The red and white unfurled its first VFL/AFL premiership in 1910 after defeating Carlton by two points in the previous year’s Grand Final. With the Swans unfurling the 2012 premiership flag before this week’s SCG game against Gold Coast, it is appropriate in the first of our Classic Matches series to look back at the unfurling of our first pennant.

South Melbourne v. Richmond
Lake Oval, April 30, 1910

The day broke cool and windy and, with no hint of rain, fans flocked to the Lake Oval for South Melbourne’s opening match of the 1910 season.

For the opposing Richmond, it was just its third VFL season after being admitted to the competition with the University club in 1908.

Richmond had finished above only Geelong and St Kilda in 1909, with just six wins, and was expected to be easy pickings for the Southerners.

However, The Argus on the morning of the opening round suggested that Richmond was a “promising” side, even if it would be without highly-rated recruit Joe McKenzie, who twisted an ankle at training on the Thursday night. Another recruit, David Mahoney, had accidentally splashed caustic soda into an eye during the week and therefore was unavailable.

South had an even greater problem as 1909 premiership captain-coach Charlie Ricketts was seriously ill and was replaced as captain-coach by Bill “Sonna” Thomas.

The Argus nominated the South-Richmond clash as the “principal match” of the round; the other matches were Carlton v Collingwood, Essendon v Fitzroy, Melbourne v Geelong, and St Kilda v University.

The stiff wind helped the premiership flag flap proudly over the Lake Oval after the wife of club president Henry Skinner unfurled it to deafening applause from the home crowd.

The Argus’ “Observer” the following Monday reported: “South Melbourne had a big day on Saturday. The Prime Minister (Mr Alfred Deakin) was there, and about 13,000 other people ... It was a cheery crowd, full of expectation and hope.”

Richmond took the field first, with nine newcomers and wearing a new guernsey design, abandoning black and yellow stripes for black with a broad yellow band.

“Observer” noted that the playing surface was rock hard and that the strong wind, blowing to the Albert Lake outer end, played havoc with kicking to position.

South started well, with half-back Jack Scobie in fine form and 1909 premiership teammate Arthur “Poddy” Hiskins scoring the first goal of the match.

Richmond hit back with two late goals in the opening quarter and although it led by five points at the first break, South fans were not unduly worried as the Tigers had first use of the strong wind.

The Southerners were too fast and systematic for the Tigers in the second quarter and rattled on five goals. “Observer” reported: “South Melbourne’s superiority in one phase of football – the quick passing – was proved. Their exchanges were so quick, and so accurate, that it set Richmond an example.”

South held Richmond goalless in the third term and, with a 41-point lead going into the final quarter, the home team was in no danger of defeat.

The Southerners appeared to cruise over the last quarter, but still won by 46 points, with “Observer” suggesting South capable of “being fit for all-comers”.

“Observer” named South ruckman Albert Franks (three goals) the best player on the ground and also was “attracted by the fine accuracy” of Alan Pentland.

SOUTH MELBOURNE     1.3     6.7     9.11     11.12 (78)
RICHMOND                      2.2     3.3     3.6        4.8 (32)

SOUTH’S LINE-UP

B: Jack Walsh, Alan Pentland, Dave Barry
HB: Tom Grimshaw, Bill Thomas, Jack Scobie
C: Bill Moxham, George Bower, Toner Hosking
HF: Arthur Hiskins, Bob Deas, Vic Belcher
F: Alf Gough, Les Mortimer, Jim Cameron
FOLL.: Albert Franks, Bert Streckfuss, Alex Kerr

• South’s only newcomer for this match was Jack Walsh, who was recruited from Pembroke. He played 29 games in the red and white to 1912 but, tragically, died of pneumonia in 1915 at just 23 years of age.