1924 AND ALL THAT - PART FIVE by Whispering Jack

[Whispering_Jack 30,673]

The Summer Olympic Games of 1924 were held in Paris but unlike this year’s modern version which runs for just over two weeks, they lasted almost three months from early May until late July.

The 1924 version signalled the acceptance of the Games as a major event with widespread appeal with an increase of participation from 29 to 44. Over 3,000 athletes participated including nine from Australia, of whom Nick Winter (triple jump), Dick Eve (high diving) and Boy Charlton (1,500m freestyle swimming) winning gold.

The hero of the Games was Finnish distance runner Paavo Nurmi won five gold medals to add to the three he had won in 1920. On a single day, 10 July 1924, he easily won the 1500m and then, a mere 55 minutes later, he returned to the track to win the 5,000m. Meanwhile, American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller won three golds. After claiming two further golds at the 1928 Games, he went on to play Tarzan of the Apes in twelve movies.

The Paris Games themselves became immortalised in "Chariots of Fire", the Oscar-winning film about Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who ran for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, a Jew who ran to overcome prejudice.

American Richard Norris Williams was arguably, the most interesting story of the Games. He had narrowly avoided having both legs amputated after jumping into frozen water during the sinking of the Titanic on 15 April 1912. Following his rescue, he went on to enjoy a highly successful tennis career which included a mixed doubles gold with Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman at  Paris in 1924.

The Closing Ceremony ritual was introduced involving the raising of three flags: the flag of the International Olympic Committee, the flag of the host nation and the flag of the next host nation.

The VFL competition continued but things were not going well for the Redlegs. They had shocked the Blues in their first meeting for the season but this time were unable to make it a double despite having a rare strong last quarter. Poor disposal in front of goals was again their downfall.

Round 13 Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 19 July 1924
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 17,931

MELBOURNE 1.1.7 3.8.26 5.11.41 7.13.55

CARLTON 3.4.22 5.4.34 9.6.60 9.8.62

Goals Percy Tulloh Alf Wilson 2 Hugh Dunbar Derek Mollison George Simmonds

Skipper Bert Chadwick was in dispute with the committee during the week and emerged with the right to use his own judgement in setting the team. His changes actually saw a marked improvement in the side's play. Late in the game he moved himself into the ruck, put Bob Corbett on the wing and instructed his men to go through him. With four minutes to play the margin was back to seven points but they made no further inroads.

Best were Taylor, Chadwick and Mollison.

Seconds - Carlton 10.4.64 d. Melbourne 4.10.34

Round 14 South Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 26 July 1924
Venue: Lake Oval
Attendance: 16,000

SOUTH MELBOURNE 2.2.14 3.4.22 6.7.43 12.13.85

MELBOURNE 1.3.9 4.7.31 4.7.31 5.8.38

Goals George Simmonds 2 Bobby Ewer Richard Taylor Percy Tulloh

Hit by injuries and the unavailability of players, Melbourne nevertheless led by 9 points at half time before South Melbourne took over and blew the Redlegs off the park with a withering nine goal to one second half in slippery conditions as they finished the game with only 15 fit men. Coy, Streeter and Corbett were Melbourne's best as the team played its last game before three weeks off for the interstate carnival. Its season was virtually over.

Seconds - Leopold 12.14.86 d. Melbourne 7.17.59

Round 15 Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 2 August 1924
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 7,382

MELBOURNE 0.0.0 1.6.12 2.8.20 5.9.39

GEELONG 5.2.32 5.5.35 8.7.55 8.8.56

Goals Percy Tulloh 2 Dave Elliman George Haines George Simmonds

When Melbourne returned to play on a bleak August day, the wind and rain saw them on the back foot from the very start as they went scoreless in the opening quarter - this, after three scoreless fourth quarters rough the season.

There were some excuses given that both Dunbar brothers, both Wilson brothers, Wittman, Streeter and Donaldson were all absent, amongst eight changes and did well to at least perform with some respectability after the first break. Thomas, Chadwick and Coy were their best in game played before a meagre crowd.

Seconds

Geelong 20.17.137 d. Melbourne 2.5.17

[SidVicious 130]

Injuries, poor conversion in front of goal and goalless quarters.

What's changed in 100 years?

[The Great Pretender 476]

Chadwick is such a celebrated person in the club’s history. Surprised that he bucked authority to get his own way with player positioning. My guess is the coach was no good.

[leave it to deever 17,517]

Sorry...wrong thread.

 

Edited August 1 by leave it to deever

[Deeman 1,512]

1 hour ago, leave it to deever said:

Sorry...wrong thread.

 

That's okay, you can come back in 100 year's time and have your say.