Episode No: 11 Title: 1907 Answering the Call Date Written: 10/10/20 Length Words: 6,494 Date Recorded: 16/10/20 Length Time est at 125 WPM: 52m Date Uploaded: 17/10/20 Length Time when recorded:

Intro Music

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Grand Final History. I am Kieran Magee and in this episode we go back to 1907, the eleventh season of the VFL where Carlton would be looking to build on the success of their first VFL premiership, Fitzroy would be looking to redeem their status as the powerhouse club of the league and the other six clubs would be looking to make their bid for glory

Background 1907 saw some developments that would become part of our every days lives. In May the merger of 6 Melbourne based breweries led to the formation of Carlton and United Breweries, who would be sponsors of the league and many clubs over the years. And many supporters would drink some of their products at games as well. There were also the first telephone connections between Melbourne and Sydney as technology began to play its part in connecting the states.

The VFL were also making changes to their rules in February. The Challenge option was updated so that the Minor Premiers would be defined at the end of the Sectional Round. The Results of the Semi Final or Final would not alter the status of the team that had won the right to Challenge by topping the ladder after the home and away games and the sectional games. Also the Semi Finals would now be played on separate Saturdays. Allowing for bigger crowds, and a bigger gate taking with both games being played at the MCG, The match between the Second and fourth clubs to be played on the first weekend and first and third clubs to be payed on the second week of Semi finals.1 Hence why we refer to First and Second Semi Finals.

In March Mr Henry Harrison, co founder of Australian Rules and vice president of the VFL was speaking at a dinner put on by the Wednesday Football league. There were two points of interest. The first, in what many people would consider a breach of league policy over many seasons, was the confession by Henry Harrison that the League had made mistakes in the past and that they were only human. Clearly this precedent has not become the norm and I am not sure how many time we will hear the league admitting to mistakes in future episodes but I will try to keep track.

The other news at the dinner was much more aligned with league policy over many years, building up enthusiasm for the international expansion of the Australian Game. Copies of the rules had been sent to the President of the United states and all the leading colleges in North America with the result that replies favourable to the introduction of the

1 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 game had been received.

As well as there was news of the formation of clubs in Canada, South Africa and London. Now while I may be a bit sceptical given similar news had been reported in previous years including the 1904 Annual Report, this time Mr Harrison had some independent support The London Daily Mail was quoted in support of the Australian game. It said “'If Australia wishes to do some real good for English sport, she should rather send two teams of men who play the Australian game, which, in the opinion of many English and American players, as well as by far the greater majority of Australians, is the fastest, prettiest, most scientific and least brutal of all varieties of football. It would be no exaggeration, to say that after such a visit there would be more teams playing the Australian game in a very short time than those playing under the Rugby code at present." 3

International expansion is still a work in progress

If you were under the impression that crime and fraud is something that is a problem of modern times then I can assure you that the league had to address these problems in its early years too. 1907 saw the introductions a new Membership Cards that had the seasons fixture printed on them and could be clipped by the gatekeeper when entering the game. The previous system of different slips of coloured paper had proven to easy to substitute in the rush to get through the gates at a game.4

Trouble was brewing in the VFA who had decided they would no longer allow clubs to play practice matches against league teams, with the threat of suspending any offending clubs. The VFA thought the league would take any opportunity to stop them making progress as evidenced in the previous season by the VFL rearranging their fixture to put an important game on the same day as the Association’s State game against South Australia. However Richmond had already planned such practice matches. And they pointed out they made as much money from a Practice game against a league team as they did in a normal seasons match. As well as the benefit of competing against the best clubs to improve performance. A compromise was arranged between the VFA and Richmond where 4 of the 5 planned games against League teams were cancelled but a match against Geelong could proceed. Geelong having already arranged fro a special train to travel up to Punt Road. While the immediate threat to the VFA was addressed the Richmond Football club would be making its move in the following season. 5, 6, 7

One potentially significant update from the leagues AGM was the news that the league’s finance committee had been expanded from three to eight and they had the right to see and examine, whenever they chose, the accounts and vouchers of any club. Each club was represented on the committee which should have provided opportunity for scrutiny. But as Markwell wrote, given the persistent rumours about players getting paid, the club delegates to the league must know of it and the new finance committee with all its increased powers is the hollowest of shams.9

The issue of professionalism was to surface again before the season’s start. The Permits Committee that had the responsibility of deciding if a player could transfer between clubs and was seen as one of the barriers to players moving clubs for the sole reason of getting paid. If the Committee blocked the move and the player could be out of the game for thee years. Melbourne had decided to get a coach to help their climb up the ladder. But their

2 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 candidate Bill Monagle was not permitted to have any role at the club. It was alleged in 1904 and 1905 that he was a professional, the allegation was that he had asked Essendon for 50 pounds to play for them and refused a permit to play. Because of that earlier finding he was not allowed to be a coach for Melbourne. Even though he had given up a business in Northcote and on securing this position he had married. There was talk of getting barristers to challenge the league on court as this was an infringement of the rights of private individuals. But Monagle was not keen on taking action and the Melbourne Football club was not willing to push the issue so nothing came of it. But He did not get the job he was promised and Melbourne were without a coach. 10

Follower in the Leader was not happy. Calling the attempts to convince the public that the game was legitimately an amateur sport had gone to far to be tolerated. In Bill Monagle’s case he was without a job as Melbourne had terminated hi position as ground keeper now that he could not also be the team’s coach. Follower wondered what would happen if each club's delegate had to swear a statutory oath that none of their players were getting paid for their services.13 The tension regarding player payments and the faux amateurism was clearly growing.

The Season

The season opened on Saturday April 27, a week earlier than usual. This was not a good thing according to Follower writing the Leader. The legitimate opening day for the season should have been the first Saturday in May. The footballers were beginning to impose themselves on the Cricket season. There were even suggestions that each game should be allowed 6 months each but, according to Follower this would be absurd. “To assimilate an Australian summer and winter in length of duration is to go against all laws of nature” and a well appointed cricket ground should have a month of recuperation between the close of the football season and the start of cricket. His article pointed out that footballers had done well with 5 months for football and 7 for cricket and then a reminiscing of when footballers paid for their own boots and cab fares to the game and the players of today should let well enough alone and not spoil things.

The money generated by football was beginning to tell in the allocation of playing time on the grounds shared between Cricket and Football clubs.8 Follower also made note again of the double dealing of officials and players when it came to so called amateurism. Follower had no problem with professional sportsmen being paid, this was common in cricket, golf but bemoaned the meanness of a chap who posed as amateur while sneaking his hand out for payment. And club officials were complicit too. Better for it to be open and acknowledged.

In his preview of the teams there was some optimism for South Melbourne hope for St Kilda and recognition of the enthusiasm of each of the other clubs but a clear recognition that Carlton, having retained all its players and possibly picking up some new talent would be the team to beat this year.

Markwell writing in the Australasian was also positive about St Kilda’s prospects given the results of their recruiting drive. He also thought South Melbourne would do well with no pains spared by their president Henry Hawkins Skinner and his enthusiastic co workers. Markwell also thought Carlton would again prove formidable.

3 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 Markwell was also not happy about the league starting a week earlier but for different reasons that Observer. He was concerned about the well being of the players and their ability to stand up to the rigours of additional training and a longer season. He felt the league should have more consideration for the young men playing the game.9

Kickero of the Herald provides a good example of how we always think we are busy and people used to be more relaxed in the past. He wrote about the current “Hustle and bustle” and how every day business was requiring “hurry skurry” so perhaps this is why football a game that is fast and bustling is more popular than cricket. 11

the opening round saw St Kilda playing Carlton at Princess park. The Friday Herald advised players to be at the Corner Hotel St Kilda promptly at 1.30 to catch the drag (A horse drawn carriage) or Melbourne Town Hall at 2.00pm sharp15. Travelling by car had not yet to establish itself. Carlton had the honour of unfurling their premiership flag when hosting st Kilda. But rather celebrating the occasion with a win the Blues, and the rest of the football world, were stunned when St Kilda won by four goals. The perennial cellar dwellers got their season off to a flying start by winning their first 6 games.

The other shock in the opening round was the new uniforms worn by the Collingwood team. Loose shorts, bare knees and black socks with a broad white band at the top.13. The VFL players shorts had begun to reduce from the long knickerbockers to something more useful when playing a fast hustle bustle game. Perhaps the final end point of this evolution were the tight shorts worn by Warwick Capper in the mid to late 80s before the trend moved back to slightly looser short common today. But now you know, it was Collingwood in 1907 that were the starting point of the short shorts evolution.

Round two saw a Carlton threatened with a fine for their late start against Geelong but it was pointed out by Jack Worral at the league delegates meeting that the special train taking the team to the Corio Oval was late. The fine was rescinded and the league would write to the Railway Commissionaires urging them to increase the speed of the special football train in the interests of football. 14 And if you are wondering, Frank Worral was simultaneously Carlton’s Secretary, Coach and League Delegate. An efficient use of resources or an excessive concentration of power in one man. You be the judge.

At the start of round 7 it was the Saints on top of the ladder, two games clear of Carlton and South Melbourne with everyone else on two wins only. That was the high point for the Saints, they only won one more game in the home and away season but managed to stay in the Top four. After 14 rounds Carlton had gained the top spot and the all important right to challenge if required while Collingwood were second and South had also improved on previous years, making to to third.

The Sectional rounds saw a change in the order of the top four but no team was displaced. However Collingwood did their best to let another team in with a stunning form reversal in the latter part of the season. Having won 8 out of the first 12 games they lost four out of their last five matches including all three sectional games. This included a 40 point loss to St Kilda, a 50 point loss to Fitzroy and just a 5 point loss to Geelong. However they had been 38 points in front of Geelong at three quarter time and they were playing at Victoria Park. Although not as bad as Essendon the year before who lost 5

4 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 games in a row before making the Semi finals it was still a sad and sorry way to make it into a semi final.

The Semi Finalists were confirmed and this year they would be played on separate weekends. The First Semi Final between second place South Melbourne and Fourth placed Collingwood and the Second Semi would be the following Saturday between topped placed Collingwood and Third placed St Kilda, who would be playing in their first ever VFL Semi Final.

The Finals

The league had continued with the innovation of charging a shilling for entry into the ground versus which was double the price compared to Home and Away and Sectional games. (And an extra shilling for the grandstand) This combined with scheduling the Semis over two weekends to allow for bigger crowds at each game did lead to criticism and allegations of gouging the supporters. At a Smoke Night for Metropolitan Football Association Mr T Coleman offered some friendly criticism for the VFL including a call for barring club secretaries from the governing body, he called out the effective conflict of interest between managing a club and the league. There were plenty of good sportsmen, unhampered by club interests who could manage the game. In effect, a very early call for an independent commission to administer the game, it would take another 80 years for that prescient observation to be implemented.16

Saturday 12th of September saw a curtain raiser between representative State school teams, one representing the North and the other the South of the Yarra. before South Melbourne and Collingwood entered the field for the First Semi Final.

Collingwood had finished the season poorly and South were favoured to win by most. The first quarter saw South kicking against the wind but it did not seem to impede them. In what was described as a slow game South dominated from early on and had a 3 goal lead at quarter time. Collingwood did score their first two goals in the second quarter but were making many mistakes. With a little more focus they could have started to put some real pressure on South Melbourne. At half time South Led 4.7 to 2.3. The third quarter saw Collingwood start well but Dick Lee missed his shot at goal and then Charlie Pannam hit the post. South took control of the game by slowing the movement down They also were more efficient in their forward line. The three quarter time score saw South well in control with the score 7.7 to Collingwood 3.10. The final quarter saw South continue their command of the game. Even though Collingwood managed to score 3 more goals they could only watch as South scored 5 goals of their own and completely take the game from Collingwood. 12.10 82 to Collingwood. 6 12 48.

According to several match reports Collingwood had played poorly, South did what they need to do to win but it was felt South would have to improve to win the premiership. However they had made it to the Final and they could have a weeks rest as the Second Semi final would be held the following weekend.

5 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 Carlton had some challenges with its playing list. Their captain Fred Elliot and Jim Marchbank had been suspended after a spiteful game against South Melbourne in the first Sectional round. Jim Flynn, captain of Carlton’s first premiership team in 1906 had retired during the season to focus on running a pub in St James, about 240kms north of Melbourne on the Albury railway line. And had left after round 7 to play for Brighton in the VFA. But when Frank Worral put the call out to his former champions and they returned to help the club.

Mick Grace kicked 3 goals against Essendon in the second of the Sectional games and Flynn was back for the finals. Such was the respect for Jim Flynn the players immediately voted him captain at the instigation of vice captain Norm Clark. Flynn had been playing football up at St James so was not completely out of form. 17.

St Kilda tool on Carlton in the Second Semi Final ton Saturday 14th of September. After two games between the clubs during the season it was one win each.

St Kilda had started the season in a rush and fallen away in the second half of the year while Carlton, having lost the first game of the year to the Saints had been the dominant team for 1907 and were favoured to win the Semi final. There were more than 26,100 at the game on a warm 21 degree afternoon. Carlton were first onto the ground and in fact lined up and cheered the Saints as they came out to honour them for making the finals for the first time. The Saints returned the cheer in what seems to have been a good spirited start to the day.

The start of the match saw Carlton on fire as Mick Grace kicked a goal within the first minute of play. Carlton were giving St Kilda a different type of welcome to finals football now. Players were finding the ground hard and slippery and there were many falls. Richard Harris scored the Blues second goal as Carlton maintained a sustained attack. The ball was again n the Carlton forward line and St Kilda’s Patrick O’Connor tried to clear the ball but it was marked by Carlton’s Fred Jinks who passed it to Frank “Silver” Cain who finished with another Blues Goal. Cain’s nick name “Silver” was due to his white hair and he was a popular player with the supporters with numerous nick names including “the White Peril” , The Silver King” and more. Punch reported on a rumour that when he went bird shooting in the country he would carry his football and got more kills to his credit by knocking then over with long punts than three other crack shots could do with their guns.19 Believe it or not.

The Saints finally got a run of play together with a nice series of marks and David McNamara got the Saints first goal. The quarter time scores had Carlton in a strong position 4.2 to St Kilda 1 Goal.

The second quarter saw Carlton start quickly again and in short time they had two more goals thanks to Harvey Kelly and Mick Grace. Carlton were making most of the attacking but were not converting accurately after their initial two goals. The Saints made the most of one of there forward pushes where David McNamara scored his and the teams second goal. But then the Blues really began to show their class with three more goals before half time. The long break had Carlton on 9.5 59 to St Kilda 2.2 14. It was a tough welcome to finals football for St Kilda,

6 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 The second half saw more of the same, albeit with both sides showing some inaccuracy in front of goal. The result was never in doubt and the finals score was Carlton 13.13.91 to St Kilda’s 4.11.35.18 Carlton had shown why they were they had finished two games clear on the ladder and St Kilda had the experience of playing a final and a demonstration of the standard required if they were to compete at that level.

So the Grand Final would be between Carlton and South Melbourne The teams that had contested a bitter brutal game at the start of the sectional rounds with a number of reports and suspensions. (The league met until 5.00am in the morning dealing with all the issues that came out of that game) It was the Blues looking for back to back premierships versus South trying to make their mark.

Not everyone in Melbourne was happy about the enthusiasm shown by spectators for football. One correspondent to the The Age writing in support of Australia setting up conscription and building up defence forces argued that a form national service was needed to need to “… rescue our growing boys and youths from the condition of muscle atrophying inertia and physical decadence in which they are sunk. They are growing up a nation of lazy sports spectators, football and cricket barrackers, and spineless idlers, lacking lamentably in manners, discipline and breeding.” 23 And this was before radio, television, computer games and the internet. Clearly young people have been lazy good for nothings for a long time.

The Grand Final

Because Carlton had topped the ladder after the home and away portion of the season they would only have to win this game to be premiers, If South managed to upset the Blues the Challenge Option would be invoked and there would be one more game to decide the final. However Carlton were the favourites and it would be an upset if South could beat them twice. There were those who thought the league would be happy for South to win because an extra game would mean more revenue to split between the clubs and to promote the game. While cricketers wanted the issue decided by one game so the MCG could be top dressed and prepared for the cricket season.22

South and Carlton had met three time during the season. One win each during the home and away season and then South won the first sectional game which was noted for its brutality and the league meeting that went all night considering the reports from the games and resulted the suspension of Carlton’s captain Fred Pompey Elliot and Jim Marchbank.

As in previous years there were special trains bringing interested spectators (including some young idlers with atrophying muscles, from all corners of the state including Castlemaine, Maldon, Bendigo, Ballarat and of course Geelong. The price of admission would again be 1 shilling for entrance and 2 shillings if you wanted to sit in the Grand stand. Having doubled the price 3 years earlier the league had held off from any further price increase.

7 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 In an era before motor cars were common people came to the ground on foot, in horse cabs, furniture vans bulging with people rather than goods, pony carts and gigs. Displaying flags, badges and streamers and excitement building as they got closer to the MCG

And there would be a curtain raiser again this year featuring a schoolboy team from Sydney, the Fort Street School, who this year would complete against a team of schoolboys selected from different state schools of Melbourne. This would start at 1.30 with the Final starting at 3.00. The local combined team would win by 5 goals.

The MCG had been rock hard for the two semi finals with many players falling over and skating across the surface. The League set up a subcommittee in the week before the game who consulted with the government astronomer on the Friday before the big game. Their advice was that there was no chance of rain before Saturday evening and the MCC Curator was advised to flood the ground. Men were to be employed all night to get enough water on the ground to make it suitable for football and another inspection would be held at 1.00pm on Saturday. 20 At that time the ground was judged as being in fine condition for football.

The umpire for the Grand Final was Lardie Tulloch the former Collingwood captain who led Collingwood to victory in 1902 and 1903. Hence becoming the first and only man to captain a Grand Final victory and umpire at a Grand Final. Carlton expressed some disappointment at this decision, maybe because Carlton don’t like anything associated with Collingwood but the general opinion was that Tulloch was a capable official and would make the game fast.21

South Melbourne’s captain was Bill Dolphin, a fine defender with great judgement renowned for his long kicking from full back.24 He would claim an unofficial record after sending a place kick from the Princess park goal square to the centre of the ground. After a career of 100 games he would retire in 1911. One post career highlight was participating in a choir at the opening ceremony of the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, which would have been I different but still thrilling experience compared to playing a VFL grand Final on the MCG25

Carlton’s captain was again Jim Flynn who had, as mentioned earlier returned from running his hotel in St James to captain Carlton in the finals, looking to repeat their triumph of 1906.

The Blues were eager to get things started and were out on the ground before the Schoolboys game had finished. With 45,000 spectators there was another huge roar as South Melbourne entered the ground. The wind was blowing towards the Grandstand or City where Carlton was kicking and the Southerners were heading into the wind at the Punt road end.

Despite kicking into the wind South did most of the early attacking but were not able to convert accurately having 3 points on the board before Fred Jinks scored Carlton’s first point. The blues scored another point before George Mallee Johnson got a free kick and passed to Alby Ingle who had been bought into the team to replace the injured centreman Rod McGregor who had broken his nose in the closing minutes of the Semi final against

8 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 St Kilda. Ingle kicked to to Mallee Johnson who marked and kicked Carlton’s opening goal. A roar of approval echoed around the ground.

The ball moved back to South’s forward line and Richard Casey kicked their first goal. At Quarter time South had the narrowest of leads1.4.10 to Carlton 1.3 9. The game between the season’s top two teams was living up to expectations

The second quarter started with a flurry of behinds for both teams as enthusiasm to attack overcame accuracy in front of goal. It was a free kick to Len Mortimer, considered one of the most accurate kicks in the game, that saw South get their second goal.

A little further into the quarter and Fred Jinks moved the ball onto Frank Silver Cain who kicked into the Blues forward line. Mick Grace attempted the mark but it was Alex Bongo Lang who picked the ball up on the run and got Carlton’s second goal. Shortly after that score Carlton’s Captain Jim Flynn put a long kick into the forward line and marked and put them a goal in front of South Melbourne.

Another push forward by Carlton was repelled and Len Mortimer got his second goal for the goal for the quarter and scores were level at 23 points each. After the ball had moved back and forth it was Fred Jinks again making the right move to get the ball to George Topping who took a clean mark and then kicked cleanly to put the blues back in front.

It had been a thrilling half of football and when the bell rang Carlton had moved in front 4.6 30 to 3.5 23 points. After the disappointment of two lack lustre semi finals the crowd was being shown some of the best football of the season.

With the temperature was to reach a warmish 23 in the afternoon and a first half of exhausting football under their belts the half time break was extended to about 25 minutes. Not sure if that was an official decision, by way of comparison today’s halftime breaks in the AFL are 20 minutes.

The third quarter started in a rush, picking up from the pressure football seen in the first half. Carlton’s early attacks resulted in more behinds and South were having trouble getting the ball within scoring distance. Then after the blues repelled one attack Bill Moxham drove the ball into Souths forward line and Bill Strang scored Souths fourth goal. (Bill Strang created something of a dynasty with one son playing for st Kilda and two of his boys becoming famous names at Richmond with Doug and Gordon Strang in Richmond’s 1932 Premiership and Geoff Strang who played in the 1967 and 69 premierships plus an addition win with North Adelaide in the SANFL Premiership in 1972. Bill Strang also had another Grandson in 1967 Premiership team John Perry, cousin to Geoff. Three generations playing VFL/AFL football is not unknown but three generations of Grand finalists in one family is a fair effort.

For a time the defence of both teams were holding on until Alby Ingleman, the replacement centreman for Carlton, passed to Mick Grace who got it on to Harvey Kelly. Taking an angel shot with a place kick saw the ball through the goals which stretched Carlton's lead. The Blues supporters willed their team on with loud cheers and then George Topping took a good mark from a ball kicked out of the centre. He aimed truly and the Blues had their sixth goal giving them more than a two goal break in a tight game of football. South had the ball moving into their forward line when the bell tolled for three

9 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 quarter time. The Scores at the final break were Carlton 6.10 46 to South 4.7 31

The Carlton supporters were hoping the 15 point lead was enough to get them through the last quarter and the South barrackers hoped that their boys had more run left in them and could bridge the gap They may have taken some hope from the sectional game when South kicked 5 goals to one in the last quarter. Perhaps some were hoping for a repeat of that effort.

And quickly after eh starting bounce the ball was in south’s forward line and they had a shot but it missed. Another attempt to get the ball into scoring range was held back by George Mallee Johnston taking a towering mark in defence. But shortly after Bill Kerr to Bill Strang who kicked South’s fifth goal and got them within striking range of the Blues.

Excitement grew to fever pitch as South moved forward again with Al Wood passing to Bill Kerr who again got the ball to Bill Strang who scored his third goal. South were on a roll, could they run over the Blues in the last quarter again like that Sectional game?

Carlton however were not done, They were the reigning premiers and had topped the ladder and they knew how to perform under pressure. They had their ball moving forward and they started scoring but it was only points. George Topping getting a behind from a snap and then Harvey Kelly, who had started his VFL career with South scored two behinds for the Blues, then Martin Gotz was awarded a free kick but his shot hit the goal post. A six point lead to Carlton. It must have been an edge of the seat quarter, for those who had seats.

As the clock ticked down Bill Strang had the ball again and got it to Len Mortimer who could only get another behind. A goal by might have made him the Hero of Clarendon street. Carlton were 5 points in front, One straight shot would see South take the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter. But it was Carlton moving forward Frank Silver Cain kicked the ball forward and the bell rang out to finish the game and the season with the Blues premiers for a second time in a row. Carlton 6.14 50 to South Melbourne 6.9 45

Some considered it the best game in the entire VFL history.26, 27,

Jim Flynn was interviewed after the game and thought it must have been a grand game to watch because it had been splendid to play in. He congratulated South who had played a fine game. Maybe with a bit too much low passing. However it was a much closer game than they had expected. Flynn was also keen to give credit to Frank Worral, he is a grand judge of the game and the players take no notice of anyone else. The players get on well together, there is no jealousy, no cliques, But now after 10 years he was ready to give the game up and focus on his hotel at St James.

It was also the end for Mick Grace’s time at Carlton. The former Fitzroy player who had now been a champion footballer at two clubs. He had come back for the finals at Frank Worrals request but after 2 premierships with Fitzroy and now two with Carlton it was time to move on. And move on he did, playing one more season for the improving St Kilda.

10 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 Bill Dolphin the South Captain gave his opinions after eh game. “At the end of the game they were 5 points ahead of us but I still think we are the better team” He did conceded that some of their forwards were a young lot and might become flurried under pressure. And in the last quarter tow or three began to play the man rather than the ball. 27

That night in Carlton the locals celebrated the victory. Chines lanterns were lit up with club colours and banners proclaiming premiers 1907. Troops of boys were parading the streets letting all comers know that Carlton had won the premiership again. And in the pubs the victory was celebrated in a more or less boisterous fashion. 27

So Carlton had bragging rights for the season and there were just a few more items of note to finish the year off.

South Melbourne celebrated their season with a Smoke Night at the Town Hall, presided over by their president Henry Skinner. There were many toasts and a music program was played and Mr Skinner assured all that more success was pending. The ground and facilities had been improved and membership was increasing. A good night was had by all.31

Carlton, following up a previous visit, travelled again to South Australia to play Norwood who had won the SANFL premiership the same day as the Blues had triumphed in Victoria. The South Australian Press were quick to talk the post season game as the Premiership of Australia, and the Locals did go on to claim the mantle of Australian Premiers by defeating the Blues by 5 goals, 13.12 to 8.10. How well prepared the Carlton team were after their celebrations and train travel is not certain, perhaps even the strict disciplinarian coach Frank Worrall allowed the Carlton boys a little time to enjoy their win over South Melbourne. However in this game, the Premiership of Australia, it was a win to the South Australian team29

Back at home the League was making some significant decisions on the future of the competition. In mid October the Delegates meeting agreed to admit Melbourne University into the league. After an unsuccessful attempt in previous years. This would have created an uneven 9 team competition. The following week on the 24th of October the League met again and the League considered applications for admittance from Richmond, Brighton, and an amalgamated West Melbourne and North Melbourne. The Ballarat Football Association also had written to the league stating they were prepared to send a team to the metropolis.

The Ballarat option was not considered practicable and the focus was on the two Association clubs. Richmond finally getting the nod to enable the league to move into 1908 with 10 teams. And may I say from a personal perspective, letting Richmond into the competition is probably the smartest decision the league ever made. Possibly not everyone would agree 30

A decision like this was not going to be without controversy. Having one of the most successful VFA clubs move to the League was going to cause a reaction. We will explore this further in the next episode as we see how the League’s first two expansion clubs fare in their first season, find out if Carlton can be the first team to complete a hat trick f premierships and whether the improvement of St Kilda and South Melbourne are

11 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 sustained Join me next time to see how season 1908 unfolds in Grand Final History.

References Create list of resources used for script 1. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196149023?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196649490?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 3. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196167425?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 4. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196171074?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 5. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196148646?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 6. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196171415?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 7. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196159179?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196648492?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 9. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139761192?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league 10. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10631290?searchTerm=Football%20league 11. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242556763?searchTerm=Football %20league 12.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175793604?searchTerm=Football %20league 13. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196651164?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league%20meeting 14. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198616723?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league%20meeting 15. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242571150?searchTerm=Football %20League 16. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10149249?searchTerm=Victorian %20Football%20League 17. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243290357?searchTerm=Victorian %20Football%20League

12 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20 18. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243277244?browse=ndp%3Abrowse %2Ftitle%2FH%2Ftitle%2F1190%2F1907%2F09%2F14%2Fpage %2F26375181%2Farticle%2F243277244 19. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175797371?browse=ndp%3Abrowse %2Ftitle%2FP%2Ftitle%2F596%2F1907%2F09%2F19%2Fpage %2F20527320%2Farticle%2F175797371 20. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243299188?searchTerm=football %20league 21. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243299269?searchTerm=football %20league 22. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139278253?searchTerm=football %20league 23. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204998177?searchTerm=football %20league 24. Encyclopedia of League Footballers (Main and Holmesby) 25. https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/71184/remembering-bill-pa 26. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243293980?browse=ndp%3Abrowse %2Ftitle%2FH%2Ftitle%2F1190%2F1907%2F09%2F21%2Fpage %2F26375217%2Farticle%2F243293980 27. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205004427?searchTerm=carlton%20south %20melbourne 28. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162599154?searchTerm=football %20league%20carlton%20south%20melbourne 29. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200855920?searchTerm=carlton %20norwood 30. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198103101?searchTerm=Victorian %20football%20league%20Richmond 31. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162599154?searchTerm=football %20league%20carlton%20south%20melbourne

Grand Finals Volume 1. Slattery Media AFL premierships Joe St John Encyclopedia of League Footballers (Main and Holmesby) Every Game Ever Played (Stephen Rodgers)

13 of 13 Grand Final History 1907 ANswering the Call.odt 17/10/20