RICHMOND PREMIERS

Collingwood's eclipse

54,000 spectators

Brilliant Display of Football

The AGE, Monday 4th October 1920

by Pivot.

Richmond won their first League premiership on Saturday. Through a long vista of years the perspective had always been changing more for the worse than for the better. The dawn of a new era, however, came three years ago. There was an all round improvement; it developed the next season into a fighting force which earned for the team the sobriquet of "The Tigers." They fought on, gaining strength and confidence, and the outlook exposed possibilities brighter and better defined than any in the club's long life in the League. A premiership pennant is now the symbol of it all. For long the minnows, they are at last among the tritons. It is a honor well won and well deserved. The general section of spectators at the match, those people who are not attached to any club had their hearts with Richmond. The beaten team on Saturday hoped a month ago that if defeated themselves Richmond would be the team to win, and when the bell rang there were the congratulations between friend and foe that make Australians such fine sportsmen and their games so enjoyable and popular. The premiership worked out according to results, and that in itself is a consolation. Sir Conan Doyle and Lady Doyle were present as guests of the M.C.C.

It was a very attractive match, but not a good game, for in reality there was only "one team in it." The closeness in scores kept the people expectant, and the brilliant play by individuals provided the pleasures. As a contest, however, it failed, because of the superiority of one team over the other. Collingwood was a stale, inert eighteen. The hard game the week before in the mud had brought penalties. The match opened with a chapter of incidents, as bright as anyone could have wished for - Hede's dash from half back, Weatherill's football forward, splendid marking by Colechin, Parkinson and James, and fine running by Drummond. Movements of a different kind were those by Moffatt and Hughes, the Herculean rival ruck men. The first, the essence of strength, a player who on a plebiscite would no doubt be adjudged the most unpopular man on the ground, yet one entrusted with a duty and one about the best able in League football to carry it out. He is obedient to the club's injunctions. A lion on the field, a lamb off it. The other, Hughes, is as popular on the field as off it. Scrupulously fair, a great footballer, and a match winner if left alone. Moffat saw that he was not! The first goal was scored by Lumsden, off a free kick, and and the subsequent movements for some time were mostly Collingwood's. Rowe was fine in defence for the Woodsmen, and Smith was brilliant at the other end. Richmond's general play soon began to assert itself, but early in the game Collingwood's defence became a virile force, and it remained so. Coventry, for Collingwood, had a running shot and missed, and at the other end Don was unsuccessful. Five minutes later, however, Hall passed the ball out and Don punted it through. Another Collingwood dash was stopped at half back splendidly by Parkinson. Points were even at quarter time - 1.2 each.

A series of stern attacks by Richmond early in the second quarter were turned off by Dobrigh, a diminutive player for a half back, yet one in whom cuteness and pace make up for any deficiencies in might and weight. H. James secured the ball at an acute angle, took a "pot" shot, and scored, and after quick movements by Lumsden, Curtis marked a good way out. The ball beautifully taken by Thorpe in goals. James had another flying shot, but missed this time. In general play Tyson's marking, Hislop's daring and dash, Brown's good defence and Twomey's mark over an opponent were features. The best that was in the game, however, came from Richmond, or at least Richmond worked out movements more effectively. It was a great game to watch, and cheering was frequent. Thorpe, Parkinson and Weatherill resisted a determined onslaught by Collingwood, and James and Brown were again conspicuous for high marking. All the fine spectacular features were present, and had it not been for Collingwood's great defence the team would hardly have been "in the picture." Singularly while Richmond had the greater portion of the play there was only an improvement of 1.3 on their first quarter's figures.

Collingwood had not scored that term, although they had two actual chances to do so. Their next point came after ten minutes of the third quarter had expired. Before that Richmond had had all the play, and Harley obtained for them the third goal. It was fine play by Moffatt that was indirectly responsible for it. Collingwood were at thsi stage showing better team work than Richmond, but there was no doubting the cleverness of the Punt-road men. The rucks were kept hard at it, and the frequency of free kicks indicated the tension that existed among the big men. At last Pannam broke away from the centres, and, passing to Lumsden, the captain had a place shot. A very fine kick brought a point only. The defence of Taylor, for Richmond, became a feature. Lumsden, beating out of a crowd with the ball, passed it on to Coventry, and he scored 6 points. It was at this time that Collingwood's chance looked the brightest, and P. Wilson went close to scoring for them again. Just later, however, Minogue and Hall engaged in hand passing on the half forward wing. Hall was the last to handle the ball, and he got it through again. The field umpire had apparently bot seen an infringement against Curtis, who at that time was well within kicking distance. Coventry scored the third goal for Collingwood after Minogue had failed in a place shot for Richmond. At three quarter time the scores were - Richmond, 4.7; Collingwood, 3.4.

Figures speak in football, and with an advantage of only 9 points Richmond's position was not secure, although their general play was far superior. In the attacks, by Richmond early, in which Herbert played a big part, the most conspicuous man on the ground was Dobrigh. Collingwood have a lot to thank him for Collingwood played well to position, but now the defence was as stubborn at one end as at the other. Hislop was the great force in resistance, and, carrying on, he became the leader in offensives. Don received the ball from him, and he had to dodge a lot to gain his chance. It came, and with it the goal. Directly after the bounce, Weatherill, well out, ran a few paces and kicked. Another goal resulted. Those two goals sealed Collingwood's fate. There was a lot of good play afterwards, and Collingwod improved their position by a goal from Sheehy. It was their last. With only a few minutes to play, W. James, a little Kyabram wing man, collared the ball and sent it through. The final scores were:-

Richmond .. .. .. .. 7 goals 10 behinds.
Collingwood .. .. .. 5 goals 5 behinds.

The two best men on the ground were the centre half backs, Dobrigh for Collingwood, and Hislop for Richmond - Hislop the more dashing and spectacular player, and Dobrigh, if anything, the more effective. Richmond were without a weak man. Even the new man, W. James, did neatly, although playing away from the wing. He was in the team to take Carew's place had the gifted wing man's ankle failed to stand the strain. James was a great player wherever placed; Hall a fine rover, and Moffatt a power in all movements where strength was needed. In fact Collingwood's comparative failure in the ruck was due to him. Herbert, through his co-follower's play, made his work more effective. Smith was a great half back - one of the steadiest and surest players in the League. Hughes was a success in the centre wing - when he was there - and Hede in his new position back thoroughly justified his inclusion. Praise is extended to every member of the team. It is hard to find, outside of Dobrigh and Brown, consistently good players for Collingwood. Their wonder man, Twomey, on the wing, found the ball elusive, and the keenness of opponents an annoyance. Drummond was the best man on the line. Every backman did well, some more so than others by reason of greater opportunities. Collingwood's defence, it could be said, saved them from a big defeat. Rowe was very fine - a great follower in the making - but Lumsden, Laxton and P. Wilson were below form. The same can be said of a number of others. Lee did not play, and Bayliss, the forward, with the greatest figures for the season was absent from Richmond.

THE ATTENDENCE

Spectators numbered 53,908, and the receipts were 2535 pounds. The aggregate attendance for the four finals was 214,237 people, with 10,574 pounds in receipts. The respective figures last season were 189,865 and 9692 pounds. The attendance and receipts are the highest on record.

1920 Richmond Premiership Side

B: R. Hede V. Thorp E. Taylor HB: J. Smith M. Hislop G. Parkinson C: S. Morris F. Hughes R. Carew HF: D. Don R. Weatherhill F. Harley F: H. James D. Minogue W. James R: B. Herbet D. Moffat C. Hall

Quarter Scores

Richmond	1.2	2.5	4.7	7.10-52
Collingwood	1.2	1.2	3.4	5.5-35