DARKEST HOURS: 1953

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DARKEST HOURS: 1953 by Whispering Jack

So you think it’s tough out there in the AFL and your team is going through some dark hours? Well, it’s happened before and being down doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever. It was just before my time that the Melbourne Football Club was down and seemingly out but times change quickly as we found out in the early 1950’s.

Melbourne won its sixth premiership in 1948 with an upset win over hot favourite Essendon in the Grand Final replay. The emotionally spent Bombers had kicked away a certain victory in the drawn Grand Final the week before and an experienced Demons side took full advantage to win the decider by 39 points. However, the triumph of the club's fourth flag in a decade under Frank V "Checker" Hughes quickly dissipated with several key retirements including Hughes himself. Brownlow Medallist Don Cordner, Norm Smith, Jack Mueller and Shane McGrath all followed him out of the door and the club went into freefall.

The darkest hour came in 1951 when the club captured the wooden spoon - its first in 28 years. By then the club, coached by former great and four time Bluey Truscott trophy winner Allan La Fontaine, had lost all but six of the 1948 premiership team. The Demons won only one game (against Carlton in Round 6) and finished three wins behind the next to last Hawthorn. In Round 9 they lost to Footscray by 103 points - the club's worst defeat in 32 years.

Secretary Jim Cardwell made a mid-season approach to Norm Smith asking him to return to the club as coach but Smith declined. Smith had applied to replace Checker Hughes in 1949 but was beaten to the job then by La Fontaine by a single vote and went on to captain coach Fitzroy. At the end of the 1951 season, the tables were turned and Smith received the nod by a solitary committee vote.

Smith had an immediate impact as a coach and the team won six of the first ten games of the 1952 season. It also won the lightning premiership against South Melbourne in May but ran out of steam in the latter half and ultimately finished sixth. The club lost three more 1948 premiership veterans at the end of the year in George Bickford, Geoff Collins and Eddie Jackson who all retired. Despite the improved form, the writing was on the wall. There were to be more hard times and more dark hours to come.

The emphasis in 1953 was on youth. The club blooded 19 new players, many of whom went on to be part of a successful era that was just around the corner. One of the first year players introduced during the season was Ken Melville who won the "Bluey" Truscott Trophy. Bob McKenzie was leading goal kicker with 38 goals and Denis Cordner captained the side which dropped to 11th on the ladder, heading only Hawthorn and escaping another wooden spoon only thanks to a late season win over Fitzroy in Round 17.

The following is a snapshot of the 1953 season (with thanks to information from that invaluable resource Demonwiki):-

Round 1, 1953

Richmond v Melbourne

Saturday, 18 April

Venue: Punt Road

Attendance: 18,000

Richmond 3.2.0 4.4.28 9.6.60 11.7.73

Melbourne 1.3.9 3.8.26 5.8.38 9.13.67

Goal kickers: Dale Anderson 3, Bob McKenzie, Jack Thomson 2*, Alan Krause, Jim Wilson

Dale Anderson, Leigh Gloury, Peter Marquis(P) and Ken Melville(P) were the debutants in this game with Anderson scoring a goal on debut. Geoff McGivern and Jack Thomson played their 50th games.

Round 2 1953

Melbourne v Carlton

Saturday, 2 May

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 29,204

Melbourne 2.4.16 3.4.22 5.7.37 8.11.59

Carlton 2.2.14 8.4.52 11.9.75 13.12.90

Goal kickers: Bob McKenzie 4, Geoff McGivern 2, Dale Anderson, Don Cameron

Don Cameron, Bill Morrow and Maurie Reeves made their debuts with Cameron goaling in his first game.

It was the last game for Ballarat footballer Max Orr who returned home at the end of the season but was tragically killed in a car accident in September, 1955.

Round 3, 1953

North Melbourne v Melbourne

Saturday, 9 May

Venue: Arden Street

Attendance: 12,000

North Melbourne 2.4.16 6.6.42 9.8.62 12.12.84

Melbourne 2.3.15 7.6.48 9.11.65 11.17.83

Goal kickers: Denis Cordner, Bob McKenzie, Bill Morrow, Maurie Reeves 2, Noel Clarke, Leigh Gloury, Jack Thomson

Don Williams (P) made his debut in this game that went right down the wire with the home side winning by the narrowest of margins.

Round 4 1953

Melbourne v Footscray

Saturday, 16 May

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 23,727

Melbourne 0.1.1 0.3.3 1.4.10 4.6.30

Footscray 2.5.17 6.15.51 8.17.55 9.21.75

Goal kickers: Ken Christie, Geoff McGivern, Bob McKenzie, Bill Morrow

The Demons were mercilessly thrashed on their home turf by the up and coming Bulldogs, failing to score a goal in the first half. Despite the humiliation, a young Ronald Dale Barassi(P) sat out the whole day as a reserve on the bench in what was his first official match as a senior player for the Melbourne Football Club. He was dropped the following week.

"From little things, big things grow!"

Round 5, 1953

Essendon v Melbourne

Saturday, 23 May

Venue: Windy Hill

Attendance: 9,500

Essendon 2.3.15 4.5.29 5.7.37 6.10.46

Melbourne 2.2.14 5.2.32 6.3.39 9.3.57

Goal kickers: Denis Cordner 3, Bob McKenzie 2, Ken Albiston, Geoff McGivern, Bill Morrow, Mike Woods

The eleven point victory over the Bombers broke a seven game losing streak dating back to Round 16 of the previous year. Noel Baker and Geoff Case(P) played their first games.

Round 6 1953

Melbourne v Fitzroy

Saturday, 30 May

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 21,205

Melbourne 2.5.17 3.6.24 6.10.46 10.11.71

Fitzroy 3.1.19 7.4.46 10.6.66 12.9.81

Goal kickers: Bob McKenzie 4, Geoff McGivern 2, Ken Albiston, Denis Cordner, Maurie Reeves, Mike Woods

Round 7 1953

Melbourne v Geelong

Saturday, 6 June

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 26,254

Melbourne 3.2.20 6.4.40 7.6.48 8.10.58

Geelong 5.3.33 7.6.48 9.12.66 11.16.82

Goal kickers: Denis Cordner, Bob McKenzie, Stuart Spencer 2, Ken Albiston, Mike Woods

The Cats were reigning premiers and on their way to another top of the ladder finish but the Demons fought the game out well.

Round 8, 1953

South Melbourne v Melbourne

Saturday, 13 June

Venue: Lake Oval

Attendance: 22,565

South Melbourne 1.3.9 5.6.36 7.8.50 11.11.77

Melbourne 1.5.11 2.8.20 4.15.39 9.17.71

Goal kickers: Bob McKenzie 3, Noel Clarke, Geoff McGivern 2, Denis Cordner, Mike Woods

The Demons again paid dearly for their poor kicking for goal in a game in which Lance Arnold was reported for kicking but subsequently cleared by the Tribunal.

Round 9, 1953

Melbourne v Collingwood

Saturday, 20 June

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 27,175

Melbourne 0.0.0 3.0.18 3.4.22 7.6.48

Collingwood 3.2.20 4.3.27 8.5.53 9.9.63

Goal kickers: Bob McKenzie 3, Noel Clarke, Ralph Lane, Geoff McGivern, Stuart Spencer

Despite a goalless opening term, the Demons pushed their traditional rivals and the ultimate premiers to 15th points. Ralph Lane, who later made a name for himself as an administrator with the VFL, kicked his first goal.

Round 10, 1953

Melbourne v Hawthorn

Saturday, 27 June

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 11,993

Melbourne 1.0.6 5.5.35 8.8.56 10.14.74

Hawthorn 8.2.50 10.3.63 12.6.78 16.6.102

Goal kickers: Stuart Spencer 6, Peter Schofield 2, Ken Albiston Bob McKenzie

Despite Stuart Spencer's six goal heroics, the Demons were unable to overcome their fellow cellar dwellers, the Hawks, who overran them with a brilliant opening term on the MCG. Melbourne struck back and got to within a goal in the final quarter but Hawthorn booted the last four goals of the game to win comfortably.

It was Terry Gleeson(P)'s first game while former Tiger Peter Schofield made his debut for the club. Schofield's stay at the club was brief but he went on to become a very good player at North Melbourne. Gleeson, the brother of Brownlow Medallist Brian Gleeson (St. Kilda) played in the club's 1956 premiership team.

Round 11, 1953

St. Kilda v Melbourne

Saturday, 4 July

Venue: Junction Oval

Attendance: 12,000

St. Kilda 6.2.38 7.4.46 9.6.60 11.7.73

Melbourne 2.2.14 4.10.34 5.14.44 8.21.69

Goal kickers: Bob McKenzie 3, Ken Albiston 2, Geoff McGivern, Maurie Reeves, Peter Schofield

Ron Barassi finally got his chance to play and even had the opportunity to win the game for his club with a clutch goal in the final term but, like many of his teammates on the day, he was off target. Bob Constable made his debut.

Round 12, 1953

Melbourne v Richmond

Saturday, 11 July

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 19,402

Melbourne 6.3.39 7.6.48 8.8.56 11.9.75

Richmond 1.1.7 6.3.39 8.9.57 11.9.75

Goal kickers: Peter Schofield 5, Ken Albiston 3, Denis Cordner, Jack Thomson, Jim Wilson

The Demons blew away a good start to scrape up two points for a draw against Richmond. Ron McKenzie played his only game for the club.

Round 13, 1953

Carlton v Melbourne

Saturday, 25 July

Venue: Princes Park

Attendance: 16,367

Carlton 0.5.5 4.13.37 8.17.65 12.24.96

Melbourne 4.4.28 5.6.36 8.7.55 10.10.70

Goal kickers: Geoff McGivern, Bob McKenzie, Peter Schofield 2, Tony Bull, Ken Christie, Bob Constable, Denis Cordner

The Blues overcame a slow start to demolish the Demons in the final term. It was Tony Bull's first game and he scored a goal on debut.

Round 14, 1953

Melbourne v North Melbourne

Saturday, 1 August

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 13,768

Melbourne 2.4.16 6.6.42 6.7.43 9.13.67

North Melbourne 2.6.18 3.9.27 6.1652 8.16.64

Goal kickers: Bob McKenzie 4, Peter Schofield 2, Frank Adams, Denis Cordner, Jack Thomson

The Demons avenged their narrow Round 2 loss to North Melbourne by turning the tables on the Kangaroos and winning by three points at the MCG. It was the first game for red-headed speedster Frank "Bluey" Adams(P) who goaled on debut.

Round 15, 1953

Footscray v Melbourne

Saturday, 8 August

Venue: Western Oval

Attendance: 18,075

Footscray 3.2.20 7.3.45 12.6.78 14.14.98

Melbourne 4.1.25 4.3.27 5.7.37 9.7.61

Goal kickers: Frank Adams 3, Peter Schofield 2, Ralph Lane, Geoff McGivern, Bob McKenzie, Jack Thomson

After an even first quarter, the Bulldogs held sway but the young Demons were starting to show signs of promise for the future. Adams with three goals was impressive.

Round 16, 1953

Melbourne v Essendon

Saturday, 15 August

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 25,543

Melbourne 0.4.4 3.6.24 7.8.50 8.9.57

Essendon 4.6.30 5.7.37 9.9.63 12.10.82

Goal kickers: Dale Anderson 3, Noel Clarke 2, Frank Adams, Denis Cordner, Bob McKenzie

The Demons were unable to replicate their early season form against the Bombers who kicked 3 goals 4 behinds before Melbourne even scored. They did show some resistance to close to within seven points in the third quarter but the Bombers kicked away to win by 25 points. The great John Coleman kicked five for Essendon despite a creditable performance from Demon full back Lance Arnold.

Round 17, 1953

Fitzroy v Melbourne

Saturday, 22 August

Venue: Brunswick Street

Attendance: 7,500

Fitzroy 2.4.16 2.7.19 6.10.46 6.13.49

Melbourne 3.3.21 5.8.38 6.8.44 9.10.64

Goal kickers: Dale Anderson 4, Bob McKenzie 2, Denis Cordner, Peter Marquis, Jack Thomson

Melbourne came from behind at three quarter time to overrun Fitzroy in the final term and record a 15 point victory which enabled it to avoid a second wooden spoon in three years.

Round 18, 1953

Geelong v Melbourne

Saturday, 29 August

Venue: Kardinia Park

Attendance: 18,124

Geelong 4.4.28 6.8.44 11.11.77 16.14.110

Melbourne 1.3.9 4.4.28 5.6.36 8.8.56

Goal kickers: Dale Anderson 3, Ken Albiston 2, Denis Cordner, Bob McKenzie, Stuart Spencer

Geelong secured top spot with an easy win over the Demons who showed little resistance. Despite their top place finish, the Cats were only weeks away from losing their crown to Collingwood and within a few years of ending their dynasty. It was hard to believe that of the two combatants on the day, it would be Melbourne that would not only make the following year's grand final but would also play off in another six after that and become the most dominant force in the game's history.

(P) denotes the player subsequently played in a Melbourne premiership team.

Ladder W L D % Pts

Geelong 15 3 0 143.3 60

Collingwood 14 4 0 123.5 56

Footscray 13 5 0 136.5 52

Essendon 13 5 0 129.9 52

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Carlton 10 8 0 107.6 40

Fitzroy 10 8 0 85.0 40

North Melbourne 9 9 0 107.8 36

South Melbourne 9 9 0 104.7 36

St. Kilda 5 13 0 68.2 20

Richmond 3 14 1 81.3 14

Melbourne 3 14 1 80.1 14

Hawthorn 3 15 0 68.5 12

Lightning Premiership - South Melbourne 1.2.8 defeated Melbourne 1.1.7

Best and Fairest

1st Ken Melville

2nd Denis Cordner

3rd Stuart Spencer

Other Awards

Consistent Player - John Beckwith and Stuart Spencer (shared) Under 19's Leading Goal kicker - (Jeff Crouch** 42 goals)

The Under 19's won their premiership.

* No, not the famous actor.

** Yes – that was Jeff Crouch who later became a famous VFL field umpire.

POSTSCRIPT

How bleak were things for Demon fans at the end of season 1953? They had changed their coach and were well into a rebuilding process at the end of 1951, had shown signs of progress the following year but now were on the bottom of the heap. It was surely the darkest hour and yet, as we were soon to discover, it was also close to the dawn.