Australians struggle with the Depression, unemployment and the death of Phar Lap but there is always footy to look forward to. South Melbourne bring in a new jumper, new management and new players but will it be enough? The Tigers have been runners up four times in five years, their coach Checker Hughes has led teams into eight Grand Finals and been runners up eight times, will it change in 1932?
How do you run a league and a season of football when more than half the clubs refuse to play? 1916 was the year when a majority of VFL clubs said football was a distraction from the war effort and others argued that it provided a welcome relief and entertainment for the working man. And it would be an opportunity to raise money for the Patriotic Funds. It was a season like no other. Four clubs playing each other four times in a shortened season before the finals. Where every team made the Final Four!
In London there was the first exhibition game of Australian Rules, played by Australian Servicemen from the VFL, VFA, SA and WA football leagues and more. Attended by thousands of spectators including the future King of England. A moment of respite in a year that would claim the lives of many footballers and people from all walks of life.
1915, The season starts the day before the Gallipoli landings, with only nine clubs now that University has departed. But many people are asking why footballers are being paid to play a game while soldiers are needed to defend the empire. There is a vote to shorten the season and a majority of clubs agree. A charity game between VFA premiers North Melbourne and St Kilda is played, the purpose is to raise finds for wounded soldiers. But there is not much charity on the field, and why were North using “ring ins” from other VFA clubs? It was a tough season with attendance down due to the war but the finals bought the crowds back. Team selection for the Grand final caused a sensation, two players bought back from army training to play in the Premiership match. Pity about that 16km route march in the morning
