HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB: 

PART THREE: FIRST PREMIERSHIP by the Professor

As the 19th Century drew to a close and the formation of the Australian Commonwealth neared, major changes were becoming apparent in the life styles of the latter day colonials. 

Even in sport the new spirit of ruthless commercialism developed as the leading clubs tired of propping up the "outer city" teams. They formed the Victorian Football League in October 1896. At the inaugural meeting held in the rooms of Buxton's Art Gallery in Collins Street, six clubs were represented - Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne and South 

Melbourne. By the start of competition in May the following year, Carlton and St. Kilda had been added to the list of those fighting for the first ever VFL premiership. 

Melbourne had an excellent introduction to League ranks with a win in its first match over South Melbourne - 6.8.44 to 2.4.16. The team went on to string together six successive victories before lowering its colours to eventual premier Essendon and finally finishing in fourth place. 

After a two-season lull, Melbourne was able to win its first ever VFL premiership on 22nd September 1900 with a grand final victory over Fitzroy 4.10.34 to 3.12.30. In an earlier final they had disposed of Essendon by 2 points. 

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1900

Melbourne 2.3.15 2.5.17 4.8.32 4.10.34

 

Fitzroy 1.4.10 2.7.19 2.7.19 3.12.30

 

Goals Geddes Leith Ryan Wardill

 

Best McGinis Moodie Cumberland Wardill Purse Langley Parkin

 

THE TEAM

 

B Herring Scholl L Rippon 

HB Parkin Purse McClelland 

C C Gardiner Young H Hay 

HF Lewis Leith Langley 

F Wardill Geddes Ryan 

R Moodie Cumberland McGinis  

The captain of the side was Dick Wardill and its heroes included George Moodie, Fred McGinis and Vic Cumberland who made up a formidable ruck combination. The win was a shock defeat for Fitzroy who were aiming for a hat trick of premierships. Melbourne frustrated their opponents in the last half with the negative tactic of keeping the ball as close to the boundary line as possible. 

The premiership win was not followed by further success and Melbourne was to languish for a long time in the early years of the new nation - the Commonwealth of Australia which came into existence on 1st January, 1901. Within a month after that, the monarch after who the State of Victoria was named had died.

A new era was about to be ushered in ...

My grand father was Arthur Sowden, who later went on to be Capt in 1906.

He is listed as best, with A. Wardill, in the preliminary final [if thats what they called the 2nd last game then], BUT rolled an ankle in that prelim., & could not play in the G.F.

My grand father was Arthur Sowden, who later went on to be Capt in 1906.

He is listed as best, with A. Wardill, in the preliminary final [if thats what they called the 2nd last game then], BUT rolled an ankle in that prelim., & could not play in the G.F.