Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 23 May 1898, page 3


A GRAND GAME AT FITZROY.

There was a large attendance at Fitzroy, when the home team met their neighbours from Colling-wood. Calleson, Sime, and G. Williams were the principal absentees from the ranks of the Magpies, and the firstnamed will probably be unable to take the field again this season. Sime will, however, ap-pear as soon as his cricket engagement is over. M. Grace and McMichael again stood out of the Fitzroy team. The wind blew strongly from the Brunswick-street goal, and Fitzroy, having first use of it, determined to throw away no chances. Col-

lingwood, instead of playing for the wing, as might have been expected, drove the ball straight up the middle of the ground, but these tactics suited Fitzroy, who had put on 4 goals 4 behinds before the bell rang, Kiernan scoring twice, his second goal being the outcome of good judgment. He was almost in a line with the posts, but, kick-ing with accurate strength just in front, the wind

turned the ball nicely through. McSpeerin also

scored, and Sharpe, who was the first to break the ice, after kicking a beautiful goal from quite 60 yards out, tried twice again, and just missed by a foot on each occasion, first on one side and then on the other of the posts. Collingwood only notched a behind. With the wind behind them, the Magpies scarcely expected a Fitzroy rush, and before they awoke to the fact, McSpeerin had scored again for the maroons out of a scrim-

mage. Up to this point, Fitzroy had been quickest on their feet, Collingwood being slow to start.

However, this reverse roused them to action, and Sloan had all his work cut out to prevent the Magpies hemming him in. Fitzroy were playing for the Melbourne wing, but Collingwood drove them back, but though playing well did not make the best use of their opportunities, and it half-time the score stood—Fitzroy, 5.4, to Collingwood

3.3. Collingwood began the third quarter by play-

ing straight up the ground again, but soon adopted Fitzroy's tactics of playing for the Melbourne wing. The game was fast and exciting, and very rough, but there was an admirable absence of spite. Both sides went into the game with a remarkable dis-regard of consequences, and Fitzroy added two more goals with the wind. When they changed over for the last time, Collingwood were 25 points to the bad, but many good judges, including some ardent Fitzroyites, quite expected Collingwood to win. Their men were all playing hard games. Fitzroy, however, were diplomatic and did not rush things. As Collingwood gradually crept up the excitement became intense, and the barrackers were worked up to a greater pitch than I have seen for some time. Collingwood were working grandly, but with seven minutes to play still wanted two goals, and they did not get them, for Fitzroy, with a desperate rally, drove them off, and were actually attacking when the game ended. The crowd cheered winners and losers alike, and dispersed quietly, after witnessing one of the finest games I have ever seen. Crapp umpired, and did well. Free-kicks, of course, were plenti-ful, but he kept the game open, and showed, ad-mirable judgement in handling two teams who were playing on the principle of neck or nothing.

On the Fitzroy side no one did better than little Kiernan, who at half-forward played a clever, tricky game, and bagged a pair of goals. McSpeerin scored three times, and whether on the ball or forward did better than ever. Potter and Noonan both did well on the ball, and Cleary was as tricky as ever, whether roving or in a place. Among the backs, Reid, of Ormond College, was as sure as a rock in the teeth of the goal, and Hickey showed wonderful dash in one of his plunges, bringing Condon a terrible cropper. Sloan, although he made a number of mistakes in the early stages of the game, played better later on, and was doing well at the end. He tried the expedient of changing his defenders frequently in the last quarter of an hour, and managed to stave off the Collingwood rushes. McKay was given the task of looking after Proudfoot, and though he could not stop the big man, he did well, and showed good "grit." Robinson, on the wing, was often under notice, and though Sharpe is very slow, he is a fine mark and kick. Proudfoot's play for Collingwood was very fine, and his dashes from the back line were irresistible. O'Brien and Monaghan were able defenders on either side of him, and both did well. Pannam, of course, was prominent on the centre wing, and Leach, who took Strickland's old place, in the centre, again played fine football. His performance against McCal-

lum, on the previous Saturday, had been good, but he excelled himself against Fitzroy. The fol-lowers—Helwig, Gregory, Dowdell, and Stranger,

in the order named—all played well, but Condon was not as brilliant as usual. Lynch, forward, and Kennedy also were useful, but the whole team did well. The goal-kickers were—For Fitzroy,

McSpeerin (3), Kiernan (2), Sharp and Jenkins. For Collingwood, Stranger, Smith, Tulloch, Kennedy,

and Lynch.