1935 Grand final
Collingwood 1.3.9 6.6.42 8.10.58 11.12.78
South Melbourne 3.6.24 4.8.32 6.10.46 7.16.58
VENUE: MCG
DATE: Saturday 5 October
CROWD: 54,154
UMPIRE: Scott
PRE-GAME
Syd Coventry left Collingwood at the end of 1934 and many predicted a descent to the lower reaches. Yet Collingwood promoted several reserves players in 1935 that proved instrumental to the Magpies’ return as a serious threat. Keith Stackpole, Marcus Boyall, Bervyn Woods and Ron Todd added depth and quality to the list, and consequently all enjoyed distinguished careers. This, in addition to the previous years’ new crop – comprising notables such as Phonse Kyne, Jack Knight, Vin Doherty and Lou Riley – amounted to a bumper harvest. Also, reserves coach Hugh Thomas, who instilled a vigorous spirit and rivalry amongst his players, could claim some credit for The Club’s re-emergence.
With a more than capable on-field leadership replacement in Harry Collier, Collingwood appeared set on a collision course with the great ‘Foreign Legion’ of South Melbourne – a match-up predicted by the front cover of The Argus’ football guide for the season. Whilst the Magpies were famous for their absolute commitment to local talent, South realized it could not replicate the Collingwood model with its scant local zone. Ahead of their time, they successfully recruited far and wide across the nation with the 1933 Premiership as their reward, followed by another Grand final appearance. In Bob Pratt they had a goalkicker to rival Gordon Coventry, Laurie Nash (from Tasmania) was as freakish forward or back, and Brighton Diggins, Bill Faul, James O’Meara (all WA) and local stars Austin Robertson, Herb Matthews and Ron Hillis were champions all. Several other decent players from SA and WA also come and went in this period. By the time their collection of perfectly balanced talent had been assembled, interstate recruiting was stifled by the associated costs and a Western Australian Football League railing against the pillaging that spread to other Melbourne clubs.
During the season, both clubs filled a break in the fixture by playing not one, but three exhibition games – in a week! Collingwood won the first two in Brisbane and Newcastle, South saving face in Sydney. The body count was high for South, with a number suffering injury due to a combination of hard grounds and failure to take a boot-studder on tour with them. Interestingly, some 75 years ago Collingwood was serving to promote football for the League, just as the Swans tested the waters north of the border well before their permanent relocation.
So far as the games for Premiership points were concerned, the honours were shared. Collingwood won the Round 1 encounter by just two points in a sensational see-sawing game, South took the honours in the second encounter; an eight goal hiding at the Lakeside Oval. Pratt illustrated his greatness in bagging 10 goals, demanding the redeployment of ‘Prince of Full Backs’ Jack Regan. Again the two teams met in the Second Semi final and again the Bloods prevailed. Pratt was the decisive factor with six, ably assisted by Nash. A 3-3 scoreline for the season, though South had the Magpies measure when it counted.
Collingwood were Preliminary final underdogs, despite having the Tigers’ measure in their home and away encounter. The Magpies gradually overcame Richmond and ultimately enjoyed a comfortable 28 point victory to advance to the Grand final.
Harry Collier and McHale worked on the team’s confidence, convincing comrades that Pratt, Nash and Hillis could not play any better, and if they reigned in their influence, the deficit would be bridged. This was a tantalizing match-up – the key being the respective key forwards Coventry and Kyne versus Pratt and Nash. Charlie Dibbs was recalled as a fall-back for the Pratt/Nash duo in what was to be the last hurrah of a great career.
As much as no-one would revel in another’s tragedy or pain, the sensational events on the Thursday preceding the big game lifted the Magpies’ stocks no end. Pratt was out of the game, hit by a truck! Although okay, Pratt was in no shape to play. Whilst South replaced him with quality in Herb Mathews, the pressure on Nash intensified. A South line-up sans Pratt removed deep-seated doubts of the Collingwood players, including captain Collier and coach McHale. This was to be a classic battle of the champion team versus the team of champions, and McHale was now confident that his champion team would take their opportunity.
THE GAME
If the Magpies thought the game was going to be any easier, they were mistaken. After winning the toss, the Bloods quickly posted goals through stand-in full forward Moore and Nash. Pannam squeezed a terrific opener for the ‘Pies from the boundary but Nash goaled again as South repeatedly attacked throughout the first quarter. Only the pressure and persistence of Collingwood’s backmen prevented a much greater deficit than 15 points, South forwards’ hurried in their efforts to goal. Whilst Kyne and Albert Collier performed well, the forward line was impotent. And only towards the end of the quarter did Fraser in the ruck, and Whelan in the centre, come to prominence.
The Woods lifted in the second term, and initiated their game plan to good effect. Keeping play confined more to the corridor, they sought to deny South using their pace and skills out wider on the flanks. ‘Nuts’ Coventry snapped a sensational goal over his head but South replied when Davies took a fantastic mark. With plenty of collisions and highlights, the crowd was abuzz. Importantly, Regan assumed control of his duel with Nash, with Rumney also lending support. In a smart tactical ploy, Collingwood attacked through the middle and drew the South wings and flankers into the corridor. The Bloods responded by fiercely attacking their opponents, however the Magpies were tough enough to absorb the knocks and good enough to break the ball free of the congestion. Kyne, instrumental to Collingwood’s ten point lead at the half, snapped a clever goal and a couple more followed. In what was already a torrid clash, Collingwood worked their way into form.
Bissett and Diggins missed easy goals early in the third term whilst Coventry kicked truly, proving a handful for Hillis. As the game became more vicious, the Bloods looked to exert more pressure on the Magpies when Kelleher kicked truly. The Bloods opened up the play again, and were rewarded by Moore’s goal. Resilience was a feature of the team of ’35 – having been delivered a lesson by South in the Semi, they persevered against Richmond, and also held strong when the Bloods jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter of the Grand final. Again Collingwood responded to the challenge, particularly Regan, Froude and Rumney in defence. At the final change the ‘Pies held sway by two goals. With South Melbourne’s captain coach Bissett suffering a severe head injury and out of the game, there could be no excuses.
Brighton Diggins assumed the leadership for the incapacitated Bissett and swung O’Meara onto the damaging Whelan in the centre. Dibbs was also stretchered off with concussion in a game that maintained the same level of excitement and intensity throughout. The best efforts of Hillis and Austin in defence could not stem the tide. Through coolness, experience and teamwork, the Magpies powered away to a 20-point victory. The 1935 Premiership was a win for discipline and team ethic over individual brilliance.
AFTERMATCH
South’s post mortems ruminated about the ill-fated mid-season trip and the injuries incurred. Additionally, not only was Pratt missing for the Grand final, captain-coach Bissett’s fractured skull had him admitted to hospital with severe concussion. The Swans could rue 1935 as the flag that got away, and certainly it required a well-balanced, talented and committed Collingwood team to prevail. Just seven of the 1930 Premiership team remained, but in the Colliers, Gordon Coventry, Dibbs, Rumney, Froude and Bowyer they had the experience and leadership to guide up and coming stars such as Whelan, Todd and Kyne.
Coincidentally, the two sides played off for the VFA Flag in 1896 on the same date, with the same result. Councilor J Ryan rewarded each player with five pounds after the game and no doubt Mr. Wren made his own contribution.
Perhaps one of the most comical post-Grand final celebrations followed the 1935 win. An old piano was hauled onto Victoria Park that night where players enjoyed ‘honky-tonk style frivolity’ until the early hours of the morning. This was just the warm-up though. Harry Collier and Harold Rumney were driving home up Studley Park Road with their partners the following night after further celebrations, singing away. Distracted, Harry ploughed through former Archbishop Daniel Mannix’ fence, depositing their car’s bumper. Fortunately for Collier and Rumney, the famous Archbishop was a Collingwood sympathizer through his association with John Wren – and naturally the forgiving type!
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Understandably, the Swans blamed a fully laden brick truck for their downfall. . Contrary to urban legend, the driver was not a Collingwood fan, but actually a South Melbourne supporter! The driver, C.L. Peters, evidently failed to see the tram stop ahead, causing him to brake sharply and swerve into Pratt as he alighted in High Street, Prahran. Pratt lay on the ground semi-conscious on the footpath suffering lacerations to his legs and an ankle and thumb injury. The Bloods’ tally of seven goals was their lowest for the season, with Nash and stand-in full forward Roy Moore registering just three majors between them.
So far as the actual game, the third quarter was pivotal. Apart from the missed opportunities, Bissett’s head injury was telling. Having finally been removed later in the third quarter after courageously staying on the field and with the game slipping away, his reduced decision-making capacity saw Nash being left at centre half forward too long. Regan, who’d suffered a rare touch-up courtesy of Pratt in the Second Semi, made amends on Nash, bustling and harassing him out of the game whilst winning the ball himself.
Amidst a late South charge in the final quarter, the result was finally put to bed when Harry Collier kicked a crucial goal from a free.
THE HERO
Harry Collier (Collingwood)
When Syd Coventry ended his career in 1934 to take up a short-lived coaching stint at Footscray, Harry Collier was a ready-made replacement as captain. Mentally and physically tough, and now in his tenth season, Harry also excelled in assimilating the young players and lifting team morale. On Grand final day he led by example, earning best on ground honours in a ‘sterling’ display. He wasn’t alone – Kyne was also instrumental, as was Harry’s brother Albert – in fact virtually every player performed their role and contributed to the result.
POSTSCRIPT
This was said to be a golden era of the VFL, where teams played with attacking abandon, cricket scores were common, and the high-flying aerialists supreme. As the community slowly dragged itself out of the Great Depression, crowds flocked to the football and the Magpies and the Bloods were the headline act. But the fall-out from the Grand final loss nearly ended the Bloods era that summer. The growing feeling was that Bissett was past his usefulness, aside from his shocking injury, and it was expected Diggins would take the helm. Indeed South’s committee signalled that it was looking at other options. The declining membership’s disenchantment with a perceived arrogant committee deepened with Bissett’s shock re-appointment. Key players Austin, Robertson, Clarke and even Bissett announced at various stages their intention to retire. Meanwhile, football and cricket star Nash was a regular absentee from pre-season, citing exhaustion.
But South weren’t quite done yet; there were scores to settle and points to be proven. The Swans were buoyed by an easier 1936 fixture and a list still capable of beating most clubs.
WHAT THEY SAID
“I can mend my own fences”
Archbishop Mannix’ response to Collier and Rumney’s apology and offer of restitution having destroyed his fence in their celebratory recklessness. That they had to suffer the embarrassment of collecting their bumper from the police station was punishment served.“If Pratt wasn’t in the side, we’d knock them off for sure.”
Little did captain Harry Collier know, as he headed to training, of the event just hours earlier.“The greatest The Club has won yet.”
High praise of the Premiership effort by President Harry Curtis.“Their defence was magnificent, their forwards inspirational, their team work and knowledge of a better brand than their opponents, while their marking was sublime.”
The Australasian’s summary of how the flag was won.“No one could be keener on the job than Scott, who has always made a deep study of umpiring, and has kept himself in wonderful condition.”
‘Spectator’ from The Argus farewells Bob Scott who retired after the game – a remarkable 21 years umpiring at the highest level, culminating in seven successive Grand finals.
COLLINGWOOD
B Rumney Dibbs Ross
HB Woods Regan Froude
C Morgan Whelan Carmody
HF Riley Kyne Doherty
F Pannam G Coventry Fraser
FOLL A Collier, Bowyer, H Collier
19th Stackpole
COACH McHale
SOUTH MELBOURNE
B Austin Hillis Humphries
HB McKenzie Richards Faul
C Clarke Mathews Reid
HF O’Meara Nash Robertson
F Kelleher Moore Davies
FOLL Bissett, Diggins, Brain
19th McEachem
COACH J Bissett
BEST
COLLINGWOOD – H Collier, A Collier, Kyne, Regan, Rumney, Froude, Whelan, Carmody
SOUTH MELBOURNE – Clarke, Austin, Hillis, McKenzie, Diggins, Kelleher, Bissett, Robertson
GOALS
COLLINGWOOD – G Coventry 4, Kyne, Pannam 2, H Collier, A Collier, Stackpole
SOUTH MELBOURNE – Davies, Moore 2, Nash, Kelleher, McEachem
Collingwood's 50 Most Sensational Games 