Chelsea Wins B Section Pennant
Last Saturday Highett and Chelsea met at Mentone in the grand final of the B Section of the Federal League. The game was well patronised and was most thrilling to watch.
Chelsea, winning the toss, started off kicking with the wind, but Highett, moving into their stride quicker were the first to score, raising two flags, On the bounce, Chelsea got the knock-out and sending the ball forward, Coad took possession and, making no error, placed the ball through for six points. From now on the ball travelled rapidly from end to end, Chelsea having slightly the better of play and finishing the quarter in front.
On the resumption of play, Highett, having their turn of the wind, started to reduce Chelsea's lead and quickly sent the ball forward for full points. Coad from Chelsea had now been sent from full-forward to the full-back position and soon made his presence felt among the opposing forwards and many hurried shots were forced out of bounds. Chelsea sent the ball forward during the quarter for 2.4 whilst Highett, finding the opposing backs too strong could only manage 4.3 with the wind.
After the long interval the teams came out full of vim, but Chelsea, kicking with the wind, started out to establish a lead and, with the forwards making position well, the goals soon started to mount up. The Chelsea backs now had the upper hand on their opponents and Highett could not force the ball through to the goal and could only score two points for the quarter.
On the bounce of the ball for the last quarter Highett with a do-or-die manner started to go through Chelsea and a very different complexion started to come over the game. With every man on his toes and making full use of the ball they quickly started to catch up to Chelsea's score. Chelsea, at this stage, could not find the goals; out of six shots only one found the big sticks. The crowd was now entertained by some wonderful play by Chelsea backs who, time after time, repulsed the Highett attack, the work of Sullivan being well worth watching. On the ringing of the final bell Chelsea were victors by 14 points.
BEST PLAYERS
G. Johnstone, Sullivan, Townsend, Turner, Phillips, Coad.
GOAL KICKERS
Coad 5, Turner 3, Townsend 2, Hamilton, I. Johnstone, Carlson
We would like to take this opportunity of conveying to our supporters our sincere thanks for the wonderful manner in which they have assisted the club this season, as their support has been very heartening to the committee and players. Also to Mrs Murray for a donation 5/-, our best thanks.
TRIBUNAL
(Reported - 18/10/1937)
Arising out of the B Section semi-final, Coad (Chelsea) was charged with striking Comber (Highett) in the second quarter of that game. The Independent Tribunal met on Thursday evening to deal with the case.
Neither Coad nor the representatives of the Chelsea club put in an appearance and, after waiting until 8.45 p.m. the Tribunal decided to proceed as all other interested parties were in attendance. On the evidence, Coad was found guilty and suspended for one season. The Chelsea Club for their apparent flouting of the Tribunal were fined the sum of two guineas. Before the verdict was given, a messenger was sent to make sure that no telephone message had been received from Chelsea by any member of the executive of the League.
Following so closely on the now well-known "Smith" case, it is hard to understand Chelsea's attitude.
Collingwood champion
Gordon Hocking who played 171 games with the Magpies between 1938 and 1952 was a member of Chelsea's 1937 Premiership Team.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
WITH CONSECUTIVE FLAGS AT THE LOWER LEVEL, CHELSEA WAS PROMOTED TO THE A SECTION IN 1938. THE STEP UP JUST PROVED TOO MUCH AS THEY STRUGGLED TO WIN A GAME AND FINISHED LAST WITH ONLY TWO WINS FOR THE SEASON. THE NIGHTMARE CONTINUED IN 1939 WITH THE SEAGULLS ONLY MANAGING TO EKE OUT ONE VICTORY FOR THE SEASON, THAT BEING IN THE VERY LAST GAME AGAINST MENTONE WHO HAD FINISHED SECOND LAST WITH SEVEN WINS. THESE WERE DARK DAYS FOR THE SEAGULLS.
News Item "The Standard"
8th October 1937 Page 5
CHELSEA FOOTBALL 'CLUB.
The committee, with the assistance of some very generous supporters, has decided to present trophies to the members of the premier team, and to the various officials who worked so
hard to bring the club to the fore.
The Shanahan trophy (for the best and, fairest player), I. Johnstone; Munro trophy (most improved player), G. Johnstone; Shanahan trophy (most consistent player),
R. Phillips Bishop trophy (most serviceable player), M. Turner; Shanahan trophy (best club man), G. Hocking; Bridge Hotel trophy (best first year player), J. Murray; the Beattie trophy for leading goal kicker, L. Townsend.
The following trophies were presented for services rendered: -Shanahan trophy, C. Jones; president's trophy, F. Coad; Corney trophy, R. Carlson.
'Other players to be allotted trophies were: R. Musgrove, M. Familton, J. Sullivan,
E. Kempson, E. Saw, A. Evans, J. Johnston, A. Smith, P. Moloney.
The two trainers, K. Musgrove and Attwell, and the treasurer, Mr. G. Charlton, and boundary umpire, L. Jones, were also allotted trophies.
The secretary, Mr. G. Smith, was presented with a cheque as a token of appreciation for the hard work that he has done for the club during the season.