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ASSOCIATION
Better all-round teams will play in Association
matches this season, which promises to be
the best on record. While most teams retained
their 1949 sides intact, not for years have so
many good recruits been offering.
Most interesting conjecture in
the early play of all Association
teams concerns the dropping
of the throw-pass, and
the ability of players to adapt
themselves to. the new order.
Umpires may have to show
discretion until the teams settle
down. At first there is bound
to be a stray throw or two.
Every player in the 12 teams
has an additional objective this
o
y
N
l
I
d
g
team
s
year—to make the VFA
for the National Carnival in
Brisbane.
Two leading figures in the r
ssociation last year will be y
issing. Ron Todd, retired,
left for England yesterday; P
hile George Smeaton will be sttmycg
cting as non-playing coach
t Oakleigh.
Keith Warburton has stayed
ith Brighton, and looks like
illing Todd's place as VFA full
orward. He will be a credit to
the Association. He has youth
n his side.
Oakleigh, who lost the title
in the last 25 seconds last
ear, will be without Max
Wenn, but the return of Alby
aismith to full forward Win
ift the side. Oakleigh's weakness
last year was in attack.
n the final practice last Saturay
Naismith finished with 12
oals.
At the other end Oakleigh
till have Boyall, and it will ce
a clever full-forward who will
eally get away from him this
ear.
Oakleigh are at home to
reston on Saturday. Preston
till have Jack Blackman on
heir list, and will probably
ake the field without him. He
eant a lot to Preston last
ear. Hughie Thomas, new
oach, appears to have done a
ood job.
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