Swan Districts: Holdsworth, 7.4; Gorn, 2.5; Rosewarne, 1.1; Krepp, 1.0; McMahon, 0.2; Darmody, 0.2; Randall, 0.1; Sweetapple, 0.1; Andrews, 0.1.Deservedly Deservedly awarded the Ledger trophy for the most useful player on the Subiaco side, Bant carried a heavy burden throughout the game. He did a great amount of work in the ruck, marked and kicked well Making his first appearance in league company, N. Smith made an auspicious debut and a continuance of that form would solve the centre problem for Subiaco. He received the Gordon Hack trophy for the best player on the field, the umpires acting as adjudicators. Merson was a brilliant half-forward. Ever on the alert, he was seldom beaten in the air and kicked with unfailing accuracy. Subisco had few who did not do their fair share, Murphy, Peers, Stehn and L. Daily being prominent. Although suffering a physical disability, Rosewarne was Swan Districts' finest player. Cool and clever in his ground play, he is a pastmaster in the art of handling the ball an4 kicks well with either foot. It was no fault of his that so many scoring chances went begging. Holdsworth proved himself to be a forward above the average. Quick to size up a situation, he kicked nicely, showed excellent anticipation, and needed no pampering. Krepp, after being subdued in the early part of the game, struck his best form in the final term and was the prime mover in his side's futile rally. Murray, Bravo, Zilko and Avery were the best of a mediocre balance.