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STRANG IN FORM
Will Hold
Richmond
Key Post
Weighing nearly a stone less
now than at the start of the sea
son, Gordon Strang showed last
week that he is not far from the
form that made him the out
standing centre half-back in the
League a few seasons ago.
ItlCHMOND were hnmpcrcd grcstl.v las!
year by a very obvious weakness in
this key position, and Strang's form has
delighted officials.
The only worry at Punt Road at present
is the need of a capable substitute for
Bates in the centre. McBcth's play last
week was marred by poor disposal—a bad
failing in this position— and. although hi
may be persevered with, the good form
of Alby Broman with the Seconds is
earning consideration. Broman played
against Collingwood last year, but was
injured and had to leave the field early
in the game.
.
liRUlSES were plentiful at Richmond
last night, but officials consider thai
the team came out of the hard game at
Carlton in good shape. Smeaton (bruised
thigh) is the only player who may not
be fit for Saturday. He was the only
man not out on the track. CoacH Bent-
ley did not set very hard tasks, but will
speed uo the work again on Thursday
George Bates, who has had gastric in
fluenza. has recovered, but will not train
again until next week. His injured wrist
is still strapped, and he will wear a
..u:-u ...i i _f >
xuviu xxiuii lie uicija «k«iu.
Hawthorn's Strength
I REASONS for the overthrow of -Mc!-|
bourne by Hawthorn last week were
not hard to find at Glenfcrrie Oval last
nighL "We had 18 on Saturday, and
there arc a few more here now,' said
one official. The truth of this remark
was borne out by the splendid track
form of several of the side's reserves.
With players of the calibre of Hurley.
Pool and Fcltschicr unable to find regu
lar places In the team, there can be no
doubt of its strength. Dashing form was
shown bv W. Moore. J. Hall and A. Rob
inson. Hall and Robinson are both for
wards with impressive goal-kicking re
cords in junior teams, and Moore, who
has represented his State as full-back
in amateur football, was closely watched
as a possibility for that position if Bar
ker's injury should not mend before the
week-end.
(OLLINGWOOD officials have expressed
the opinion that they have a future,
champion in Herbert Naismith. but out
at Hawthorn the two games played by i
his younger brother Albert have caused
officials of that club to consider that
they have an even better player. Both:
brothers have had quick promotion from
"D" grade in Metropolitan Amateur ranks,
to the League game, and 20-year-old
Albert can justly claim to have already;
won his sours. Given the important
centre half-forward post in his first:
League engagement, he performed credit-,
ablv. Last Saturday, when pitted against
experienced campaigners in the . Mcl-j
bourne following division, his play con-i
firmed the' opinion that he will be aj
permanent member of the Hawthorn side.
I
I EN WEBSTER. Esesndon's captain, was!
; suffering from influenza when he led;
; his side on to the field at Victoria Parkj
on Saturday. In spite of this handicap.
Webster played a good game, and bore
the brunt of the heavy ruck work. He
will train with the Seconds tonight, and
will be right for Saturday,
i ¥ ¥ V
IfEORGE CARTER pleased Hawthorn
I officials by his play against Jack
Mueller on Saturday. Ivan McAlpine
I believes that a player of Carter's type
will be particularly effective on the small
Hawthorn oval, because of his sure
marking and excellent kicking. McAlpine
realises that it was mainly the superb
form of the smaller men that won last
Saturday's game, but he is confident that
later on Hawthorn will have big men
with just as much brilliance and that
uie ivHm is set lor a Dumper season.
.
After a quiet opening this year, Norm
Ware, the brilliant Footscray follower,
came into his own on Saturday, and He
vied ifh Morrison for the honor of be
ing the best player for the home team.
Norm, in form, is Invaluable, and his
performance did much to make Footscray
win. x
|N U»s Begley, the Warrnamboo! cham
pion. Essendon seem to have secured
a natural footballer. Six feet in height
and solidly built, Begley impressed of
ficials last night with his excefient kick-
jng; sure markine and handling of the
ball. It was his first run with the Dons
and he Is certain to represent Essendon
at an early date.
THE best has not vet been seen of
Frank Curcio. captain of Fitzroy. who
resumed this season, after 18 months'
- pell from the game. Curcio was unlucky
to have had onlv a couple of weeks'
?olid training before the season began,
and. naturally, he has been unable to
.«ce out four strong quarters to the
finish
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