Thanks again, RogersResults.
Wanted to 'like' your post for its informative nature but it actually makes me sad to think that part of our history is now irretrievable as a result of this conflagration.
Resource Geelong Football Club history
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Thanks again, RogersResults.
Wanted to 'like' your post for its informative nature but it actually makes me sad to think that part of our history is now irretrievable as a result of this conflagration.
From Geelong Advertiser 1924 editions posted on Trove 6 November 2015
FOOTBALL MEMORIES
Geelong's Lost Premiership JACK CONWAY'S STORY
It is always intensely interesting to get football veterans to recount their experiences. Believing that a great number of our readers would appreciate short accounts of stirring incidents in which former Geelong players have figured, arrangements are being made to republish from time to time some of the most interesting stories.
We are fortunate in being able to start the series with some reminiscences by "Jack" Conway, whose dashing determined play is well remembered by many of the older followers of the club. Mr. Jack Conway was one of the most successful captains the Geelong League Football Club has ever had. He was connected with the club in a practical way for 26 years. For 23 of those years — 1897-1922 — he was a member of the committee. In 1897, 1898, and I899 he was captain of the team, and by virtue of his office be was a member of the sub-committee. Then he went on as a member of the general committee and match committee for a number of years. Eventually he was a general committeeman till 1922.
His playing record extends over a long period. His football career commenced in the year 1887, and he played his last game of football in 1899. That makes 13 in all. But his interest in the club, as seen by his record, by no means ended with his ceasing to take the field and long, he has been a "sticker" for the Geelong Club.
He laughingly revealed the excitement he experienced when being taken on as a player. At that particular time, the ‘Advertiser’ was printed in Moorabool street where Messr Laird and Buchan's office is now. He knew that his name had been mentioned for inclusion in the team but he was anxious to know if he had been selected. In those days, men took it as a great honor to play with Geelong. That being the only matter of concern for him on the morning when the paper would announce the team for the following march, he was up bright and early. "I was the first man to read the "Advertiser" board that morning," be said. He went on to state he was in front of the office when the paper was pasted on the board. "And what is more, I think I only read my own name on the list," was his comment. Everything else in the paper sank into insignificance.
It was as captain, however that Mr. Conway figured most prominently in the public eye. He captained the team in the year of 1897, the first year of the Victorian Football League’s existence. Prior to that, there had been what was known as an Association. Consequently, the veteran referral to was the first League captain, and by a coincidence, he considers that it was that year which marked his most interesting experience.
It was most unfortunate for the Geelong Club in that it was the first year for the rules governing the playing off of the major-premierships were in a primitive state*. At this time there was no grand final, and it is claimed that Geelong who were minor premiers, suffered as a consequence. Four clubs, Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, and Melbourne, had to fight out the final round, each club having to play three matches. The first semi-final, in which Geelong engaged was against Essendon, and in fairness to the minor-premiers it was decided to play the match at Geelong. That was the only year a semi-final was played at Geelong, said Mr. Conway. It was this match, which caused considerable excitement in the football world.
The first incident of note was in the toss for choice of ends, Stuckey, Essendon's captain, said to Conway, "Have you got a coin, Jack?" to which Geelong's captain replied "No." "Oh, well this will do," said the Essendonian as he picked up a tuft of grass and placed it behind his back, carrying both arms behind at the same time. When he held his clenched hands in front, Mr, Conway indicated the hand he preferred, but when Stuckey opened it there was nothing in it. On being asked to show the other hand also, Conway could see nothing in that either. Of course, Geelong's leader declared that was no good to him and the incident closed by the procuring of a coin. Geelong won the toss and kicked towards the northern goal, accepting the advantage offered by the wind.
At that time Geelong had the best ruck in the competition, for the two stalwarts were none other than Harry Young and Joe McShane. "When ultimately Essendon beat us by 5 goals 8 behinds to 3 goals 10 behinds, I was probably the most disappointed man in Geelong." said the veteran, "for I was absolutely certain the premiership was in our grasp." Not only that, he said, but also Geelong had the better of the play, but as would be seen later, they were playing under adverse circumstances.
Prior to recounting the most interesting experience in regard to that match, Mr. Conway explained that in Ivo Crapp, they had one of the best umpires. He was fast and his decisions were accurate. He knew at all tines why he was free kicking a player, and after a sharp whistle blast would always announce "push behind", "holding the man," or "around the neck," as the case may have been.
It came, therefore, as a surprise to our representative when Mr. Conway declared that in the match referred to the umpire was the menus of Essendon winning. The veteran captain, however, made his argument clear as he proceeded, for subsequent happenings seemingly supported his view. Going off the ground after the match, Conway said to Crapp "Essendon can thank you for heating us. They would never have beaten us without you today.'' The umpire said nothing.
The following Saturday Geelong journeyed to Fitzroy to play Melbourne whom they defeated. Again Crapp was the umpire, but it was noticeable, said Mr. Conway that his tactics were different from those he adopted in the Essendon match. In fact, said the veteran, he was umpiring in his usual way. Going on the ground after the half-time interval the umpire said to the Geelong captain "How am I umpiring to-day, Conway?" The latter replied, "You are umpiring beautifully, why didn’t you umpire like this last Saturday?" To this question Crapp made what appears to be a most astounding reply for he said, "We were instructed by the League to throw the ball in to beat the big men."**
Mr. Conway pointed out that the big men in the match concerned were Young and McShane and these were considerably handicapped by the throwing in of the umpire. Subsequently I when the matter was brought up by the Geelong delegates, the Leagues explanation was that they instructed umpires to vary the throwing in of the ball. Notwithstanding this, said Mr. Conway, Crapp was emphatic in his version of the matter, that his statement was accepted as being true, especially by the Geelong players. His very frankness vouched for the honesty of what he said.
Essendon players, said the veteran, subsequently admitted that they did not desire to meet Geelong again, and appeared to be satisfied to get out of it as fortunately as they did. Essendon by defeating also Collingwood and Melbourne won the premiership. Incidentally, it may be mentioned Geelong defeated those two clubs. Geelong would have had another go at Essendon, if one of the other teams had defeated them, but it was not to be. In this season, Joe McShane was Geelong’s vice captain.
That was his most interesting season, said Mr. Conway, who followed it in reminiscent vein recalling the time when, they used to make trips to Ballarat. Strange to say, although the latter club was not one of the Victorian Association, if in the course of a season a club visited the “golden city” and were defeated, the loss would count against the team's points for the premiership. Consequently, these trips were usually confined to early or late in the season, after or before pennant games had been entered upon.
Geelong Advertiser
9 August 1924.
Conway played all possible 51 games for Geelong 1897-99 for a win percentage of 70.6%. His last game was the 162 to 1 thrashing of St Kilda played at Corio Oval 9/9/1899. He is the only League player to play all his senior matches as captain of the club he represented.
*The 1897 premiership was originally to be decided by two knock-out semi-finals with the winners playing-off for the pennant. It was then decided that this was not fair to the team that had finished top of the ladder as they could be eliminated by one loss, so a 'round robin' system was devised with the top four teams all playing each other once for a placing on a finals ladder. If Essendon had have lost one of its other finals, a Grand Final vs Geelong would have been required.
** Until 1904 when boundary umpires were introduced, the field umpire threw the ball back into play after it had gone out-of-bounds.
FOOTBALL MEMORIES
Geelong's Lost Premiership JACK CONWAY'S STORY
It is always intensely interesting to get football veterans to recount their experiences. Believing that a great number of our readers would appreciate short accounts of stirring incidents in which former Geelong players have figured, arrangements are being made to republish from time to time some of the most interesting stories.
We are fortunate in being able to start the series with some reminiscences by "Jack" Conway, whose dashing determined play is well remembered by many of the older followers of the club. Mr. Jack Conway was one of the most successful captains the Geelong League Football Club has ever had. He was connected with the club in a practical way for 26 years. For 23 of those years — 1897-1922 — he was a member of the committee. In 1897, 1898, and I899 he was captain of the team, and by virtue of his office be was a member of the sub-committee. Then he went on as a member of the general committee and match committee for a number of years. Eventually he was a general committeeman till 1922.
His playing record extends over a long period. His football career commenced in the year 1887, and he played his last game of football in 1899. That makes 13 in all. But his interest in the club, as seen by his record, by no means ended with his ceasing to take the field and long, he has been a "sticker" for the Geelong Club.
He laughingly revealed the excitement he experienced when being taken on as a player. At that particular time, the ‘Advertiser’ was printed in Moorabool street where Messr Laird and Buchan's office is now. He knew that his name had been mentioned for inclusion in the team but he was anxious to know if he had been selected. In those days, men took it as a great honor to play with Geelong. That being the only matter of concern for him on the morning when the paper would announce the team for the following march, he was up bright and early. "I was the first man to read the "Advertiser" board that morning," be said. He went on to state he was in front of the office when the paper was pasted on the board. "And what is more, I think I only read my own name on the list," was his comment. Everything else in the paper sank into insignificance.
It was as captain, however that Mr. Conway figured most prominently in the public eye. He captained the team in the year of 1897, the first year of the Victorian Football League’s existence. Prior to that, there had been what was known as an Association. Consequently, the veteran referral to was the first League captain, and by a coincidence, he considers that it was that year which marked his most interesting experience.
It was most unfortunate for the Geelong Club in that it was the first year for the rules governing the playing off of the major-premierships were in a primitive state*. At this time there was no grand final, and it is claimed that Geelong who were minor premiers, suffered as a consequence. Four clubs, Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, and Melbourne, had to fight out the final round, each club having to play three matches. The first semi-final, in which Geelong engaged was against Essendon, and in fairness to the minor-premiers it was decided to play the match at Geelong. That was the only year a semi-final was played at Geelong, said Mr. Conway. It was this match, which caused considerable excitement in the football world.
The first incident of note was in the toss for choice of ends, Stuckey, Essendon's captain, said to Conway, "Have you got a coin, Jack?" to which Geelong's captain replied "No." "Oh, well this will do," said the Essendonian as he picked up a tuft of grass and placed it behind his back, carrying both arms behind at the same time. When he held his clenched hands in front, Mr, Conway indicated the hand he preferred, but when Stuckey opened it there was nothing in it. On being asked to show the other hand also, Conway could see nothing in that either. Of course, Geelong's leader declared that was no good to him and the incident closed by the procuring of a coin. Geelong won the toss and kicked towards the northern goal, accepting the advantage offered by the wind.
At that time Geelong had the best ruck in the competition, for the two stalwarts were none other than Harry Young and Joe McShane. "When ultimately Essendon beat us by 5 goals 8 behinds to 3 goals 10 behinds, I was probably the most disappointed man in Geelong." said the veteran, "for I was absolutely certain the premiership was in our grasp." Not only that, he said, but also Geelong had the better of the play, but as would be seen later, they were playing under adverse circumstances.
Prior to recounting the most interesting experience in regard to that match, Mr. Conway explained that in Ivo Crapp, they had one of the best umpires. He was fast and his decisions were accurate. He knew at all tines why he was free kicking a player, and after a sharp whistle blast would always announce "push behind", "holding the man," or "around the neck," as the case may have been.
It came, therefore, as a surprise to our representative when Mr. Conway declared that in the match referred to the umpire was the menus of Essendon winning. The veteran captain, however, made his argument clear as he proceeded, for subsequent happenings seemingly supported his view. Going off the ground after the match, Conway said to Crapp "Essendon can thank you for heating us. They would never have beaten us without you today.'' The umpire said nothing.
The following Saturday Geelong journeyed to Fitzroy to play Melbourne whom they defeated. Again Crapp was the umpire, but it was noticeable, said Mr. Conway that his tactics were different from those he adopted in the Essendon match. In fact, said the veteran, he was umpiring in his usual way. Going on the ground after the half-time interval the umpire said to the Geelong captain "How am I umpiring to-day, Conway?" The latter replied, "You are umpiring beautifully, why didn’t you umpire like this last Saturday?" To this question Crapp made what appears to be a most astounding reply for he said, "We were instructed by the League to throw the ball in to beat the big men."**
Mr. Conway pointed out that the big men in the match concerned were Young and McShane and these were considerably handicapped by the throwing in of the umpire. Subsequently I when the matter was brought up by the Geelong delegates, the Leagues explanation was that they instructed umpires to vary the throwing in of the ball. Notwithstanding this, said Mr. Conway, Crapp was emphatic in his version of the matter, that his statement was accepted as being true, especially by the Geelong players. His very frankness vouched for the honesty of what he said.
Essendon players, said the veteran, subsequently admitted that they did not desire to meet Geelong again, and appeared to be satisfied to get out of it as fortunately as they did. Essendon by defeating also Collingwood and Melbourne won the premiership. Incidentally, it may be mentioned Geelong defeated those two clubs. Geelong would have had another go at Essendon, if one of the other teams had defeated them, but it was not to be. In this season, Joe McShane was Geelong’s vice captain.
That was his most interesting season, said Mr. Conway, who followed it in reminiscent vein recalling the time when, they used to make trips to Ballarat. Strange to say, although the latter club was not one of the Victorian Association, if in the course of a season a club visited the “golden city” and were defeated, the loss would count against the team's points for the premiership. Consequently, these trips were usually confined to early or late in the season, after or before pennant games had been entered upon.
Geelong Advertiser
9 August 1924.
Conway played all possible 51 games for Geelong 1897-99 for a win percentage of 70.6%. His last game was the 162 to 1 thrashing of St Kilda played at Corio Oval 9/9/1899. He is the only League player to play all his senior matches as captain of the club he represented.
*The 1897 premiership was originally to be decided by two knock-out semi-finals with the winners playing-off for the pennant. It was then decided that this was not fair to the team that had finished top of the ladder as they could be eliminated by one loss, so a 'round robin' system was devised with the top four teams all playing each other once for a placing on a finals ladder. If Essendon had have lost one of its other finals, a Grand Final vs Geelong would have been required.
** Until 1904 when boundary umpires were introduced, the field umpire threw the ball back into play after it had gone out-of-bounds.
- Feb 11, 2009
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Nah nothing happened!
Jhye Clark 13
07, 09, 11, 22
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Found this image of Ablett Snr in his debut for Geelong in round 1, 1984.
Mobbs
A Large Portion, Yes
Nakia made me come here. So mean.
It was suggested this was the thread to ask, so here I am :
It was suggested this was the thread to ask, so here I am :
So folks on a Facebook group based around Horsham are deliberating over a photo of what seems to be the Geelong FC close to 1951. The scrawlings on the back make some references which connect the image to Horsham. I guess they are rubbing their chin over whether there might have been a practice/exhibition game at Horsham and when plus where exactly this might have been.
Some folks have said the locale reminds them of Punt Road so maybe it's not Horsham at all. Personally, I'm just trusting their assumption that its of the Geelong team. I know stuff-all.
But if anyone can assist, I'll convey your thoughts back to the Wimmera folks. Thanks in advance!
Sorry to intrude in enemy territory, but regarding the Geelong photo just posted:
I reckon it is Punt Road.
That looks like the Royal in the back right. And in the middle, right behind that wavy roof, looks like the Pelaco sign written backwards.
Fred Flanagan is center in the team photo, meaning he is prob captain. Bernie Smith to the left, and also Bob Davis are also in photo which places this game at either Rd 6 1952, Rd 5 1953, or Rd 10 1954.
You'll just need to name a few more and you'll be able to narrow down further.
Here is an example of a Richmond team in 1954. You can see in the top corner, the wavy roof that appears in the Geelong photo.
http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/linked_images/other/misc/img800-1.jpg
Furthermore, I think a Geelong wiki would be a great idea.
It doesnt take much to set up , I just used Tiki Wiki site for www.tigerlandarchive.org
Looks like Blicavs on the far right.
Man that guy has endurance.
Man that guy has endurance.
That George Swabrick (23 games 1952-3).
A highly talented ruckman, he left the VFL scene before he had the chance to show his true value. A great future had been predicted for him in football. His long arms and large hands enabled him to take many good marks around the ground, and directed his ruck taps accurately to his smaller team-mates.
Last senior match: Grand final, 1953. v CoIlingwood at the MCG.
Photo is the team that played Richmond at the Punt Rd. Oval in round 6 1952. It was Bob Davis' first match for 1952 with the Cats after his failure to gain a clearance to play for South Adelaide in the SANFL.
(Its also the only time that George Swarbrick (back row far right) played against the Tigers.)
See Classic Cats for details.
Mobbs
A Large Portion, Yes
Ok thanks very much RogersResults and everyone who responded. I'll report back what you've said!
What was the story on this..i haven't heard that before?
- Aug 2, 2012
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In 1952, after playing only 51 games for Geelong, Davis was offered a coaching job with the South Adelaide Football Club in theSouth Australian National Football League.[2] He moved to Adelaide for the start of the 1952 season, but after Geelong refused to clear him,[6] he returned to Geelong in time for the sixth game of the season,[7] and remained there for the remainder of his career.[8]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Davis_(Australian_rules_footballer)
I was not aware of that... my bet that considering the way it all panned out he was very grateful for the recalcitrant attitude by the club.
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I think it was only a year or two later (maybe 1954?) that he and partner Bernie Smith opened their printing works in Geelong, which more or less put a permanent kybosh on any interstate move.
With the note that 'Wikipedia' should never, ever be used as an authoritative source on anything, the story is far more complex than the 'wikipedia' entry. Offering Davis the position of 'coach' was just one part of the various tactics used by South Adelaide to try and get Davis' services as a player.
See pages 148-9 of Classic Cats: The Story of Geelong's Premiership Years 1951-1952 for a detailed account of the saga.
C'mon guys, you're interested in the history of the Club - the remaining copies of the above book are selling at half the original price and
can be ordered here.
- Sep 15, 2005
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I've considered grabbing it half a dozen times RogersResults , as that period of the clubs history does interest me a great deal, and we had so many champions and characters around that time ... is that your account name for $ transfer??
No. Account name is that of co-author, Bruce Kennedy. Address any ordering queries to him at footyhistories@yahoo.com
- Sep 15, 2005
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tried to contact Bruce via the email you provided on the 10th, but as yet no response RR ...
Send me your details to rogersresults@internode.on.net and I'll get in touch with him.
catempire
Premium Platinum
I have mine stillWho has still got one of these?
The rabbi
Brownlow Medallist
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I reckon I fought one of his grand kids in Jimmy Sharmans tent
I remember going to the funeral of a a young man (who was a couple of years older than me at the time) who fought in the boxing tent at the Geelong show and died some time later. The death was attributed to blows taken during the fight. I cannot recall if it was Sharman's Tent, but I cannot recall the name of any other boxing tent gigs from that era.
