1923 SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Round 1 - Saturday May 5: Ganmain 17.17 (119) def Grong Grong 5.4 (34), Marrar 3.14 (32) def by Coolamon 6.13 (49), Matong 44 def Leeton 43, Narandera, bye
R2 - May 12: Leeton 3.10 (28) def by Ganmain 7.4 (46), Grong Grong 13 def by Marrar 102, Narandera 6.15 (51) def Matong 2.6 (18), Coolamon, bye
R3 - May 19: Coolamon 10.24 (84) def Grong Grong 3.6 (24), Ganmain 6.5 (41) def by Narandera 8.9 (57), Marrar 11.7 (73) def Leeton 2.9 (21), Matong, bye
R4 - May 26: Ganmain 5.8 (38) def by Coolamon 7.10 (52), Grong Grong 13 def by Matong 26, Narandera 8.8 (56) def Marrar 6.13 (49), Leeton, bye
R5 - June 2: Coolamon 4.14 (38) def Matong 2.2 (14), Marrar 5.5 (35) def Ganmain 1.4 (10), Narandera 5.8 (38) def Leeton 0.8 (8), Grong Grong, bye 
R6 - June 9: Leeton 7.7 (49) def by Coolamon 3.11 (29), Matong 3.5 (23) def by Marrar 5.8 (38), Narandera 13.24 (102) def  Grong Grong 3.4 (22), Ganmain, bye
R7 - June 16: Coolamon 7.3 (45) def Narandera 7.5 (47), Ganmain def Matong 2 pts, Grong Grong def by Leeton, Marrar, bye.
R8 - June 23: Coolamon 7.4 (46) draw Marrar 6.10 (46), Grong Grong 26 def by Ganmain 52, Leeton 8.14 (62) def Matong 2.6 (18), Narandera, bye.
R9 - June 30: Ganmain 1.3 (9) def by Leeton 3.4 (22), Marrar def Grong Grong on forfeit, Matong 13 def Narandera 9, Coolamon, bye
R10 - July 7: Grong Grong 26 def by Coolamon 52, Leeton 4.12 (36) def by Marrar 6.6 (42), Narandera 5.5 (35) def Ganmain 3.7 (25), Matong, bye.
Round11 - July 14: Coolamon def Ganmain 47pts, Marrar 4.11 (35) def Narandera 3.2 (20), Matong def Grong Grong 50 pts, Leeton, bye.
R12 - July 21: Ganmain def by Marrar, Leeton 5.10 (40) def Narandera 4.6 (30), Matong def Coolamon, Grong Grong, bye
R13 - July 28: Coolamon 8.8 (56) def Leeton 5.10 (40), Grong Grong 9 def by Narandera 94, Marrar 11.12 (78) def Matong 4.6 (30),
R14 - August 4: Leeton 14.15 (99) def Grong Grong 1.4 (10), Matong def Ganmain on forfeit, Narandera 5.8 (38) def Coolamon 1.4 (10), Marrar, bye     

Ladder: Marrar 9 2 1 2 46 , Narandera 9 3 0 2 44, Coolamon 7 4 1 2 38, Leeton 6 6 0 2 32, Matong 6 6 0 2 32, Ganmain 4 8 0 2 20 , Grong Grong 0 12 0 2 8.

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Place off Fourth Place - Saturday August 11, 1923 at Narandera Park
Leeton ...... 2.3 .. 4.6 .. 9.9 .. 11.12 (78)
Matong ....  1.0 .. 3.1 .. 5.2 .. 8.2 (50)
Umpire: G Warren, of N.S.W. League
Goals - Leeton: W Taylor 5, E McClellan 2, L Polkinghorne, F Lloyd, J Nish, W Swasbrick
Matong: R Berry 2, G Booth 2, W Jones, V Jones, L Myers, R Kane
Leeton (Blue and White): H. Tonkin (capt), Ted McClellan, Bill Swasbrick, Charlie Grigg, Jack Adams, H Rogers, Len Polkinghorne, Guildford Webb, J Jamieson, "Snowy" Wallace, Fred Lloyd, Jack Schwab, Joe Gavel, Jack Nish, Vic Alexander, Bill Taylor, William Lodding, Fred Eardley.
Matong (Black and White): Gerald O'Meara (capt), Harry and Maurice Bean, N and R Berry, R Kane, Roy Blair, G Booth, Frank Murphy, Joe Breheny, Charlie Baker, R Henderson, W. "Chalky" and Victor Jones, L Myers, W Barratt, Arthur "Slip" Campbell, Tas Flanagan.

Match report: The play-off between Leeton and Matong to decide which team would participate in the final four was decided on the Narandera Park oval on Saturday afternoon last. Both teams were accompanied by a good following of supporters, and the special train were well filled, about 300 making the trip from Leeton. The weather was fine, and the playing space in capitol order.

Each club was represented by its full strength, and each was keen on the honours of being represented in the "big four." 
Though Leeton opened the scoring and led all the way, Matong put up a game fight, and the difference in the scores at the close of the day did not give a true indication of the general play. With the exception of the third quarter, when Leeton got a good break on, the "magpies" kept the Leetonians on the go, and at times some fine interludes were witnessed.

The play was fast right through, and both teams appeared in excellent trim, but Leeton gave the more systematic display and put up an attractive performance. Matong fought doggedly till the end and scored a goal off the last kick of the day.

Matong were no means disgraced and seeing that their team is comprised of mostly young players they should be heard of in connection with next year's competition. Whilst Matong's kicking in the outfield was at times faulty, a feature of the game was the accuracy with which the "black and whites" found the tall post, as out of 10 scoring shots eight produced the maximum number of points. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Aug 17, 2023.

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First Semi Final - Saturday August 18, 1923 at Grong Grong
Narandera .... 2.5 .. 4.5 .. 7.5 .. 7.11 (53)  
Leeton ......... 1.0 .. 4.4 .. 4.4 .. 4.4 (28)
Umpire: H. Potts, of N.S.W. League
Goals - Narandera: P Willis 2, E Tyson 2, G Potter, B Hawkshaw, C Little, 
Leeton:  F Lloyd, H McClellan, H Rogers, J Jamieson
Narandera (Royal Blue and Gold): Dick Williams (capt), C. Clarkson, Rupert Griggs, Bob Gass, Ben Hawkshaw, R Hore, C Little, F Langham, Mat McLeish, Gordon Potter, Stan Russell, R Ryan, Ted Roach, Jim Slender, Otto Schultze, E Tyson, Doug Weir, Percy Willis.
Leeton (Blue and White): H. Tonkin (capt), Ted McClellan, Bill Swasbrick, Charlie Grigg, Jack Adams, H Rogers, Len Polkinghorne, Guildford Webb, J Jamieson, "Snowy" Wallace, Fred Lloyd, Jack Schwab, Joe Gavel, Jack Nish, Vic Alexander, Bill Taylor, William Lodding, Fred Eardley.

Match report: The record crowd of the season gathered on the Grong Grong recreation ground on Saturday afternoon last to witness the first semi final in connection with the S.W.D. League premiership for 1923. The special train from the west end was packed, 400 alone boarded the train at Narandera, whilst in addition a large number from the latter town made the journey by car. But the train from the east was only moderately patronised.
The weather could not have been improved upon if made to order, whilst the playing space has never been seen in better condition, the turf being soft and springy. Narandera, wearing black arm bands, as a mark of respect for their club mate, R. Kersley, who during the had suffered a sad bereavement in the loss of his only sister, were the first to file on the field. Leeton followed shortly afterwards. Both teams were heartily received. 
The large assemblage was expected of a fast and thrilling game, and in the first half their hopes were fully realised, as after a sparkling two quarters Narandera led by one one point only at half time. From this point onward Narandera gradually improved their position, and whilst adding 24 more points to their total they prevented their opponents from even scoring a point and secured a well-deserved victory by 25 points. Although both teams stripped in the pink of condition the grueling battle had the majority of them looking the worst for wear before the final bell, which came as a happy relief to all.

In the third quarter Charlie Grigg, who had been playing well for Leeton, injured his wrist, and was of little use to his side afterwards. Fred Eardley was also brought down heavily by Otto Schultz in the last quarter, and had to be carried off the field, having sustained an injury to his leg which kept him out of the action for the rest of the match.

The Narandera team's supporters could not have shown more delight over the victory if it had been the deciding game of the series - their jubilation was unbounded, and the players were showered with congratulations.
Narandera were represented by a fairly even 18, but they owe much of their success to their astute and wily coach and captain, "Dick" Williams. He played centre, and, besides handling his men expertly, was watchful for every move of the opposition.
Tonkin, Leeton's coach and captain, had no excuse for his team's defeat. He openly admitted Narandera were too good for them, and ascribed Leeton's downfall to Narandera's superiority in the air. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Aug 24, 2023.

Second Semi Final - Saturday August 25, 1923 at Matong Recreation ground
Marrar  .......... 3.2 .. 4.4 .. 5.6 .. 6.9 (45) 
Coolamon ..... 3.1 .. 5.5 .. 6.6 .. 6.6 (42) 
Umpire: G Warren, of N.S.W. League
Goals - Marrar: C Cooper 2, S Rees 2, B George, G Castle
Coolamon: T Crommelin 2, O Armstrong, R Davies, L Stainsby, A Slade
Marrar (Red and Blue): Bill McIntyre (capt), Eric Donald, Fred Young, J Wheeler, Rueben Brown, T Gunther, Pat Gaynor, S Rees, Charlie Cooper, Bill Bruce, Lou, Bob and Darcy Fury, Joe O'Keefe, George Castle, G Gregory, B George, Pat Billingham.
Coolamon (Green and White): Ollie Armstrong (capt), Alonza Slade, Les Stainsby, Harold Bean, Ralph Armstrong, T and Gordon Miller, Roy Booth, William Ceely, George Blacklock, Frank Rogerson, N Bright, Ray Davies, Herb Hawthorn, T Crommelin, Lance Pyke, A Maloney, H McLean.

Match report: On Saturday afternoon last in fine weather Marrar maintained their unbeaten record of victories on the Matong recreation ground by defeating Coolamon, after a closely contested game, by the narrow margin of three points in the second semi final. The special train from the east end was well filled, but the train from the Leeton end was not well patronised as expected.

On alighting from the train, the visitors were welcomed by a string of flags stretching across the railway yard. When play commenced a large assemblage lined the arena, many travelling per car and other vehicles. The Coolamon team took to the field to the accompaiment of the "Wearing of the Green" from the Band, whilst Marrar was heralded with "The Red, White and Blue." 
Taken altogether the exhibition of football was not up to the standard of the competing teams, individual effort being relied upon in preference to teamwork, and was far behind the performance give by the same teams when they met at Coolamon in the first game of the second half round ten weeks ago. The majority of the players also showed lack of practice, but seeing that five weeks had lapsed since Marrar had played their last match, and Coolamon had not met for four Saturdays, (and in the interim had not indulged in no training) this is not to be wondered at.
By a most unfortunate oversight the game started without official timekeepers having been appointed, and although an effort been made after 25 minutes of play to draw the umpire's attention to the fact it was not until 32 minutes had slipped by that a halt was cried. The umpire then declared, "No game," but the president and secretary of the League and the two captains had conferred it was decided to play on  - the second quarter to be of 32 minutes as in the first and the remaining two of 20 minutes each. 
The first two long quarters told their tale on Coolamon's "green" team in the concluding stages, some of them completely done out. While they lasted the Greens showed the better combination of the two teams, but Marrar, as usual, finished with a kick still left in them, and once more delighted their large army of supporters by running off winners.

It was most regrettable to all parties that the mistake in regard to the time keepers occurred, and Coolamon almost to a man assert that the error cost them the game, as Marrar scored 13 points in the last few minutes of play the initial term - when the teams rightly should have been through the cross over spell and started on the second quarter's play

Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review/ Fri Aug 31, 2023. 

Premiership Final - Saturday September 1, 1923 at Ganmain Recreation Ground
Marrar  .......... 1.3 .. 3.6 .. 5.7 .. 8.9 (57)     
Narandera .... 2.5 .. 2.7 .. 5.9 .. 6.9 (45) 
Umpire: G Warren, of N.S.W. League
Goals - Marrar: G Castle 3, C Cooper 2, E Donald 2, H Molloy
Narandera: R Gass 2, B Hawkshaw, E Tyson, M McLeish, P Willis
Marrar (Red and Blue): Bill McIntyre (capt), Eric Donald, Fred Young, J Wheeler, Rueben Brown, Harry Molloy, Pat Gaynor, S Rees, C Cooper, Bill Bruce, Lou, Bob and Darcy Fury, Joe O'Keefe, George Castle, G Gregory, B George, Pat Billingham.
Narandera (Royal Blue and Gold): Dick Williams (capt), Rupert Griggs, Mat McLeish, R Ryan, Percy Willis, Ernie Tyson, C Clarkson, Ben Hawkshaw, F Langham, Ted Roach, Bob Gass, Bob Kersley, Stan Russell, Jim Slender, Otto Schultze, C Little, Doug Weir, R Hore.

Match report: Great interest was manifested in the meeting of Marrar and Narandera in the final of the S.W.D. League premiership at Ganmain on Saturday afternoon last. The special train was crowded, and both teams had large following of admirers, so it was little wonder the largest assemblage seen at a football match in connection with this season's competition lined the oval.

Spring like weather prevailed and the playing space was in good order for a capitol exposition.
After their excellent display against Leeton in the first semi-final, compared with Marrar's exhibition when opposed to Coolamon in the second semi-final, many looked upon this game as a "good thing" for Narandera.  Benefited by their run against Coolamon "with the colors up," after a spell extending to five weeks, Marrar proved altogether a different proposition.

Narandera have been able to get away with the majority of their matches by their combination and quick exchanges.

But these factors were nullified on Saturday by the Red Sashes. 
Marrar took the field with the do-or-die spirit; Narandera's best men were well shadowed, and they were never able to get their systematic work going successfully, so well did Marrar's men told off to do work carry out their task.
The winners put their whole heart in their efforts, and this it was that primarily gained them the day.
In the first three quarters neither side gained any appreciable advantage in the scores, but at the close of the third term Narandera appeared to be working better together than any previous stage of proceedings, and their seemed some justification for Narandera's belief that they had the measure of their opponents and would win through when they opened the concluding term with another goal. Marrar, however, suddenly became galvanised into activity, and Narandera quietened.

The Red and Blue were irresistible, and towards the finish the interest centred around the number of points Marrar would finally win by, which ultimately proved 12. 
Narandera's supporters were crestfallen by the defeat of their idols, but they met a superior side on the day.

Marrar's followers were naturally more than pleased with their boys, who were showered with congratulations on wresting the laurels from such formidable opponents. 
All the players on the winning side deserved mention, but Eric Donald was the hero, and he proved a big thorn in the side of the opposition - marking splendidly and getting rid of the ball to advantage. Of the others, Reuben Brown, McIntyre, O'Keefe, Young, Gaynor, Castle, Fury, Wheeler, George and Molloy were always prominent.
For the losers, no one did better than Ted Roach, on the half back line; Dick Williams was not quite himself, after having spent a couple of days in bed during the week through indisposition. Griggs, McLeish, Ryan, Gass, Slender, Willis, Russell, Little and Hawkshaw appeared to do most service of the remainder. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Sep 7, 2023.