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RETROSPECT OF THE SEASOif.
PORT ADELAIDE WIN THE !
1
'" PREMIERSHIP.
'
[By Goalpost.J
The season of 1903, which came to an
end on Saturday, was a disappointing one
m manv respects. In the interstate contests
bouth Australia;' was twice beaten,
and the play of the men in those matches
was a fair index, of the standard of the
game during the year. Generally, it was
inferior to that of the preceding season.
Right up to tbe last month only two of tl>e
teams—Port Adelaide and North Adelaide
—P'ayedV anything like consistently good
football, the others being, singularly in and
out. These circumstances, combined with
the fact that the local umpiring, except
that of Mr. Kneebone, was generally unsatisfactory,
made jt no wonder that the attendances
were not as large as usual,
pus also may be accounted for to some extent
by the, -bad arrangement of the programme,
but until the. final round there
was not much keen public interest in the
sport. It is a matter for consideration
whether the present 6ystem of- premiership
matchcs is a success. As it was, little importance
attached to the first round, and
the whole fight was concentrated in fonr
games at the end of the season. Under
the present scheme the public take little
notice of the first series, because. teamE,
finding ,they cannot be first, simply content
themselves with being one of the four, and
there is .e lack of desperate energy in some
of the contests. In tue old days every
match had an influence in the final result,
and the interest was sustained from May
to September. A much' more unsatisfactory
feature is the effect it has on the
premiership. Undoubtedly on the season's
play, the teams should have been
pJaced Port Adelaide, North Adelaide,
Norwood, South Adelaide, while as it was
the blue and whites were second, a position
to which they certainly were no,t entitled.
True it was that in the last three
matches they played excellent football, but
up to September they had the Greatest
difficulty to keep a place among the first
section. Dealing with the future, a movement
is on foot to have a team from Gawler
in the Association. Another anooted
change is the amalgamation of South and
West Adelaide. The officials of both find
it hard to get teams from their small.districts,
but it would be easy to dp so if the
city south of the river were one division.
The association had a troubled period,
and did not always exhibit wisdom in its
actions. Iq Mr. R. F. C. Sullivan it bad an
able secretory, who carried out the administrative
duties most efficiently.
Port Adelaide at last have returned to
the premiership, and <x)ngratulations will
be extended to Mr. J, Sweeney, who, for
the first time in his (long period of secretaryship,
has taken the team top. His side
richly deserved tbe honour.. From the first
match they played a fine'solid game, and
for consistent good play were far ahead of
the others. It was virtually the sime team
as won the minor premiership last: year;,
but the performances of the men were superior.
The main element of strength was
in the ruck and defei.ee, but all round the
team was strong anr. remarkably eveniy
balanced. Tii the ftr.it round Port drew
with South Adelaide, ai d were beaten once
by North Adelaide, but otherwise they
were never pushed hard. They played
strong, determined,' dashing, combined
game, and woiked together with a fine system.
Nothing Port Adelaide lias ever done
has eclipsed tiwir desperate "fight in the
last game which gave them the premiership.
*outli Adelaide were quite a surprise.
They retained all their old artists, hut most
of them were out of form for nearly the
whole season. The blues were the opposite
of the reds. They performed indifferentjy
aJi the first round, but when the
crisis came they went right out of their
shell, and played a dashing, strong, combined
game. Good management a lot
to dto with their success, but had they played
all the year like tbev did in tbe last
matches they would have had a much better
record..
North Adelaide, who at one time looked
like running second, if not first, opened the
season with great dash. They won match
after match, and everything, was going
swimmingly. The team".seemed invincible,
for they were playing a wonderfully good,
f-ystematic game. 1"here was nothing to approach
it except Port Adelaide, but just at
the critical period a change came o'er the
spirit of the time. Port Adelaide defeated
them, and then in turn Norwood
and South Adelaide vanquished them. Tbe
red-imd-whites certainlv lost much of thendash
in the closing weeks of the season, for
their, latter performances were nothing approaching
their earlier form. The "men
seemed stale, and some of them lost all
tteir ability. It was hard on them to go
off just at the pinch, for on the general
play of the season ther were far ahead of
all the other teams except Port Adelaide.
Norwood held themselves back for the
final; spurt, for with the exception of two
matches'against North Adelaide and one
against South Adelaide in the first round
the team did not do themselves justice.'
They jogged along seemingly without
much jnterest in the game, but when the
need came they showed up brilliantly. The
general play of the season was neariv all
individual work, but at the end they were
brilliant in their patches of combined efforts.
They treated the spectators in their
last matches to some admirable feats.
West Torrens had a constant run of misfortune.
There seemed to be something radically
wrong with the men, for after the
first few months there wae the greatest
difficulty in getting a team. This was all
the more disheartening because die officers
had gathered in some splendid juniors, notably
a whole ruck, and it, was hard when,
these lads worked with grim determination
for the club to find that older members
were, iooking on. In these circumstances
it was no wonder that the side did not
improve its position.
West Adelaide should accept the inevitable
and amalgamate with South Adelaide.
They were a long way behind, most of the
other teams, for although they conld play
a' systematic game they had not a -sufficiently
powerful array to secure the victory.
About half the team could easily
find places in the blue and whites, and it
would be much, more satisfactory to both
side;.
Sturt had to face the season with almost
a new team, but they got together a compact,
enengetic club, who ' met all their
reverses with threat -heart and determination.
Some of .their games were very creditable,
but .they went down badly at' the
end. Sturt has a big district, and is going
to be among the leaders very soon.-
If collectively the football of the clubs
was not up to the standard of previous
years,' the individual play of many of the
first-class men was also a long way pelow
that of the last season.
The
interstate
contests proved that, and there were fewer
men standing out far above the others.
The best were Lewis, who roved for Norwood,
Strawns,
of
Port
Adelaide,
and
Swift,
of
South
Adelaide.
The
firstnamed
started late, and took some time to
eet into form but once in the humour he
was most brilliant.
He marked and kicked
well, was quick in dashing to the ball,
and
invariablv
used
it
with
judgment.
Seldom was it that a luck of his went
astray.
Strawns, whether in the ruck or
iq the attack, was a real artist.
He could
get the ball out of a tight scrimmage with
consummate skill, dribble it along, and always
do 'good work; while
forward
hewas
a tower of strength.
Swift was dote
beside him. and for a
first-vear
man was'
a
brilliant
^lecess.
He
was
fast
and
tricky, got out of many tight corners bV
a smart dodge and wriggle, but lie had not
tlie capacity of Lewis to pick out a comrade
so quickly.
His kicking was erratic.
Most of the other principal men
of
the
year
were
followers,
and
am'ong
these
Fraser and Mack, of Port Adelaide, Earl
and Hill, of North
Adelaide, and
Bahr
and Waye, of Sturt, stood out prominently.
Port always have a fine "array' of
ruckmen, and tbe year just closed was no;
exception.
Fraser'
and
Strawns.
"for
genuine hard
work, backed up by
co?l
judgment and plenty of dash, took
first
honours.
Both were wonderfully
goodmen.
Mack did much/more work than he
appeared: to he doing.
He was coolness
personified, and be never lost his kick.
J.
Davis got into the interstate, but his best
games were for his club in tbe thick of
the fight.
Quinn was the same energetic
bundle of da^i. cleverness, and directness.
Butler also helped in this branch efficiently.
Most of North Adelaide's work was
done by Hill and Earl.
The latter revelled
in hard work, and could not he approached
for" effectiveness when
danger
was most pressing.
He marked well, and
always picked out- his man.
Hill proved
a splendid acquisition to his team.
Starting
tad kicking came alike to bim, and he •
was
never
lacking in well-considered
efforts.
• J, Reedman was an old. warrior, up
to
all the
tricks, and able to do a fair
share of work.
Fotheringham fell off
a
lot. but when the rest of the team werestale
he
took much
work
on his shoulders^
Cherry played most effectively for
a few matches; and H. Pash was a capital
rover.
Norwood were, not successful
in the nick.
Bahr for the greater pari of
the season was up with the leaders wit'h
splendid work, but Gosse only
occaaonallv
attained
his
old
standard.
Webb
worked haru: but W. R. Miller proved a
rattling
good
man
in
relieving^ Lews.
South'e great man, Kruss, was
indolent
until die last matches, and this made
a
lot of difference.
J. Hansen turned out;
a
capable
follower, and Morton
worked
hard:
while Keliv and Paterno-ter
were'
useful.
West
Torrens,
in
McGaviak.
Tiialburn, and S. Filsell, had
a
clinking
trio of
followers.
They
worked
desperately
evcrv game, and were the most important
factor in the Torrens
successes.
Thompson relieved in this line, and
did
good work, but Tierney. Bailey, and
Mediation
were not up to their previous standard.
Fulton was a tower of stren<rtl« for
West Adelaide, while Meschke and Wallace
showed promising form.
Most of
Sturt's
work-was done by Waye, who was one of
the best men in the ruck.
Barron, up to
the time he left for Western
Australia,,
was in rattling form, while Buttrose also,
riade a good reputation.
Gurr was^ dashing
rover, and Tomlin was not idle.
Port
Adelaide had a solid lot of defenders, and
although there were no brilliant stars there
was not a weak spot.
Ilosie fell off. hut,
Gosling was very safe, and James and Ashby
were a fine pair.
Earle made
many
grand dashes, all of which were serviceable.
while Wisdom
found his "place
as
goalkeeper.
North
Adelaide's
back
was,
second onlv to that of Port Adelaide.
Hrmafa
half-back was one of the Best men
playing, and it took a strong effort to pass
liim.
Carter was as reliable and determin-"
ed as before, while Matthews was one of
the'safest men playing.
Clark only took,
part at the end. but Dawkins, Ewers, and,
Bradley left little to be desired,
Norwood's
best point was their defence. Trembath
was hurt and' had to stand
down.
Barnes was quite in his old dashing form.
Plunkett was not so good as before, but
Chamberlain was one of the most, consis-.
tent,
reliable
men
of
the
year.
Ifhe
could not get the ball, few opponents
could beat him in a fair go.
Morrison
was an exceedingly ahle goalkeeper, good
mark, and splendid kick. Cowan and Smith
also helped here in a few matches.
Herbert,
of South Adelaide, enhanced his previous
reputation, and easily won a place'
in the interstate by his genuinely skillfull
play.
He was the mainstay of the blue-,
and-white's back lines, where Hansen also
did well.
Windsor was constant in effective
ivork, and some of his efforts were
brilliant.
Rouns'c-vell
made a
promising
debut.
H. Cockram looked well after the
croal.
"West Torrens had a star defender
in T. McKenzie, who worked as valiantly
as ever.
Smith, a junior, made a good
start;
while the resi
nl" the work was
done bv Thompson. B:n!cy_ Tierney. and
McMahon.
Of West Adelaide, Day," Renfrew-
(2V. and Monck were all J'ard workers
while T. McKenna and Phillips did good
work at times.
Sturt had a capital coalkeeper
in Malpas, while Kelsh, Macklin,
James, and B. and G. Sharp were generally
conspicuous
for service.
Most
of
the clubs were strong across the middle
lines! Corston was the best centre of
the year, and at the side for Port Adelaide
were Whicker, the finest wing, and
Carr, -who was fairly effective. North Adelaide
had not a. permanent centre man,
but Hyman and Dawkins took turns. On
the side Rees was "a dashing'flyer, but Pash
fell away badly, and Ward took the post in
the last few matches. Norwood's "wings
were well looked after by H-,
Miller ' and, MacFarl&pe, who
were little (inferior to Whicker
South Adelaide had a real hard grafter jn
Forgie, while on the wing Huston, on his
day, was an artist, and Ramsay did a lot
of "work in an unassuming way. E. McKenzie,
of West Torrens, approached nearly to
his old form. Filsell fell .away, but Aldersey
was not far from being the best
man on the side. West Adelaide's needs
were well looked after by P. McKenna,
who was a fine mark. His brother and
Thomas gave great .promise on the boundary
line. Sturt's centre was in good hands in
Warren,' -and Warhurst was" a fine wing
man, and Gartrell and Gent assisted on'
the other side. Forward most of the teams ,
were weak. Healey was clever and qoick"
in the Port Adelaide attack, but Tomkirfs
was slow, although he could kick veil.
Mathieson was a smar: little fellow. Lashmar
was not tried enough. North Adelaide
I the star goalkicker in Daly, who was
equally noted as rover. Johns improved
into a first-class man, and could pass with
great rapidity. Dickenson 1 was a powerful
•help, but Jessop was only good at running.
W. R. Mifler bore the brunt of the work
for Nonvefod. GWynne at the start showed
wonderful improvement, and marked
brilliantly, but he was watched carefully
at the end. Gibbons gave great promise,
and Hill should develop, but Dawson was
generally poor. • Of South Adelaide Kay,
until he went ,in the defence, showed signs
of deterioration. Nalty was of great hap.
O'Brien only showed up at tbe end, hut
Tredrea and Adeock Were a determined
pair. Lepion- started well for West Torrens,
and thrin gave the game up. Horsell
at. tines was prominent, but apart frocn the
help given bv the followers the attack of
the West Torrens was poor. West Adelaide
were led forward by Daly with flashes
of his old genius. Sugg was a really good
man, ann 1ne best of the others were Philpott,
Poole, Wood, and Ryan. Turner,
Thompson. Movie, arid Cooney were the
most effective of the Sturfe' forwards. The
prineiijal goalkiekers were:—Daly (NA.),
51; Tomkins (P.A-), 40; Healey (P.A.), 39;
Miller (N.). 27; Mathieson (P.A.), 19;
Johns (NX), 18; Kay (SA.), Gwynne
(N.J, 12; Woods (W.A.), 11; Nalty (S.A.),
O'Brien (S.A.l. Tredrea (S.A.), Dickenson
(N.A.), Thulburn (W.T.), 10; Quinn
(P.A.), Hyman (NA.), Sugg'(W.AO,,A;
Strawns (P.A.), 8; Morton (S.A.), Earl
(N.A.), Webb (N.), Bailey (W.T.), Poole
(W.A.). Turner (S.), Waye (S.), 7; J.
Davis (P.A.), Adcock (S.A.)", Frank O'Brien
(S.A.), Cherry (N.A.), 6; Hill (N.A.I. Jessop
(N.A.). Rohinson fN.). Horsell (W.T.),
McGavisk (W.T.), Wallace (W.A.), 5.
$