1928 Grand final
Collingwood 2.4.16 7.8.50 9.11.65 13.18.96
Richmond 0.3.3 4.5.29 7.7.49 9.9.63
VENUE: MCG
DATE: Saturday 29 September
CROWD: 50,026
UMPIRE: McMurray
PRE-MATCH
Collingwood repeated its 1927 performance in heading the ladder with 15 wins. Richmond again finished second, one win behind.
A minor scandal broke on the eve of the finals; that some Collingwood players had coasted in their loss to Carlton (enabling the Blues to make the finals). It seems incomprehensible, particularly that Syd Coventry was supposedly involved in the £50 pound bribe. No VFL enquiry or complaint from the affected club Essendon arose, virtually discounting the rumour’s validity. To counter that, Len Murphy claimed Essendon didn’t forgive Collingwood for years after, and the ‘Pies’ lethargic display prompted about 20 season ticket holders to return their memberships. And the team was booed off the field at Victoria Park by its own supporters – even though the Magpies had secured top spot and didn’t need to win (against a desperate team that did).
Richmond appeared well set to atone for the previous season’s disappointment when it cruised to the Final after thrashing Carlton in the Semi. Furthermore, Collingwood stumbled in its Semi final against Melbourne, yielding a sizeable lead before salvaging a lucky draw. The replay was just as dramatic; the Magpies again counted their blessings, escaping with a four point victory to make the Final. Perhaps justice was served – Collingwood first year player Bruce Andrew had purportedly kicked a discounted behind in the drawn game before the three quarter time bell, much to the The Club’s fury.
Close shaves can unite and motivate a team towards its ultimate goal – if the physical toll hasn’t proven too much. The Magpies were battle hardened but possibly weary, whereas Richmond, because of the drawn Semi, cooled their heals for three weeks plotting their foe’s demise. One thing that was in the black and whites’ favour was its ‘get out of jail’ card, being the right of challenge.
THE GAME
In a team think-tank on the Thursday night prior to the Final, the players agreed that needling their opponents into focusing on the man, not the ball, was necessary to counter Richmond’s superior fitness. Harry Collier and George Clayden paid the price, with the plan initiated from the first bounce. But their sacrifice worked a treat. Early goals to Len Murphy and Gordon Coventry had the rusty Tigers on the back foot. As the bell neared, Albert Collier took a fine grab, but as he landed Baggott rushed forward and accidentally kicked Collier in the head. The first quarter wasn’t pretty and both defences held sway.
Weidner and O’Halloran kick-started the Tigers but the Magpies hit back with ‘Nuts’ Coventry booting three in a row. The game opened up and goals flowed – Titus for Richmond and then Harris and Coventry again, rounded off by Goding for the Tigers. By half time Collingwood enjoyed a 21 point break, benefiting from the play of its small brigade and the spearhead. Syd Coventry was also influential, and aware of the need to keep his teammates fresh, constantly rotated his on-ballers. Disciplined play, always punching from behind, was also a cornerstone.
Richmond weren’t done yet, and brought the margin back to 16 points at the last change. In the Tigers’ best quarter, Murdoch lead the way with some big grabs, inspiring teammates to do likewise. Judkins outwitted three Woodsmen and delivered the ball to Titus who marked and converted with an excellent drop kick. Len Murphy answered following some smart teamwork, and Coventry also booted another. The early pace of the game began to take its toll, meanwhile some blows were struck in one particular struggle. Empey goaled and the Tigers fans gave more ‘thunderous applause’ for O’Halloran’s mark of the day (who proceeded to kick into the man standing the mark). Watson, Murdoch and Fincher were prominent for the Tigers; A Collier, L Murphy, Rumney, Lauder and G Coventry for the Magpies.
At the final break McHale and captain Syd Coventry exhorted players to not let his brother Gordon down, who with six goals was the difference between the teams. It was to be no easy task with Richmond expected to finish strongly.
Makeham managed the first goal of the last quarter, however the Tigers quickly replied. Coventry marked and steadied the game with his seventh. Weidner goaled for the Tigers and again the door creaked ajar. Having been held back by his captain for the second half, Collingwood’s Percy Rowe played an important part, clearing a space for ‘Nuts’. Richmond appeared to be fading. The game was Coventry’s – Libbis and Andrew’s pace helping him to seal the Premiership with his eighth and ninth goals. After the bell, Syd Coventry grabbed Harry Collier and flung him up onto his shoulders, elatedly marching off the ground to provide one of the iconic images of the era.
AFTERMATCH
The Colliers and Coventrys were keys to the hard-earned victory, and the Murphys weren’t far behind in the family affair. Gordon Coventry and Harry Collier in everything up forward, Syd for his great leadership, and Albert ‘Leeter’ Collier holding the backline together. Richmond’s effort was described as one of their poorest for the season, with only O’Halloran up to his usual standard, whilst McCormack, Murdoch, Watson and Fincher left little on the park.
Hundreds of delighted fans invaded the changerooms to celebrate in a ‘boisterous’ manner. Also present were many past and present players. Oddly, some were from other clubs. After many speeches, players dressed and left to cheers, ‘surrounded by a bevy of young ladies who demanded he should sign his name in their autograph book’.
Disgruntled Richmond members tried to rub some of the gloss off the 1928 triumph when they claimed their team had thrown the match. A throwback to the early 1900’s when such impropriety was rife, poor performances were still being met suspicion and claims of bribery and corruption. Richmond secretary Percy Page restored honour to the game’s aftermath however, vehemently refuting the allegations whilst commending Collingwood on “the greatest final ever given by any of its 18’s in its long, honorable career”.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Perhaps the decisive moment of the Premiership occurred back in July, for without the loyalty and leadership of Syd Coventry, Collingwood’s season may have unravelled. The 1928 season presented some almost impassable roadblocks. Besides the bribery issue and perceived disadvantages leading into the Final, players were rightfully stunned to have their wages cut from £3 to 2/10/-. Players simply needed the money to make ends meet. Had Syd Coventry not stepped in to talk his teammates out of striking, the unthinkable was set to occur. Notables such as Harold Rumney admitted they would have played for nothing. Indeed, Harry Collier was surprised that players were even paid anything when he first arrived at The Club. The pay issue was settled before any negative ramifications, the £3 payment restored after just two games and the minor shortfall recouped at the year’s end.
THE HERO
Gordon Coventry (Collingwood)
Coventry followed his 97 goals in 1927 with 89 in 1928. His imperious nine goal final performance was even more meritorious in that he did so on one of the game’s great full-backs of the era, Donald Don (acting captain in Alan Geddes’ absence). Like another famous Don of the time, fate befell an ignominious last appearance on the big stage.
Amidst the post match festivities, Coventry was voted the team’s best player (a one guinea supporter donation) and club secretary G Connor was so grateful he presented ‘Nuts’ with a much treasured 1820 sovereign.
Unlike Gary Ablett Snr, who was to repeat Coventry’s Grand final goalkicking feat 60 years later, ‘Nuts’ had little in his favour as a footballer. Apart from a vice like grip and an uncanny ability to use his then huge frame to advantage, he reportedly lacked confidence. And according to one prominent scribe of the day, Coventry was flat-footed and moved little distance up and down the ground. Coventry did have excellent judgment and timing, knowing just when to use his ample rear to keep his opponent at bay. Nowadays Coventry would struggle – one dimensional stay at home full-forwards a rare beast. But 1299 goals from 306 games in an era when scoring was lower, and grounds prone to mud and slush, was quite a feat.
POSTSCRIPT
Collingwood’s seventh Flag equaled Fitzroy’s record. The Collingwood side had champions on every line, and no discernable weaknesses. Players vowed to keep winning flags after the 1927 triumph, and key players had re-iterated the team’s confidence leading into the Grand final.
Former Captain and champion player George Angus’ son Les was part of the triumph, and though the Grand final was to be the last of Les’ brief career at Collingwood, they became one of few father-son Premiership combinations.
WHAT THEY SAID
“The great secret of our strength is the desire of every player to help his comrade. Shepherding is a strong Collingwood forte. Timely handball extricates us from many difficulties, and passing which is not overdone is generally directed to an advantageous position. Collingwood will be Premiers all right and I expect most trouble from our neighbours Richmond.”
No boring ‘one week at a time’ from captain Syd Coventry, in his frank and accurate assessment of his team in 1928.“They (Richmond) were easily annoyed and thrown out of their natural stride…even by jokes at their expense.”
Captain Syd Coventry’s explanation as to why the team were instructed pre-game to taunt their opponents but not to fight back.
COLLINGWOOD
B Rumney Dibbs Lauder
HB Makeham Clayden A Collier
C McLeod Beveridge Andrew
HF Chesswass F Murphy Harris
F Rowe G Coventry H Collier
FOLL S Coventry, L Murphy, Libbis
COACH McHale
RICHMOND
B Harris Don Bissett
HB Murdoch Foster B McCormack
C Judkins Gallagher Wayson
HF Weidner Rudolph Baggott
F Empey Titus Goding
FOLL O’Halloran, Lilburn, Fincher
COACH F V Hughes
BEST
COLLINGWOOD – A Collier, G Coventry, F Murphy, S Coventry, H Collier, Rumney, Libbis
RICHMOND – O’Halloran, Murdoch, Watson, B McCormack, Harris, Lilburn, Fincher
GOALS
COLLINGWOOD – G Coventry 9, L Murphy 2, Harris, Makeham
RICHMOND – Weidner, Titus, O’Halloran, Empey 2, Goding
Collingwood's 50 Most Sensational Games 