West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 13 May 1937, page 14


SUPERIORITY IN ATTACK. Hopkins Kicks Seven Goals. Superior forward work, due chiefly to Hopkins's fine marking and kicking, enabled Claremont to defeat Subiaco at Subiaco Oval yesterday. This factor was not apparent in the early stages of the game, when Claremont kicked a succession of behinds, but before long there was a distinct contrast between Subiaco's hesitant, jumbled play in attack and the confident, forward drives of Claremont. Subiaco's defenders worked hard, S. Daily, at centre-half-back, giving a remarkable exhibition of marking and determined ground play, but they could not keep the Claremont score low enough; they were let down elsewhere. Nine minutes from the end Subiaco scored a goal, which encouraged its supporters, but Claremont finished steadily and won convincingly. J. Reid did not make a brilliant first appearance on Claremont's right wing, but some of his efforts, full of speed and finished off with a long, driving drop-kick, were most impressive. Subiaco was without the services of L. Daily and L Toll was an able substitute in goal. R. Yates, formerly -of West Perth, made his debut with Subiaco. Following were the teams: Edmeade,' Batt. Suth. erland. Half-backs: Hedon, Clarke, Grieve. Centres: Reid, G. Mbloney, Hoskea. Hall-for. wards: Compton, Lawn, O'Reilly. Forwards: Morris, Hopkins, iaitland. Ruck: Beeves. S. Moloney, Hooper (rover). iineteenth man: Boys (replaced Sutherland, injured ankle, at half. 'time). SUBIACO.l-Backs: Strack, L. Toll, W. Yestea Half-backs: Davies, S. Daily, Rant. Centres: Smith, Besen, Brewer. Half-forwrds: Peers, Green, Murphy. Forwards: Mereon, Jennings, Haableton. Ruck: Browne, MeOallum, R. Yates (rover). Nineteeath man: Taylor (replaced Res$k, "cork leg in last quarter). MPIRmE.-V. Sparrow. In quick time. Hopkins scored a goal for Claremont and Sublaco, -well served by :owine , sssuld Bqt-pass; Hteadaon for . 'ti* ...RYn reekis .owever, 'twbac _-daed two goals.'The play was cramped .and. Claremont Was marking better and disposing of the ball quicker than Sublaco. Claremont gave the Suhiacoo backs many anxious moments and they were great spoilers. Straighter shooting would have left Claremont in a more favourable position at quartertime, when Sublaco led with 3.1 to 2.5. Again a Subiaco failure preceded a sudden goal to Claremont, but Sublaco improved its play by shepherding and better kicking. Brilliant marking, particularly by S. Daily, and extra pace gratified the spectators. For a time Subiaco dominated the play, then Claremont took charge, and the former battled on to regain the lead at halftime-6.2 to 4.9. It was noticeable that Hooper was troubled by a knee injury and soon Strack was limping. Before long Subiaco was a point behind and It attacked vigorously but uncertainly. Excellent saves were made by the Claremont backs and their forwards made the most of limited opportunities. S. Daily and Clarke were outstanding. A running shot gave Reid a goal from an acute angle and Browne's goal at the other end left Claremont 12 points ahead at the bell--9.10 to 8.4. After Claremont had attacked hotly for three points Sublaco had a bright spasm of accurate passing, but invariably the ball went into a heap and was cleared. Hopkins goaled again after a spectacular mark and Subiaco fought back to reduce the gap to 1.7. At this stage G. Moloney's coolness had a steadying effect on the Claremont team and, despite valiant efforts by the Sublaco defenders, Claremont won decisively, as follows:CLAREMONT .... 12.13 (S5pts.) SUBJACO ...... 10.6 (66pts.) Scorers.-Claremont: Hopkins, 7.3; Reeves, 1.2; Lawn, 1.1; Boys, Reid and Maitland, 1.0 each; O'Reilly, 0.3; Compton and Hooper, 0.2 each. Subiaco: Browne and Jennings, 3.0 each; Green, 2.0; Merson, 1.2; R. Yates, 1.0; Peers, 0,2; McCallum, O.1 Clarke, the centre-half-back, was probably Claremont's best player. He seemed to be everywhere in defence and his exceptional anticipation made his game look easy. Had Hopkins not missed those last three or four marks in the last quarter, he would have been ranked first, for until then he had marked, led and kicked in fine style: Although his kicking has been better, G. Moloney did well in the centre and was instrumental in opening out the play. Headon was reliable at half-back and Compton distinguished himself at half-forward. S. Moloney and Maitland were the best of the ruck men. Batt kept goals safely and was ably assisted by Edmeades and S. Moloney (when not on the ball). Morris was a useful rover and Hosken won on his wing. Reid did some nice things, and Grieve was often conspicuous. Boys was valuable when he came on in the second half. Lawn improved in the ruck. Of the Subiaco men S. Daily was easily the best. His marking was not certain in the first term, but from then on he made scarcely a mistake at centrehalf-back, marking brilliantly, playing with success on the ground and kicking well. In the rack and at half-back McCallum showed marked improvement and Browne was prominent whether in the ruck or in attack. The full backs worked together well and Bant and Davies were great triers. Brewer played effectively on the wing against Reid, and Bessen, particularly when he adopted spoiling tactics, was good in the centre. Peers was easily the best half-forward and Hambleton and R. Yates (early stages) roved usefully.