Swans fans who were alive and kicking between 1922 and 1996 will remember the Sporting Globe, that wonderful pink newspaper that for 70 odd years gave the football-loving public something to look forward to twice a week.
The Saturday evening edition, released just hours after the completion of the afternoon’s games, was not only an integral part of footy culture in Melbourne – especially before television was introduced – but a vital tool for in-depth match analysis and results. After its demise in 1979 the Wednesday edition continued for a further 17 years, before ceasing publication altogether in 1996.
I am now in the possession of a copy of the 1164th edition, dated Saturday September 30, 1933, at the princely sum of 1½d which in today’s terms is 0.075 of a cent. I don’t have the full paper (6 pages), just the front page, and the size is 68cm height x 50cm width. Compared to today’s dailies it is 27cm x 21cm larger: more than double the size! It is huge! (continues below)
Unfortunately, the paper is so large that the photograph of it doesn’t enable the small text to be read.
The headline, under THE SPORTING GLOBE First in the Sphere of Sports reads:
South Melbourne Wins First Premiership Since 1918 By Defeating Richmond
Sub headings read: South Sweep Through to Victory; Tigers Feeling Strain of Hard Game; Pace Kills Richmond’s Chances; South’s Brilliant Form on Every Line Tells, and Points About The League Grand Final Game. Under this latter heading there is: An Analysis of the play in the game between Richmond and South Melbourne today shows the following:–
This is where the terminology and statistics of the 30s become interesting. The columns read:
Player
Free Kicks To
Free Kicks Against
Marks
Kicks
Passed to Comrade
Shots for Goal
Goals obtained
Behinds Obtained
The statistics reveal a major difference to the current game.
South had 309 kicks, compared to 201 in the 2016 GF.
102 marks, and 91 in 2016
28 “passes to comrade”, and 171 (handballs) in 2016. (I’m not sure what was regarded as “passes” in 1933, as the flick pass had been abolished in the late 20s and then reinstated in 1934).
37 free kicks, compared to the much-discussed 8 this time round.
And 83 years on, there are what is now known as tackles, 101 of them by the Swans. Not part of the game in 1933.
Richmond’s and Footscray’s respective stats were not that dissimilar, except for the disproportionate number of frees to the latter in 2016!
And a breakdown is given of what the free kicks were for, such as: 12 boundary infringements, of which five were against Richmond full back Sheehan…
The lists of players’ names and positions also includes their weight and height. Interestingly, of the 19 players in each side, only nine are 6 feet (183 cm) including two of them 6.1″ (185cm). The average height in that game was 5’10” (178cm). Today’s players average out at 6.2″ (188.4cm), with some as tall as 6.9″ (210cm).
The caption under the main photo at the top of the page says: One of the man duels at the League grand final. Man duels? I like it!
The journalist W.S Sharland makes some fascinating observations in his match report, written in short, succinct 20-odd word statements, some of which are:
Richmond players had reason to be satisfied with the cool conditions prevailing today. After their hard games in the second semi-final and final (not preliminary final), a warm day might have been disastrous to them.
Scott was appointed field umpire, and representatives of both clubs expressed satisfaction that he was available. (Concerning the umpire, a report from the Argus stated: “The central umpire, R. Scott, who did very well, was cheered as he left the field”)! Can you see us doing that today?
The play was full of life from the start.
Reville’s place kick shot was touched by Bolger. Reville showed how a place kick should be executed by keeping his eye on the ball all the time.
South’s defence was very strong. McLaughlin and Nash did splendidly with safe defence, while Murdoch and Stenhouse did yeoman service for Richmond.
South’s team work was definitely better and their attackers and ruckmen allowed more enterprise. Of course, everything was in their favour, as they had spelled for a fortnight.
Richmond then began to shake it up on the flanks.
The kicking for goal was not up to standard. The ball may have been the reason for this.
Nash’s wonderful marking delighted the crowd. For ground and jar work combined he is the best half back since the war.
The finish was tame, as Richmond could not raise a gallop. South finished too strong and their supporters were delighted with their showing.
Scott umpired well.
Another journalist “Short Pass” noted: The cool fine weather was ideal for the game. The turf, however, was rather hard.
Richmond had spent an anxious week and in the dressing room before the match seemed a trifle highly strung.
South Melbourne were in a far happier position and, in the smaller dressing room from which so many winning teams have emerged for finals – they were full of confidence.
Attendance was: 76,676 (then an Australian record) and the Gate Receipts were £4,231/8/6d. Melbourne’s population in 1933 was approximately 1.03 million, meaning one in 13 people attended the game. Today, based on a population of approximately 5.00 million, of the 100,000 in attendance at this year’s grand final, one in 50 would have been the comparison. How many more would attend if there was a stadium large enough, I wonder? Although I doubt there would have been the proportionate number of corporates and big wigs in 1933 who now fill most of the seats at the G these days.
Final score: South Melbourne 9.17.71 to Richmond 4.5.29
Jan Courtin has been a Swans tragic since attending her first game in 1948. In August this year she released a book, “My Lifelong Love Affair with the Swans”. For more information, or to purchase a copy in time for Christmas, visit: www.myswansloveaffair.com
