Round 8 1936

From Snoutslouts

from The Advertiser

West's Strong Finish

Surprise Win From Glenelg

After the surprisingly good finishes Glenelg have been making against strong opposition in recent Saturdays it was confidently expected by the team's supporters that West would be overwhelmed, but instead, Glenelg was kept scoreless in the last quarter until almost the final bell, and West finished with unlimited vigor to score 8 goals 3 behinds and win the match.

The showgrounds are still ln a bad condition for football and large patches of treacherous ground militate against any team exploiting a normal system, but both sides showed by admirable football (Glenelg in the second quarter, and West in the last) that teams much higher up the list than they will have serious opposition before the season ends.

West Adelaide should be particularly pleased with Saturday's performances of Powell and Ball, two recruits, who more than any others were responsible for the match winning burst in the last quarter. Powell, who comes from Murray Bridge, played his fourth game, and was the best man on the ground, a no mean feat when such stars as Johnston and Mattiske are both playing well.

The kicking in the forward lines of both teams left much to be desired, and at the end of the third quartet, when West were fighting to make up leeway, it seemed that the forwards would throw away the game. Kicks straight in front from marks ten yards out were put through the behind posts. On the day there was little between the teams and at three-quarter time, West should have been able to even the scores, instead of which it was two goals behind.

Improved West Kicking

In the last quarter the kicking of West's full forwards changed radically, and W. Tonkin who had missed badlv before, kicked two goals to put West in front for the first time since the beginning of the second quarter. Cahill followed with two, and Smith. Powell, B. Tonkin and Codd took the score to 16 goals to Glenelg's ten. Cornelius and Winkler scored Glenelg's only goals for the quarter almost on the bell.

West Adelaide's strong full-back line had much to do with foiling Glenelg's goal-mouth attack, and the majority of its goals was (sic) scored from the half-forward lines, when Birrell went out to meet the ball. Mattiske's good work in the goal mouth rendered Birrell rather ineffective there, and when Johnston rested there Mattiske was still unchallenged. Glenelg missed Seeley, who was ill, on the wing, but Harford, Foweraker, Cornelius and Colyer were responsible for some very fast work round the flanks, and but for the solidarity of West's back lines, must have got through more often.

The most pleasing feature of the match was the return to top form of Johnston and Colyer, and they were chiefly responsible for Glenelg's seven goals in the second quarter, which, at the time appeared to be the beginning of the end as far as West was concerned. Johnston's marking was notable for almost uncanny judgment, and he took many more marks than in recent matches. Colyer was the fastest man on the ground.

Scores:—

WEST ADELAIDE. 16 goals 14 behinds (110 points).

GLENELG. 12 goals 11 behinds (83 points)

Scorers of goals and behinds:—

West Adelaide — Powell, 4 goals 5 behinds; Cahill. 3.3; Smith, 3.1; W. Tonkin, 2.2; Codd. 2.0; McArthur. 1.1; B. Tonkin. 1.0: Jackson, 0.l; and one behind rushed.

Glenelg — Birrell, 4 goals; Johnston and Cornelius, 2.1; Curnow and Winkler, 1.2; Eatts. 1.1; Colyer, 1.0; Hunt. 0.3: and one behind rushed.

Recruit Best Player

Powell must be regarded as the best man on the ground, for he was largely responsible for West's exceptional finish. Not only did he score four goals, mostly from long kicks from the half-forward lines, and headed the team's goal-ticking list, but his strong kicking into the full forward lines gave opportunities there. He was opposed to Brock, a centre half-back who has played excellent football recently, but his marking gave him an advantage. Before the end of the day he had taken marks over all Glenelg's highfliers. Ball was seen to best advantage up to three quarter time, and on the day had the measure of Hunt. He, too, is a tall man and had distinct marking ability. Mattiske played an admirable game again at the goal-mouth. Glenelg realised how dangerous it was to put the ball into the goals, and tended to keep the ball away from them, and to kick over Mattiske's head. Mattiske, E. Tonkin, and Brady cleared time after time in the early stages of the match, Bennett, the West captain, gave himself plenty to do, and did it well. Foweraker on the wing, Jackson, Codd and W. Tonkin in the rucks were others particularly noticed.

For Glenelg, Colyer was best. This rover enhanced his chances of State selection by fast, clean play, outpacing his opponents time after time. Griffiths fought dourly to keep out the West Adelaide forwards, and kept at his task in the last quarter when Glenelg's rucks could not cope with the many West attacks. In the closing stages he was put on the ball. This man is always consistent but Saturday's performance was better than usual. Johnston, marking well in the rucks but not kicking as well as he might, was another good player, and he pulled his weight throughout the match. Percy was not as outstanding in the ruck as usual, but played a most useful game. Harford's clearing from the half back lines was a feature of the game. He turned back a great many attacks with clever play, and with a long kick to one of the half forwards, put his team in a scoring position. Birrell combined goal-getting and rucking, and scored four goals, besides doing good work assisting Percy.

See also

• 1936 - full season details

References

The Advertiserarticle on Trove