Resource The NMFC History thread

[kangaroo7]

1940s (Cont.)

1945



Cartoon published in The Herald 3 days before North's Round 15 game against Footscray. North won comfortably with Foote kicking 5 goals. The win kept North in 4th place, 1 win behind Footscray who would drop out off the top four after losing the last home and away round,allowing Carlton in.




Herald just before North's round 17 match againt South , which they lost badly. Johnny Meere's still smiling.





The situation before the last round. Footscray, North and Carlton (3,4 & 5) were all level on points. A loss to North or Footscray would put them out and let Carlton and possibly Richmond in. Meanwhile at the other end of the table Geelong and StKilda were battling to avoid the wooden spoon. St Kilda then were known for a short time as the panthers. The panther skeleton showed they had had a very lean season--2 wins. Geelong had only one, but leapfrogged StKilda by beating them in their final match.






Guess who?






North went from fourth to third with a great win over Essendon and Carlton defeated Footscray to take fourth palace. Crump scored the winning goal for North to win by that margin. This galloping gasometer preceded Mick Nolan.




The sad and sorry tale of North's first finals match. North were missing two good players in Jarrard and Morcom. But Kevin Dynon flew down from the RAAF base in Exmouth WA and Frank Stubbs got permission to play at the last minute and flew down as well. Jack Harrison also returned from military service interstate and was available. But the team was overawed by the ocassion and gave Carlton and big start. Their first goal came just before half time. Only wholesale positional changes and Carlton's relaxing in the last quarter made North's score somewhat respectable.

1949





"The Sun" cartoon of North's Round 7 against Geelong when a goal was scored after the bell rang,which the umpire didn't hear. The ball was in North's forward zone when the bell rang. Players at the end of the ground closest to the bell shook hands and began to walk off. But play continued at the other end where Malone smothered a Geelong defender's kick, the ball finished with Spencer who kicked the winning goal. Umpire Sawyer signalled "all clear" and went towards the centre with Geelong players running and shouting at him before finally hearing the bell. The club bought a new bell several weeks later three times heavier than the old one.

Cartoon depicting North's Round 16 win over Melbourne. This was another 6 point win. It enabled Essendon to get into the four at Melbourne's expense. The compositon of the four would change but not the teams. Melbourne would miss the finals by one game.



Herald cartoon showing North's 2nd semi final loss to Carlton which they really could have won.




More heartbreak after narrowly losing the preliminary final to Essendon. A controversial decision and two late goals sunk North as they went out in straight sets after finishing on top of the ladder for the first time.

TO BE CONTINUED

 

[Snake_Baker]

Fantastic contributions as usual K7.

Keep them coming.

 

[kangaroo7]

These two who were most responsible for North's dramatic rise in 1949. Les Foote had been around the club for some time, but after the war he became the club's superstar, becoming vice-captain in 1946 and captain in 1948--51. His career at North ended too soon when he went to Berrigan in 1952 and when he returned finished his career at StKilda.
Wally Carter would be North's most successful coach until Barrassi came to the club. He got North into the finals in 1949-50 and was unlucky not to get a better return than 1 win and 4 losses.




Two other star players.Jeeves would play CHF in the 1950 Grand Final team. Dynon was captain before Foote but was displaced by him in 1948. He got the captaincy back when Foote left.






Another one of Foote. Non drinker, non smoker.........oh well two out of three's not bad.




1950


This shows that the Kangaroo was adopted in 1950, not 1954 as some say. Although it was not immediately accepted by many fans who still used the deplorable and unflattering term "Shinboners". Interestingly the term "Shinboners" very seldom appeared in the newspapers until a short time before this.





Herald cartoon after North's good win over Melbourne. Neither full-forward got among the goals, although Spencer managed three. North's Tim Robb was reported for kicking but got off.



Age cartoon after North's shock 2 point loss to StKilda. North were 6 goals down at halftime, bur kicked 5.13 to 1.2 in the second half. StKilda got off to a good start in 1950 winning their first 5 games, but then fell away.




Herald cartoon after North's loss to StKilda. A minor controversy in this game happened when a StKilda player shook the goalpost as North's Condon was having a shot for goal in the third quarter. The ball hit the swinging post.

 

[kangaroo7]

1950 (Cont)



North's Round 6 win over Essendon. This would be Essendon's only defeat for the season. Unfortunately North could not repaet the dose.






North's Round 8 match against Geelong. Arden Street now had a siren. In the coresponding match the year before, the umpire failed to hear the final bell and North got a goal to win by 6 points. This time North won by 17, but straighter kicking would have given them a bigger win.







Herald Weg cartoon showing North's first win at Victoria Park over Collingwood. It took 25 years. Hawthorn would not win there until 1960. Despite the centre line being beaten and the forwards being out of position because he ball came down quickly,North had a comfortable 32 point win, Kevin McMahon making his debut for North in this match. Kevin Dynon is shown @burying the hoodoo@ He was B.O.G.






1950 Round14. On a muddy MCG and with Les Foote and Ted Jarrard playing for Victoria, North beat Melbourne with superior pace and took second spot off them. Beaten in most key positions, North played through the wings and flanks where Dynon was too good.






Herald cartoon the day before North's R17 match against Essendon. Both full-backs dreaming about how to stop their respective opponents. Coleman got 7 goals and Spencer 3, which didn't help. Six goals down at three quarter time, North quietly came home in the last quarter scoring 7.6 and getting wihin 7 points before Essendon kicked the sealer. Even then Condon replied, butg too late.


Next-1950 Finals.

 

[Snake_Baker]

A great, great, great NMFC man.

Born in North, played at North, vice captained North, coached North and was an inaugural member of the North HOF.

Went on to turn Williamstown in to a VFA powerhouse and was named their coach of the century.

 

[kangaroo7]

A great, great, great NMFC man.

Born in North, played at North, captained North, coached North and was an inaugural member of the North HOF.

Went on to turn Williamstown in to a VFA powerhouse and was named their coach of the century.

Also the first Syd Barker medallist.

 

[kangaroo7]

Age cartoon the day before the 2nd semi-final. The Meere smile and the Shinbone persists.





Also the day before the 2nd SF. Carter trying to teach his boys the basics.






The story of the match. North gave Essendon a big start in thr first quarter, but after that they scored 11 goals to 6. Tragically, the famous McCorkell error cost North the match just as they hit the lead. Another one that got away.




The teams.






The teams for the Preliminary Final against Geelong.






Age cartoon hinting at the possible clash of jumpers.




Weg Herald cartoon. It seem there would be a clash of jumpers in both the Reserves and Seniors games. North persist with the white knicks. Foote always chose them if he won the toss.





Weg cartoon. North once again gave the opposition a start with Foote winning the toss and kicking against the wind. They trailed by 20 points at half-time, but in the second half kick 10 goals to 4 to win easily. Foote plays one of his best games and almost single-handedly wins it for North.





Argus cartoon showing North's PF win.

TO BE CONT.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Your outstanding contributions here continue to astound me kangaroo7.

Fantastic work!

 

[kangaroo7]

Age cartoon the day before the Grand Final tying it in with the Royal Show that would have been on around this time. The Shinbone persists--in Foote's pocket.




The teams. North named an unchanged side.





The teams in caricature. Essendon too good on the day.



TO BE CONT.

 

[kangaroo7]

North's long serving president (1936-52) Came to the club after lifting Northcote out of the doldrums to four premierships. Did much to instill the fanatical "will to win" spirit in the players. Like Phonse Tobin after him, he hated the nickname "Shinboners" and oulawed the word at the club. Stayed as president until ill health forced him to retire. Deservedly in The Hall of Fame.







1951 Weg cartoon after North's Round 1 loss to Collingwood.The 93 point defeat was not the ideal start to the season and ensured North wpuld syart at the bottom. A big fall from 1950, they would finish 9th with just 7 wins.





Weg cartoon After North's round 8 win over Melbourne. North showed patchy form over the season but sometimes showed their 1950 form as in this 45 point win. Jarrard missed playing for Victoria due to injury.





1954 Age cartoon the day before their Round 6 clash with South Melbourne (which they lost). People wouldn't give up the "shinbone". New president Phonse Tobin was keen for them to do so. He obtained a giant kangaroo that had been part of a city window display for the Royal visit and had it installed in the clubroom. On match days at Arden St it was pushed around the ground at half-time with a bag attached to collect donations from the crowd.





Age cartoon the day before North's 1st semi final loss to Melbourne. The shinbone reference persists as does Johnny Meer's smile. North came in for some criticism for their rough play in this game, but Melbourne did their share too, and Tobin blasted the Sporting Globe writer for singling North out.

 

[kangaroo7]

1957 Age cartoon featuring North's 2 point win over Footscray in Round 5. The dog track around the ground was about to open--hence the players portrayed as greyhounds.





1958---North's Round 7 win over Collingwood. North hung on to win by three points after Collingwwog kicked 3.9 to 0.0 in the last quarter. Aylett and Teasdale played well. North beat Collingwood twice this year, but could not beat them in the Preliminary Final.






Round 9 win over Richmond. Richmond don't get going until the last quarter, but North hang on to win by 11. Dugdale & Aylett get 9 goals between them.




The controversial Round 17 match where Essendon called for a player count. No Essendon official would claim responsibility for it. But regardless North won by 18 points and get back into the Four at Essendon's expense. Brian "Skinny" Martyn is one of North's best, doing the job on Geoff Leek. North beat Essendon twice this year.





Round 18. North's great win over Collingwood at Victoria Park ensured a place in the finals and kept Essendon out. North come from 3 points down at three quarter time. Schofield gets 6 goals and Dugdale 4. North had done well to beat Essendon and Colingwood in the last two rounds, and beat them both twice.


NEXT: 1958 FINALS

 

[Passmore]

1950 (Cont)

View attachment 614156

North's Round 6 win over Essendon. This would be Essendon's only defeat for the season. Unfortunately North could not repaet the dose.



View attachment 614158


North's Round 8 match against Geelong. Arden Street now had a siren. In the coresponding match the year before, the umpire failed to hear the final bell and North got a goal to win by 6 points. This time North won by 17, but straighter kicking would have given them a bigger win.



View attachment 614159



Herald Weg cartoon showing North's first win at Victoria Park over Collingwood. It took 25 years. Hawthorn would not win there until 1960. Despite the centre line being beaten and the forwards being out of position because he ball came down quickly,North had a comfortable 32 point win, Kevin McMahon making his debut for North in this match. Kevin Dynon is shown @burying the hoodoo@ He was B.O.G.



View attachment 614163


1950 Round14. On a muddy MCG and with Les Foote and Ted Jarrard playing for Victoria, North beat Melbourne with superior pace and took second spot off them. Beaten in most key positions, North played through the wings and flanks where Dynon was too good.



View attachment 614165


Herald cartoon the day before North's R17 match against Essendon. Both full-backs dreaming about how to stop their respective opponents. Coleman got 7 goals and Spencer 3, which didn't help. Six goals down at three quarter time, North quietly came home in the last quarter scoring 7.6 and getting wihin 7 points before Essendon kicked the sealer. Even then Condon replied, butg too late.


Next-1950 Finals.

Gotta love the illustrations of the Melbourne and North supporters.

 

[kangaroo7]

1958




Age cartoon the day before the 1st semi final. North had lost both home and away matches to Fitzroy--by 120 points and 39 points. They named an unchanged line-up from the side that had defeated Collingwood the week before.





North win a very close match--only their second finals win. A crucial incorrect decision by a Fitzroy player and an interception by Laurie Dwyer allows Noel Teasdale to kick the winning goal in the dying seconds. John Brady, Allen Aylett ans Albert Mantello star for North.




Having beaten Colllingwood twice, the second time just three weeks previously, North were confident of winning again. But they wasted many opportunities. A lot of North's success this season was due to their strong centre line of Dwyer, Doolan and McMahon. But on this day they did not dominate. Also North's forwards Dugdale, Schofield and Mantello were all held. Most of their drive came from rovers Aylett and Eastmure. A late flurry of goals at the end made North's score more respectable after managing only 4 in the first three quarters.

 

[goalieboy82]

when is the birthday of North Melbourne (day of Founding)

 

[kangaroo7]

when is the birthday of North Melbourne (day of Founding)

1869. Don't think anyone would know exact day.

 

[kangaroo7]

1959


Age cartoon showing a lot of North's executives of the time. This was the day before their Round 8 win over Hawthorn. North got off to a flier in 1959 winning 8 of their first 9 matches. But they fell away badly winning only 2 more games and finishing 6th. Teasdale was suspended for 8 weeks after the Round 9 win over Footscray. He returned for the final match of the season-- and sprained his ankle.

1960



Cartoon featuring Albert Mantello in his only season as captain,after North's unexpected win over Geelong in Round 5. Geelong looked certain winners at half time, but Laurie Dwyer is moved from the wing to the centre and completely changes the game.




North's Round 7 win over Collingwood at Victoria Park. Fights and brawls on and off the ground, but Collingwood's tactics fail to upset North, who break the game open with a six goal third quarter. Magpie supporters unhappy with the umpire, North and their 16 point defeat, and police have to escort North players to their dressing room.
Despite some impressive wins, it is not a succesful season for North, who finish 11th with 5 wins.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Did the club make a big deal out of season 1969 kangaroo7?

 

[kangaroo7]

Did the club make a big deal out of season 1969 kangaroo7?

They had a mid-season "Centenery Ball" at the old Southern Cross hotel. I was a fan then but not a member, and would have been a bit young to go anyway, so I don't know what happened there. Don't know if all members were invited or not.

 

[kangaroo7]

1961




North kick off the season with a win over Essendon. The cartoon shows all 6 winners of Round 1. It was a promising start but, like so many times in the 60s, North fell away and finished last with only 4 wins.



This was published the day before the final homa and away match against StKilda. A win to StKilda would put them in the finals. A win to North would get them off the bottom. North come perilously close to winning, running the Saints ragged for three quarters. But they strangely fall away in the last quarter allowing StKilda to win by 10 points. Many are suspicious, thinking that North "laid down" for some reason. Also shown is new president Leo Schemnitz---the first "outsider" to be appointed to the position.



1962



Round 9 1962. North, on the bottom without a win, host defending premiers Hawthorn, who are suffering from premiership hangover, but have managed 3 wins. North take the game right up to Hawthorn and lead by a point at half-time--which is what the winning margin will be. Hawthorn snatch the lead in the dying minutes, but North snatch it back when Dugdale kicks the winner. Former Collingwood player Serong stars for North. Murray Clapham plays his one and only senior match, kicking a goal, then retires.

 

[Snake_Baker]

This is the greatest cartoon I have ever seen

 

[giantroo]

 

[kangaroo7]

1963



North have a new coach in Alan Killigrew, and win their opening 3 matches, including this Round 2 win over Collingwood at Victoria Park. Collingwood are held goalless in the first and third quarters.Dugdale kicks 6 goals in a BOG performance. The centre line of Dwyer, K. Robertson and Gaudion also help. Collingwood recruit Terry Waters makes his debut in this match and kicks 5 goals, 4 in the last quarter. Under Killigrew North lift a little this season finishing 7th with 8 wins. They are good enough to beat Collingwood again in Round 13.





North continue their winning run by beating Richmond in Round 3. Atylett is BOG. Some of North's newer players are shown including former Collingwood player Mike Delanty and Viv Peterson, who's brother Robert will make a far bigger impact in years to come. Wells the cartoonist persists with the shinbone gag.




North captain Allen Aylett plays his 200th match in Round 8 against Fitzroy at the old Brunswick St ground and is again BOG. North win in the mud in a low-scoring game--only 8 goals are scored--North 6 and Fitzroy 2.

 

[kangaroo7]

1964



North have their first win of the season with an unexpected win over Essendon in a high-scoring game. Dugdale and Ibrahim kick 5 goals each. Centreman Don Palmer is BOG. New recruit from North Adelaide Bob Pascoe also plays well.




This appears a few days after North's Round 4 win over Hawthorn. Barry Allen featured in North's wins over Essendon and Hawthorn. Allen is BOG against Hawthorn and dominates the ruck along with Frank Pomeroy (Geelong recruit). Palmer again excells in the centre.



North continue their winning streak with a fine win over Footscray. Arthur Karanicolas makes his debut as the injuries pile up. North are without Teasdale, Dugdale K Dean and Carr, and six more players are injured in this match. Footscray are blown away in the second half when Pascoe takes over in the ruck. Palmer, having a purple patch, is again BOG.




North make it 4 on the trot with a win over Fitzroy. Cartoon shows coach Killigrew happy as North are now second on the table. But he and the club will be brought back to earth with a thud in Round 5 when North are well and truly thumped by Collingwood. They will win another 4 games for the season and finish in 8th place.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Thanks for providing my new desktop K7.

 

[kangaroo7]

1965



North's Round 13 win at Coburg Oval, their home for one year. It was also North's first over Melbourne since Round 3 1953.




North lost this Round 16 match to Fitzroy at Coburg. Fitzroy come back from the dead in the dying seconds when the appropriately named Lazarus screws the ball over his shoulder for a goal to give his side a one point win. it was one of several game sNorth dropped at their new home ground this season. A disappointing season in which they win only 5 games.




North manage to finish on a high with a win over Richmond. Probably one of their best wins for the year, they end Richmond's finals chances.


1966




North's Round 10 win over Carlton. At half-time North trail 1.10 to 5.4. In the second half however it's all North, although bad kicking prevents them from a big win---22 shots at goal to 12. Peter Steward is BOG. North finish this season with 7 wins and a draw to be placed a distant 7th.



I'm afraid that's all folks.