1897 Geelong Football Club season

January 2020 January 2020 Geelong Football Club 1897 J. H. Grey Jack Conway(1st season) Corio Oval VFL Season 11 wins, 3 losses (1st) Finals series 2 wins, 1 loss (runners-up) Best and Fairest Joe McShane Eddy James (27) 1896 1898 The 1897 VFL season was the Geelong Football Club's first season in the Victorian Football League in Australia and its first with Jack Conway as captain. Geelong finished the home and away season with 11 wins and 3 losses, finishing in first position and winning the minor premiership. In the final series, Geelong finished with 2 wins and 1 loss, finishing in second position. The club best and fairest award was won by Joe McShane and the leading goalkicker was Eddy James with 27 goals. Eddy James also won the season's leading goalkicker medal, equaling the tally of Jack Leith of Melbourne. Playing list This was the first ever Geelong Football Club squad in the Victorian Football League, as such, these players all made their debuts in the league. Six players played a total of seventeen games, and Eddy James kicked the most goals with 27. A total of 34 players played for Geelong at least once this season. Statistics Denotes statistical category leader for season + Geelong's 1897 playing list and statistics1897 Stats - Player Lists - Geelong http://afltables.com/afl/stats/1897.html#9 AFL Tables 27 January 2020 Player Games Goals MilestonesMac Armstrong 4 0 VFL debut (round 6)Bert Barling 9 3 VFL debut (round 5)Sam Brockwell 14 0 VFL debut (round 3)Peter Burns Peter Burns (footballer, born 1866) 17 2 VFL debut (round 1)Charlie Coles Charles Coles (footballer) 13 17 VFL debut (round 3)Jack Conway Jack Conway (footballer) 17 0 VFL debut (round 1)Stan Enfield 3 3 VFL debut (round 2)Jim Flynn Jim Flynn (footballer) 15 7 VFL debut (round 3)Ted Greeves 2 0 VFL debut (round robin final 2)Teddy Holligan 16 3 VFL debut (round 1)Eddy James 15 27 VFL debut (round 1)Paddy Leahy Paddy Leahy (footballer) 2 0 VFL debut (round 1)John Lucas John Lucas (Australian footballer) 1 0 VFL debut (round 1)Tom Maguire Tom Maguire (footballer) 12 0 VFL debut (round 1)Firth McCallum 15 0 VFL debut (round 1)Bill McKay Bill McKay (Australian footballer) 2 0 VFL debut (round 1)Henry McShane 16 0 VFL debut (round 1)Jim McShane 16 2 VFL debut (round 1)Joe McShane 17 11 VFL debut (round 1)Ned Moran 2 0 VFL debut (round 13)Tom Mullins 1 0 VFL debut (round 1)Jimmy Palmer Jimmy Palmer (footballer) 1 0 VFL debut (round 8)Jack Parkin 17 1 VFL debut (round 1)Bob Paterson 2 0 VFL debut (round 1)Arthur Pincott 1 0 VFL debut (round 6)Billy Pincott 16 0 VFL debut (round 1)Alf Pontin 13 1 VFL debut (round 1)Jack Quinn Jack Quinn (footballer, born 1874) 16 14 VFL debut (round 1)Ted Rankin 17 1 VFL debut (round 1)Cecil Sandford Cecil Sandford (footballer) 6 0 VFL debut (round 7)Jack Sharkey Jack Sharkey (footballer) 1 0 VFL debut (round 2)Archie Thompson Archie Thompson (Australian rules footballer) 17 1 VFL debut (round 1)Fred White Fred White (Australian footballer) 11 14 VFL debut (round 6)Henry Young Henry Young (footballer) 13 4 VFL debut (round 3) Season summary May Geelong began their campaign against at the Corio Oval. The Geelong team, composed largely of new players, were unable to score in the first half. Behind by three goals, Geelong were unable to make a comeback despite an improvement. Geelong lost by 23 points.Geelong's Inexperience https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9190321 11 May 2020 The Argus 10 May 1897The League Clubs https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190647183 11 May 2020 The Age 10 May 1897Essendon v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149741100 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 10 May 1897 In Round 2, Geelong travelled to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to play . Geelong had no chance all day as Melbourne defeated Geelong by 45 points. Geelong were much better in the last quarter, though it did not change the outcome of the game.Melbourne Triumphant https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9156584 11 May 2020 The Argus 17 May 1897The League Clubs https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190649636 11 May 2020 The Age 17 May 1897Geelong v. Melbourne https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149741391 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 17 May 1897 In Round 3, Geelong again travelled to Melbourne, this time to Victoria Park to play . It was a shock to many to see Geelong be competitive as the unbeaten Collingwood were given "such a scare as they have not had for a long time past." A gallant Geelong were losers by four points. After three rounds, zero wins, three loses.A Gallant Fight by Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9166941 11 May 2020 The Argus 24 May 1897League Matches https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190655779 11 May 2020 The Age 24 May 1897Geelong v. Collingwood https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149741747 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 24 May 1897 In Round 4, Geelong recorded its first win against at the Corio Oval. It was a very fast match, with great kicking and marking skills. A great second quarter was enough for Geelong to win by 22 points.Geelong Start Winning https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9189538 11 May 2020 The Argus 31 May 1897The League Matches https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190648716 11 May 2020 The Age 31 May 1897Carlton v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149742101 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 31 May 1897 June When an in-form visited Geelong in Round 5, the wisest did not expect such a demolition. Geelong put the first 23 points on the board and led at half time by 34 points. South Melbourne were in a hopeless position, and though they improved, Geelong were winners by 48 points.Pride Goeth Before a Fall https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9165045 11 May 2020 The Argus 7 June 1897The League Clubs https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190655644 11 May 2020 The Age 7 June 1897Geelong Beats South Melbourne https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149742492 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 7 June 1897 were next to visit Geelong, though with some difficulty as the train to Geelong was delayed for 45 minutes. And so by the fourth quarter, the match was being played in complete darkness. Alas, though with poor goal kicking, Geelong were again victors by seventeen points.After Dark https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9179376 11 May 2020 The Argus 21 June 1897The League Matches https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190660303 11 May 2020 The Age 21 June 1897Fitzroy v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149743208 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 21 June 1897 Geelong travelled to Melbourne to play at the Junction Oval. It could be said that Geelong were heavily favored coming into the match against the winless Saints. It was a complete domination by the better twenty, Geelong by 83 points.Geelong at Their Best https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9179470 11 May 2020 The Argus 23 June 1897The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190654980 11 May 2020 The Age 23 June 1897Geelong v. St. Kilda https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149743330 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 23 June 1897 Geelong scored the highest score in the season with 114 and which remained the league record until 13 May 1899 when Essendon scored a total of 116 against Melbourne. AFL Tables - 1897 Season Records https://www.afltables.com/afl/seas/1897sr.html AFL Tables 11 May 2020 Thus concluded the first round-robin, Geelong had four wins and three losses and were sitting in fourth position. When Geelong met Essendon at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground in Round 8, there was much anticipation about the quality of the match, with two top teams to do battle. It was a terrific hard-fought match for the first three quarters, with Geelong leading by two points at the final change. In the last quarter, all the play was at the Essendon goal, Geelong winners by 25 points.The Geelong Excelsiors https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9155966 11 May 2020 The Argus 28 June 1897The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190648478 11 May 2020 The Age 28 June 1897Geelong v. Essendon https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149743764 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 28 June 1897 July After a crushing defeat to Melbourne earlier in the season, Geelong made amends in a low-scoring affair at the Corio Oval. Only one goal was kicked in the entire match by Geelong's Eddy James. Geelong winners by five points.Bad Luck for Melbourne https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9167146 11 May 2020 The Argus 5 July 1897The League Matches https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190645603 11 May 2020 The Age 5 July 1897Melbourne v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150381705 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 5 July 1897 In Round 10, Geelong hosted Collingwood at the Corio Oval. Geelong's performance was declared by many old footballers as the "finest exhibition... from Geelong they had seen in years past." Despite Tom Maguire's injury, and thus playing with 19 men, Geelong held Collingwood to one goal all day to win by 42 points.All-conquering Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9174406 11 May 2020 The Argus 12 July 1897The League Matches https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190659100 11 May 2020 The Age 12 July 1897Collingwood v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150379426 11 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 12 July 1897 When Geelong travelled to Princes Park to play Carlton, few gave Carlton any chance of winning. Though it was a crowded and disorganised game, Geelong won by 50 points.The League Matches https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190653712 12 May 2020 The Age 19 July 1897Geelong at Prince's-Park https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9186163 12 May 2020 The Argus 19 July 1897Geelong v. Carlton https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150381907 12 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 19 July 1897 In Round 11, Geelong travelled to Melbourne to play South Melbourne at the Lake Oval. In front of a large crowd, the game was close for the first three quarters. However, it was Geelong who lasted longer and were winners by twelve points.A Revival Game https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9152790 12 May 2020 The Argus 26 July 1897Geelong v. South Melbourne https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190657162 12 May 2020 The Age 26 July 1897Geelong v. South Melbourne https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150377047 12 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 26 July 1897 For the third week in a row, Geelong travelled to Melbourne, this time to the Brunswick Street Oval to play Fitzroy. Fitzroy had only won 4 games from 12, and when Fitzroy were only one point behind at three-quarter time, the in-form visitors experienced an "uncomfortable shake-up". Geelong scored twelve points to one in the final quarter to win a close match by twelve points. With two matches left and being ten premiership points ahead of fifth place South Melbourne, Geelong qualified for the round-robin finals.Geelong Under the Whip https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9175546 15 May 2020 The Argus 2 August 1897Fight for the Semi-finals https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190648958 15 May 2020 The Age 2 August 1897Geelong v. Fitzroy https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150380059 15 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 2 August 1897 August In the last match of the home-and-away season, Geelong hosted St Kilda at the Corio Oval. The winless St Kilda had one last chance to "break their duck", and they had no chance of qualifying for the finals. As Geelong had qualified for the finals in the week prior, the match was a dead rubber. St Kilda never had a chance, scoring only a goal "bare" in each of the first three quarters. Geelong winners by 78 points. Thus, concluded the home-and-away season, with Geelong finishing on top of the ladder by percentage with 11 wins and 3 losses.Geelong Indignant https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9148672 15 May 2020 The Argus 9 August 1897The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190654332 15 May 2020 The Age 9 August 1897St. Kilda v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150379367 15 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 9 August 1897 There was a great deal of controversy surrounding which ground the finals should be played on. Originally, it was decided that the ground would be determined by lots. However, league representatives from the metropolitan clubs had a meeting and decided none of the finals matches shall be played in Geelong. Geelong was therefore scheduled to play Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 14 August.The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190654332 15 May 2020 The Age 9 August 1897 The first round of the round-robin finals were postponed after torrential rain.The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9167558 16 May 2020 The Age 16 August 1897 It was then decided to redraw the first round of finals matches with the match containing Geelong to be played at the Corio Oval. The result of the draw was as follows: Melbourne vs. Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground; Geelong vs. Essendon at the Corio Oval.The Premiership Question https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9172870 16 May 2020 The Argus 18 August 1897 Geelong's finals campaign began as its home-and-away season began, meeting Essendon at the Corio Oval. A strong southerly wind meant that most of the scoring would be done at the north end of the ground. Geelong started strong, but was wasteful, as inaccurate kicking saw the first term end with Geelong leading 11–2. With the wind against Geelong in the second quarter, a great defensive display allowed the hosts to maintain a lead at half-time 12–10. As happened in the first quarter, Geelong was wasteful in front of goal in the third quarter, being twelve points ahead at the final change. With twelve minutes to play, Geelong was still twelve points ahead, but it was Essendon kicking four goals in the last quarter who were victors by six points, ending Geelong's eleven game run.Essendon win at Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9170424 17 May 2020 The Argus 23 August 1897Saturday's Football https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190645895 17 May 2020 The Age 23 August 1897Essendon v. Geelong https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150379502 17 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 23 August 1897 With a loss in the first match, Geelong needed two wins to have any chance of winning the premiership. Geelong met the loser of the other first-round final, Melbourne on Fitzroy's ground, the Brunswick Street Oval. Melbourne had a westerly wind towards their goals in the first quarter, and made full advantage of it, leading 20–3 at the first break. Geelong chipped away at Melbourne's lead in the second term but was still behind by eight points at the main break. Geelong was again better in the third quarter though did not have much to show for it, being behind by three points at the final break. A few behinds later at the scores were level midway through the last quarter. Moments later, Eddy James scored the final goal of the match with Geelong holding on to win by nine points.Geelong in Form Again https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9175266 17 May 2020 The Argus 30 August 1897The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190656330 17 May 2020 The Age 30 August 1897Geelong v. Melbourne https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150379321 17 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 30 August 1897 September Per the finals system, for Geelong to be premiers, they are required to beat Collingwood, for Essendon to lose to Melbourne, and to beat Essendon in a play-off the following week. Geelong met Collingwood at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground in the final match of the round-robin series. Geelong started very well, with a strong northerly wind blowing, Geelong took full advantage of it scoring five goals, two behinds to nil. Though Collingwood had the wind in the second quarter, they failed to take advantage, and the half time score was 44–18. The two clubs, who prior, were on friendly terms, showed an unsportsmanlike display for most of the third quarter. The main culprits, one from each team, were Harry Dowdall of Collingwood, and Jim McShane of Geelong. Alas, the quarter was fairly even, eight points to seven. With Geelong ahead by 27 points at the final change, many thought there was no chance for Collingwood to come back. However, with the wind in the fourth quarter, Collingwood held Geelong scoreless but was unable to score enough points to claim victory. Geelong winners by four points. Though Geelong won the match, they did not win the premiership, because at the same time Essendon had beaten Melbourne to claim the premiership as they were undefeated in the finals series.Football and Fighting https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9770125 18 May 2020 The Argus 6 September 1897The Football Season https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188150678 18 May 2020 The Age 6 September 1897The League Premiership for 1897 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188150678 18 May 2020 The Geelong Advertiser 6 September 1897 Results +KeyH Home gameA Away gameRRF Round robin final + Table of season results1897 Season Scores and Results http://afltables.com/afl/seas/1897.html AFL Tables 27 January 2020RoundDateResultScoreOpponentScoreGroundAttendanceLadder Ladder positionReportG GoalsB BehindsT Total scoreG GoalsB BehindsT Total score1 8 May 3 6 24 7 5 47 Corio Oval H - 6th Report2 15 May 3 1 19 9 10 64 Melbourne Cricket Ground A - 8th Report3 22 May 5 7 37 6 5 41 Victoria Park A - 7th Report4 29 May 5 14 44 3 4 22 Corio Oval H - 6th Report5 5 June 10 12 72 3 6 24 Corio Oval H - 6th Report6 19 June 3 13 31 2 3 15 Corio Oval H - 4th Report7 22 June 16 18 114 4 7 31 Junction Oval A - 4th Report8 26 June 8 9 57 5 2 32 East Melbourne Cricket Ground A - 4th Report9 3 July 1 9 15 0 10 10 Corio Oval H - 2nd Report10 10 July 7 10 52 1 4 10 Corio Oval H - 2nd Report11 17 July 9 12 66 2 4 16 Princes Park A - 2nd Report12 24 July 6 8 44 5 2 32 Lake Oval A - 2nd Report13 31 July 5 3 33 2 9 21 Brunswick Street Oval A - 2nd Report14 7 August 14 12 96 3 0 18 Corio Oval H - 1st ReportRRF1 21 August 3 11 29 5 5 35 Corio Oval H 5,000 4th ReportRRF2 28 August 5 16 46 5 7 37 Brunswick Street Oval H 4,000 2nd ReportRRF3 4 September 8 4 52 6 12 48 East Melbourne Cricket Ground H 3,000 2nd Report Ladder ladder Finals ladder Finals ladder Notable events The first round finals match between Geelong and Essendon at the Corio Oval was the only finals match to be played in Geelong until 2013.Ross John 100 Years of Australian Football 1996 Penguin Books Ringwood, Victoria 978-0670868148 39 References Category:Geelong Football Club seasons Geelong