Parallels with our 1955 team

[In Harmes Way 7,492]

Found this summary of our 1955 Premiership team by Norm Smith on the eve of the 1956 season an interesting parallel to the team we have today.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71795593

[Tim 2,791]

The ancestors of some current Demonlanders were probably even then clogging up Jim Cardwell’s in-tray with letters asking “Is Norm Smith the right guy?”

Edited August 4, 2021 by Tim

[DeeZone 7,708]

I loved that read he was so open and forthright and always looking to improve his side and they had similar forward issues in 1955 - 56.

Thanks for posting that article - In Harmes Way.

[leave it to deever 15,327]

3 hours ago, Tim said:

The ancestors of some current Demonlanders were probably even then clogging up Jim Cardwell’s in-tray with letters asking “Is Norm Smith the right guy?”

Doh.

[Flemo56 383]

3 hours ago, Tim said:

The ancestors of some current Demonlanders were probably even then clogging up Jim Cardwell’s in-tray with letters asking “Is Norm Smith the right guy?”

They got their wish in 65 unfortunately. The fox is a legend of our MFC.

[leave it to deever 15,327]

Bloody hell. Imagine if we win this year. Its almost too hard to grasp.

Come on lads.

 

[Wizard of Koz 953]

We WILL win it this year. I have never ever thought this is in my 52 years watching. But this is THE year. Our Best is the Best and it is in our hands.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Wizard of Koz

[Chook 14,471]

5 hours ago, In Harmes Way said:

Found this summary of our 1955 Premiership team by Norm Smith on the eve of the 1956 season an interesting parallel to the team we have today.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71795593

Not enough talk about connection for my liking.

[Diamond_Jim 11,743]

2 minutes ago, Chook said:

Not enough talk about connection for my liking.

did he have learnings?

[spalding 1,118]

4 minutes ago, Chook said:

Not enough talk about connection for my liking.

Or learnings 

[Beetle 4,281]

Was talking to my old man weeks ago when we were continuing to win, without having played particularly well.

He was a fourths, thirds and seconds player mid 50s and made the senior list in 59 but never played a senior game.

His comment was that the team of that golden era, had surprising similarities in that they seemed to manage to win games they either weren’t expected to or maybe shouldn’t have, given their performance. They just found a way.

Im holding out hope that comparison comes through come the end of September. 
This week is huge.

 

[Deeoldfart 7,720]

Loved the article IHW!  Thanks for posting.  Brings memories flooding back for this old fart, including reference the old Argus newspaper!

The final quote from Norm in the article struck a particular chord with me:  "But all in all, and looking down the list of Melbourne players, I think I can promise football lovers, that Melbourne will make every team fight hard if they want to down us". 

To me that quote rings true with today's team, and the 'DNA' that Goodie keeps referring to.

But the similarities don't stop there, as the following extract from 'The Grand Old Flag' Lynda Carroll's outstanding history of the MFC shows:

"The first ten rounds of 1955 were enthralling, ones for Melbourne.  StKilda, Geelong, Footscray, North Melbourne, Essendon, Hawthorn, South Melbourne, Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy all capitulated to the Demons.  This run of consecutive wins established a new club record.  There were always replacements on hand for anyone who was injured, and the challenge from young players kept senior members of the side on their toes.

Unfortunately, the first defeat of 1955 came at the hands of the old enemy - Collingwood. ........ in Round 11.  Melbourne's innaccurate kicking for goal during the season finally cost the team a match. ............. The same price would be paid again over the next month, with narrow losses to both Geelong and Footscray being directly attributable to the inability of the forwards to convert their opportunities fully.

............................................................................

Despite the problems of inaccuracy  Melbourne was on top of the ladder, racing towards the top of the tree in 1955.

I won't indulge myself any further here, but suffice to say, to this point in the season, there are some notable similarities between 1955 and 2021.

If I may l add one further point however. In the second quarter of the 1955 GF, the Dees kicked 1.7. to keep Collingwood in the game.  At 3/4 time the margin was just 7 points.  However, in the end Dees superior fitness saw them run out winners by 28 points.  Just something to ponder for chronic sufferers of MFCSS.

Lets hope that we can all revel in the glory of #13 in September 2021, to complete the circle, and commit Norm's 'curse' to history,

[Doug Reemer 903]

11 hours ago, Beetle said:

This week is huge.

"Massive"