Episode No: 12 Title: 1908 Now there are Ten Date Written: 1 Length Words: 6885 Date Recorded: TBD Length Time est at 125 WPM: Date Uploaded: TBD 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 1908, the 12th year of the VFL, where the competition welcomed its first two expansion clubs, Richmond and University, creating a 10 team league. Carlton were looking to become the first club to complete a hat trick of premierships, St Kilda and South Melbourne would try to maintain their improved from and the remaining clubs wanted to make their mark on this expanded league.
Background
1908 was a big year in sport internationally and locally. London hosted the 4th Modern Summer Olympics. The games took 6 months to complete1, a bit different to the 3 weeks we are familiar with today. Australian won one gold medal when the Wallabies Rugby Union team, already on tour in the UK in 1908, beat Britain, represented by the Cornwall Rugby Team2. In the other sporting highlight of the year, Melbourne would host Australian Football’s 50th anniversary Jubilee Carnival. More about that later.
In Sydney, where the VFL would tell us the Australian game was thriving, the big news was the establishment of a professional Rugby League competition, breaking away from the amateur Rugby Union3. One key factor in the emergence of Rugby league was the demand by working class players for payment to recognise the commitment they made to the game and the need for financial assistance when recovering from injuries. Rugby Union wanted to maintain an amateur approach, which was easier if you had a profession or career that provided enough income to support your recreational activities. The Rugby league clubs also had access to enclosed grounds that allowed clubs to charge admission, which also helped build a successful, professional competition. Australian Rules clubs in Sydney did not have the advantage of enclosed frounds, not the only reason why Rugby League would dominate in Sydney, but an important factor,
Also in 1908, Melbourne was visited by the United States Great White Fleet in August and September. Sixteen battle ships and four destroyers, all painted white, carrying fourteen thousand sailors and marines. They would capture the public’s imagination. When the sailors completed a 10km march from Port Melbourne to the Royal Exhibition Buildings the crowd was even bigger than for the 1901 inauguration of the Commonwealth4,5.
Many events and activities were held for the visiting fleet with sailors travelling to the country and country Victorians going Port Melbourne to see the fleet.
1 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 Not all events went to plan. The failure of an American officer to pass on an invitation for one event meant that only seven sailors turned up to a reception and dinner at the Exhibition Buildings, where catering had been laid on for 2,8005.
Getting our focus back on football, in January the Age published news of an international Football carnival. To be played at the MCG in August to celebrate the 50th year of the Australian game. Or, as some might say, an interstate carnival with NZ playing too. 7
The Queensland Football League was so excited about the Australian game they had composed their own song, I will include a copy on the website. I was hoping it might have been included in the pre-game entertainment at the Gabba for 2020’s unique Queensland based AFL Grand Final but maybe the chorus of “Cooee, Cooee, Cooee” made it a little too old fashioned for the modern TV audience.
Richmond and University meant the VFL was now a ten team competition causing a change to the structure of the season. There would be 18 home and away rounds with the top four teams competing in Semi Finals and then the final. The Challenge option would be retained for the team that achieved the minor premiership at the end of the home and away season but there would not be any need for Sectional Rounds as seen in previous seasons. 8
After several seasons where professionalism had been debated in the press, the February League Delegates meeting saw a proposal from Ern Copeland of Collingwood that any players receiving payment be registered as a professional or be subject to disqualification. Mr Con Hickey, who was the chairman of the meeting, said“if the game is to be turned into a professional one I am out of it.” Mr Copeland said “So am I but something should be done”. He clearly recognised that faux amateurism was going to cause more damage than open professionalism. But given the hour was late no decision was made on this issue.8, 9
The proposal was picked up the following week and there was much discussion with some interesting comments. While player payments were against the rules Mr Tom Fogarty, a new delegate from the University club, made the obvious point that “You all think it exists” which was med by laughter. Perhaps, nervous laughter. Then Mr Wilson of Essendon effectively admitted they had payed players, in the past when they were on top, saying “I admit what happened in the years we were on top, We want the game cleansed of men being allowed to run the clubs”
Charles Brownlow of Geelong made an amendment to the proposal allowing the league to demand any club or player to furnish a statutory declaration that players had not been paid. This was opposed by several delegates. In the end the vote for the amendment calling for Statutory declarations was 9 for and 6 against but because it did not receive the three quarters majority, that is 12 votes, it was declared lost.11
The season itself opened on Saturday May 2 with Carlton unfurling their premiership flag, again in front of the visiting St Kilda team. This year, despite the saints being coached by
2 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 Mick Grace, having switched from the Blues, Carlton won the opening game of their season comfortably. Richmond established a record that can never be improved upon by becoming the first expansion team to win a game in the VFL by defeating Melbourne on the Punt Road oval. In years to come, other expansion clubs may have also won their first game but they were just following Richmond’s lead. The flowing week in Round two, University got their first win of the season and their VFL career when they beat Richmond. University were playing their home games at the East Melbourne Cricket ground, sharing it with Essendon.
In Round 3 Carlton played Essendon and selected a new player for the game. Wally Koochew would only play 4 games but has the honour to be the first player of Chinese heritage to play in the VFL. This was a provocation to some supporters.
After Wally was selected for his second game a Carlton member wrote to the Carlton committee expressing his outrage that selecting a “Chinaman” was dealing a death blow to the White Australia Policy. In this instance the club backed the player and refunded the membership to the upset supporter. As has been seen in many instances football can be both a bridge to welcoming different cultures and a focus for resentment and bigotry. While Carlton supported Wally Koochew on this occasion it is fair to say the White Australia policy also proved resilient lasting up to the early 1970’s.16
The fourth round game between St Kilda and University saw controversy break out as gambling reared its ugly head. Despite their good season in 1907 the Saints had lost their opening two games but looked to be back on track when they gave South Melbourne their first defeat for the season. But then, in round four, they lost to University. Initial reports congratulated the Students on an unexpected win.12 The Age did point out that the Saints were hopeless in the third quarter when University put on 5 goals without the Saints scoring. University players were praised and St Kilda players were scorned for their poor performance. But on the Friday after the game the scandal broke in The Argus. 13
It was reported that a prominent supporters were paying selected players “honorariums”, or cash payments that were not official, and not paid by the club of course. Because the players were all amateurs, of course. But some players were not happy that their “Honorariums” were less than others and this created dissension and a lack of cohesion.
Given the teams form reversal from a win against South to a loss against the newly admitted University, the Club Committee did some investigations. It was stated that one committee member had won 30 or 40 pounds on the match against South Melbourne and at half time two of the leading Saints players had come to him asking for 2 pounds if the team won. The Committeeman refused fearing similar approaches by other players eating up all his winnings.
The same committeeman had then placed a bet for St Kilda to win at odds of 5 to 2 against University. But the Saints lost.
It was then further alleged that another committee member boasted in the dressing rooms after the game that he had won 23 pounds on the game and some players in the team would do for him what he required. 14
The St Kilda committee met on Thursday from 8.00pm to mid night. Serious accusations
3 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 were made against several players. The Argus called on the league to investigate the situation.
Kickero from the Herald interviewed one of the committee members who claimed it was all rumour and exaggeration and there was nothing said about players being squared off14.
The league did end up investigating the matter, following up an inquiry by the St Kilda Football club committee. Despite what was written in the article it was found to be a matter of jokes being made and denials of any wrong doing and no indication of any players being squared off. The league found no such wagering took place and the honour of the St Kilda players was unwarrantably impeached.16
Maybe there was nothing in it but such a specific set of allegations could make some people think there was no smoke without fire. Gambling on football matches was seen as a problem in those early years of the game and is still a challenge for today’s players and administrators.
The season proceeded through to R17 when there was a break for the Jubilee Football carnival between all states and New Zealand to be held in Melbourne. At this break in the season, Carlton were well on top of the ladder having just lost one game to Essendon who were second. St Kilda and South made up the top 4 but Collingwood were making a late run. University had made an encouraging start to their league career, and for those of us who know little about University, other than they lost a lot of games and disappeared from the league at some point, would be surprised to see they had won 8 games for the season so far, two ahead of Richmond.
The Jubilee Carnival was opened at the MCG on Wednesday 19th of August. The New Zealand team performed a Maori War Cry with great zest and there was an equally stirring Aboriginal War Cry from the Queensland team. Something that is perhaps echoed in the modern Dreamtime at the G games when Richmond and Essendon play at the MCG.
All the Jubilee games were at the MCG and Victoria, playing in blue jumpers with the big V, were the eventual championship team.
On a side note, those who complain about today’s game being too congested and the pressing need to update the rules to open the game up, might not realise how long this battle has been going on. Old Boy in the Argus reported that the meeting of the Australian Football Council held during the football jubilee made a decision to deal with the unseemly jostling and scrambling which takes place when the umpire bounces the ball at the centre of the ground. A 6 foot circle was to be marked on the turf which no player is allowed to enter until the ball is bounced.21 The Centre circle would come into effect in season 1909, and eventually would be joined by the centre square and more recently the 666 rule. One day, a rule change will finally fix the problem of congestion.
The completion of the Jubilee Carnival left one game to go in the home and away season before the semi finals. Carlton were safely on top and would have the comfort of the Right to Challenge if they needed it. Collingwood had not been in the four all season but on a rainy day they were too strong for a fading South Melbourne who were thrashed and dropped out of finals contention. Some commentators thought St Kilda have been planning
4 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 on South bearing Collingwood but the Sea Siders did not want to finish third, which would have meant a second Semi final against the all powerful Carlton. So, the Saints somehow managed to lose the last game of the season to Richmond and were attacked for taking a dive. Perhaps Tanking has a long history in football. Although to be fair some of the reports also gave credit to Richmond for playing a good game.
So Essendon would play Collingwood in the first Semi Final and Carlton would play St Kilda, despite their alleged efforts to avoid this clash, in the second Semi final a week later.
There was a little drama as the league match committee met on the Saturday nigh after the final round games had been played. The Essendon delegate and Jack Worral from Carlton both pointed out the MCC had hired the MCG out to the VFA last Monday. The grounds should be taught to respect those who give them their revenue. Jack Worral said he believed sticking to those who stuck with them. Tension between the VFL and the MCC over use of the MCG will be an ongoing challenge. But at this point the committee did not think it was the right time to deal with the issue. 18
The Finals
Essendon and Collingwood had played each other twice in the new format home and away fixture with no need of Sectional games. Both teams had a win at their home grounds but this would be the decider on a neutral MCG. Essendon were favoured but Collingwood had won four of their last five games and had claims to being in good form.
Those of us that enjoy riding to the football would have enjoyed the facilities made available to cyclists at the MCG for the Semi Final. As described in the Age on the morning of the game “Complete arrangements have been made for the stabling of bicycles in the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the football finals Safety checks are given and the bicycles placed in a locked enclosure”. Now days we chain our bikes up to a rack and hope for the best, that’s progress I guess.
The Argus seems to be responsible for an innovation we take for granted now. In their Saturday morning edition they printed the teams out, in position surrounded by an oval representing the ground. No numbers as yet as these had not yet appeared on jumpers. But an aid to supporters wanting to see who was playing where. At this time the convention was for the club name the goal they were defending, so Collingwood’s full forward Dick Lee was shown in front of Essendon’s goal. 21
The First Semi was played on the 12th of September on a mild 22C day with about 29,000 people attending, the rain holding off until after the game was finished. Essendon started off playing the better football but were not able to make a big impression on the scoreboard in the first half. At quarter time it was Essendon by one point, 2.2 to 2.1. Essendon were stronger in the second quarter but inaccurate kicking was keeping Collingwood in the game. The Half time score was Essendon 3.7 to Collingwood 3.2.
5 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 During the third quarter Collingwood's Francis Wilcher, who was playing a “rattling” game, got his legs tangled up with an Essendon player and was carried off injured. Leaving Collingwood a man down against Essendon who were starting to hit their stride. Wilcher returned in the fourth quarter with his legs bandaged up but could not move much and was of little use to his team. Essendon were showing effective handball and clean kicking where as Collingwood were constantly under pressure with the ball in their back line. The third quarter saw Essendon move to 5.11 to Collingwood unable to score at all still on 3.2.
A tiring Collingwood simply had to play out time against a visibly superior Essendon. If Collingwood did look like getting the ball forward the Same Olds Bill Griffith who was having a superb game in defence just sent it back from whence it came. The goals were coming easily for Essendon and when Collingwood scored a couple of their own it mattered little. Their season was over, the rush to the finals had seen them play one more game but that was it. Essendon would be taking on the winner of the Second Semi Final. The Score at the end was Essendon 9.14 beating Collingwood by 35 points on 5.3.33. 22
This was a triumph for Essendon, they had been the wooden spooners, finishing last on the ladder in 1907 and now they had the right to play off for the premiership, a rare achievement in any season.
Sadly for spectators the rain bucketed down as they were leaving the ground. Cabs and trams were nut sufficient for the deluge.22
The second semi final on the 19th of September was between warm favourites Carlton who had only lost one game all year and St Kilda who had had reached third but only won 10 games for the season.
Carlton might have been more concerned with their landlords at Princess park, the Carlton Cricket club who wanted to top dress the cricket pitch, which would make the 25 yard square at the centre of the ground unavailable for training in the lead up to the grand final. Jack Worral said this would be dealt with on Monday night when the Carlton committee met, and Jack was a man who usually got his way. 21
The Blues were missing one of their stars with Frank Silver Caine who was quite ill. But they had once again put the call out to their former captain Jim Flynn who, just like 1907, had returned from running his hotel at St James, about 240km north of Melbourne.
It was a blustery, rainy day with 25,500 at the MCG. The question to be resolved, would Carlton's 1908 procession continue or would St Kilda manage the upset of the season and force the Blues to use their Challenge option. The Saints had the wind in the first quarter but from the bounce things started gong Carlton’s way. An early free kick to Malee Johnson saw the ball kicked to Rod McGreggor and a moment later Jack Gardner used a drop kick to score the Blues first goal within a minute of the starting bell. Saints supporters might have been getting nervous when the ball came directly back into the Blues forward line and Jack Gardner was awarded a free kick for a push in the back. His shot at goal was true and the Saints were two goals down and they had hardly touched the ball.
The Sea SIders repelled the next forward push but while they may have had the wind the
6 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 Blues had the tide of the game. George Topping kicked to Jack Gardner who marked and this time using a place kick scored his and Carlton’s third goal of the quarter. The rain came down heavily, umbrellas went up and the players struggled with a slippery ball on a wet ground. George Mallee Johnston had a shot at goal but given the conditions the ball fell short, only to be scooped up by Jack Gardner who put the ball onto his left foot for a fourth goal. The quarter time break saw Carlton on 4.1 to the Saints 3 behinds.
The second quarter saw hail falling and water lying on the ground. The game developed into a scrum with most of the players following the ball around the ground. Despite the trying conditions Carlton stamped or perhaps splashed their authority on the game and scored another 4 goals while St Kilda could only manage a point. The half time bell went and the players rushed for the dressing rooms, Those nearest the fence simply jumping over rather than trying to get to the gate. 24
Many spectators conceding the game was over also headed for the exits, leaving much smaller crowd to watch the second half. 23
The players and umpires had to come back out for the second half, with the umpires looking bright and white in a change of clothes. 24
The second half did not see any improvement for St Kilda or the quality of football. The rain continued, the ball was kicked off the ground, skills mattered less than determination and St Kilda gave away more frees than they got because they were frustrated and playing behind their opponents. Observer writing in the Argus said it was the worst conditions he had seen for a game of football since 1891.
Carlton played the second half with 17 men because Martin Gotz did not come out after the long break suffering from catarrh, an inflammation of the airways, undoubtedly made worse by the terrible weather. But this did not make any difference to the result. Neither team could score a goal in the third quarter and while conditions improved as the rain stopped in the last quarter and St Kilda managed their first 3 goals of the game the Blues actually went further ahead by kicking 4 goals. The final scores in an unattractive game were Carlton 12.12 84 to The Saints 3.8. 26
St Kilda did make a point of giving official notice that they would report Umpire Coombes for unfair umpiring but there was no indication that the umpiring affected the end result of the game. 25 The Grand Final
The Final would be between Carlton and Essendon on September 26. For Essendon to become premiers they would have to defeat Carlton twice because the Blues had the all important Right to Challenge having topped the ladder during the home and away season.
Although Essendon had beaten Carlton during the season the Blues were warm favourites as that loss to Essendon was their only loss for the entire season. Carlton had also beaten the Same Olds in round three early in the season.
The umpire for this game was Jack Elder who, would go on to be named the VFL/AFL’s umpire of the century. This was just the first of many Grand Finals where he would take
7 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 charge. His umpiring philosophy was quoted in The Sporting Globe more than a decade after his retirement. "Even in the hardest fought match it is important to remain calm. Use the whistle only when required. League football is not a genteel sport for schoolgirls and the term 'rough' is often misapplied. That borderline between manly vigour and roughhouse tactics is sometimes a little vague. The term 'rough football' should I think be used sparingly. 'Hard play' differs greatly from the sly bump, the kicks at ankles, the trips and the knees jolted in the backs that constitute rough and illegal play."26
While Jack Elder’s umpiring philosophy may still stand up today, he might be surprised by the number of Schoolgirls who are taking up the game.
Essendon’s captain was Billy Griffith who started playing for Essendon in 1899 as a sixteen year old and would retire in 1913 after 187 games which stood as a record for 30 years at Essendon not passed until Dick Reynolds in 1944. He represented the state twice in 1901 and 2. Beginning his career as a rover he later settled as full back. He had sought a clearance to Carlton in 1905 which was refused and then took up the captaincy in 1907, a year before leading the team into the Grand Final.28
Carlton would once again be led by Fred Pompey Elliot
Entrance was once again a shilling to get in and an extra shilling for the grand stand, Essendon and Carlton Members could gain entry with their member’s ticket. MCC members were advised they had to enter via the Members stand. All were advised to get to the ground early to avoid the crush, to have correct money because no change would be given at the turnstiles and to steer clear of fraudsters selling tickets in the surrounds of the MCG because false tickets from an undesirable class would not get you into the ground. 29
The curtain raiser this year was once again a schoolboys game between Sydney and Melbourne. Though this year it would be a combined Sydney team rather than a single school versus a combined Melbourne Schoolboys team They would kick off at 1.30 before the main game at 3.00pm (The Victorian boys won the game easily 5.10 to NSW 1.2)
Essendon made four changes to their semi final team to strengthen the forward line and to deal with the loss of Lou Armstrong, a brilliant rover who injured his heel at training in the lead up to the big game. I think most of us would assume that a team making four changes before a grand final would be bringing in some some experienced players who would have a background playing in big games.
However Essendon’s changes included bringing in Jack “Harry” Prout a former Wesley College captain who played for Collegians in 1908 to be the first player to make his debut in the Grand Final27 and 19 year old Bill Heaphy from Tatura for his second game, after having played in the win against Geelong in round 18. The Herald did report that Heaphy was said to have made a hobby of collecting goals but surely it was a big ask to come into the Grand Final
While playing in the final of the season would have been a highlight of both young men, both had trouble after their VFL career. In 1911 Jack Prout was involved in a murder trial with 4 other men after one of them bashed a fellow railway worker to death. Jack was acquitted although it seems to have been a narrow escape. He did continue playing football in NSW. 31 Bill Heapy had serious health issues related to his heart. In 1914, only 6 years
8 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 after playing in the Grand Final he seems to have had a heart seizure after mistakenly taking a poison rather than his heart medication. The Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. 30
Other players joining the team were Albert Daykin a first year player with 6 games under his belt and Arthur Legge who at least had been playing since 1904,
Carlton would use the same eighteen that had taken care of St Kilda in the Semi final. Martin Gotz having recovered from his catargh and the forecast was a for a much improved day compared to the that rain drenched match.
While coverage of the VFL in the newspapers had not reached the saturation level of the modern media, 1908 had seen some innovations. As well as the Argus starting to print out the team in playing positions, the eve of the grand final saw both teams listed out with occupation, height and weight.32 I thought it would be interesting to compare the average 1908 player versus the 2020 equivalent so choosing Richmond as the example of the 2020 team here are the three teams compared, I have converted the 1908 imperial measures to metric to simplifying the comparison
The 1908 Carlton team’s Average height was 176cm, Essendon 173 versus Richmond in 2020 at 186cm, 13 cm on average taller than the Essendon team.
The Weight comparisons are less dramatic from 1908 Carlton’s average weight was 76kg, Essendon were 74 kg and in 2020 Richmond’s average weight is 78kg. Clearly the players of 1908 were shorter and stockier than today’s breed.
The tallest player on the field in the 1908 Final was Carlton's Jim Marchbank, described as a raw boned ruckman, he stood a respectable 6 f 2 I or 188cm in the modern measure. He might have struggled against someone like Ivan Soldo at 204cm
Better diets and lifestyles have seen a significant increase in height since the early years of the 20th century,.
The modern player is a full time professional and would not be doing jobs such as slater, fish curer, cyanide worker, hide salesman or miner. But those of us old enough to remember the semi professional days of the late VFL early AFL would be pleased to see that even in 1908 there were several licensed Victuallers, an old term for the licensed grocers shop that many a VFL player used to complement their playing career.
As in previous years there were the usual trains bringing country spectators to the game and local supporters were flocking to the ground too. It was a mild day with the maximum temperature of 18 degrees just right for playing and watching the big game. Carlton were the favourites and Essendon would have to win this game and the following week if they were to be premiers in 1908.
Frank Silver Caine was still recovering from his illness that had kept him out for much of the season but he was in the Blues dressing room before the game to wish his team mates well. Essendon had to make a last minute change when Mike Londeran’s father died the night before the game, his replacement was Mark Shea who played on the half back flank.
9 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 There was more than 50,000 people at the MCG, a record attendance representing nearly 9.5% of Melbourne's total population. While many were on roofs and trees surrounding the ground most spectators had a good view in this large ground. However Follower in the Age was not happy about the conditions for the Press. “The inconveniently situated press box on the MCG ground is a disgrace to the club whose other appointments are irreproachable.” 33
The problems included numerous iron pillars blocking the press view, a constant stream of people passing in front of them and even people invading the press box. It was not a suitable situation, Far different to the facilities provided to the media these days.
Once both teams had entered the ground to the cheers of their supporters Fred Pompey Elliot won the toss and Carlton would kick with the win towards the southern end of the ground.
The early play was fast and intense eventually Jim Marchbank was able to kick the ball to Martin Gotz who, with a running punt scored Carlton’s first goal, the roars of delight from Carlton supporters. Shortly after the youngster Jack Prout had an opportunity in Essendon’s forward line but was unable to make an impact.
Jim Marchbank was having a strong first quarter and when he took a mark from Bill Payne’s kick forward he was able to bring up Carlton’s second goal with a straight drop kick.
While Carlton had got away to an early lead Essendon were not going to wilt under the initial pressure They went forward on multiple occasions and then full forward Harry Farnsworth tried to get the Same Olds onto the scoreboard with their first goal but missed and only got a behind. However the kick out was intercepted and Pat Oshea snapped Essendon’s first goal. The quarter time bell sounded and the score was Carlton 2.3 to Essendon’s 1.1
Shortly into the second quarter the ball was in Carlton’s forward line again and this time it was the Blues skipper, big Pompey Elliot who cleared the ball from a pack of players with his left foot putting Carlton another goal further in front. But Essendon kept their heads, after a series of passes down the ground the skipper Bill Griffiths kicked the ball to Arthur Legge who took a good mark and finished off with a goal to keep the Don’s in touch.
Carlton were quick to respond and this time it was the wingman Edwin Kennedy who scored the reply goal for the Blues. It was a fast moving game providing a spectacle to the spectators.
Carlton had the ball again moving forward although under pressure from the Essendon defence. Martin Gotz was sent sprawling but the ball was quickly picked up by the Western Australian Harvey Kelly who sent the ball through the goals for Carlton.
At Half time as spectators and players caught their breath the Blues had gained the advantage 5.4 34 to Essendon’s 2.4 16. The Same Olds were not out of he game but they would need to do more in the second half to push the season decider into an extra game.
10 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 The third quarter saw a repeat of previous grand finals when the fence gave way under the pressure from the crowd. Supporters moved around the boundary taking advantage of the additional room but kept away from the playing surface.
As the third quarter progressed the game became crowded with more and more players surrounding the ball. Every attempt to push the ball forward was repelled by defenders from both teams repelling the attacks. Carlton was not getting any further in front but Essendon were not making up any of the Blues lead.
Essendon’s Harry Farnsworth finally got onto a pass from Dave Smith and scored their third goal.
The pressure must have been having an effect in the crowd too. A brawl erupted in the outer near the scoreboard. Some of the crowd jumped the fence to get away form the fight. A young woman fainted in the crush and was lifted over the fence. After she recovered she was escorted to the grandstand, perhaps without being charged the extra shilling.
Poor crowd behaviour is nothing new in the game.
After all the excitement in the crowd, with the fights and the collapsing fence and the pressure packed play on the ground the third quarter bell bought some time to rest and review the state of the game. Carlton had only scored one behind in that quarter and Essendon had made some progress, they were only trailing by two straight kicks. Carlton 5.5 to Essendon 3.5 37
The final quarter saw the blues continue the tactic they had employed in the second half to protect the lead rather than attack the game. They kicked the ball to the defensive side of the ground and bottled it up against the boundary line. It seemed that every time a Carlton player got the ball they would kick it towards the boundary line, even if that meant turning at right angles away from moving the ball forward. It was a disciplined effective approach to holding on to the lead abut a disappointing way for the game to be played out in front of such a large crowd.
Essendon did not help themselves either by failing to kick accurately. So the final bell went with Carlton 9 points up and premiers for the third time in a row. A truly dominant effort.
The Blues had achieved a Grand Final win despite only scoring one behind in the second half of the game, and that had been early in the third quarter. The Final Scores were Carlton 5.5 35 to 3.8 26. Essendon must have regretted their poor kicking especially in the second half, perhaps they could have made some different selections or perhaps they could, while being disappointed at the loss, reflect on the achievement of having come from last the year before to be a goal and half behind the dominant club of the era. The Same Olds had only one player that had been in a final before this game, the Blues had 17. Several weeks earlier Essendon’s captain Bill Giffiths had said “If Carlton beats us they’ll know they have been playing football” As noted by Observer in the Argus, Carlton knew it and so did the public. 36
To demonstrate Carlton’s dominance it is worth looking at what they had achieved over the three seasons they had taken the premiership back to Princess park. Playing 58 games for
11 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 50 wins and not losing a final. Follower from the Age told of a conversation on the he heard on a crowded tram after the game, “How much longer are they (Carlton) going to hold it I wonder“ asked one passenger. The reply from his well informed mate, “Until Jack Worral Pegs out”34
Season Review & Conclusion
Carlton were premiers again and the celebrations in the Northern suburb were sure to have been long.
The Leader newspaper reported that the suburb of Carlton is proud but no longer assertively or noisily so, but with a dignity such as becomes a suburb that has forced admission of its superiority on all rivals by repeated triumphs. It was even suggested that there was a movement to replace the Australian flag with the Carlton Football jersey. A move that some of today’s Carlton supported would favour. 40
On the Wednesday after the Grand Final the Carlton team was entertained at the Theatre Royal as guest of the famous, or should that be infamous John Wren, the notorious Bookmaker, sports promoter, and entrepreneur. The permanence that night was a performance of “The Lilly of Killarney” at the Theatre Royal. 38 Not sure that would be first choice for today’s premiership teams looking for a night out.
As in 1907 Carlton travelled to Adelaide to play the South Australian Football Association premiers, this year West Adelaide. In what was described by the local South Australian Press as the “Premiership of Australia” West Adelaide were victorious in front of thirteen thousand spectators. The local team fielding the same 18 that won the South Australian premiership beat Carlton who had only been able to bring 14 of their premiership team and Bill Payne, the Blues Halfback played with an injured knee. But at the end of the day it was West Adelaide who were premiers of Australia 12.9 75 to Carlton's 7.10 52.41
However before we wrap up the season there were a few more surprises to come and some allegations were aired about St Kilda which was a club that had already been the centre of some sensational accusations during the year.
Back in Melbourne there were serious issues being addressed when the VFL’s Permit Committee held an investigation of the umpiring of the Semi Final between Carlton and St Kilda. This was in the week after the Grand Final. The investigation was at the request of St Kilda who had put in a formal complaint about Field Umpire Coombes. While the compliant was eventually dismissed there were allegations that two of St Kilda’s players were under the influence of liquor in the second half of the game. Curiously Jack Worral’s position as Carlton Secretary and delegate to the league got him a seat on the Permit Committee investigating this complaint, even though he had been Carlton’s coach in the game under investigation, Conflict of Interest seems to have been a bit more elastic in 1908.
Mr Jones from St Kilda denied the players were affected. The only drink had been a bottle
12 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 of whisky that all 18 players shared at half time (It was a bitter cold and raining day if you remember)
The complaint against the umpire was dismissed the allegations of liquor would be further investigated But given the conflicting statements from a number of witnesses a later committee meeting found the charges entirely unfounded.37,41
The final note for 1908 comes from a meeting of the Australasian Football Council that met in the rooms of the VFL in December. There was a proposal to alter rule 14 to allow controlling bodies to appoint two filed umpires if considered appropriate. This was rejected.42 The VFL would finally appoint two field umpires in 1976, nearly 70 years of this initial attempt to allow the option.
So that was season 1908, Carlton were premiers for the third time in a row, Under Jack Worral they had become the dominant club of the VFL’s 11 year history and they deserve to be counted in any comparison of great teams across the ages. Essendon had jumped from last to second on the ladder in one season and the league now had 10 clubs with the addition of Richmond and University. The season had seen scandals related to gambling and the tension about the supposed amateur status of the players still simmered.
Join me next time when we explore the 13th season in 1909. Can Carlton make it 4 in a row, can St Kilda move beyond third and will Essendon maintain their improved standing?
References Create list of resources used for script 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1908_Summer_Olympics 2.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 1908%E2%80%9309_Australia_rugby_union_tour_of_Britain#Olympic_Wallabies 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1908_NSWRFL_season 4. https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00667b.htm 5. https://prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-blog/great-white-fleet-105-years 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_rail_disaster 7. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196099136?searchTerm=football%20league 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196094488?searchTerm=football%20league 9. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10667067?searchTerm=football%20league 10. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242034881?searchTerm=football%20league 11. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10666604?searchTerm=football%20league 12. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197345130?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle %2FA%2Ftitle%2F809%2F1908%2F05%2F25%2Fpage%2F18548710%2Farticle %2F197345130 13. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10665631?searchTerm=football%20league 14. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242029134?searchTerm=football%20league 15. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197344144?searchTerm=football%20league 16. “On the Take” Joel & Turner P 79-80. 17. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10186792?searchTerm=St%20Kilda %20Richmond 18. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202173408?searchTerm=Football%20league %20essendon 19. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202173408?searchTerm=Football%20league
13 of 14 1908 Episode 12.odt 16/05/19 %20essendon 20. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10163652?searchTerm=Football%20league %20essendon 21. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10167341?searchTerm=football%20league 22. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10191103?searchTerm=football%20league 23. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242906275?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle %2FH%2Ftitle%2F1190%2F1908%2F09%2F19%2Fpage%2F26369643%2Farticle %2F242906275 24. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242906300?searchTerm=football%20league# 25. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10193228?searchTerm=football%20league 26. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Elder_(umpire) 27. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Prout 28. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/team/player-past.asp?id=388 29. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242923859?searchTerm=football%20league 30.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Heaphy 31. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Prout 32. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10173929?searchTerm=football%20league 33. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202184000?searchTerm=football%20league 34. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202183998/18550106 35. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10163936?searchTerm=football%20league 36. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242912941?searchTerm=football%20league 37. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202179394?searchTerm=football%20league 38. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10187370?searchTerm=football%20Carlton 39. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197065151?searchTerm=football%20Carlton 40. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202172733?searchTerm=football%20Carlton 41. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202194133?searchTerm=football%20Carlton 42. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10177101?searchTerm=football%20league 43.
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