Swans On Screen
HISTORY IN RED AND WHITE
1924 FOOTBALL SEASON RESULTS
SOUTH WESTERN D.F.L. - TARA D.F.A
1924 SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Officials - Patrons: W. Hardingham and J. A. Alexander; President: W. Nulty, Vice-Pres: P. Murphy (Marrar), F. McLean (Narandera), J. Carroll (Ganmain), D. Charles (Grong Grong), H. Bamford (Coolamon), E. Barnes (Leeton). Auditors: Lorimers and Edwards. Secretary: W. Hardingham, Hon. Treasurer: J. J. Little.
Round 1 - Saturday May 10: Coolamon 63 def Narandera 61, Ganmain def by Leeton, Marrar def Grong Grong, Junee, bye
R2 - May 17: Ganmain 8.13 (61) def Grong Grong 3.2 (20), Junee 4.12 (36) def by Narandera 6.5 (41), Marrrar 5.5 (35) def Leeton 4.4 (28), Coolamon, bye.
R3 - May 24: Leeton 6.5 (41) def Coolamon 2.3 (15), Marrar 42 draw Junee 42, Narandera 3.4 (22) def by Ganmain 5.7 (37), Grong Grong, bye
R4 - May 31: Grong Grong 2.9 (21) def by Leeton 8.12 (60), Junee def by Coolamon , Marrar def by Ganmain, Narandera, bye
R5 - June 7: Ganmain 4.6 (30) def Coolamon 4.4 (28), Leeton 98 def Junee 9, Narandera 8.11 (59) def Grong Grong 3.2 (20), Marrar, bye
R6 - June 14: Coolamon 41 def Grong Grong 0.1 (1), Junee 2.2 (14) def by Ganmain 5.22 (52), Marrar 6.7 (43) def Narandera 2.7 (19), Leeton, bye
R7 - June 21: Coolamon 6.8 (44) def Marrar 5.6 (36), Junee 0.3 (3) def by Grong Grong 74, Leeton 2.8 (20) def by Narandera 6.5 (41), Ganmain, bye
R8 - June 28: Grong Grong def by Marrar 10 pts, Leeton 3.7 (25) def by Ganmain 5.11 (41), Narandera 6.9 (45) def Coolamon 5.7 (37), Junee, bye.
R9 - July 12: Grong Grong 3.0 (18) def by Ganmain 9.12 (66), Leeton 6.5 (41) def Marrar 2.9 (21), Narandera def Junee, forfeited, Coolamon, bye.
Wednesday July 16: Collingwood 13.8 (86) def S.W.D.F.L. 10.13 (75) at Narandera Park
Goals - Collingwood: G Coventry 9, G Beasley 3, G Claydon
SWDFL: S Rees 3, P Carroll 2, L Stainsby, A Slade, P Willis, G Blacklock, E McClellan.
R10: - July 19: Coolamon 13.14 (92) def Leeton 9.17 (71), Ganmain 6.15 (51) Narandera 10.12 (72), Junee def by Marrar, Grong Grong, bye.
R11 - July 26: Coolamon def Junee, forfeited, Ganmain 7.10 (52) def Marrar 3.8 (26), Leeton def Grong Grong 48 pts, Narandera, bye. Due to forfeiting matches Junee disqualified from SWDFL Competition.
R12 - August 2: Coolamon 5.6 (36) def Ganmain 4.6 (30), Grong Grong def by Narandera; Leeton and Marrar, byes.
R13 - August 9: Grong Grong 2.2 (14) def by Coolamon 13.18 (96), Narandera 14.9 (93) def Marrar 2.2 (14); Ganmain and Leeton, byes
R14 - August 16: Marrar 5.89 (39) def Coolamon 4.10 (34), Narandera 9.7 (61) def Leeton 9.5 (59); Ganmain and Grong Grong, byes.
The decision of the goal umpire in raising only one flag for a goal by McLeish raised the ire of Leeton barrackers, who rushed the ground and threatened the goal umpire. The police, however, soon cleaned the arena, and the game resumed, but no further scoring took place. The Leeton Club protested against the Narandera goal umpire's decision, but the Judiciary Committee ruled that the protest made by the Leeton Club cannot be upheld on account of the ruling of the Australian Football Council: "that the goal umpire's decision is final and cannot be annulled."
Ladder: Narandera 9 3 0 2 44, Ganmain 9 3 0 2 44, Coolamon 8 4 0 2 40, Leeton 7 5 0 2 36, Marrar 7 5 0 2 36, Grong Grong 2 10 0 2 16, Junee 0 12 0 2 8.
Play-Off for Fourth Place - Saturday August 30, 1924 at Narandera Park
Leeton ...... 3.4 .. 7.5 .. 8.7 .. 12.8 (80)
Marrar .... . 2.0 .. 3.1 .. 5.2 ..9.2 (56)
Umpire: G Warren, of Sydney League
Goals - Leeton: H Tonkin 4, Ben Roberts 3, B Keeble 2, W Swasbrick 2, E McClellan
Marrar: Jack Blair 3, H Ryan 2, J Fox, R Brown, D Fury, S Rees
Leeton: Bill Swasbrick (capt), Ted Watkins, Mat McLeish, Ted McClellan, Len Polkinghorne, Fred Lloyd, Bert Keeble, Ben Roberts, Don Finley, A. McGrath, Joe Gavel, A.G. "Plugger" Roberts, Fred Anderson, Jack Schwab, Charlie Grigg, Bill Taylor, H. Tonkin
Match report: The play-off between Marrar and Leeton to decide which team would be included in the "big four" took place on the Narandera Park oval on Saturday afternoon and was witnessed by a big crowd of football enthusiasts. The "west-enders" who were captained by Bill Swasbrick, wore a well-trained appearance, compared with the "Tigers" led by Bill McIntyre, and subsequent events proved they had undergone a sound preparation. Although the "Tigers" suffered defeat by 24 points, the game was always pleasing to watch, and the play on both sides frequently drew forth the admiration of the crowd.
The Leetonians depended on their pace, quick exchanges, and team work to outwit the dogged determination and resoluteness displayed by the Marrar representatives. Leeton hopped off with a lead, and although they maintained it throughout the Red Sashes stuck to their somewhat unequal task unflinchingly and would not recognise defeat until the final bell had tolled.
Even with Lou Fury and S. Rees both of whom had been playing splendidly, greatly handicapped by receiving leg injuries, Marrar in the second half succeeded in scoring 37 points to Leeton's 33. Tonkin (Leeton) also injured his leg in the second quarter but was equal to scoring three goals in the final term. Leeton now appear to be on the top of their form, and with such a fast and even side can be depended upon to fully extend the best in the competition. If they can reproduce the excellent form shown in their last two matches this season's premiership is not beyond the wearers of the red and white.
ABOUT MARRAR
This is the first time since joining up with the SWDFA in 1919 that Marrar has not qualified for three semi-finals. In 1919 the team annexed the premiership. In 12920 the memorable semi0final with Narandera was fought out at Grong Grong, which put Marrar out of the premiership running, but the "Tigers" subsequently defeated Coolamon and Narandera for the Guest-Roach Cup.
Marrar did not form up in 1921, but their chief players went over to Junee, and latter carried off the prize from Coolamon. In 1922 the Red and Blue lost the final to Coolamon, but last year they again took premiership honours, and later defeated Coolamon by one point for the Hardingham Cup. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Sep 5, 1924.
First Semi Final - Saturday September 6, 1924 at Narandera Park
Ganmain ..... 3.3 .. 4.4 .. 8.6 .. 9.8 (62)
Leeton ........ 0.2 .. 4.6 .. 4.6 .. 6.11 (47)
Umpire: G Warren, of Sydney League
Goals - Ganmain: P Naughtin 3, P Carroll 3, W Pieper, G O'Meara, T Flanagan
Leeton: E McClellan 3, A Tonkin 2, L Polkinghorne
Ganmain: Ted Noonan (capt), Paddy Carroll, Pat Naughtin, Stan Cox, Harold Brill, Charlie Baker, Tas Flanagan, Bill Pieper, Roly Hughes, Bill Barratt, A Maloney, Gus Curtis, Hugh "Sap" Doherty, Ted Gilliard, Victor Jones, George Cedelland, Gerald O'Meara, Bill Smith.
Leeton: Bill Swasbrick (capt), Mat McLeish, H. Tonkin, Len Polkinghorne, Fred Lloyd, Ted McClellan, Bert Keeble, Ben Roberts, Don Finley, Joe Gavel, A. G. "Plugger" Roberts, F Anderson, Jack Schwab, Charlie Grigg, Clarrie and Bill Taylor, Jack Adams, Ted Watkins.
Match report: The extraordinary interest in the football competition was illustrated on Saturday by the large gathering of people at the first semi-final match between Ganmain and Leeton. The special train from Leeton was packed with followers of the M.I.A. team, and the train from Marrar was largely patronised, especially from Ganmain and Matong.
Narandera and surrounding centres were also represented by a large number of football enthusiasts, and the gate takings amounted to over £45 - one of the largest amounts taken by the League at a semi-final match and goes to prove that Narandera is the best centre for big matches so far as gate takings are concerned.
Interest in Saturday's match was accentuated by the fact that this was the first time for many years that the Ganmain team has been sufficiently strong to get into the final four teams, although prior to the war Ganmain was one of the strongest of the competing clubs. Leeton has figured in most of the semi-final matches since the war, but has never managed to win one, but the way the Leeton players acquitted themselves in their two matches prior to last Saturday entitled them to be considered favorites for the premiership this year.
Those who held the view were disappointed on Saturday, because Leeton's form was below expectation, their pretty system, the accuracy of which had often gained an advantage, as well as their nice low kicks and nippy ground play, was less in evidence than previously. Leeton team appeared to be over-confident, and they probably reckoned too cheaply with the opposition, with the result that they found it difficult to play combination whenever they tried.
Practically every man in the Ganmain team played well, but Noonan, Baker, Carroll, Cedelland, Smith, Moloney (full back), Barrett, Naughtin and Jones were about the most conspicuous players. Paddy Walsh, as coach, gave the players advice and encouragement from the boundary.
Several of the Leeton players were off their usual game, and less brilliant than usual. Schwab, McClellan, McLeish, Gavel, Keeble, Polkinghorne, Roberts and Bill Taylor worked very hard, and they were the more dashing players then their comrades. Some of their players made mistakes in the last quarter by leaving their places when Ganmain were endeavoring to crowd the play, so as to prevent scoring, instead of trying to keep the play open. Source - Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser / Tue 9 Sep, 1924
Second Semi Final - Saturday September 13, 1924 at Ganmain Recreation Ground
Narandera ....... 2.8 .. 4.10 .. 5.16 .. 5.17 (47)
Coolamon ....... 1.2 .. 1.4 .. 2.6 .. 4.9 (33)
Umpire: C Murray, of Sydney League
Goals - Narandera: G Potter 2, R Griggs, C Little, J Brown
Coolamon: A Slade 3, H Hawthorn
Narandera: Harold Bean (capt), Percy Willis, Jack Brown, Ted Roach, Vin Simpson, Otto Schultze, Ben Hawkshaw, Bob Gass, Jim Slender, Jack Nish, Rupert Griggs, Doug Weir, Stan Russell, C Little, Lachlan Tindale, Gordon Potter, Walter Hunter, W. Lawrence
Coolamon: Alonza Slade (capt), George Blacklock, Ern Andrews, C Spicer, Reg Lucas, Ray Davies, Herb and Grosvenor Hawthorn, William Ceely, Lance Pyke, Cecil and Clarrie Vesperman, H McLean, Ralph Armstrong, Robert Iverach, A Cain, Andy Longmore, O Armour.
Match report: The second semi-final between Narandera (minor premiers) and Coolamon was fought out on the Ganmain recreation ground ion Saturday afternoon last before a large concourse of spectators. Nearly 200 passengers boarded a special train at Coolamon, whilst a large number also made the journey by car and horse vehicles. Narandera's quota numbered just over 300, and Ganmain and district helped considerably to swell the crowd.
With the exception of a slight breeze, which favored the southern end goal, the weather was all that could have been desired.
Although the contest was perhaps always of sufficient merit to command attention, taken together the exhibition of football was not up to the class expected of semi-finalists.
This is a large measure was due no doubt to the competition teams having been idle for several weeks, and the players neglection; the necessary practices to keep themselves fit. Both teams appeared to be too eager, and the ball at times cut some queer capers and frequently baffled the players. Narandera hopped out at the start with the breeze, and maintaining the lead all the way won a hard fought and vigorous game by 14 points. Narandera's shooting for goal was very erratic, especially in the opening and third quarters.
Coolamon were the first to file on to the field, followed shortly by Narandera, and both teams received a hearty reception.
At the commencement of the season slender hopes were entertained of Coolamon gaining a place in the final four, and considering the many west-backs experienced through "casualties" the Greens have done remarkably well to finish in the position they have. And better still several smart juniors have received grounding which should stand them in good stead and form the nucleus of a solid team for next season.
During the game Coolamon were most unfortunate in having several of their players temporarily put out of action. Among them being Spicer, Andrews, McLean (who had to be assisted of the ground in the last quarter, but later returned), and Longmore (who injured his ankle). Within a few minutes of time "Poddy" Slade received a nasty bump which brought him down, and at the close of the game collapsed, and had to receive attention. It was evidently not Coolamon's day out.
For Narandera, Griggs, Bean, Willis, Russell, Slender, Brown, Roach and Potter were perhaps the most conspicuous performers.
Slade, Spicer, and Lucas appeared the most advantage for Coolamon. Others prominent were Armstrong (who took some nice marks), Ceely, Davies, H. Hawthorn, Iverach, Andrews, Blacklock and Cain.
Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Sep 19, 1924. .
Premiership Final - Saturday September 20, 1924 at Leeton Showground
Narandera ...... 3.3 .. 7.10 .. 8.11 .. 9.18 (72)
Ganmain ......... 3.4 .. 3.5 .. 7.8 .. 7.9 (51)
Umpire: C Murray, of Sydney League
Goals - Narandera: R Guest 3, L Tindale 2, P Willis, C Little, R Griggs, J Brown
Ganmain: P Naughtin, P Carroll, G Cedelland 3, G Curtis, C Baker
Narandera: Harold Bean (capt), Percy Willis, Walter Hunter, Doug Weir, R Guest, Lachlan Tindale, Ben Hawkshaw, Jack Savage, Rupert Griggs, Otto Schultze, Stan Russell, Ted Roach, Jack Brown, Jim Slender, Gordon Potter, C Little, Vin Simpson, Jack Nish.
Ganmain: Ted Noonan (capt), Paddy Carroll, Pat Naughtin, Stan Cox, Harold Brill, Charlie Baker, Tasman Flanagan, Bill Pieper, Roly Hughes, Bill Barratt, A Maloney, Gus Curtis, Hugh "Sap" Doherty, Ted Gilliard, Victor Jones, George Cedelland, Gerald O'Meara, Bill Smith.
Match report: Another South-Western District Football League competition is ended, and for the first time since 1914, Narandera takes the premiership, an honor the team achieved on Saturday by decisively beating Ganmain by 21 points in an interesting and spectacular game, played in grand spirit by both teams.
This year the Ganmain team made a gallant effort to on on top of the football ladder, a position they have not held since 1909, and although they have failed, they have not been disgraced. Seven teams competed for the laurels this year, and it is no light honor for the Narandera team to have gone through their rivals and won the premiership.
After very indifferent form early in the season, when their chance of being the premier team was anything but bright, as they had only won two of their first five matches, the players made a remarkable recovery, scoring nine successive victories.
Their win on Saturday was fully merited, and it is greatly pleased the supporters, who were dizzy with delight at the conclusion of the game and carried several of the prominent players shoulder high off the field. The enthusiasm was not short lived, and the big special train steamed into Narandera heralded by whistling of engines, exploding of detonators, and cheering of supporters in the carriages and of the large crowd assembled at the station. Headed by the Citizens' Band and the Boys' Fife and Bugle Band, the crowd marched down the street as far as Hankinson's corner, where cheers were given for the band and the team.
The Narandera team played so well in securing a well-deserved victory that it would be unfair to make much distinction by individual selection. Harold Bean was always solid, sure and dashing in the centre, and he was admirably supported on the wins by Vin Simpson and Gordon Potter. Bob Gass was the pivot of the forward division, and his play was always bright and effective, and Little, Nish and Tindale ere also alert and did much good work. Percy Willis was a tower of strength whether in the ruck or placed, and he the other ruckman (Weir, Hunter and Savage) were responsible for a lot of effective play. Rupert Griggs played one of his best games as rover, and Jack Brown, whether roving or placed, was solid and sure. Jim Slender was superb in defence, and made many good saves, as also Ben Hawkshaw at full back. Otto Schultze and Stan Russell were also sound defenders, but Ted Roach was not as prominent as he was the previous week.
The outstanding players for Ganmain were Noonan, Carroll, Flanagan, Baker, Barnett, Jones, Cedelland, Brill, Smith and O'Meara. Noonan, Flanagan and Carroll were very good at marking.
The gate takings amounted to £95, and constituted a record for the League, being £5 more than the Junee-Coolamon final at Narandera in 1921, and £16 better than the Narandera-Coolamon final ay Ganmain in 1920.
In addition to receiving the usual set of gold medals by the League, the Narandera team will have the honors of being the first team to hold the handsome cup donated by Mr. J. A. Alexander, of Leeton.
Source - Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser / Tue 23 Sep, 1924.
1924 SWDFL CLUB PLAYER LIST
Coolamon: Alonza Slade (capt), J Allen, E Andrews, O Armour, Ralph Armstrong, George Blacklock, A Cain, William Ceely, Mick Curtis, C Davey, Ray Davies, Herb Hawthorn, Robert Iverach, Ashley Johnston, Andy Longmore, Reg Lucas, H McLean, Lance Pyke, Frank Rogerson, Dave Sells, C Spicer, Cecil and Clarrie Vesperman, J Younger,
Ganmain: Ted Noonan (capt), Charlie Baker, Bill Barratt, Harold and Allan Brill, Paddy Carroll, George Cedelland, Bill Collis, George and Stan Cox, Gus Curtis, Hugh "Sap" and Jack Doherty, Tas Flanagan, Ted Gilliard, Frank Holland, Roly Hughes, Victor Jones, A Maloney, Pat Naughtin, Bill Pieper, Gerald O'Meara, Con and Bill Smith.
Grong Grong: Jack Leitch (capt), Harry and Maurice Bean, C Billingham, N and W Bright, H. Buttress, Jack Catlin, W. Guymer, A Harris, R Hutchins, Hugh Kerr, Maloney, J McLennan, J McQualter, Frank Murphy, J and R Reid, Rodda, Les Stainsby.
Junee : Len Anderson (capt), J. Barton,
Leeton: Bill Swasbrick (capt), Jack Adams, Fred Anderson, Don Finley, Joe Gavel, J Hough, J Jamieson, Bert Keeble, W Lambert, Fred Lloyd, William Lodding, Ted McClellan, Mat McLeish, Len Polkinghorne, A. G. "Plugger" and Ben Roberts, Rosewall, Clarrie and Bill Taylor, H. Tonkin, Ted Watkins, Sandy Watts.
Marrar: Bill McIntyre (capt), Jack Blair, R Breaden, Rueben Brown, Charlie Cooper, Eric Donald, John and I Fox, Giddins, Gleeson, Bob and Lou Fury, B George, G Gregory, T Gunther, J Kennedy, Lelland, Mills, L Redgrave, S Rees, W Ryan, Joe and K Stapleton, J Stevenson, "Tiny" Wilson.
Narandera: Percy Willis (capt), Harold Bean (capt), E Bartsch, D Bower, Jack Brown, Bob Gass, Rupert Griggs, Ben Hawkshaw, Walter Hunter, J and W Lawrence, C Little, Longmore, Jack Nish, Ted Roach, Stan Russell, Jack Savage, Otto Schultze, Vin Simpson, Jim Slender, Lachlan Tindale, Doug Weir, Jack Whitty,
1924 TARA & DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Officials - President: J. W. Cassidy, Vice-Pres: W. E. O'Dwyer, P. Guthrie, B. J. Guthrie, N. A. Charlesworth,
T. M. Slattery and C. H. Collins, Auditor: G. W. Blone, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: P. P. English.
Ladder: Ariah Park 8 2 0 32, Tara 8 2 0 32, Methul 6 4 0 24, Mirrool 5 5 0 20, Wallaroobie 2 8 0 8, Rannock 1 9 0 4.
Play-off for minor premiers - August 30, 1924 at Ariah Park Recreation ground
Ariah Park ..... 7.13 (55)
Tara .............,,,. 4.9 (33)
Match report: By defeating Tara on Saturday in the presence of over 500 people by 54 points to 33, Ariah Park are now minor premiers and richly deserve the honor. Saturday's game was not the equal of others we have witnessed this season, nor was the umpire anything to write about, considering the game was in charge of a Sydney umpire, who seemed to us and others to be too fond of bouncing the ball. The local (Ariah Park) all played to form but the visitors, with one or two exceptions, were distinctly out of form, in fact, some only appeared to be there to make up the number. Although it was practically the same team that defeated Mirrool a week earlier, by the play we would have thought it was a totally different team if we had not known otherwise.
Of course, it must be remembered that a team can only play as well as its opponents let them. For the victors Ted Lambert, Frank Peters, Edgar and Bill Harris were the pick, but W McDermott, J Behan, "Silo" Peters, Jack Lambert, and Schmetzer were continually in the limelight. For the losers, Paddy Gaynor was out on his own and was busy mixing it the whole time. Jack Breust, Fred Jepson, Clarrie Brooks, Stan Bryce and Hawkins. The gate brought £45.
First Semi Final - Saturday September 6, 1924, at Ariah Park Recreation ground
Mirrool .... 4.1 .. 4.2 .. 4.4 .. 4.6 (30)
Tara ........... 0.1 .. 1.8 .. 1.12 .. 1.14 (20)
Umpire: Mr. Carney, of Sydney
Goals - Mirrool: A Gemmill 2, H Prentice, P. Breust
Tara: W Pleming
Best players - Mirrool: A Gemmill, I Fisher, T Slattery, F Vearing, Clarke, Boyd, W Pleming
Tara: J Breust, F Jepson, W Firman, F East
Match report: Saturday's semi-final between Mirrool and Tara, which the former won by 10 points, will live long in the memory of the large crowd who witnessed it, as the vilest and rottenest exhibition of the code that they ever seen. And the whole fault lays with the central umpire, who lost complete control of the game and allowed the players to repeatedly resort to "all in" tactics.
To make matters worse he was a Sydney importation, and something above the ordinary was expected, but a child could have done better than Mr. Carney did. To say he did not know any better is nonsense, for he had an excellent grip of the game at the commencement, and he brought many players to their bearings, which met with popular approval, but he slipped very badly.
So far this year, Sydney has only sent one decent umpire, and the Association should send a strong letter of protest to Headquarters. A high figure is paid to get Sydney umpires, and surely value for money should be sent. The public are asked to pay 2 shillings to see these matches, and Saturday's exhibition was nothing short of victimisation. The least said about the game the better, but it is a fair example of Australian Rules, then Rugby is a parlor game.
Mirrool aided by a stiff breeze, put on 25 to 1 in the first quarter, but for the rest of the could only score an additional five points, while Tara added 19. For the victors Alex Gemmell, George Dougan, and Clarke were the pick whilst for the losers Clarrie Brooks, Pat Gaynor, Jack Breust and Fred Jepson were the best. Over £40 was taken at the gate. Source - Ariah Park News - Thu 11 Sep, 1924.
Second Semi-Final - Saturday September 13, 1924, at Tara Recreation ground
Ariah Park ..... 0.1 .. 2.10 .. 3.11 .. 6.17 (53)
Methul ............ 2.6 .. 3.10 .. 6.18 .. 7.19 (61)
Match report: In the semi-final on Saturday Ariah Park went down at the hands of Methul in the presence of a large crowd at Tara.
Mr. Coleman, of Sydney, was umpire, and was as good as Mr. Carney was bad, and that speaks volumes for both umpires.
General satisfaction was expressed at the umpiring by the spectators, victors and defeated.
Our representatives did not play up to form and were outclassed in kicking and marking. In the second half Methul commenced with a lead of 19 points, but Ariah Park came with a brilliant late run and got within eight points of victory.
Every man of Methul played well but Ray Riseborough and Eddie English towered above all. For the losers Alf Schmetzer, Hurtle Harper and J Behan were the only ones to play as they can play. £32 was taken at the gate.
To have a chance of beating Methul in the final, our lads (Ariah Park) will have to improve greatly on their display given on Saturday. Source - Ariah Park News - Thu 18 Sep, 1924.
Final - Saturday September 20, 1924, at Tara Recreation ground
Methul ....... 7.14 (56)
Mirrool ...... 3.12 (30)
Match report: Saturday's final nearly put the finishing touch on the "win, tie or wrangle" spirit that has permeated this year's matches, for at one stage, it looked as if that there would be no match at all owning to a dispute about umpires.
In fact, both teams for a while refused to take the field, but wiser counsels prevailed, and the match was played as scheduled.
It appears that the Association appointed a Melbourne umpire, but he got "lost, strayed, or stolen" on the journey, and did not put up an appearance. However, Mr. Coleman, a Sydney umpire, came along to the match to umpire the match also, but at whose instruction remains a mystery. At all events he was the right man in the right place, and gave the utmost satisfaction, and was fairness personified. Methul were too good in all departments, but any luck that was about in the game went Methul's way. Outstanding players for the victors were Harry Hubbard, Wallace Dunn, Ray Riseborough, and Eddie English. whilst for the losers Alex Gemmell, Davenport, Carr and Pleming were most prominent. Source - Ariah Park News - Thu 25 Sep, 1924.
Challenge Final - Saturday September 27, 1924 at Tara Recreation ground
Methul ........... 1.2 .. 3.9 .. 4.11 .. 8.14 (62)
Ariah Park .... 2.5 .. 2.5 .. 5.5 .. 8.6 (54)
Umpire: F. Ayles, of Melbourne League
Goals - Methul: R Riseborough 3, L Dunn 2, C Guthrie, H Hubbard, A Minchin
Ariah Park: E Harris 2, W Harris 2, H Harper, J Lambert, A Schmetzer, A Peters
Methul (Colors: Green and White): Ray Riseborough (capt), Phil English (vice-capt), Jack and Eddie English, Jim Dawe, Mark and C Guthrie, Percy and Harry Hubbard, Gordon and T Miller, George Jackson, L. "Darby" Dunn, Wallace Dunn, Les Roffe, Bill O'Dwyer, J Harris, Andy Minchin.
Ariah Park (Colors: Yellow and Black): Jack Lambert (capt), Bill and Edgar Harris, Len Walker, Alf, Allen, E and W Schmetzer, J Behan, W Peters, J Norris, Ern and Len Haddrill, Hurtle Harper, Arthur Peters, W McDermott, John Wiese.
Match report: Although the weather was anything but inviting it did not deter another big crowd of Australian rules football enthusiasts, representative of the whole district, from assembling on the Tara recreation ground on to witness the giants (Methul and Ariah Park) in opposition in the grand final for the Tara and District Association's 1924 premiership.
By their clear cut and meritorious victory over Mirrool the previous Saturday, Methul proved to be the premier team, but Ariah Park (as minor premiers) exercised their right to challenge Methul to defend the title.
Fortunately, each club was represented by its best 18. Following on the season's performances there was little difference in the calibre of the two teams, and the spectators expected to witness what they did - a fast, close, and exciting game.
A variable breeze favored the southern end goal, and Ariah Park had first use of it. As a spectacle the play was of much higher standard than in the final, being more open, whilst high marking and long kicks, interspersed with individual flashes of brilliancy and teamwork, all helped to make a fine exhibition.
With very little separation the scores at any part of the journey the play was intensely interesting throughout, and at times, especially in the concluding term, when every inch of the way was hotly contested, unparalleled enthusiasm prevailed.
At the end of the first session the Park had a 9-point lead, but Methul gave the challengers a clean sheet in the second term, and at the halfway bell were ten points on the credit side.
Ariah Park made up their leeway in the third quarter, which ended honors even - 35 points all. The crowd was now worked up for a dazzling run home, and they got thrills aplenty - first one team and then the other being proclaimed the winners. Towards the close Methul established their claim to the spoils, and though the Park fought doggedly they were not quite equal to the task and went under, fighting to the end, by eight points. When the bell sounded proclaiming Methul premiers for the second season in succession Captain Ray Riseborough and his man were showered with congratulations on every side, whilst at the same time Ariah Park came in for much praise for a splendid fight they had put up. The match was voted by many to be the best of this season's series - a fitting climax to the year's operations.
Methul team played so grandly in securing victory that it is perhaps unfair to make much distinction selection. Riseborough, though suffering from an injured finger, was always in the limelight in the ruck; W Dunn (in defence), L Dunn (in attack), J Dawe (ruck), E English (roving), P and H Hubbard, P English (full back), G Jackson all played brilliantly, whilst G and T Miller (centre and half-back), also gave a sparkling display, especially shining in the critical closing stages , when a mistake or two spelt the difference between victory and defeat. The remaining players also helped considerably to gain the honors for Methul.
Ariah Park possesses some fine players, chief of which may be mentioned Walker (in defence), Bill and Edgar Harris (forward), Arthur Peters and Jack Lambert (ruck), Alf Schmetzer (wing), J Behan, Haddrill and Schmetzer Bros.
Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Oct 3, 1924.