Collingwood Forever

COLLINGWOOD’S FINE FORM.
RICHMOND DEFEATED

Richmond sustained their first reverse this season on Saturday, when they were defeated by Collingwood, which were a fasted side, and played better together than their opponents.

Richmond, by comparison, were slow, their passing faulty, and the forwards did not keep their places, wandering too far away from the goal. After the first quarter Collingwood always appeared to have the game safe. Still, Richmond were never far behind, and were within measurable distance of pulling the game out of the fire when, half-way through the last quarter, they succeeded in getting within 7 points of Collingwood.

The opening quarter saw some good play by both teams. Collingwood were the first to score, Dobrigh getting a goal with a nice dropkick. A long kick by Carew from the centre beat all the backs, and R. Weatherill, waiting behind the pack, easily got Richmond’s first goal, while their second, by Hall, was a rather lucky one.

Collingwood had all the best of the second term. They went in for handball and short passing, and were faster than their opponents. Saunders snapped Collingwood’s second goal, and Smith got the next for Richmond, mainly owing to smart play on the boundary by Hall, who beat three opponents. Walton, who was playing a fine game, got 2 goals for Collingwood, the first after a fine mark in front, and the other the result of brilliant work by Laxton and Dobrigh.

Collingwood led by 10 points at half-time. They had all the best of the third term, and with a lead of 21 points in the final quarter the game looked safe for them, but Richmond, playing their best football, made a great effort, and got within 7 points of Collingwood’s score. It looked then as if they might win, but their forwards failed them, and their defence, which had been good all day, also broke down, and Collingwood scored 2 more goals, the final scores being: – COLLINGWOOD, 11 goals 8 behinds (74 points). RICHMOND, 8 goals 6 behinds (54 points).

Collingwood had a  very even side, but Walton was their greatest player. Wherever he played he was the dominating factor, his marking, running, and kicking being first-class. Brown ran him very close for the honours. His marking half-back was the feature of the game, saving his side time after time. Saunders (2 goals) played well in attack. Hughes was their best follower, whilst Lumsden, Dobrigh, Pannam, Drummond, and Laxton all played well.

Richmond had the best man on the ground in Herbert, whose marking and ruckwork were very fine. Hall roved cleverly; Thomas, Hislop, Thorp, and Bettles were the pick of the defenders, whilst the Weatherills, Morris, and Don also played well for the losers.

1919 ‘COLLINGWOOD’S FINE FORM.’, The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), 26 May, p. 5, viewed 21 September, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1471782