Fitzroy City Press (Vic. : 1881 - 1920), Thursday 3 June 1897, page 3


SPORTING NOTES. FOOTBALL. FirZRoY v. Essooneo. On Saturday last the above teams met on the Fitzroy Ground in the presence of about 5000 spectators. The game was splendidly contested, but the superior height and dash of the visitors gave them an advantage over their shorter opponents. The umpire also lost control of the game and his nterpretatiou of the rles did not meet with the apnroval of many who desire the enational winter game to florish. In the first quarter the dply ware about even, but in the second and third quarters the visitors undohbtedly had an adroantege. In the findal quarter, hoverer. Fitzroy played all over the Easendone and had their kicking been less faulty, would have rone very near winning. Muirheart played a fine game right through, and D. lonriarty showed out well on the wing, playin with great dash and showine splendid turn of speed. There is, however, too much playing to the wiegs-that is, out of boundes-.-aa theo roles are at present. the centre play should prove the better game. G. Moriartv was in very good marking form, but some of his kicks did not travel as far as we have seen them on previous occasions. Reid morked breatifully and invariably got in a rsplendid lone low kick. Both I Mick and Jim Grace played well. aano Dalton and Hickev did a lot of useful work on the half-back liae. A eround slippery on top and hard underneath, as oo Saturday, does not.ueoit Bhlks, andwith the exception of s..nval e'od morks, he did not dieplay that form which has so pleased Fitzroy supneorters, both in this and other seasons. Nolan and Astrie played well, the former better tlhan in any previous match. The Fitzrov forwards were the source of weakness on Saturday, and we consider the Club should make effortsto secure one or two tall forward men, then the little smart men at presoent in the team would have a chance of securing the ball when the big fellows knock it out, in going fora mark or in spoiling an opponent. At present all the forwards go up for the ball, and the value of one man even, standing out was shown when Noonan secured the ball on Saturday last, right in front of goal and capped his previouos fine play by notching a goal. The result was disappointing to both players and supporters and we feel assured that the former will strain every nerve to have revenge on Shturday next by scoring a win against the premiers of 1896. The scores were as follows Essendon, 6 goals, 6 behinds, 42 points. Fitzroy; .., 2 ,, e 20,,