West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 25 April 1953, page 24


League Football Season

To Open Today (By "FORWARD.') The winners in the opening league football matches of the season today may be West Perth, East Perth, Claremont and Perth.

With no counter sporting attractions the matches should attract big crowds. Football history will be made today when East Fremantle and Claremont will play the first match on the reconstructed East Fremantle ground. Doubtless, East Fremantle would like to score a win in its first match on the ground. To achieve this, however, it will need to produce one of its greatest fighting efforts. Last Saturday East Fremantle was most unimpressive against South Fremantle and the loss of Bob Mann and Alf Backshall to the amateur association this week has further weakened the side. It is in East Fremantle's favour that its troubles are occurring at the beginning of the season. It should now be able to settle down and develop an understanding between its players. The imminent return of Jim Conway should give the side a great lift. Claremont defeated East Fremantle by 20.10 to 14.20 in their first meeting last year.

As Claremont appears to be as strong as it was last year, it should not be in danger of defeat. On paper it should win by a greater margin. New Ground Before the match begins the ground will be officially opened by the Mayor of East Fremantie (Mr. W. Wauhop). The president (Mr. R. P. Rodriguez) and the secretary of the league (Mr. W. R. Orr) and the president of the Claremont Football Club (Mr. T. Brown) will attend. The unorthodox but brilliant play of Des. Kelly turned the grand final in South Fremantle's favour last year when West Perth appeared certain to win. Kelly will not be in the South Fremantle side today because of an injury. These .teams, the keenest of post-war rivals, appear still to be evenly matched. West Perth, however, is always a hard team to beat, particularly at Leederville Oval. Its rucks appear to be stronger than those of South Fremantle

and if the side was lacking in fitness in the grand final last year, this is not likely to be the case today. Both teams will be anxious to win their first encounter this season. The match should be a great attraction, East Perth's rise has caused a rallying of supporters and they should attend Perth Oval in force to see the five young newcomers who have been included in the side against Subiaco. These young players have earned their places against older and more experienced men. If they have the success that East Perth officials expect and hope for, the side should play a more important part in this year's finals. Perth beat Swan Districts easily in their scratch match engagement. Although this is not always a good guide, Perth appeals as the better-equipped and more experienced team today. If Frank Sparrow at centre half-back, subdues Doug Buckingham, Perth's centre half-forward, Ern Henfry, Perth's captain, may transfer Buckingham to centre forward. There is a possibility that Ron Tucker, who is now 32, will be "rested" from the ruck on the back line. Big Crowd At Night Match MELBOURNE, Friday.-Bill Twomey, Collingwood's brilliant forward, scored six of his team's nine goals when Collingwood beat Fitzroy by 9.13 to 4.19 in the night football match at the showgrounds tonight. A crowd of 30,000 watched the game. Early in the match it appeared as if Fitzroy was adapting itself to the floodlit conditions better than Collingwood. In the final quarter, however, Collingwood's "little men" clinched the match with superb forward play. Junior Games To Start The under-17 football competition sponsored by the Claremont Football Club will be contested by four clubs this season. The clubs are Graylands, Nedlands, Hollywood and Swan bourne. The opening games in this competition will be played next month. Players in all teams are coached by former league footballers. This is in accordance with the Claremont club's policy of fostering junior football in the district.