A HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB: PART 6

[Demonland 73,140]

A HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB:

PART SIX: A NEW DEALby The Professor

The rigours of the Great Depression caused enormous pain and suffering in a world which had experienced a decade of prosperity after the First World War. Football was one pastime that was still within the reach of many but the Melbourne fans were clamouring for changes. Ironically, the changes came as a result of the introduction of two Richmond stalwarts. History was about to repeat itself in 1933.

Melbourne's fortunes had been turned around years earlier with the appointment of former Tiger Andrew Manzie as club secretary. The club hierarchy was able to repeat this by convincing Percy Page to transfer from Richmond to take the secretarial post. Page brought with him F.V. Checker Hughes who was appointed coach for the 1933 season. Checker had played in two premierships at Richmond and later coached them after a stint in Tasmania. Together Page and Hughes set about changing Melbourne's lilywhite image from "Fuschias" to "Demons".

In 1934 the club showed significant improvement to finish in sixth position as some famous Melbourne names such as Alan La Fontaine, Jack Mueller and Maurie Gibb made their V.F.L. debut. The further inclusion of Norm Smith, Ron Baggott, Ray Wartman and Wally Lock allowed the club to move back into the finals for third placings in 1936 and 1937 and after being strong contenders for a few seasons, Melbourne finally won their third flag in 1939. In that year, Alby Rodda, Roy Dowsing, Adrian Dullard, Shane McGrath, Harold Ball and Syd Anderson all made outstanding debuts for the club. The latter two were killed in the Second World War, as was

Keith "Bluey" Truscott, who made a brief return to the club as its captain shortly prior to his death in an accident off the West Australian coast. The Grand Final win was a sweet one. The stars of the day Percy Beames and Alby Rodda who booted four goals each as the Demons drew away from arch rivals Collingwood after an even first half to win by 53 points.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1939

Melbourne 3.5.23 10.10.70 15.14.104 21.22.148

Collingwood 6.5.41 10.6.66 13.9.87 14.11.95

Goals Beames Rodda 4 L Jones Ball Mueller Truscott 2 Baggott La Fontaine Smith Wartman

Best Roberts Beames Anderson Wartman Truscott Smith

THE TEAM

B Emselle Mueller Fischer

HB Hingston G Jones Roberts

C Wartman La Fontaine Anderson

HF L Jones Baggott Truscott

F Ball Smith Rodda

R Furness Kimberley Beames

19 O'Keffe

Melbourne recorded its second successive premiership with a 49 point victory over Richmond despite losing players to injury before the grand final. One of the team's heroes was ruckman O'Keefe who shadowed Richmond captain Jack Dyer all day and somewhat limited his effectiveness. Norm Smith booted a record goal tally of seven for a grand final in a dominant performance at full forward. The 19th man in the 1940 premiership team was Ron Barassi - yet another football to be later killed in action. Barassi's son Ron Barassi Jr. was to become "Mr. Football" in the 1950's and 60's and was selected captain of the Demon's team of the 20th Century.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1940

Melbourne 4.8.32 10.11.71 13.15.93 15.17.107

Richmond 5.4.34 6.5.41 10.6.66 10.8.68

Goals Smith 7 Baggott Beames O'Keefe Fanning Truscott

Best Baggott Beames La Fontaine Mueller Ball Smith

THE TEAM

B Emselle Roberts Ball

HB Hingston G Jones McLean

C Wartman La Fontaine Anderson

HF Gibb Baggott Truscott

F Fanning Smith Rodda

R Mueller O'Keefe Beames

19 Barassi

Melbourne's domination of the competition continued in 1941 as the team made it a hat trick of grand old flags with a comfortable 29 point win over Essendon. Despite fielding a depleted side the Demons overcame hot weather and a blustery north wind as they bade farewell to coach Checker Hughes with an emphatic premiership victory. The team opened up with all guns blazing as they blitzed the Bombers to lead by 57 points at half time and then coasted to victory. Hughes' full forward Norm Smith, who was later to take over the coaching reins at the club in an even more successful era, topped the goal kicking for the year with 89 goals. Hughes was to return as coach twice again. Ironically, his last appearance in the role came many years later in 1965 when he replaced Smith who was sacked for one week in mid-season.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1941

Melbourne 6.6.42 11.9.75 14.11.95 19.13.127

Essendon 1.1.7 2.6.18 6.12.48 13.20.98

Goals Beames 6 Mueller Smith 3 Wartman 2 Anderson Daly Dullard Gibb O'Keefe

Best Lock Heal Mueller Beames Dullard La Fontaine

THE TEAM

B Emselle, McGrath O'Keefe

HB Lock E Cordner McLean

C Heal La Fontaine Anderson

HF Gibb Baggott Wartman

F Dullard Smith Daly

R Don Cordner Mueller Beames

19 Lewis