Swans On Screen
HISTORY IN RED AND WHITE
1928 FOOTBALL SEASON RESULTS
M.I.A. FOOTBALL LEAGUE - SOUTH WESTERN D.F.L. - NARANDERA 2ND GRADE COMP.
MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE
MEETING OF LEAGUE
A meeting of the M.I.A. Football League was held on Friday night last, April 27 at which delegates from the six clubs were present.
It being the best meeting, so far as being fully represented was concerned, held this season. The secretary of the League, Mr. P. Neil, reported that he had a wire from Mr. Jack Wood, of the Griffith Club, stating that the secretary club, (G. J. Casserly) had been away and had only seen the results of League meeting through the paper report. Mr. Neil said that on receipt of Mr. Wood wire, he wired Mr. Wood, at Griffith, informing him the delegates meeting was being held on Friday, April 27, and asking Griffith to send delegates.
No reply was received to that telegram and no delegates were present at that meeting. The clubs represented being Yanco, Darlington Point, Whitton, Stanbridge, Wamoon and Fivebough. After a long discussion and careful consideration the league apparently not being desirous of being hard on any club, it resolved to carry on the competition without Griffith.
Later advice received from Griffith is to the effect that three delegates, Messrs. Jack "Nugget" Connell, William "Pouncer" Wade and Jack "Dago" Daines were enroute from Griffith to Whitton on Friday night last, when a shower of rain came on, and they were bogged on the road. Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Tue 1 May 1928 / page 3.
1928 M.I.A. FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Round 1 - Sunday May 6: Fivebough 7.3 (45) def Darlington Point 4.13 (37), Stanbridge 6.9 (45) drew Yanco 6.9 (45), Wamoon 5.5 (35) def by Whitton 7.15 (57). Report: Yanco put up the hardest fought seen, to pull the 17 points in the last quarter. When the final bell rang, it was found that the scores disagreed, the Stanbridge goal umpire registering a 2-point win in favor of Yanco, it was decided to adopt Mr. Dodds, Yanco's goal umpire's figures, and declared the match a draw - 45 all.
R2 - May 13: Stanbridge 10.17 (77) def Wamoon 2.15 (27), Whitton 9.12 (66) def Darlington Point 7.7 (49), Yanco 6.3 (39) def Fivebough 5.4 (34). Report: Stanbridge fielded a strong team, which included several players that played with Griffith last year, consequently they found no difficulty in defeating Wamoon.
R3 - May 20: Fivebough 5.17 (47) def Wamoon 6.4 (40), Whitton 5.11 (41) def Stanbridge 3.8 (26)), Yanco 9.10 (64) def by Darlington Point 10.10 (70). Report: The game at Yanco was fast and clean and the best game witnessed at the ground. Yanco was in the lead for the greatest part of the game, but Darlington Point had "Dame Fortune" with them and emerged the winners by only six points.
R4 - May 27: Darlington Point 2.12 (24) def Stanbridge 3.3 (21), Fivebough 8.4 (52) def by Whitton 12.8 (80), Wamoon 5.11 (41) def by Yanco 8.12 (60). Report: Stanbridge could only get 12 players to travel to Darlington Point. The team was made up to 15 with three boys. A friendly game was played on the ground, Darlington Point winning by 3 points.
R5 - June 10: Stanbridge 10.7 (67) def Fivebough 4.5 (29). Wamoon 6.5 (41) def by Darlington Point 8.8 (56), Whitton 6.13 (49) def Yanco 4.7 (31). Report: W. Swasbrick was the field umpire at Whitton, where a hard game was played. Whitton secured a big lead in the first quarter, which the gallant lads from Yanco could not overtake.
R6 - June 17: Darlington Point 12.9 (81) def Fivebough 5.10 (40), Whitton 13.20 (98) def Wamoon 6.10 (46), Yanco 2.6 (18) def Stanbridge 2.5 (17). Report: There is a doubt as to the result of the game at Yanco. Yanco's goal umpire made the score 18 to 16 in favor of Yanco. Stanbridge umpire made the score a draw, 18 - 18. A protest has been entered by Yanco against the match being declared a draw. Our scorer made the figure, 18 - 17. Judiciary committee decided to declare the match a draw. The Yanco club appeal to the Sydney League against the decision. Protest later upheld, Yanco being awarded a win.
R7 June 24: Fivebough 9.9 (63) def Yanco 7.14 (56), Wamoon 3.4 (22) def by Stanbridge 7.10 (52), Whitton 6.11 (47) def by Darlington Point 7.7 (49). Report: There were two surprise wins, Darlington Point defeating Whitton, at Whitton in the finest exhibition of football ever played under this league. Yanco played four men short for part of the game against Fivebough and had hard luck with kicking. Four shots hitting the post, one, a long drop kick by Prendergast bounced on top of the goal post an incident never seen before.
R8 - July 1: Darlington Point 9,7 (61) def by Yanco 10.8 (68), Stanbridge 9.13 (67) def Whitton 11.11 (77), Wamoon 3.5 (23) def by Fivebough 8.15 (63). Report: Darlington Point had the misfortune to lose a player, Roy Kennedy, in a fall broke his collar bone. First aid was rendered by Mr. J. Murphy, of Yanco railway, who bandaged the patient up in good style before taking him to Griffith Hospital. "Buddy" Saunders was the umpire at Stanbridge where a good game was witnessed, until towards the close, when the play was inclined to be rough and hard.
R9 - July 8: Stanbridge 9.8 (62) def Darlington Point 9.7 (61), Whitton 8.13 (61) def Fivebough 2.5 (17), Yanco 16.20 (116) def Wamoon 5.3 (33). Report: Stanbridge won on their home ground against Darlington Pt. in a friendly contest, yet exciting game, under umpire Taylor, of Narandera. Whitton had no trouble in defeating Fivebough, whilst Yanco put up a cricket score in defeating Wamoon, and are now definitely minor premiers.
R10 - July 15: Darlington Point 23.21 (159) def Wamoon 1.0 (6), Fivebough 2.5 (17) drew Stanbridge 2.5 (17), Yanco 4.13 (37) def Whitton 5.6 (36). Report: Fivebough and Stanbridge met to determine who should be the fourth team to qualify for the semi-finals. A muddy field resulted in the final count being 17 all. Fivebough lodged a protest against Stanbridge for playing H. & F. Manning, and M. Jenkins, it alleged these players resided outside the league's boundaries. The 'Point scored in hollow fashion at the expense of Wamoon, whilst Yanco owes its one-point victory to a last-quarter rush, in which 2 goals 4 behinds were scored to Whitton's two behinds.
Ladder: Whitton 32, Yanco 26, Darlington Point 24, Stanbridge 20, Fivebough 18, Wamoon 0.
M.I.A. FL First Semi Final - Sunday August 5, 1928 at Whitton Recreation Ground
Yanco .............. 1.1 .. 4.2 .. 6.4 .. 7.7 (49)
Stanbridge .... 0.5 .. 0.11 .. 4.17 .. 6.23 (59)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne
Yanco team: H Currey (capt), J Bamblett, A Currey, L Taylor, G Neil, R Stall, L Alexander, Jas. Quinton, J Day, E Dodds, P Clayton, A Prendergast, J Miller, M Miller, A Brunt, E Emerson, E Jones, C Collins.
Stanbridge team: J Thomson (capt, M Jenkins (vice-capt), D Briggs, S Poulsen, E Kirkman, J Blight, J Whittaker, F Manning, H Manning, J Daines, J Connell, N Taylor, Lee White, A Farrant, E Poulsen, C Locock, K Stall, B Hopley.
Match report: Most unpleasantness preceded the play off of the first semi-final of the M.I.A. League's competition, at Whitton, on Sunday. The unpleasantness wasn't among the players, but amongst the delegates who control the league, still it travelled to the players, and it was seen on the ground during the match in the form of some very rough tactics.
The trouble within the League was over player Monty Jenkins. President T. Johnson wanted Jenkins to sign a statutory declaration that he was not the player Jenkins from Broken Hill. Mr. Poulsen, president of the Stanbridge Club approached his team and asked them where they prepared to play without Jenkins signing a statutory declaration. Mr. Poulsen held that in the view of the resolution carried the previous Sunday's meeting of the M.I.A. League, every player who has played two matches in the competition was eligible to play. The team said they were prepared to play ("It will be a game for us, at any rate, said one player).
The Whitton ground was crowded for Sunday's match, the gate takings being worth £17. Being an exciting game, the onlookers simply walked through the wire fence and crowded the playing area for most of the game and on occasions the umpire, Mr. Wickham had to stop the game in order to clear the onlookers back. This made the match late in finishing, some 15 minutes having to be added for time-off.
Stanbridge was the heavier team than Yanco, but the game had not progressed long before it was seen that these Stanbridge men were not used to playing together and showed lack of practice, while on the other hand Yanco were nippy and fast movers and played with more understanding amongst themselves. Their scoring moves were generally made along the wing, but this combination was upset in the second term when Jones tripped and dislocated his shoulder, having to leave the field to receive medical attention. Stanbridge players did not make the most of their opportunities, time after time they had easy shots within close range, but only singles resulted.
In the second quarter Yanco, who were playing with only 17 men for the greater part, added 3 goals 1 behind while Stanbridge piled on 6 singles. The kicking of Stanbridge was painful to watch. The last goal scored by Yanco was a costly one to the team. Running closer to making sure of his kick Geoff Neil after placing the ball through the sticks slipped over in the sand and while his ankle was double on the ground an opponent rushing across stepped on Neil's ankle injuring it severely. The muscles were torn on the instep. Geoff stayed on the field, but was of no use, as he could only hop on one foot. Half-time Yanco 4. 2 (26); Stanbridge 11 behinds.
The remaining half of the game Yanco had to play with only 16 men. It was an uphill task all the while, but undaunted they stuck to the game and gave Stanbridge no respite. Stanbridge, however, scored 4 goals 6 to Yanco's 2 goals 2 behinds.
The barracking was deafening when the final team commenced. Stanbridge was using their weight effectively. Yanco players were going out to the bumps and the first aid men from the village were kept at it rubbing sore limbs and bringing the wind back to their players. Yanco got in front with a goal. This put great heart in "game 16". They were putting their utmost into the game and threw themselves about at random and could not help but get hurt. On one occasion Mick Miller charged into three Stanbridge players and gathered the ball from them, but his break-neck rush was stopped by the shoulder of a Stanbridge player a few yards on.
It must have been a sickening bump. Towards the end Stanbridge regained the lead, which was increased to the safe margin of ten points. The Stanbridge supporters were highly delighted with their teams win. They cheered for some minutes and carried their players shoulder high, while Yanco succored their own teams injured. It found Bamblett had broken a bone in his shoulder and "Pansy" Currey was very sick. Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Tue 7 Aug 1928 / page 2.
Second Semi Final - Sunday August 12, 1928 at Stanbridge
Whitton ................... 2.4 .. 2.7 .. 6.9 .. 7.14 (56)
Darlington Point .... 2.3 .. 3.5 .. 6.5 .. 8.9 (57)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne
Goals - Whitton: O. DeMamiel 3, T Williams, D Finley, W Quin, A Hill
Darlington Point: A Ledwidge 5, S Keeble, W Causon, R Kennedy
Whitton team: W Quin (capt), W McAliece, G. DeMamiel, E McGrath, O DeMamiel, T Lloyd, W Williams, T Wiliams, A Hill, D Catlin, D Finley, J Thompson, L Thompson, W DeMamiel, R Tucker, W Kaune, T Quin, D McAliece and Frank DeMamiel.
Darlington Point team: J. Ryan (capt), S Yates, S Keeble, B Keeble, S White, A McGrath, G Turner, H Hardy, W Causon, A Yard, R Robertson, E Coombs, A Ledwidge, N Bright, E Yates, E Tucker, G Bloomfield and R Kennedy.
Match report: Those who attended the picturesque football ground at Stanbridge on Sunday afternoon were treated to a most enjoyable afternoon's outing and witnessed a well-contested game of football between Whitton and Darlington Point, the latter winning by the narrow margin of one point. That there is not much between these teams has been shown on the three occasions in which they have met. In the first half on May 13, Whitton (66 points) beat Darlington Point (63 points), by 3 points. In the second round on June 24, Darlington Point (49 points) beat Whitton (47 points), by two points. Last Sunday's game was played under ideal weather conditions - a warm spring sun brightening up the wattle blossoms that surround the oval. Motor vehicles from great distance were parked along the boundary fence, exhibiting the great interest that is being taken in the competition. Mr. P. Neil, secretary of the league, had a good set of officials in their places. Mr. W. Luhrs, treasurer, supervised the selling of programs.
The match throughout was played clean and openly. In fact, if anything the players were inclined to be too clean. By that we mean the players when holding a man often times did not get a proper grip to withhold him but merely touched the opponent expecting him to drop the ball instantly. While on the fault of the players we may also mention that the players did not keep their places. The wing men and others attracted to the centre of the field, where most of the play was. As a consequence, many times two and three men of the one side went up for the mark together interfering with one another. Whitton were the worst offenders at leaving their places. However, seeing that neither team had been on the playing field for a month, they had sufficient reason for erring a little.
Mr Wickham, of Melbourne, was field umpire. S. Crozier and Hulands, goal umpires, and W. Taylor and "Plugger" Roberts, boundary umpires. The timekeepers were E. Shelton and J Leighton. Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Tue 14 Aug, 1928 / page 3.
Not a finals match - Sunday August 19, 1928 at Whitton
Darlington Point .... 0.0 .. 1.1 .. 3.3 .. 5.3 (33)
Stanbridge .............. 2.2 .. 3.3 .. 9.4 .. 10.7 (67)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne
Goals - Darlington Point: A Ledwidge 2, W Causon, J Hardy, J Ryan
Stanbridge: H Manning 3, J Connell 2, D Briggs 2, E Kirkman 2, J Whittaker
Darlington Point: J. Ryan (capt), S Yates, F Keeble, B Keeble, S White, A McGrath, T Wardle, H Hardy, W Causon, A Yard, R Robertson, E Coombs, A Ledwidge, N Bright, J Patterson, E Tucker, G Bloomfield and R Kennedy.
Stanbridge team: J Thomson (capt), M Jenkins (vice-capt), D Briggs, S Poulsen, E Kirkman, J Blight, J Whittaker, F Manning, H Manning, J Daines, J Connell, C Taylor, N Taylor, Lee White, A Farrant, K Stall, B Hopley, E Poulsen
Match report: The Stanbridge-Darlington Point match at Whitton, on Sunday last, did not attract a very large crowd, evidently the public had an idea that the match was not to be an official game, so did not take the risk of getting wet, travelling to see the match. Gate takings were £13/18/0. The game was advertised as the final of the M.I.A. League, but when the teams gathered on the oval, they were informed, that a telegram had been received stating that the Sydney League had upheld Yanco's appeal, and disqualifying the Stanbridge club. The players, however, did not desire to break faith with the public, who had made the journey and shown their support to the League, so they elect to play. The match was clean open game, with Stanbridge team superior in all branches.
Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Tue 21 Aug, 1928 / page 3.
LETTER FROM N.S.W. LEAGUE
At last Monday's meeting of the M.I.A. League, the following letter, addressed to M. P. Neil, secretary, was receive from the N.S.W. Australian National Football League:-
"In connection with your letter of the 6th inst. forwarding copy of minutes passed at your league meeting on the 5th inst., I have to advise you that the instruction notified you in the third paragraph of my letter of the 28th July must be carried out.
"Further, in connection with the match between Yanco and Stanbridge at which the player M. Jenkins mentioned in my previous letter quoted above, was asked to sign declaration that he was not identical with the M. Jenkins about which sufficient proof was not previously before the league, and on being asked refused to sign this declaration, this cannot be construed in any other manner than that of an admission by Jenkins that he was the Broken Hill player mentioned.
"This being so, Jenkins was not eligible as a player of Stanbridge to play on that date and on this ground the Stanbridge Football Club could not win this game through persisting to play a player who was not eligible to play and flouting the previous instruction of this league.
"At the hearing of the previous Stanbridge-Fivebough appeal, Mr. Poulson, of the Stanbridge Club, was advised by the Chairman of Committees of this league, that it seems that Jenkins was the player but on account of the identification not at this stage being complete no action could have been taken in regard to him. Mr. Poulson was further advised that his club would be unwise to play the player further and if he was identical and signed he would be liable to perjury, if he refused to sign was an admission that he was the player and if played would be ineligible and further that if he was later obtained a clearance would be further proof that he was the identical Broken Hill player.
"The match played between Stanbridge and Yanco played on the 6th inst, and which Jenkins played after refusing to sign declaration as asked by the president of your league must be awarded to Yanco irrespective of any scores.
"In connection with the minute passed at a meeting of your league through the actions of your president, my league is of the opinion that this never should have been passed as it is in all respects against the best interests of the game. There are certain rules and regulations in connection with the administration of the game and your league, and if any semblance of order or discipline is to be maintained these must be carried out. When you depart from this you immediately revert to a system of scratch matches and not of any organised competition.
"It is apparent that this matter and the previous disputes that your present constitution is totally inadequate to cover the necessary matters. The matter of a set of rules to meet the case of country bodies is now being attended to by this league and at a later stage a copy will be forwarded you and when finalised your league will be asked to adopt and add any regulations necessary to suit local conditions.
The appeal by the Yanco Club in connection with other players has not gone into owing to the Jenkins question finally deciding the main point at issue.
"This matter has been deplayed to some extent owing to the absence of the chairman, Mr. Kerr, in Melbourne on league business.
The above letter carried the signature of S. H. Donelly president; A. A. Kerr, chairman of committees, and A. McWhinney, hon secretary. Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Fri 24 Aug, 1928 / page 2.
Final - Sunday August 26, 1928 at Whitton
Darlington Point ... 1.6 .. 3.9 .. 5.15 .. 5.15 (45)
Yanco ....................... 0.0 .. 3.2 .. 3.3 .. 6.6 (42)
Report: A strong wind blowing across the ground confined most of the play in the final on Sunday last, to the stock route boundary at Whitton. Yanco can attribute their loss of the game to not walking up to the correct wing to use when attacking. Darlington Point on the other hand were very particular as to where to place the ball. In the final quarter, the 'Point were hard put to prevent Yanco from securing a winning goal, in one of the most exciting and strenuous fought-out struggles seen in the M.I.A. Competition.
Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Tue 28 Aug, 1928 / page 2.
Grand Final - Sunday September 2, 1928 at Whitton
Darlington Point ... 0.3 .. 3.7 .. 3.8 .. 7.13 (55)
Whitton ................... 1.2 .. 1.6 .. 8.9 .. 10.11 (71)
Umpire: T. Wraith, of Melbourne
Goals - Darlington Point: W Causon 3, S Keeble 2, A Ledwidge
Whitton: J Thompson 6, D Finley 2, T Williams, O. De Mamiel
Darlington Point team: J. Ryan (capt), S Yates, S Keeble, B Keeble, S White, A McGrath, H Hardy, W Causon, J Ledger, R Robertson, E Coombs, A Ledwidge, N Bright, E Yates, E Tucker, C Tucker, G Bloomfield and R Kennedy.
Whitton team: W Quin (capt), W McAliece, G. De Mamiel, E McGrath, O De Mamiel, T Lloyd, T Williams, A Hill, D Catlin, D Finley, J Thompson, W De Mamiel, R Tucker, W Kaune, T Quin, D McAliece, W Robertson and L Thompson.
Match report: Again the weather was against good football on Sunday last. A strong wind blew across the ground as on the previous Sunday, towards the stock route boundary. Rain also threatened to fall in a deluge, but except for a little shower of short duration, held off. The attendance was not too good considering it was a grand final match, between two even teams.
A splendid effort was put up by both sides, Whitton proving the better side, winning by 71 points to 55 points. The Whitton supporters rushed the field on the sounding of the final bell and cheered their team. The winners become possessors of the Filstoft Cup (donated by Mr, Filstoft, of Darlington Point), and also the first holders of the cup donated by Watson and J. Grady, of the Commercial Hotel, Whitton. The latter cup must be won two years in succession or three times in all. Mr. T Wraight, of Melbourne, officiated as field umpire. Though impartial in his decisions, he controlled the game far differently to M. Wickham. Wraith was not exacting in his decisions, rather allowing the game to go on until a deliberate conspisous breach was made, he used the whistle far less, and bouncing the ball (at which he was a past master) more frequently than we are accustomed to. Both sides played hard football, but there was a absence of violent roughness. Source - The Murrumbidgee Irrigator / Tue 4 Sep, 1928 / page 2.
1928 SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Round 1 - Sat May 19: Grong Grong def by Matong by 12 pts, Ganmain 8.11 (59) def Coolamon 4.8 (32), Leeton 4.10 (34) def by Narandera 10.8 (68).
R2 - May 26: Coolamon 14.12 (96) def Matong 12.8 (80), Ganmain 7.14 (56) def Leeton 5.7 (37), Grong Grong 4.7 (31) def by Narandera 9.14 (68)
R3 - June 2: Leeton 7.14 (56) def Grong Grong 4.12 (36), Matong 9.9 (63) def by Ganmain 11.10 (76), Narandera 10.10 (70) def Coolamon 9.9 (63)
R4 - June 9: Coolamon 13.17 (95) def Grong Grong 6.11 (47), Ganmain 7.10 (52) def Narandera 5.10 (40), Matong 5.10 (40) def by Leeton 9.13 (67).
R5 - June 16: Grong Grong 7.10 (52) def by Ganmain 11.7 (73), Leeton 4.7 (31) def Coolamon 4.5 (29), Narandera 12.14 (86) def Matong 7.16 (58)
R6 - June 23: Coolamon 16.9 (105) def Ganmain 10.7 (67), Matong 11.5 (71) def Grong Grong 10.4 (64), Narandera 9.6 (60) def by Leeton 9.14 (68)
R7 - June 30: Leeton 19.15 (129) def Ganmain 10.12 (72), Matong 7.14 (56) def Coolamon 6.10 (46), Narandera 13.9 (87) def Grong Grong 10.10 (70)
R8 - July 7: Coolamon 9.14 (68) def Narandera 6.10 (46), Ganmain 4.10 (34) def by Matong 6.12 (48), Grong Grong 4.10 (34) def by Leeton 12.14 (86)
R9 - July 14: Leeton 6.13 (49) def Matong 3.4 (22), Grong Grong 6.11 (47) def by Coolamon 7.11 (53), Narandera 22.10 (142) def Ganmain 9.6 (60)
R10 - July 21: Coolamon 4.8 (32) def by Leeton 7.9 (51), Ganmain 8.14 (62) def Grong Grong 3.2 (20), Matong 11.7 (73) def Narandera 5.9 (39)
Ladder: Leeton 32, Narandera 24, Ganmain 24, Coolamon 20, Matong 20, Grong Grong 0.
Play-off 4th place - Sat. July 28, 1928 at Ganmain Recreation Ground
Matong ........... 3.1 .. 5.7 .. 7.7 .. 9.10 (64)
Coolamon ...... 1.1 .. 4.3 .. 6.7 .. 7.12 (54)
Umpire: Pat O'Grady, of Sydney
Goals - Matong: J Doherty 3, D Ceely 2, R Symes 2, V Jones, M Dillon
Coolamon: J McLean 2, A Slade 2, A Black 2, Clarrie Vesperman
Matong team: Geard O'Meara (capt), Victor, W. "Chalky", Alex and Tim Jones, Tas and Lindsay Flanagan, Mart Dillon, Jack and Hugh Doherty, Cliff Hoskins, D. and Jim Ceely, Reg Symes, Jack Richardson, Fred Newman, Jack Catlin, J. Brill.
Coolamon team: Alonza Slade (capt), Ormond Iverach, Herb Hawthorn, Clive Turner, Jim Maloney, Allan Black, Mick and Jack Curtis, Clarrie and Cecil Vesperman, Ashley Johnston, P. Bradley, Jack McLean, George Blacklock, F. Miller, Reg Lucas, Jack Dean, W. Guymer.
Match report: Everything pointed to a splendid game when on Saturday Coolamon and Matong met on the Ganmain ground to decide which team would take its place in the "final four" for the 1928 premiership, and the final decision of the J. A. Alexander Cup.
The day was ideal for sport, and the match attracted a good attendance the gate takings amounting to £33.
Both clubs were strongly represented, but Matong, by their sterling victory over Narandera the previous Saturday were the most favored by followers of the code. An interesting and keenly fought battle resulted, and at the end the honors rested with Matong, who had ten points to spare. It come as a surprise too many to know that the official (goal umpires) result was given as a win for Matong by 16 points, but this is certainly a mistake. By some means a goal was credited to a Matong player, but he is emphatic in his denial that he kicked a goal.
In the opening term Matong secured a useful lead, which practically won them the game, as Coolamon, try as they might, were unable to hit the front. In this session the Greens were frequently penalised for breaches of the rules, especially holding the man, and Matong were not slow to make the most of their opportunities. Some of the Coolamon's players also seemed to stand aloof at critical stages. Another phrase of the game which seemed peculiar was that both sides chose the eastern wing for their operations, and as a consequence very little play took place on the town side. In the third quarter Matong lost the services of their nippy forward, Jack Doherty, who injured his collarbone; Tim Jones also received an injury to his ankle but battled on through the match.
Under these circumstances, the victory of the Magpies was all the more meritorious.
Each and every one of the winning sides shared in the victory, but V. Jones (rover) especially in the first half, H. Doherty (full-back), J. Doherty (forward), J. Ceely, O'Meara, T. Flanagan, Dillon and W. and T. Jones were very conspicuous throughout.
For Coolamon, "Poddy" Slade stood out, and others most prominent were Iverach, Lucas, Maloney, M. Curtis, Bradley, Hawthorn, Clarrie Vesperman, Black and Turner. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri 3 Aug 1928.
First Semi Final - Sat August 4, 1928 at Leeton Football Ground
Narandera ..... 2.2 .. 4.6 .. 7.10 .. 9.12 (60)
Matong .......... 0.2 .. 5.5 .. 7.5 .. 8.6 (54)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne
Goals - Narandera: V Stockdale 5, R Gass 3, G Mackenzie
Matong: J Doherty 3, R Symes, V Jones, L Flanagan, J Catlin,
Narandera team: Percy Willis (capt), Vin Stockdale, Alex Taylor, Lachlan Tindale, Bob Gass, Jack Askwith, Frank Malcolm, Bill Murphy, Les Mulcahy, Jack Brown, Doug Weir, Otto Schultze, George Mackenzie, Frank Copeland, Alby Treloar, W. L. "Snowy" Lawrence, H. "Doody" Osmond, Ernie Howell
Matong team: Gerard O'Meara (capt), Victor, Alex, Tim and W. "Chalky" Jones, Hugh "Sap" and Jack Doherty, Lindsay and Tas Flanagan, Jack Catlin, Mart Dillon, Cliff Hoskin, Jim Ceely, Reg Symes, D. Ceely, Jack Richardson, Fred Newman, J. Brill.
Match report: Perfect weather conditions prevailed on Saturday for the first semi final on connection with the above premiership. The special train which run from Coolamon was crowded, but the majority of the passengers entered at Matong and Narandera. In addition, a large number took advantage of the fine day and made the trip by car. Consequently, the Leeton oval was surrounded by a large attendance of enthusiasts of the Australian code, the gate takings amounting to £82.
Though the standard of football was not of the highest, the spectators were treated to an exhibition which kept them fully entertained, and of which the issue hung in the balance until within five minutes of time, when Narandera forged ahead, and secured a victory by 12 points.
Though the game was vigorously contested, it was fought out in fine sporting spirit. The winners displayed more system than Matong, who put up a great battle, but their individual efforts could not counter balance the systematic work that frequently characterised, the play of the Imps.
Matong's chief weakness early was across the centre, and some of their placed men were wont to wonder too far afield. Several of the players did not perform so well as on the previous Saturday against Coolamon. All the same they put a great fight, and though defeated their performance was little below their conquerors.
For the winners, Murphy, Howell, Gass, Brown, Lawrence, Tindale, Treloar, Schultze and Mulcahy appeared to be the pick. Matong was best served by V. Jones, Doherty Bros., Hoskin, Richardson, J. Ceely, Dillon, Flanagan, Catlin, O'Meara, and W. Jones, but each one of the 18 tried hard to gain the honors for the village. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri 10 Aug 1928.
Second Semi Final - Sat August 11, 1928 at Kindra Park, Coolamon
Leeton ......... 2.1 .. 4.5 .. 7.7 .. 10.8 (68)
Ganmain ..... 6.7 .. 10.10 .. 10.12 .. 11.14 (80)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne
Goals - Leeton: G Taylor 4, C Hopley, F Anderson, A. G. Roberts, T Saker, M Graham, J Schwab
Ganmain: P Naughtin 4, M Bean 2, W Pieper 2, P Carroll, C Brooks, L Cox
Leeton team: Bill Swasbrick (capt), J. Saunders, Dick and Cecil Hopley, Fred Anderson, Jack Schwab, Bob Monfries, Arthur Harding, Ben Roberts, Tom Martin, Bill and George Taylor, Trevor Saker, A.G. Roberts, R. Foster, Frank Borchers, Fred Lloyd, Mick Graham
Ganmain team: Paddy Carroll (capt), Jack and A. Dunn, William Pieper, Len Cox, Stan Cox, George Cedelland, Frank Culhane, C. Brooks, Ernie Wilson, Martin and Frank Carroll, Pat Naughtin, Jack Corbett, Eric Pye.
Match report: The attendance of the public at the second semi final played on Kindra Park oval, Coolamon, on Saturday afternoon last did not quite come up to expectations, but no doubt this was attributable in a large measure to the fact that the game was looked upon as a foregone conclusion for Leeton. And comparing the performances of each team throughout the season there appeared some justification for this contention. Whereas the Leetonians had carried everything before them in the last eight engagements, the form of Ganman had been very mediocre, as in the last five games of the second half-round the Maroons were only successful in one, and that at the expense of Grong Grong on their own stronghold. When it became known, prior to the commencement of the match, that Jack McQualter (owing to illness) and "Bill" Smith (who had met with a nasty accident) were unavailable, Ganmain were given but a very slender chance of success by their most ardent admirers. Leeton were so confident of victory that they looked upon the "clash" as an exercise "outing" before they met Narandera in the final.
But the game had not proceeded far before they were rudely disillusioned, as the 'Main rose to the occasion, and almost from the first bounce took command. At the first bell they had established a lead of 30 points, which at the long interval had been increased to 41. Judged by the manner in which they had "whipped" the Tricolors up to this juncture, it appeared bad policy on the part of the 'Main to play "safety" instead of trying for the points when the game resumed.
With the conditions altered, Leeton made a desperate effort to bridge the gap. At the end of the third session, they had reduced Gamain's lead to 24 points. In the concluding term they went further ahead, and when the Tricolors drew within five points of the 'Main's total, there seemed to be trouble looming for the Maroons, but they once more pulled themselves together and added a single and a goal which gave them a 12 points - strange to say, the same number as that which separated the totals in the first semi-final, Narandera v Matong.
Naturally the supporters of Ganmain were elated over the team's success and are now very hopeful that the Maroon's will produce their form against Narandera in the final, which takes place at Grong Grong. Leeton, as minor premiers have the right to challenge the winners of the final.
The majority of the Ganmain players had a "day out," and it is difficult task to individualise. But on the day Pieper took the palm and played the game of his career. Other ever prominent were Culhane, Brooks, Wilson, A. Bean, Naughtin, Cedelland, Carroll Bros., A. Dunn and L. Cox. Though Jack Dunn stripped he was a sick man, recovering from an attack of influenza; whilst Maurice Bean, who injured his knee in the recent Matong-Ganmain match, was not long in action before his leg went.
For Leeton, Bobby Monfries (half back), Saunders (centre), Swasbrick, G. Taylor, A.G. Roberts, Schwab, Cec. Hopley, Borcher, W. Taylor and Saker appeared to be the pick. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri 17 Aug 1928.
The Final - Sat August 18, 1928 at Grong Grong Oval
Narandera .... 2.3 .. 3.7 .. 8.11 .. 11.13 (79)
Ganmain ...... 1.1 .. 4.5 .. 6.8 .. 9.10 (64)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne
Goals - Narandera: P Willis 3, G Mackenzie 3, R Gass 2, H Osmond, D Weir, A Taylor
Ganmain: P Naughtin 5, J Dunn 2, P Carroll, F Carroll
Narandera team: Frank Malcolm, Les Mulcahy, Jack Askwith; Jack Brown, Fred Nielsen, H. "Doody" Osmond; Ernie Howell, Bill Murphy, W. L. "Snowy" Lawrence; Vin Simpson, Alex Taylor, Doug Adams; George Mackenzie, Bob Gass, Otto Schultze; Percy Willis (capt), Doug Weir, Alby Treloar.
Ganmain team: Jack Corbett, Martin Carroll, Harry Bean; Frank Culhane, Jack Dunn, W. "Bill" Smith; Stan Cox, C. Brooks, George Cedelland; Paddy Carroll (capt), William Pieper, A. Dunn; Frank Carroll, Pat Naughtin, Eric Pye; Len Cox, Alf Bean, Ernie Wilson.
Match report: The final of the S.W.D. Leagues premiership for the J. A. Alexander Cup and set of gold medals provided by the League was decided at Grong Grong Oval on Saturday afternoon last, when Narandera and Ganmain met and treated a large crowd to a fine exposition of the Australian code - a game in every way worthy of the final.
The special trains from Coolamon and Leeton were well patronised (over 300 passengers entering at Narandera, alone), whilst motor transport was also largely availed of to carry enthusiasts to the convincing ground. The gate receipts amounted to just on £100.
Also, the weather was slightly on the warm side for strenuous sport, the conditions were perfect, there being no wind for the players to contend against. The ground, though hard, was in good order, and the officials of the Grong Grong Club are to be complimented on the manner in which they had the goal lines and boundary marked off, and the active operation of the scoring board throughout the game.
The match provided a great tussle for the honors, and the fluctuations of the scores in the latter half kept the supporters of either side in a simmer of excitement. The play was fairly fast right through, whilst the kicking and marking of both teams at times was really excellent. Up till about half-way through the last session it appeared anyone's game, and then Narandera unwound a wonderful rally, and establishing a lead of 22 points, clinched victory.
Both teams proved to be in good fettle, but on the day the winners showed more initiative and teamed better than the 'Main, some whose players did not show the form displayed against Leeton the previous Saturday.
Arthur Wickham, of the Melbourne League, was again in charge of the whistle and if anything, he seemed to improve on his two previous games here this season. He exercised firm control, whilst his decision was fair and consistent.
Ganmain took the field without Jack McQualter (who had not recovered sufficiently from a recent attack of illness) and Maurice Bean (suffering from injury) whilst Narandera were minis services of Lachlan Tindale (on injured list) and Vin Stockdale.
In a very even side, Brown, Willis, Weir, Murphy, Treloar, Mulcahy, Lawrence, Taylor, Schultze, Gass and Mackenzie were ever prominent for Narandera. For the losers, Pieper (when on the ball), Naughtin (5 goals), Culhane, L. Cox, Brooks, Wilson, P. Carroll, A. and H. Bean appeared to be the pick. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri 24 Aug 1928.
Challenge Final - Sat August 25, 1928 at Ganmain
Narandera .... 4.6 .. 9.10 .. 12.12 .. 14.15 (99)
Leeton ........... 4.1 .. 7.4 .. 10.4 .. 14.5 (89)
Umpire: Arthur Wickham, of Melbourne.
Goals - Narandera: E Howell 6, R Gass 3, G Mackenzie 2, A Taylor, D Adams, A Treloar, S Lawrence
Leeton: G Taylor 6, M Graham 3, C Hopley 2, T Martin 2, F Anderson
Narandera team: Percy Willis (capt), Vin Stockdale, Jack Brown, Bob Gass, Alex Taylor, Jack Askwith, Bill Murphy, Doug Weir, Doug Adams, Ernie Howell, Otto Schultze, Vin Simpson, Frank Malcolm, Les Mulcahy, Alby Treloar, George Mackenzie, H. "Doody" Osmond, W. L. "Snowy" Lawrence.
Leeton team: Bill Swasbrick (capt), J. "Buddy" Saunders, Cecil "Scroggs" Hopley, Dick Hopley, Fred Anderson, Frank Borchers, Bob Monfries, Arthur Harding, A.G. "Plugger" Roberts, Ben Roberts, Tom Martin, Jack Schwab, Trevor Saker, George, Caddie and Bill Taylor, J. " Nugget" Foster, Mick Graham.
Match report: The grand final in the S.W.D.F. League's 1928 premiership, played between Narandera (premiers) and Leeton (minor premiers) on the Ganmain recreation ground on Saturday afternoon last, was one of the most sparkling exhibitions of football witnessed along the south-west line and a fitting climax to the season's operations.
From first to the last bell the large crowd of spectators were treated to a spectacular contest, fairly bristling with splendid high marking, sweeping long kicks and spicy titbits of play. The display of both teams was easily above the ordinary, but Narandera gave the most polished exposition, and on the day the Imps. fully merited the honors, but the Leetonians went down with their colors flying, and were by no means disgraced. The day was almost ideal for football, the sky being slightly overcast, with hardly any breeze to mar the play, and the temperature just warm enough to be inviting.
The officials of the Ganmain Club had the oval in good order, the rain on the previous Thursday having taken some of the hardness out of the turf, the only "blot" being the absence of a scoring board. The interests of the League were looked after by Messrs. Ford (President), C. J. Little (hon. treasurer) and George Hepburn (secretary) who carried out all arrangements.
The gate takings amounted to £98, much below the record, which may be accounted to the fact that the supporters of both teams had so far to travel. This is the first occasion since the inception of the League that the challenge final has been played on a neutral ground, and many considered, and with some justification, that as it was the last season for the Alexander Cup the new order of things should not come into vogue until next season. Had this been done, and Leeton compelled to follow their challenge to Narandera, it is safe to predict that the coffers of the League would have been greatly augmented. By virtue of its win the Narandera team will permanently take possession of the handsome silver cup, donated by Mr. J. A. Alexander, of Wagga, and formerly of Leeton, and receive the set of gold medals donated by the League. Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri 24 Aug 1928.
1928 SWDFL CLUB'S PLAYER LIST
Coolamon (greens): Alonzo "Poddy" Slade (capt), George Blacklock, Allan Black, Frank Bradley, P Bradley, C. Cooper, Jack Curtis, Mick Curtis, Jack Davis, R. Davies, Jack Dean, W Guymer, Herb Hawthorn, Ormond Iverach, Ashley Johnston, Wally Jones, Reg Lucas, Jim Maloney, Jack McLean, F. Miller, Jim Robertson, Clive Turner, Cecil and Clarrie Vesperman.
Ganmain (maroons): Paddy Carroll (capt), L. Barr, Alf Bean, Harry Bean, Maurice Bean, C. Brooks, Frank and Martin Carroll, George Cedelland, Jack Corbett, A. Cook, Len Cox, Stan Cox, Frank Culhane, Jack Dunn, Jack McPherson, Jack McQualter, Pat Naughtin, William Pieper, Eric Pye, William Sheehan, W. "Bill" Smith, George Stevens, Ernie Wilson.
Grong Grong (blue): Abe Hutchins (capt), L Atkinson, Les Blackett, H. "Mick" Buttress, F. Flanigan, Fred Gawne, Ted Gawne, Jack, Reg, Vern and Ron Hutchins, R. Jacobs, W. Malson, A. McLachlan, R. Mitchell, A. Powell, Len Powell, Jim Rava, W. Stewart.
Leeton: (red, white, blue): Bill Swasbrick (capt), Fred Anderson, Frank Borchers, R. Borger, R. "Nugget" Foster, H. "Tis" Fromholtz, Mick Graham, Arthur "Curly" Harding, Cecil "Scroggs" Hopley, Dick Hopley, V. Lambert, Fred Lloyd, Ken J. Mckenzie, Jack McLeish, Tom Martin, Bob Monfries, A. G. "Plugger" Roberts, Ben Roberts, Trevor Saker, J. "Buddy" Saunders, George Taylor, Caddie Taylor, Bill Taylor, Ossie Whyte.
Matong (black & white): Gerald O'Meara (capt), Charlie Baker, Bob Black, T Black, J Brill, Ken Brill, Jack "Mick" Catlin, D Ceely, Jim Ceely, Mart Dillon, Hugh "Sap" Doherty, Jack Doherty, Lindsay Flanagan, Tas Flanagan, Cliff Hoskin, Alex Jones, Tim Jones, W. "Chalky" Jones, Gordon Jones, Victor Jones, Harry Ledger, Fred Newman, Jack Richardson, Reg Symes.
Narrandera (blue & gold): Percy Willis (capt), Vin Stockdale (vice-capt), Doug Adams, Jack Askwith, Jack Brown, Vic Byrne, Frank Copeland, Bill Duthie, T. "Frosty" Edwards, Bates Flood, Bob Gass, Rupert Griggs, Ernie Howell, W. L. "Snowy" Lawrence, George Mackenzie, Roy Mackenzie, Frank Malcolm, Chris Mannie, Les Mulcahy, Bill Murphy, Fred Nielsen, H. "Doody" Osmond, Gordon Potter, Stan Russell, Otto Schultze, Les Sonsie, Alex Taylor, Lachlan Tindale, Alby Treloar, Doug Weir, Roy Weir, J. Whitford.
1928 NARANDERA SECOND GRADE COMPETITION
Round 1 - Sunday May 20: Western Stars def Grong Grong by 55 pts, Railway 82 def Eastern Rovers 28, Gillenbah, bye.
R2 - May 27: Gillenbah 26 def by Western Stars 73, Grong Grong 27 def by Railway 57, Eastern Stars, bye.
R3 - June 3: Eastern Rovers def Gillenbah, by 2 pts., Railway 19 def Western Stars 18. Grong Grong, bye.
R4 - June 17: Grong Grong def by Eastern Rovers, by 1 pt., Railway 22 def by Gillenbah 30, Western Stars, bye.
R5 - June 24: Gillenbah def Grong Grong, Western Stars 74 def Eastern Rovers 27, Railway, bye.
R6 - July 1: Eastern Rovers def by Railway, by 4 pts., Western Stars forfeited to Grong Grong, Gillenbah, bye.
R7- July 8: Grong Grong def by Railway, Western Stars 46 def Gillenbah 27, Eastern Rovers, bye.
R8 - July 15: Western Stars 53 def Railway 19, Gillenbah 17 def by Eastern Rovers 46, Grong Grong, bye.
R9 - July 22: Eastern Rovers 117 def Grong Grong 27, Railway 64 def Gillenbah 34, Western Stars, bye.
R10 - August 5: Grong Grong def by Gillenbah, Western Stars def by Eastern Rovers, by 1 pt., Railway, bye.
R11 - August 12: Railway 30 def by Eastern Rovers 44, Western Stars 127 def Grong Grong 7, Gillenbah, bye.
R12 - August 19: Western Stars 70 def Gillenbah 49, Railway def Grong Grong, by 4 pts., Eastern Rovers, bye
R13 - Aug 26: Eastern Rovers 49 def Gillenbah 36, Railway 75 def Western Stars 50, Grong Grong, bye. @ Western Stars protest lodged against Railway for playing senior players Vin Simpson and Gordon Potter, upheld.
R14 - Sept 3: Grong Grong def Eastern Rovers, by 26 pts, Railway 94 def Gillenbah 26, Western Stars, bye. @ Eastern Rovers protest lodged against Grong Grong for playing several senior players, upheld.
R15 - Sept 10: Grong Grong forfeited to Gillenbah. Western Stars 55 def Eastern Rovers 48, Railway, bye
Ladder: Western Stars 48, Railway 44, Eastern Rovers 44, Gillenbah 28, Grong Grong 16.
First Semi Final - Sunday September 16, 1928 at Showground
Railway ........ 3.2 .. 4.5 .. 4.6 .. 6.10 (46)
Gillenbah ..... 2.5 .. 2.8 .. 4.12 .. 5.15 (45)
Umpire: Frank Darcy, of Mooroopna
Goals - Railway: C Brown 3, J Vincent 2, F Copeland
Gillenbah: F Malcolm, J Lloyd, W Collier, R Dawson, R Hunt
Railway team: Frank Copeland (capt), Alf Hutchison, Doug Stewart, H Loutitt, Jim Vincent, C Dawes, John Gaffey, W Fisher, J Whitford, C Brown, W Duthie, W Lawrence, J Turner, G Hunt, John Hoye, K McLean, R Lawrence, Lachlan Savage
Gillenbah team: Walter Hunter (capt), Frank Malcolm, William Ferrari, Tom Bratton, W. H. Murphy, Harry Beggs, G Noble, A. E. "Archie"Howell, D Dwyer, W Tuckett, T. "Frosty" Edwards, Tom Beecher, Bill Collier, Ernie Howell, E Peacock, J Winsley, R Hunt, J Bourke, J Lloyd.
Match report: There was only a meagre attendance at the first semi-final of the Narandera Second - grade Football Competition, which was played on the showground last Sunday, and the gate takings amounted to £13/14/, which was barely enough to cover expenses. Excepting in the last quarter, when there were some lively rallies, there was little in the play to excite the onlookers. The play was most of a scrambling nature, and at times the marking and kicking did not approach the second-grade standard. The scoring was fairly even throughout, and the fact that there was a difference of never more than two goals in the scores was responsible for engendering much of the interest.
Second Semi Final - Sunday September 23, 1928 at Showground
Western Stars ....... 0.4 .. 5.5 .. 6.9 .. 8.13 (61)
Eastern Rovers .... 4.3 .. 5.3 .. 8.7 .. 8.7 (55)
Umpire: Frank Darcy, of Mooroopna
Goals - Stars: R Mackenzie 3, G Mackenzie, J Ross, T Mooney, B Flood, C Manie
Rovers: W McLean 2, L Harradine 2, S Day 2, W Longmore 2.
Western Stars team: A.T. Pattinson (capt), Jack Askwith, Roy and George Mackenzie, Hugh, Jack and Angus Ross, Tom Mooney, Alf Lawrence, Sinclair Smith, Bob Marchant, Bill Turner, Archie and Bates Flood, Chris Manie, J Carmody, W Beecher, Bill Alchin.
Eastern Rovers team: Bill McLean (capt), Alby and Jack Treloar, Len Powell, Wally Mulholland, T Selby, Vic Wingate, Reg Sinclair, L Harradine, Sid Evans, G Longford, J Green, R Turner, Dick McLean, Tom Longmore, Martin Johnson, J King, Stan Day.
Match report: Notwithstanding the boisterous nature of the weather on Sunday afternoon, the second semi final match between the Stars and Rovers as an interesting tussle. The teams proved to be very evenly matched, and at the conclusion of the game there was a difference of only six points in the scores in the favor of the Stars. The strong wind confined the play to the eastern boundary and practically all the scoring was done at the northern end. Among the prominent players for the winners were George and Roy Mackenzie, Jack Askwith, R Marchant and C Manie. The Rovers were probably best served by Alby Treloar, L Harradine, Bill McLean, Len Powell and R Turner.
Premiership Final - Sunday September 30, 1928 at Showground
Western Stars ..... 0.2 .. 6.10 .. 7.10 .. 12.17 (89)
Railway ................. 3.2 .. 4.3 .. 7.6 .. 8.9 (57)
Umpire: Frank Darcy, of Mooroopna
Goals - Stars: T Mooney 4, R Mackenzie 3, J Askwith 2, B Flood, A Flood, J Ross
Rovers: J Vincent 3, H Loutitt, W Duthie, H Copeland, E Lawrence, K McLean
Western Stars team: A.T. Pattinson (capt), Jack Askwith, Roy and George Mackenzie, Hugh, Jack and Angus Ross, Tom Mooney, Alf Lawrence, Sinclair Smith, Bob Marchant, Bill Turner, Archie and Bates Flood, Chris Manie, J Carmody, W Beecher, Bill Alchin
Railway team: Frank Copeland (capt), Alf Hutchison, Doug Stewart, H Loutitt, Jim Vincent, C Dawes, John Gaffey, W Fisher, J Whitford, C Brown, W Duthie, W Lawrence, J Turner, G Hunt, John Hoye, K McLean, R Lawrence, Lachlan Savage
Match report: The Narandera Second Grade Football Competition was brought to a conclusion on Sunday afternoon, when the Western Stars defeated the Railwaymen by 32 points in the final match. Fortunately, the weather conditions were more favorable than they had been for several days previously. A fairly strong wind blew towards the northern goal, and practically all the scoring was done at that end. The attendance was the largest the League had been privileged to have at its matches this season.
The sale of programmes amounted to £21. The play was splendidly contested, and there was improvement in the play of both teams, compared with the display in the semi-finals. The marking and kicking were generally good, and there was a fair amount of combined play. On the day, the Stars were unquestionably the better team, and its win was well merited.
As the Stars held the minor premiership, a grand final will not be necessary. After the match, the Stars were roundly congratulated by their supporters, who were delighted to see them win the premiership
There were many shining lights in the winning team, but all worded hard to bring about victory, Askwith with T Mooney, G and R Mackenzie and Marchant were probably the most outstanding players. Duthie, Loutitt, Gaffey, Fisher, Brown and Whitford were the most effective workers for the Railway. Source - Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser / Tue 2 Oct 1928 / page 3.
NARANDERA SECOND GRADE CLUB PLAYERS LIST
Eastern Rovers: Bill McLean (capt), Bill Auguey, C Black, W Cole, R Dwyer, Sd "Dusty" Evans, I. and Stan Day, J Green, Rupert Griggs, T Hamby, L Harradine, R Herbert, Martin Johnson, J King, G Longford, Billy, George and Tom Longmore, G McGregor, Dick McLean, Wally Mulholland, S Parker, Len Powell, H Ralston, W Ritchie, T Selby, William Sherriff, Charles St Clair, Reg Sinclair, M Smith, Alby and Jack Treloar, Bob and Beres Turner, K Welch, Vic Wingate.
Gillenbah: Walter Hunter (capt), Frank Malcolm, G Barber, Ted and W.H. Beecher, Harry Beggs, Tom Bratton, J Bourke, J Carter, T Clancy, Bill Collier, Don Cummings, Ron Dawson, D Dwyer, T. "Frosty" Edwards, William Ferrari, W Gash, Les Goring, H Hart, A. E. "Archie" Howell, Edgar Howell, Ernie Howell, R Hunt, Walter Hunter, J Heyland, Bob Lindner, J Lloyd, H Lockirl, D McFarland, J McGee, W McGuire, W. H. Murphy, Bill Murphy, G Noble, S Pearson, E Peacock, T Reynolds, R Scott, J Stanley, H Trengrove, T and W Tuckett, Wallace, W Wensley.
Grong Grong: A., C. and R Blackett, C Chesney, F Corboys, R Dalrymple, Ditchfield, E and R Guymer, A Harris, R Jacobs, Hugh Kerr, Jack Leitch, Jack McQualter, Ken Mohr, G Organ, S Ratcliffe, J Reed, B Sheather, J Smith, H Spencer.
Railway: Frank Copeland (capt), H Ashcroft, C Brown, C Dawes, Bill Duthie, John Gaffey, W Fisher, Ben Hawkshaw, John Hoye, G Hunt, Alf Hutchison, Ern and R Lawrence, H Loutitt J McClintock, K McLean, T A McCormack, Gordon Potter, J Rafferty, Lachlan Savage, R Smith, Vin Simpson, Jack Sloper, Doug Stewart, J Turner, Jim Vincent, C Weygood, J Whitford.
Western Stars: A.T. Pattinson (capt), Bill Alchin, Jack Askwith, W. H. Beecher, J Carmody, Archie and Bates Flood, Doug Hutchinson, Gus Jones, Alf, Sam and W. L. "Snow" Lawrence, George and Roy Mackenzie, W Maguire, Chris Manie, Bob Marchant, Tom Mooney, H. "Doody" Osmond, Harold Rogers, Angus, Hugh, Jack and Lochie Ross, Otto Schultze, Sinclair Smith, Lachlan Tindale, Bill Turner, C Ward, Roy Weir.