
Football game with dog on the ground [ca. 1914-1916] Image H2002.198/57State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/42495
In 1916, as today with our even competition, ‘there [was] no spotting the winners before the matches start’. (3) At this point in the season Fitzroy had lost to Richmond twice that year, and the Tigers were said to have ‘advanced to the class of opponent marked dangerous’. (3)
And just as there are discussions of attractive football today, in this earlier wartime it was said that ‘football … should be made as attractive as possible’. There was a call for standards to be maintained because ‘[footy] is a national game, and is infinitely more popular than cricket’. (14) No footnote was included here to cite relevant supporting information on that call.
Internal politics of footy clubs featured too: a rumor was reported ‘that matters are not running smoothly in one of the clubs, but, of course, the rumour is officially denied’. Public intrigue around football was noted: someone had broken in and stole a punching ball and some footballs from ball maker Syd Sherrin’s home. At the time Sherrin was the Collingwood Football club’s vice-president and ‘so high is his popularity that if any of the boys come across the thief they will use him as a football and punching bag combined’. (13)
Enjoy the footy
Jordy and Mary