1955 - CHELSEA WINS PREMIERSHIP
CHELSEA WINS PREMIERSHIP
Speed and determination were the two prime factors that won the young Chelsea team the 1955 premiership over Dandenong. It was a case of the high and mighty going down to the small and speedy. Chelsea’s was a popular win. It is their first senior flag after their long record in the Federal, but on Saturday’s showing it won’t be their last.
This season will be a memorable year for Chelsea. They were top of the ladder for most part and the first team to down Dandenong and were only beaten twice...and all that with a team of local boys. Apart from three importations, the Chelsea team that defeated the best that the Federal could offer all live in the Chelsea area.
SPEED WAS THE GIANT KILLER
Although Campbell got first touch of the ball from the initial bounce it was Chelsea’s speedsters that sharked his hit-out and got it to Botten for the first deliberate kick of the game.
Chelsea’s drive came from centreman Alan Jones who was giving Arch Baxter a few lessons in speed and tactics. Jones’ drives were all the more successful when he directed out along Backman’s wing.
Fountain must have a perfect impression of the back of Backman’s head. He was behind him all day. The few times Fountain did gain possession the Chelsea wingman caught him with the ball. Backman was never beaten.
It was a battle of the backlines. French, Baptist and Harrison were clearing from one end and Gough and the Baker brothers from the other.
Norm Baker, jockeying for position amongst the pack looked like he was going to do the rhumba. It proved to be perfect judgement and Baker took the mark alone, standing on the ground.
Jones initiated attack after attack, but all were foundering on Baptist and an occasional punch-out from French.
Dandenong supporters and many other unaffiliated parties were wondering when Dandenong forwards were going to get a kick, so well were they blanketed by the Chelsea defenders.
Hand passes by Owens, Gray and Phillips sent it down again and once more French marked and cleared.
Chelsea’s system was an education to witness and a lesson to Dandenong who seemed to have too many individual stars who tried to play the lone hand against the whole Chelsea side,.
Jones was still yards in front of Baxter and he shot to Phillips who thundered down the flank for a shot that missed. After a scrimmage from the throw-in Tom Gray goaled with a long punt.
Chelsea opened up the second half when Owens stab-passed to Price, who took it on his knees for a major. Owens dashed through again shortly after but mis-used a well earned kick.
Sensing that Chelsea might be starting to tire, Dandenong began to make a game of it and a very fiery one at that as the tempo increased in the third term and the margin was reduced to 6 points.
Whatever Russell Grambeau said during the ear-bashing interval had an effect on the seasiders. The Chelsea speedsters were once more in action.
Coughlan was the star of the last term. He opened up with two dashes both realising points. Next time he gave it to Price who put it through the big sticks.
Chelsea were making the play and still at terrific pace. It was Dandenong who were fizzing out. Arch Baxter, Morris and Fountain were still struggling for a kick.
Alan Thomas was getting more than his share, however, and from a neat pass from Gay notched his fourth goal for Dandenong. From the bounce the ball went direct to Price who got his fifth for Chelsea in return.
The final stages saw every Chelsea player beating his man and Alan Jones fittingly capped off his superb performance with a run towards goal that raised two flags for Chelsea’s tenth major.
This was the sealer with Chelsea victorious by 23 points.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
CHELSEA : 2.5 5.9 7.11 10.17 77 PTS
DANDENONG : 0.0 4.3 6.11 7.12 54 PTS
BEST PLAYERS
CHELSEA : A. Jones, R. Backman, P. Dullard, D. Gough,
R. Grambeau, W. Baker.
DANDENONG : J. French, S. Perkins, J. Campbell, A. Thomas.
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