MELBOURNE FOOTBALL

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 10 August 1888, Page 27

MELBOURNE FOOTBALL

" Follower," in the Leader, gives this account of the match between the rjy&l teams from South and North Melbourne: — "That the utmost interest would be evinced in the first rn».tch of the season between South Melbourne and North Melbourne nobody for a moment doubted, and the anticipation was realised in the assembling of a large audience, who were enthusiastic from start to finish. The crowd, although a large one, was not so great, however, as to cause any inconvenience, the cold, keen north wind doubtless keeping many folks indoors who would under more favourable conditions have been present. As the South Melbourne ground is now appointed, nothing in the shape of accommodation is left wanting, and with the handsome and commodious stands for the public and for members respectively, broad asphalt walks, cosy quarters for the caretaker, trimly kept bowling green and flower gardens, and other sightly surroundings, it is not surprising to find Mr Heather all smiles, and justifiably proud to hear the various works that have been successfully completed under his able management admired by all present.. My old friend Sam. Morris is also deserving of a special word *>f commendation, for on all sides there is ev*s© nC9 of the attention and labour bestowed upon f-be turf and reserves under his care. The fact of gtfnth Melbourne having worked its way to the top of the premiership list was of itself enough to make Saturday's match the most attractive one of the day, added to which was the public's knowledge of the fact that North Melbourne has long enjoyed a reputation for eftecting surprises. Badly though the North team started the season, their draws with Geelong and Carlton and victories over Port Melbourn, Essendon, and St. Kilda indicated that the team had been unlucky rather than weak, and even the ever confident supporters of South Melbourne admitted the probability of a keenly contested match. The. anticipation was materially strengthened by the force with which the visitors, after losing the Jsoss, played at the start against a strong wind blowing almost dead ro tnejr

teeth. No sooner had the. ball been kicked of! than it became evident • that fast and vigorous play was to be the order of the day. The pace, probably, accounted for numerous infractions of the rules on both sides, but chiefly by South Melbourne, all of which were promptly punished by the umpire, Kennedy, who, throughout a i trying match, performed his duties admirably and with strict impartiality. South Melbourne scored the only goal kicked in the first quarter, but when ends were changed -the champions were certainly not able to claim any advantage in the meiit of the play up to that time, which, considering the force of the wind, was highly creditable to the visiting team. So well had North Melbourne played under the handicap that supporters of the local team anticipated the result of the second quarter with some misgiving, but to the surprise of everybody the advantage gained by changing ends was not apparent in the play which followed. The North, indeed, hardly played so strong a game as they had done against tho wind, and failures to pick up the ball wore frequontly noticeable.- Each side kicked a goal, however, and at half-time South had scored two against one, the record of behinds being two each. The third qqarter completely dispelled the anxiety of South Melbourne supporters, the home team showing unmistakeable superiority, and playing to each other much more skilfully than their opponents, who, had they played with organisation equal to their individual excellence, would have done better. This, indeed, was 1 the marked feature of difference between the teams throughout the match, South Melbourne sinkiDg individu- , ality and playing with the same unity of ' purpose that had so completely demoralised (Jarlton on th« previous Saturday. Ah the final change of ends South had registered three goals six behinds against one goal two behinds, North having failed to alter their figures during the third quarter. The visitors made a desperate attempt in the last quarter to retrieve the fortunes of the day, but tho wind had abated its force, and the South put on another goal and a behind. North Melbourne played a hard finish, but, perhaps through over anxiety to get even while time was available, failed to utilise two or three good chances, and when the final bell sounded South Melbourne had scored another decisive win for premiership honours. If the South Melbourne men keep in their present con- , (lttion up to the end of the season I am pretty confident of my tip for the premiership coming off, for a team in hotter fettle I have never seen take the field. Scores : — South Melbourne— 4 goals 7 behinds. Nor'h Melbourne— l gnal 8 behinds.