FOOTBALL IN MELBOURNE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 June 1935, Page 13

FOOTBALL IN MELBOURNE

.ONCERN IN AUSTRALIAN GAME

There is said toi bo a lot of concern n Melbourne because the Australian Rules matches, although the standard .s recognised as being as high as oter, ire not attracting as they should. A variety of reasons are being advanced; lot a. few remedies prescribed. The iiialadv, however, may not he so serious as it seems.

.The national rode in Melbourne is nore deeply entrenched, perhaps, than inv football code in any other part of Australia, and it has enjoyed less opposition. ’ It is only natural, then, that any minor setback would readily be magnified In. oee comment on the situation, the growth of Rugby is viewed with ‘oncern. TjiO' I nion code now has some solid backing in Melbourne, and mdcubtedly it is spreading; but its levelopment Ipas been gradual and it : s not likely there will he. any sudden moderation. The time when Rlagby .vill seriously threaten the supremacy >f the Australian game in Melbourne : s a golden period of which the 1-5-rside code’s supporters dream. And even they have their sleepless nights. Someone has proposed that more of the principles of Rugby should be incorporated in tha national code. There •nay be the cure for the depression in that idea. But it’s not new. A few rears ago in Sydney it was suggested that the Rugby League and Australian Rules codes should bo combined. The “fusion’’ idea caused a lot of confusion. but it didn’t do the Australian Rules carnival,' held her at the time, anv harm.

Another proposed treatment for the national game is a. reduction in the number of players from 18 to 11. That would be a real depression out, and, is an enthusiast pointed out the other lay, it would result in. a very material saving to the Victorian clubs. B reckons that each club, with four less players to worry about, would save £l2 a week in salaries, and probabl v another £1 in insurance, outfitting, etc. There are 16 clubs, so the aggregate weekly saving would be over £209. That’s a. lot of money!