FOOTBALL RUFFIANISM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 135, 9 June 1910, Page 6

FOOTBALL RUFFIANISM.

EQUGH PLAY IN. MELBOURNE. SEEIOES DISTURBANCES. ; - : jiHELBOIIRICE, May 29. Sa.tuxa%*wiUlongterremembered for tfie " rougli ioul play wiich disfigured some of the football matches, and for the disturbances in. which ithe spectators 4ook part. Tie worst display "was at the principal -match, of the day, between Carlton and South, Melbourne, a£- Gaxlton. TMs provided a display of ill-temper and ruffianism which thoroughly disgusted all who .rKiinesed it. Almost from the start and light up to the -fiTrishj -the majority of lie players on both, sides imtnlged in' tpnUing, jostling, and punching each other, and Tna.krncr no attempt to play the balL Tie field umpire allowed the jplayers to get completely beyond his comcrol, and the game Irecame a rough and unskilful scramble on both sides. System was completely ignored in the one absorbing desire of the players to laal and maul their opponents. Within three minutes of time one of the most xuilianly displays ever seen in a match ibetrt-een two first-class teams occurred. 'A. South Melbourne player was "shaping" with a Carlton; man, when another Caxlton player, who -was net engaged in the personal encounter, rushed up, and ita-king the former at a disadvantage, felled TiTm -to the ground. The- crowd ofspectators rushed the ground and surged around the prostrate player, pushing and jostling amongst themselves. Two troopers rode in amongst the crowd, which snrged across towards the pavilion, into "vriiieb. the injured man "was carried in a helpless condition.

The maich between WaQiamstown and Port Melbourne at the latter's ground -vras disfigured by disgraceful Toughness. ■Blotvs -were struck, elbows -were used, and players were deliberately charged. There was also a good deal of rough play at the football match between "Kilmoxe and Wallan. The KHmore captain was rendered unconscious for a time, and other -players received minoriinjuries.

and players were deliberately charged. There "was also a good deal of rough play at the football match between "Ksl- . more and Wallan. The KHmore captain ' was rendered unconscious for a time, and other -players received minoninjuries. A disorderly scene took place at the ! coibetnsion of the football match, between St. KUda and Melbourne oja the former's ground, when a. hostile demonstration : :was made against umpire Hastings. A ■ rash -sras made to* tie members' reserve towards the gate, through w-hich the ranpire was proceeding to his dressing room. When near the ga.t£ the xtmjpire -was struck by one of the spectators, to -whom he returned the blow; and, in a defensive attitude, made his -way through a, dense crowd, which included men, women, and children, to the dressing room. For a moment it looked as though serious trouble -was imminent, and police tvTio 'went to the assistance of Hastings lad to fight hard to press fbroua-h the surging mob. Excitement oJso Tan bigh amongst the spectators of tie Richmond v. Fitzroy match on the Richmond ground. The play of one of the Ktzroy forwards -was resented, and, as soon as the final bell rang, about 1000 youths and young men swarmed into the ground from all quarters. A number of them urged antirily about the player, and ie "was considerably jostled when the poEee took charge of "him trad hronght hinr a howling mob to tike pavSion gates. One of the spectators -was arrested.