A brief history of our finals matches

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

OUR FIRST EVER VFL FINAL

After entering the AFL in 1925, Footscray had to wait 13 years to make the finals. From 1925-1937 they never finished last, but most years were in the bottom third of the table.

By 1938, they had built a strong team, and finished the season in 3rd place; 18 games - 13 wins, 5 losses, 124.3%.

Under the old top 4 finals system, that meant we played 4th placed Collingwood in an Elimination Final - played at the MCG in front of 68,556.

Our team guns were champion CHF/Utility Arthur Olliver, dynamic midsize forward Alby Morrison and a powerful on-ball team comprising Ruckman Norm Ware, Ruck/Rover Ambrose Palmer, Rover Harry Hickey and Centreman and Captain Roy Evans.

Reading back over old reports, Footscray had worked itself into a frenzy of excitement pre-match, with a range of events held through the week - many attended by the entire team.

The reports of the match describe a furious pace for the day. Footscray were renowned as a fast, talented side, Collingwood tougher and more professional.

In the first qtr, Pies had a strong wind and kicked 6.1, whilst Dogs kicked 3.2.

In the 2nd qtr, Dogs dominated, creating chance after chance, but managed only 3.9 whilst a ruthless Pies created 3 chances for 3.0.

So at 1/2 time, Pie 9.1.55 (10 scoring shots) led Dogs 6.11.47 (17 scoring shots). (Sound familiar so far).

Collingwood broke the game open in the 3rd and ultimately went on to win 18.9.117 (27 scoring shots) to 10.16.76 (26).

Best players for Footscray were listed as wingman Bob Spargo (who had 2 sons play for Footscray and a grandson play for North), Full-Back Paul Standfield (a Fish Creek recruit whose grandson, Barry, also played for the club) and small forward Cliff MacRae (our only efficient forward on the day who kicked 5 goals).

For Collingwood, their stars Des Fothergill (6 goals as Rover), Alby Pannam (5 goals) and Ron Todd (4 goals) all produced as usual.

After the game it was revealed that Ruckman Norman Ware (who won the sportswriters award that year as best player in the competition, and later won a Brownlow) played the last month of the season with a broken bone in his foot, whilst gun forwards Olliver and Morrison were also carrying significant injuries.

My dear old uncle Ivan reckons that, outside of Whitten, Harry Hickey was the best player he saw.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

My grandfather, who saw every home game from the 30s to the 70s reckoned we had 2 out and out champions over that period. He rated them at Arthur Olliver 1st and Ted Whitten 2nd.

[Bornadog]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Yes the other two back pocket players who played with us and in Victorian teams in the 60's were Ray Walker and Ian Bryant.

They were both pretty good too, Ray won a B&F and Bryant was AA.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

OUR 2ND EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0:1)

After a hangover in 1939 (11th of 12), Footscray enjoyed a period of healthy competitiveness, finishing in the top half of the table 8 years of 9 from 1940 to 1948. After getting close in 40 and 41, we returned to the finals in 1942.

Due to the war, 1942 was an odd year, clubs only played 14 games. The Dogs finished 4th, with a 10-4 record (126%) resulting in an Elimination Final against South Melbourne.

The final round match must've been a beauty. We were playing a strong Fitzroy at Yarraville (our home ground for the year) and needed to win to make the finals. We were behind at half time but Captain Coach Norm Ware swung himself to full forward, kicked 6 and we got home.

Ware was a colossus. In 1941, he won the Brownlow Medal as Captain Coach. A Sale recruit (a postie by trade, we won his services by securing a role at the Footscray post office for him), he was a dominant yet agile 193 cm ruckman turned high marking full forward who won 5 club b&f's. He played for the club whilst serving the Army at Parkville in 1941-2, however he served overseas in 43-45 and managed to fit in only 6 games between tours over those years. All in all, he played 200 games from 1932-46, an undeniable all time champion of the club.

We played our Elimination Final against South Melbourne at Princes Park (the MCG was also out of action that year) in front of 25,000.

The make-up of our team had changed a lot since '38. Our gun forwards, Olliver and Morrison, were now our CHB and FB, whilst Ware was now predominantly full forward, with notable additions including a nuggety forward flanker named Charlie Sutton.

The game is depressingly familiar.

The first qtr is a real arm wrestle, with both teams kicking 1.4.10. In the 2nd qtr, we are right on top, with our runners everywhere and Ambrose Palmer especially damaging. We waste chance after chance to lead by 9 points t half time, 3.14.32 to 3.5.23.

Our dominance continues into the third and we extend our lead to 17 points, however a calamitous 5 minute stretch allows South 4 cheap goals, they ride the momentum and run away to win 13.13.91 to 7.22.64.

Norm Ware kicked 3 goals, despite playing most of the game in the Ruck, whilst best players were listed as Ware, Olliver and Palmer.

[Axe Man]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Looking back on that 1942 season I see that there were only 11 teams. On closer inspection it seems Geelong didn't field a side in 1942 and 1943 due to the war. I had never realised this before.

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

OUR 2ND EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0:1)

After a hangover in 1939 (11th of 12), Footscray enjoyed a period of healthy competitiveness, finishing in the top half of the table 8 years of 9 from 1940 to 1948. After getting close in 40 and 41, we returned to the finals in 1942.

Due to the war, 1942 was an odd year, clubs only played 14 games. The Dogs finished 4th, with a 10-4 record (126%) resulting in an Elimination Final against South Melbourne.

The final round match must've been a beauty. We were playing a strong Fitzroy at Yarraville (our home ground for the year) and needed to win to make the finals. We were behind at half time but Captain Coach Norm Ware swung himself to full forward, kicked 6 and we got home.

Ware was a colossus. In 1941, he won the Brownlow Medal as Captain Coach. A Sale recruit (a postie by trade, we won his services by securing a role at the Footscray post office for him), he was a dominant yet agile 193 cm ruckman turned high marking full forward who won 5 club b&f's. He played for the club whilst serving the Army at Parkville in 1941-2, however he served overseas in 43-45 and managed to fit in only 6 games between tours over those years. All in all, he played 200 games from 1932-46, an undeniable all time champion of the club.

We played our Elimination Final against South Melbourne at Princes Park (the MCG was also out of action that year) in front of 25,000.

The make-up of our team had changed a lot since '38. Our gun forwards, Olliver and Morrison, were now our CHB and FB, whilst Ware was now predominantly full forward, with notable additions including a nuggety forward flanker named Charlie Sutton.

The game is depressingly familiar.

The first qtr is a real arm wrestle, with both teams kicking 1.4.10. In the 2nd qtr, we are right on top, with our runners everywhere and Ambrose Palmer especially damaging. We waste chance after chance to lead by 9 points t half time, 3.14.32 to 3.5.23.

Our dominance continues into the third and we extend our lead to 17 points, however a calamitous 5 minute stretch allows South 4 cheap goals, they ride the momentum and run away to win 13.13.91 to 7.22.64.

Norm Ware kicked 3 goals, despite playing most of the game in the Ruck, whilst best players were listed as Ware, Olliver and Palmer.

2.10 in the second quarter. The sum total of our second quarter scores in our two finals so far is 5.19.

I screamed in frustration when I worked that out. People turned to see what was wrong but I was like "it's OK I'm reading about football". They got it.

[merantau]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

No they were not Torpedo. Roy had 2 sons that didn't make it to the VFL. I remember Charlie well. Represented our Club and wore the Big V. Yes the other two back pocket players who played with us and in Victorian teams in the 60's were Ray Walker and Ian Bryant. By the way Charlie eventually went to South Melbourne.

Owen Madigan was another good back pocket. He couldn't get a game with us so went to Richmond where he had a half decent career. Ray Walker was also a fine back pocket for us.

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Gordon Casey came over from Carlton and stayed as a player and coach until quite recently. Terry Wheeler and Michael Egan all played for Victoria in the back pocket.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Brad Hardie won a Brownlow from a back pocket, not many do that.

[Bornadog]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Don't forget the Squirrel in the back pocket

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Michael Ford was a classic back pocket from the 80s. Minimal skill level but just through himself into every contest - loved him.

Our 50s back pockets, Wally Donald and Charlie Sutton (amongst many other positions), by reputation though were the best of the lot.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Owen Madigan was another good back pocket. He couldn't get a game with us so went to Richmond where he had a half decent career. Ray Walker was also a fine back pocket for us.

Owen is still around the Club in an officially capacity with the Past players. Well he was a half dozen years ago when I met him at the East/West Young Guns night.

[Twodogs]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

Michael Ford was a classic back pocket from the 80s. Minimal skill level but just through himself into every contest - loved him.

Our 50s back pockets, Wally Donald and Charlie Sutton (amongst many other positions), by reputation though were the best of the lot.

I loved Fruirtcake Ford. He threw himself into every contest.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

I loved Fruirtcake Ford. He threw himself into every contest.

Touche TD. Very poor by me.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A brief history of our finals matches

OUR 3RD EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0-2)

So we move to 1944. After narrowly missing finals in '43, '44 was a wild ride of a home and away season. It was an 18 round season and after 15 rounds we were top of the table. 2 losses in rounds 16 and 17 saw us drop to 5th and likely to just miss again.

The last round match must go down as one of our greatest ever. We met 4th placed Carlton at Princes Park, with the winner to take 4th and a finals spot. A huge crowd by wartime standards watched to see Carlton lead at the first 2 breaks, but the Dogs surge back to prevail by the sweetest of margins; 12.17.89 to 13.10.88.

Reports say that scores were level on the siren, but that champion rover Harry Hickey had just marked and had a shot from 45 yards. Not a long kick, he went for an unusual torp (he normally drop kicked) which scraped in for a glorious point. Hickey is quoted as saying that it was one of the poorest games he ever played, but the only time he was chaired from the field.

Reports of the match are quite hilarious, with the game reaching a fever pitch in the final moments and Carlton fans going beserk after the Hickey point. Apparently the field umpire needed 4 policemen to escort him home and the tram he caught was rocked and had windows smashed.

By 1944, Ware was overseas on war duty. His role had been taken by Arthur Olliver (who was now captain, coach and 1st Ruck). Olliver was a gangly 190 cm (6ft3) and 83 kg (11 stone) but played all positions and basically fulfilled whatever role the club most required. He carried the club through the war years, an electrician by trade, he had applied to join the air force but thankfully for us his role at the munitions plant was deemed more valuable to the war effort.

So we finish 4th - 18 games; 12 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses (106.9%).

We play Essendon in an Elimination Final in front of 24,542 at the Junction Oval.

The game is a shocker. 1st qtr is tight, Ess 1.3 to Dogs 1.1, but reports say the Dogs looked spent after the previous weeks heroics and Reynolds and Hutchison ran amok in the 2nd qtr. Half time: Ess 7.6 to Dogs 1.1. Game over.

Final Score: Ess 14.17.101 to Foots 8.4.52.

Best players were listed as A.McTaggart, Hickey, Olliver and Miller, whilst CHF W.McTaggart kicked 3 goals.