TRIUMPHANT COLLINGWOOD. By: OLD BOY Collingwood solidified and thoroughly united after their trip to Tasmania, faced Fitzroy full of confidence on Saturday. Like all teams after a tour, "the magpies" are in a great heart, and the hearty, spontaneous laughter emanating from their room, both before and after the game, were well in keeping with the gladsome shortie of the magpie itself.
Fitzroy were not so happy, for, though they had prevailed upon Brophy and M'Carthy to strip, neither were at their best, and substitutes had to be found for Prosnan, Moriarty, and Jenkin. One of these vacancies was filled by the old captain, A. B. Sloan, who relinquished his duties as treasurer, and helped his club in the hour of need.
There was a fine crowd, and they were rewarded by seeing-up to half time, at any rate-a splendid game. Fast, rushing, no one being spared and no one sparing, the game never stopped. It was a hard contest, full of fire, and often just a spice of temper, which only served to what the appetite of onlookers. It was not a nasty game, but each side was playing for position, and there was no time for any quarter.
Collingwood, by clever passing and handball-these were their strong points all day-got going first, and put up a goal (Condon) and 2 behinds before Fitzroy scored. The maroons, however, were playing well, and three fine marks between Sloan, H. Sharpe, and Fontaine put in possession and it, Smith snapped their first goal, followed soon after by Drohan, who scored from a running shot.
As soon as the second quarter began Tulloch, for Collingwood, dashed away from the bounce, and Rowell, from a grand mark, put up a nice place goal, after more good work by Tulloch. A. Leach had a long shot at a venture, and the ball rolled through the unprotected goal. Still prevailing, Collingwood's fourth goal came from Tulloch's boot before Fitzroy raised the siege, and H. Sharpe scored for them. But, Collingwood were playing finely together, and, dashing through, Condon scored again before the interval, when the Magpies led by 5-5 to 3-3.
There was a bit of by-play not provided in the programme as the men left the field, for Pannam. The Collingwood wing man, incensed at the epithets hurled at him by some of the crowd, jumped the fence and promptly "punched" one barracker. He was soon escorted to his dressing-room, but there was an angry feeling against him, and during the interval the assaulted one was strongly urged to give his assailant in charge, but refused. Pannan was greeted with no especial favour when he came out again, but the matter passed without further incident.
Up to half-time there was every protest of a close finish, but after a flash by Fitzroy, in which they got a couple of goals quickly, Brophy and Wilkinson scoring, there was nothing in it, for Collingwood, working grandly together, went on and won by 9 goals 14 behinds to 6 goals 9 behinds. There was no doubt that the better team won, their combination being excellent and their system perfect. Cariss did fairly well as umpire, but made a number of mistakes.
The form displayed by the whole of Collingwood team was splendid, but two men deserve special mention. Rowell had a big debt to wipe out against Fitzroy, and he paid the account handsomely. He ran, marked, and kicked splendidly, and showed more judgement and resource in getting out of difficulties than I have seen in him before. Incoll showed the Collingwood people his true worth in Tasmania, and he reproduced that form on Saturday by playing dashing football in the ruck and forward, and by kicking a splendid goal. He is a sturdy fellow, and his striking form is a distinct gain to the side.
F. Leach, in the centre, was useful and clever as ever; Hail- wood did the heavy ruck work well; and Condon Tulloch and Fell were a clever fast Trio, who were always in evidence. Angus, either forward or in the ruck, was very useful. Pannam was perhaps the best man on the side, his telling work on the wing being most noticeable. Allen, on the other wing, also played well.
M'Cormack was far and away the most conspicuous of the backs. Monohan, Rush, and Dummott gave him able assistance, and Proudfoot was always at his post. The team is in great heart, and the supporters of the club are delighted with the form displayed.
The Fitzroy captain had to make several changes in his team on account of the absentees. Fontaine took Brosnan's place half-forward, and did the work well, while also putting in a useful term in the ruck. Beecham was brought halfback to watch Rowell, and thought he did not stop his opponent he found time to play some fine football. Smith was very effective in the earlier stages in the ruck. Brophy and Trotter were busy on and about the ball. M'Carthy played a nice quite game in defence, where J. Sharpe was also prominent. Clarke (centre) and Shea (wing) were often in evidence, and B. Sharpe, Wilkinson, and M'Speerin did good work forward; but the side as a whole was not as determined and dashing as in the early part of the season.