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MELBOURNE V. GEELONG
On the M.C.C. ground the much-improved Mel-
bourne met Geelong and, as was to be expected
from the style of play of the competing teams, a
first class exposition of the game was given. Fea-
tures of the play were the long runs, the high
marking, and clever and accurate passing and
handball, and in those departments both teams ex
celled. 'Melbourne, with the advantage of the wind
in the first quarter, scored 4 behinds, and in addi-
tion to these had the play frequently right in the
teeth of the Geelong goal, whence Peter Burns, by
magnificent rushes, took the ball out. As in the
great struggle at South Melbourne, the ball was
up and down the ground with marvellous rapidity,
'Geclong only had one real opportunity to score in
this quarter, and Palmer, Holligan, E Lockwood
and Rankin, by a beautiful concerted attack,
scored Geelong's goal. In the second term some
of the finest running with the ball witnessed for
the season was seen, and the game was exceed
ingly attractive; G. Lockwood scored for Geclong,
Henry Young being responsible for the chance.
After Wardill had missed an easy chance for Mel
bourne, Cumberland, from a doubtful mark, close
up, scored Melbourne's first goal, and on the ad
journment the scores stood— Melbourne, 1.8; Gee-
long, 2.1. After the interval both teams, who on
returning seemed to be "all out," again played
splendidly, and Geelong forced the game. .Jim
M'Shane cleverly passed the ball out to E. Lock-
wood, who scored their third goal; and Geddes just
stopped a shot by Rankin as the ball was sailing
through the posts. . Melbourne were meanwhile ad
ding behinds only. Another great rally by Gee-
long produced a fourth goal, Rankin scoring with
a long kick; and Newling hit the post. Starting
the final quarter in a minority of 6 points, Mel-
bourne played a beautifully concerted game, their
passing and handball at this stage being extremely
effective. Cumberland, marking in almost the
same place as he scored his first goal from, kicked
a second; and Eric Gardner, twice in succession—
once from a free kick, and once from a mark-
found the opening. For this quarter of an hour
Melbourne had played all over Geelong; but for the
next 10 minutes to the finish Geelong had a bit the
best of the play; but could only manage 4 be-
hinds, thus suffering defeat by 11 points. It was
a most evenly contested game, and the difference
shown by the number of times the ball was across
the respective goal lines-Melbourne, 20; Geelong,
9— does not indicate the merits of the play, as it
was much closer than these would lead anyone not
present to think.
For Melbourne, it was impossible to separate
M'Ginis, Moodie and Cumberland, and this trio
are deserving of the greatest praise for their splen-
did play. C. Gardner shares with Hulligan of
Geelong, the honor of being the best place man on
the ground. Young, in the centre, and Sowden,
on the other wing, completed a fine centre line.
Rippin followed well, Geddes was the pick of the
defenders, who, however, all did well, Parkin and
Langley being particularly noticeable. Wardill
put in a lot of play of the grand stand order,
and at the finish of the day it was doubtful whether
his efforts had been of more use to his own side or
to Geelong. Among the visitors, Henry Young, on
the ball, did a lot of hard, useful work, and re-
ceived most assistance from Jim M'Shane, although
he was not at all well, and did not want to play
Hardiman also followed well; and Rankin, roving-
Holland, who, on the wing, . held Sowden fairly
in check, besides putting in a lot of clever work;
M'Calluro, in the centre; Webb, Herman, Pincott
and the veteran Rums, in defence; and last, but
by no means least, Holligan, the star of the Gee-
long 18, half forward, were each and all very
noticeable. Crapp, who umpired, at first spoilt
a magnificent game by too much whistle, but sub-
sequently improved very much, and on the whole
did well.
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