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Venue: Brunswick Street Oval | Date: Saturday September 5, 1903 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: Lost by 4 points | Umpire: Ivo Crapp | Crowd: 16,600 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goals: M.Crowe 1, B.Lithgow 1, A.Snell 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Best: E.Walton, G.Ross, J.Opie, A.Trim, G.Bruce, A.Ford, H.McShane. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: Nil | Injuries: Nil | |||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
This landmark match - played between Carlton and Collingwood at the Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy on September 5, 1903 - was Carlton's first League final in their 117th League game.Under the rigid discipline of coach Jack Worrall, the Blues had produced excellent team football at times throughout the season, but big match inexperience also brought about a number of shock losses. Overall, third place on the ladder was a just result, and the Blues entered the finals as a definite Premiership threat.
Neither side was at full strength. Charlie Roland, Billy Leeds and George Topping were among those missing for Carlton, while the Magpies were unable to call on the talents of the League’s most prolific forward; Ted Lockwood. Still, the match had all the intensity that had made the previous two meetings between these clubs such memorable contests.
From the opening bounce, defences dominated, to the extent that only five goals were scored by three-quarter time, with Collingwood just in front by seven points. The Blues threw everything at the Magpies in the last quarter and had the better of general play, but their anxiety proved costly. With only a couple of minutes remaining, and Collingwood up by five points, Carlton’s most reliable forward in Joe Sullivan took a set shot at goal from a tight angle, and his kick just missed. The Blues were beaten, but they were far from disgraced.
The following weekend at the MCG, Collingwood claimed the 1903 VFL Premiership when they defeated Fitzroy by two points in the Grand Final.
Images; Punch September 10 p17
Team
| B: | Charlie O'Connor | Frank Hince | Bill McNamara |
| HB: | Gordon Ross | Ernie Walton (vc) | Albert Trim |
| C: | George Bruce | Jim Flynn | Arthur Ford |
| HF: | Henry McShane | Mick Grace | Bert Lithgow |
| F: | Jim Opie | Joe Sullivan | Matt Crowe |
| Ruck: | Joe McShane (c) | Fred Elliott | Archie Snell |
| Coach: | Jack Worrall | ||
Changes
In : J.McShane, M.CroweOut : J.Marchbank, J.Stephenson
Milestones
Last Games : Joe Sullivan and Gordon RossInteresting Fact: This was Carlton's first final
Interesting Fact : This was also Carlton's lowest ever score in a final
Round 17 | 1904