Round 1 1921
From Snoutslouts
Round 1 1921 saw the first League game for premiership points played by the Glenelg Football club.
Match Report
from The Advertiser Monday 16 May 1921
THE SEASON OPENED
A NEW TEAM
The League football season opened on Saturday with two matches - West Adelaide versus Glenelg at Adelaide Oval, and West Torrens versus South Adelaide at Hindmarsh. Two important games in the first set of matches were reserved for today (Monday). The ground was very hard. Although a keen southerly wind blew, the sun's rays were a little too warm for comfort in such a strenuous game. Winter rains and a crisp, cool atmosphere will be welcomed by footballers.
WEST ADELAIDE VERSUS GLENELG
The latest entrant to the League (Glenelg) tried conclusions with West Adelaide, who were at the bottom of the list last season. The engagement was on the Adelaide Oval in the presence of a small attendance. J. Hanley, a former West Adelaide player, captained Glenelg and won the toss from V. Peters (captain of the red-and-blacks). There were several new faces in the West Adelaide team, and most of the Glenelg players engaged in their first senior contest. The gold and black uniform of Glenelg was picturesque but not so neat as the uniforms of some of the older clubs. West Adelaide have not improved their appearance by the introduction of vertical stripes instead of horizontal bands on their uniform.
"The Bays" kicked first to the northern end aided by a stiff breeze. For a while West Adelaide, by dint of better combination, forced the pay against the wind, but, though they carried the ball to the kick-off line, and gave their opponents some anxious moments, the onslaught was repulsed before they scored. James was prominent in a smart counter attack, and Glenelg transferred the ball in a moment to the other end, where Murdock scored the first goal of the season.Glenelg attacked again without avail and soon were hard on the defensive. They lacked combination and West Adelaide marked over them and were quicker on the ball. West Adelaide scored two more goals quickly, Stevens being successful each time. Hanley was more than holding his own with Peters in the ruck, but otherwise Glenelg were nearly everywhere outmatched. Searle put on a goal for the new team, but the red and blacks spent most of the time attacking, but wasted opportunities by shooting poorly. The black and golds finished the quarter with a spirited attack and Thompson had a shot, which added a point.
The scores then were :-
West Adelaide 3 goals 2 behinds
Glenelg 2 goals 2 behinds.
West had the better of the argument in the first quarter. The wind should have been worth three goals to Glenelg in the term. The seasiders started the second quarter well and worked the ball forward against the wind. They maintained the offensive for several minutes, but did not increase their tally before West went in for a succession of spirited forward movements. Cooper, O'Keefe, and Macklin kicked goals - the lastnamed at the second attempt - before Glenelg were able to check them.The seasiders have not yet learned the science of watching their men and keeping their places. They nevertheless carried out an attack at this juncture, combined and vigorous, and Searle sent a fine place kick through the major opening. Then for a space Glenelg held their opponents, despite the wind, and in a quick rally Murdock meritoriously got a goal. They still have something to learn in the matter of shepherding, and in this respect West were too clever for them. Bailey and Macklin goaled again before the end of the term. The board then read:-
West Adelaide 8 goals 6 behinds
Glenelg 4 goals 2 behinds.
The game had been strenuous and the play fairly fast and open, but not of a particularly high standard on either side. West's system was particularly effective in the third quarter, and thought he Glenelg players strove with great determination, their efforts were offset by the better cohesion of the other side. West Adelaide beat up time after time against the wind, and good kicking brought them three goals quickly, Stevens, Bailey, and Cooper scoring in succession. James (Glenelg's centre man), who had been playing a good game, was compelled to go forward, suffering from an injury to the right thigh. Glenelg attacked several times during the quarter, but scored only two points. At "lemons" the board indicated:-
West Adelaide 11 goals 9 behinds
Glenelg 4 goals 4 behinds
The issue had never been in doubt after the first quarter. Experience won through and when West began the last quarter, aided by the wind, and with more than seven goals to the good, it was only a question of the number of points they could put into the scoring list in case there might be a question of percentage at the close of the minor round. Facing the breeze Glenelg attacked from the bounce, however, and carried the movement right home. Hawkes got the goal. West promptly scored a six-pointer from the boot of Macklin, and then Glenelg took a turn. The genial sunshine had given place to cloudy conditions, and the wind became very cold. The attack of Glenelg lost momentum, and the tables were quickly turned. Manning scored for West, and then the seasiders made another forward movement in which Farrelly got full points with a nice kick. West, making full use of the wind, raced goalwards again and Manning brought up two flags. Following this the game developed into a goal kicking exhibition by West Adelaide. Macklin, Manning and Macklin (twice) again found the centre. Stevens put on another and then Glenelg stopped the rot for a moment and scored a behind. Straight away they were on the defensive once more and the ball was among the West forwards when the bell stopped play.
Final scores:-
West Adelaide 18 goals 10 behinds
Glenelg 6 goals 5 behinds
Glenelg have no reason to be discouraged by the severe defeat inflicted in their first match. They will have to buy their experience at the cost of many such defeats, but they may take heart from the knowledge that they have much good material in their ranks. They had difficulty in keeping on their feet and may possibly have had their sprigs too blunt for such hard ground, or made the mistake of going without sprigs. The bounce of the ball was strange to them and was faster that they had been accustomed to, according to an old footballer. Frequently they overran the ball and again made mistakes because of over eagerness. When they become more used to senior conditions they will have more confidence in themselves. They must realise that no one expects them to go top straight away.and that success can only be won by perseverance. Later on they will learn the fine points of the game and will improve their combination, which naturally in a new team is very crude. The best players were:-
West Adelaide - Peters, Macklin, Cooper, Huxtable, Scanlon, Dwyer, Cossey and Gabriel.
Glenelg - Hanley, Gates, Murdock, James, Farrelly, Hillier and Olive.
Goalkickers:-
West Adelaide - Macklin (6), Stevens (4), Cooper (3), Bailey and manning (each 2), and O'Keefe.
Glenelg - Murdock and Searle (each 2), Hawkes and Farrelly.
