Les Malone
Norm Smith Medallist
- Jul 28, 2019
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- AFL Club
- GWS
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I fund this article in my researches
4 October 1930 Sporting Globe
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article182998518
It relates the story of one Charlie Palmer, a Geelong player pre VFL.
He talks about the football played with in the "good old days" (ie 1880's-90's) and says it was bigger than a 1930's soccer ball and was round (& was difficult to kick a long distance- all my emphases).
I remember white footballs in the 1960's at high school, Lyrebird? brand. I think the makers of Kookaburra cricket balls may have made them.i haven't see one for awhile, but i am no longer involved in a senior football club, so maybe they are still around but i do remember white Sherrins in the 1980's
I have done a lot of delving into pre VFL era newspapers for blueseum and I can't say I have found any description of the ball, apart from being a No2 size rugby ball. If I had found one I would have put it on the site. I did find a description about the stops/studs used by Carlton (nailed in) verus the Essendon ones which had a screw holding them on. But nothing about all of those points you mention. Maybe the ball being replaced because it went flat, rings a bell.I am doing research on footballs (any type) used in Victoria (for AF only), between 1858 to 1892
(After 1892, the TW Sherrin-designed ball was often used- which had rounder ends, cf the post 1877, "pointier" VFA-prescribed Rugby No. 2 ball).
If anyone comes across, from Trove sources etc., any pre-1959 description of:-
. the shape &/or weight/size of pre-1892 balls
. how often they might become damaged, or out of shape
. how often they became waterlogged; problems being waterlogged/heavily affected by rain
. how often the bladder burst, or became slightly deflated
. difficulties kicking them accurately, or a long distance (including heavy boots or heavy pants hindering kicking)
. jumping high to mark the ball
. predictible (or not?) trajectory of pre-1892 balls after they were kicked
. fear of being hurt in a marking contest (either hurting the hands from the heavy balls, or hurt by another player); or actually being hurt trying to mark
. players jumping high, in an attempt to mark a ball; or actually taking a mark, with a high jump
I would greatly appreciate it, if I could be alerted to these references. Perhaps a PM to me would be best, to relay the details/respond better to my questions.
Thank you
Congratulations on the blueseum site, the best history site for any AFL club- & thank you for your reply.I have done a lot of delving into pre VFL era newspapers for blueseum
3. How many mentions (from your recollection) pre-1877 were there, approx., of "Rugby No. 2 ball", related to football matches in Victoria (not including ads for footballs)? Or Rugby No. "other"balls?I can't say I have found any description of the ball, apart from being a No2 size rugby ball
4. Early players wore high boots without stops.I did find a description about the stops/studs used by Carlton (nailed in) verus the Essendon ones which had a screw holding them on.
6. Can you provide corroboration (from a written source, &/or persons currently alive) that leather footballs prior to 1970 (& pre- modern, superior waterproofing technologies) "if left out in the rain & soaked a few times used to go nearly round".As a kid in the 50's and 60's the footy if left out in the rain and soaked a few times used to go nearly round.
Congratulations on the blueseum site, the best history site for any AFL club- & thank you for your reply.
1. Did you research newspapers etc. only to 1864 (official creation date of Carlton FC)?
Or did you go back to 1861 (when Carlton Cricket Club announced in 2 newspaper ads it was holding public meetings to form a football club); or did you go back to 1858, when some newspaper reports (decades later) suggested a football Club was formed in Carlton in 1858- 1860 period (not necessarily by the Ben James group, or connected to the Carlton Cricket Club_?
2. In your research & searches on Trove, have you checked all the main Melbourne-based major papers?
And have you checked all the inner suburban local newspapers also?
Did you check also the word "foot-ball" in your trove searches?
3. How many mentions pre-1877 were there, approx., of "Rugby No. 2 ball", related to football matches in Victoria (not including ads for footballs)?
In mentions of the Rugby No.2 ball (after 1877 VFA prescription), were there comments or descriptions it was superior to the pre-1877 balls?
If so, what was said?
How many times, approx., was the term "Rugby No. 2", used from 1877-1895?
4. When do you think stops (of any type) were first being used? And when they became fairly common?
5. Have you seen descriptions of players slipping over (in dry conditions) when running for the ball; & when striding to attempt to mark the ball?
(Old photos usually don't show the bottom of boots; or if they do, are often poor quality, so it is not possible to judge if stops were on the boots.
In a 1885 lithographic of team captains, two players sitting on the ground had their soles clearly painted- showed both had stops).
Can you provide corroboration (from a written source, &/or persons currently alive) that leather footballs prior to 1970 (& modern waterproofing technologies) "if left out in the rain & soaked a few times used to go nearly round".
By a "few times", what no. are you referring to?
Your replies are greatly appreciated, thank you.
(As from anyone else who has done detailed research in these areas).
Well I am alive, I think, at 70. I don't need a written source because I know that they went out of shape.Congratulations on the blueseum site, the best history site for any AFL club- & thank you for your reply.
1. Did you research newspapers etc. only to 1864 (official creation date of Carlton FC)?
Or did you go back to 1861 (when Carlton Cricket Club announced in 2 newspaper ads it was holding public meetings to form a football club); or did you go back to 1858, when some newspaper reports (decades later) suggested a football Club was formed in Carlton in 1858- 1860 period (not necessarily by the Ben James group, or connected to the Carlton Cricket Club_?
2. In your research & searches on Trove, have you checked all the main Melbourne-based major papers?
And have you checked all the inner suburban local newspapers also?
Did you check also the word "foot-ball" in your trove searches?
3. How many mentions pre-1877 were there, approx., of "Rugby No. 2 ball", related to football matches in Victoria (not including ads for footballs)?
In mentions of the Rugby No.2 ball (after 1877 VFA prescription), were there comments or descriptions it was superior to the pre-1877 balls?
If so, what was said?
How many times, approx., was the term "Rugby No. 2", used from 1877-1895?
4. When do you think stops (of any type) were first being used? And when they became fairly common?
5. Have you seen descriptions of players slipping over (in dry conditions) when running for the ball; & when striding to attempt to mark the ball?
(Old photos usually don't show the bottom of boots; or if they do, are often poor quality, so it is not possible to judge if stops were on the boots.
In a 1885 lithographic of team captains, two players sitting on the ground had their soles clearly painted- showed both had stops).
Can you provide corroboration (from a written source, &/or persons currently alive) that leather footballs prior to 1970 (& modern waterproofing technologies) "if left out in the rain & soaked a few times used to go nearly round".
By a "few times", what no. are you referring to?
Your replies are greatly appreciated, thank you.
(As from anyone else who has done detailed research in these areas).
Congratulations on the blueseum site, the best history site for any AFL club- & thank you for your reply.
1. Did you research newspapers etc. only to 1864 (official creation date of Carlton FC)?
Or did you go back to 1861 (when Carlton Cricket Club announced in 2 newspaper ads it was holding public meetings to form a football club); or did you go back to 1858, when some newspaper reports (decades later) suggested a football Club was formed in Carlton in 1858- 1860 period (not necessarily by the Ben James group, or connected to the Carlton Cricket Club)?
2. In your research & searches on Trove, have you checked all the main Melbourne-based major papers? Back to 1858?
And have you checked all the inner suburban local newspapers also? Back to what dates?
I assume your Trove searches included, obviously, "football". Did you check also the word "foot-ball"?
3. How many mentions (from your recollection) pre-1877 were there, approx., of "Rugby No. 2 ball", related to football matches in Victoria (not including ads for footballs)? Or Rugby No. "other"balls?
Re the Rugby No. 2 ball after 1877 (VFA prescription), were there comments or descriptions (from your recollection) of how/why it was superior to other pre-1877 balls?
If so, what was said?
How many mentions (from your recollection), approx., was the term "Rugby No. 2 ball" (re football matches, not ads), used from 1877-1895?
Or Rugby No. "other" balls?
4. Early players wore high boots without stops.
When do you think stops (of any type) were first being used? And when they became fairly common (50%+)?
5. Have you seen descriptions (prior to 1900) of players losing balance, or slipping over (in dry conditions) when running for the ball; & when striding to attempt to mark the ball?
(Old photos usually don't show the bottom of boots; or if they do, are often poor resolution, so it is not possible to judge if stops were on the boots.
In a 1885 lithographic of team captains, two players sitting on the ground had their soles exposed & clearly painted by the artist- showed both had stops).
6. Can you provide corroboration (from a written source, &/or persons currently alive) that leather footballs prior to 1970 (& pre- modern, superior waterproofing technologies) "if left out in the rain & soaked a few times used to go nearly round".
By a "few times", what no. are you referring to?
Your replies are greatly appreciated, thank you.
(As from anyone else who has done detailed research in these areas).
Possibly even before then. Could be anywhere from 1990 - 1997.I just got this footy off eBay because I love the retro logos, can anyone help identify where and when it's from? My guess is mid 90s, maybe 95-97.
View attachment 1186473View attachment 1186474
Magnificent find, I just bought this Maccas Ross Faulkner tonight with Geelong signatures on it, have dated it between 2000-2004I just got this footy off eBay because I love the retro logos, can anyone help identify where and when it's from? My guess is mid 90s, maybe 95-97.
View attachment 1186473View attachment 1186474
Today Tonight first aired in 1995, so I reckon your time window is accurate.I just got this footy off eBay because I love the retro logos, can anyone help identify where and when it's from? My guess is mid 90s, maybe 95-97.
View attachment 1186473View attachment 1186474
Ross Faulkners were used in the SESFL/SFL during the mid/late 90s. I remember being behind the goals as a kid kicking them back during senior games... Once they got waterlogged they were far heavier than a Sherrin, I was glad they were never used in the EFL where I was playing!I just got this footy off eBay because I love the retro logos, can anyone help identify where and when it's from? My guess is mid 90s, maybe 95-97.
View attachment 1186473View attachment 1186474
Good find, that's very interestingFrom "Western Australian Football - The Clubs, Competitions and Premiers (1885-1945)"
RUBBER BALLS
When West Albany took on East Albany at Centennial Oval on August 31, 1935, the playing surface was ‘just one
sheet of water’ and 22 players – 12 from West and 10 from East – braved the elements to play a match reduced to
four 15-minute quarters.
East ‘kicked with the tide’ in the first quarter and established an early lead but the Magpies showed greater endurance
to reel in the deficit and hold an 8.8 to 5.2 lead when the final term was terminated early.
One unusual aspect of the match was that a rubber-covered ball was used – a brand new concept used to make balls
more effective in wet weather. It was reported that successful high marking was rare, but the ball was taken
consistently on the chest and handled quite surely. A number of players were also able to successfully execute drop
kicks. Picking the ball up off the ground remained a tricky proposition and many players opted to kick the loose ball
off the ground.
This is my first time hearing of West and East albany. the 'Magpies?' that was Denmark, and is again now. North Albany went to 'Towns' and I believe Railways have always been Railways.From "Western Australian Football - The Clubs, Competitions and Premiers (1885-1945)"
RUBBER BALLS
When West Albany took on East Albany at Centennial Oval on August 31, 1935, the playing surface was ‘just one
sheet of water’ and 22 players – 12 from West and 10 from East – braved the elements to play a match reduced to
four 15-minute quarters.
East ‘kicked with the tide’ in the first quarter and established an early lead but the Magpies showed greater endurance
to reel in the deficit and hold an 8.8 to 5.2 lead when the final term was terminated early.
One unusual aspect of the match was that a rubber-covered ball was used – a brand new concept used to make balls
more effective in wet weather. It was reported that successful high marking was rare, but the ball was taken
consistently on the chest and handled quite surely. A number of players were also able to successfully execute drop
kicks. Picking the ball up off the ground remained a tricky proposition and many players opted to kick the loose ball
off the ground.
Jeez, I have never heard of Woollen Mills.East Albany -> Woollen Mills (disbanded 1948)
North Albany -> Towns -> North Albany
West Albany -> ATC (Air Training Corps) -> Royals
Railways joined 1946