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- #26
Research Correcting historical match starting times
- Thread starter the croucher
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #27
I suspect it is from the old AFL Historical Stats site which went offline by about 2008-09.
Is that the earliest a match has started?
It possibly is. There are a couple of other morning matches on 26 May 1920, but start times given are 10.45 AM.
- Thread starter
- #31
AustralianFootball site also shows 2.30 as start time for St Kilda v Essendon.
This item in The Age issue of 11 June explains why the morning start was arranged..
KING'S BIRTHDAY - HOLIDAY PLANS. Full Sporting Programme. - The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) - 11 Jun 1938
With most shops, factories and offices closed on Monday, King's Birthday holiday week-end will be celebrated at the hill and alpine centres and at the many ...
trove.nla.gov.au
No reference to a delay was found in any of the match reports I've read e.g.
FOOTSCRAY FAILS BEFORE AN ATTENDANCE OF 40,000 - ST. KILDA DOWN TO ESSENDON Fitzroy Successful ESSENDON WINS - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 14 Jun 1938
Essendon defeated St. Kilda by 46 points at St. Kilda yesterday, when the first morning smae for years was played. There were 16,000 people present, but the game was not worthy ...
trove.nla.gov.au
so...
Summary: 1938 Round 12 match (on 13 June) Essendon v St Kilda
start time remove 2.30 and replace with 10.30 am
- Thread starter
- #33
Confirmation here in The Age issue of 25 May 1920 that Fitzroy v Geelong and Richmond v Collingwood were both due the next day to start at 10.45 am.
FOOTBALL. - The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) - 25 May 1920
trove.nla.gov.au
Reading a number of match reports didn't reveal any delays being mentioned so the time stands for Round 5 on 26 May 1920 - as per AFL Tables and AustralianFootball, two matches at 10.45 am and two at 3 pm.
Nice work working through th4e GF start times the croucher
You skipped 1905 start time - is that because we cant find it in the papers yet?
You skipped 1905 start time - is that because we cant find it in the papers yet?
- Thread starter
- #35
Exactly Rhett ! I haven't so far found an ad or any text item which indicates a specific start time for 1905 GF.
- Dec 2, 2014
- 18,707
- 31,603
- AFL Club
- Essendon
My nerd meme was meant to be endearing, we post heaps on a footy forum, of course we're all nerds. 
Summary: 1905 Semi Finals x2 start time is 3pm, not 2.30 as per AFLTables
As for 1905 Grand Final
We know the "Gates opened at 2pm" and pretty much everyone was seated (30,000) by start of the the game. Will keep searching
As for 1905 Grand Final
We know the "Gates opened at 2pm" and pretty much everyone was seated (30,000) by start of the the game. Will keep searching
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That trove article doesn’t make much sense. It perhaps explains why the match was played on Kings Birthday but not why it started at 10.30am. Did those teams also play on the Saturday?AustralianFootball site also shows 2.30 as start time for St Kilda v Essendon.
This item in The Age issue of 11 June explains why the morning start was arranged..
KING'S BIRTHDAY - HOLIDAY PLANS. Full Sporting Programme. - The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) - 11 Jun 1938
With most shops, factories and offices closed on Monday, King's Birthday holiday week-end will be celebrated at the hill and alpine centres and at the many ...
No reference to a delay was found in any of the match reports I've read e.g.
FOOTSCRAY FAILS BEFORE AN ATTENDANCE OF 40,000 - ST. KILDA DOWN TO ESSENDON Fitzroy Successful ESSENDON WINS - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 14 Jun 1938
Essendon defeated St. Kilda by 46 points at St. Kilda yesterday, when the first morning smae for years was played. There were 16,000 people present, but the game was not worthy ...
so...
Summary: 1938 Round 12 match (on 13 June) Essendon v St Kilda
start time remove 2.30 and replace with 10.30 am
Good effort to fit a 36 hole comp at Riversdale at that time of year. Either wasn’t a big field or they played quick.
Looks like that was a Tuesday. It coincided with a visit by the Prince of Wales.Confirmation here in The Age issue of 25 May 1920 that Fitzroy v Geelong and Richmond v Collingwood were both due the next day to start at 10.45 am.
FOOTBALL. - The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) - 25 May 1920
Reading a number of match reports didn't reveal any delays being mentioned so the time stands for Round 5 on 26 May 1920 - as per AFL Tables and AustralianFootball, two matches at 10.45 am and two at 3 pm.
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Those clubs did play on the Saturday, Essendon lost at home to Geelong and Collingwood away to St Kilda.
They then backed up on the Monday just 41 hours later.
Both sides then had Sat 9 July off.
Still doesn’t explain why it was played at 10.30am.
Essendon played a Northern Tasmanian Football Association 18 at York Park in Launceston on Sat 9 July 1938.
- Thread starter
- #43
AustralianFootball site also has 2.30 shown as start time.
The Preliminary Final, week before the GF was also advertised as starting at 3 o'clock.
A check of articles after the match did not reveal any mention of a delay, so...
Summary: 1905 Preliminary Final Carlton v Fitzroy start time remove 2.30 and replace with 3.00
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- Thread starter
- #44
The 1907 Grand Final starting time amendment was noted a few weeks ago.
www.bigfooty.com
So, at the moment, sources for start times of 1898-1904 and 1906-07 Grand Finals have been identified.
Checking for details on the 1905 GF ...frustratingly, the standard sources which have helped in the other years
haven't included specific times in their articles or adverts for the '05 match.
Resource - List thread - Inaccuracy in official records
I went to go and make the changes on Wikipedia now and there are a few 'hidden' cases on there which can only be seen when in edit mode. WIKIPEDIA 'HIDDEN' CASES (not on AFL master list) David Flood - Ess - R8, 1986 Daryl Griffiths - StK - R9, 1963 Tim O'Brien - Haw - R1, 2014 (confirmed in...
www.bigfooty.com
So, at the moment, sources for start times of 1898-1904 and 1906-07 Grand Finals have been identified.
Checking for details on the 1905 GF ...frustratingly, the standard sources which have helped in the other years
haven't included specific times in their articles or adverts for the '05 match.
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- Thread starter
- #45
1908
26 September Grand Final Carlton v Essendon
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball websites have start as 2.50, I think it should be 3.00
The Herald issue of 25 September carried an advertisement which included “Victorian Football League / Grand Final Match / …Carlton v Essendon / At 3. / To-morrow To-morrow..”
The Age issue of 26 September in an advertisement at column six of page 16 includes
“..Carlton v Essendon / To-day, To-day, at 3..”
trove.nla.gov.au
No match reports or post-match reviews that I have seen comment on any delay so..
Summary: 1908 Grand Final start time, remove 2.50 and replace with 3.00
26 September Grand Final Carlton v Essendon
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball websites have start as 2.50, I think it should be 3.00
The Herald issue of 25 September carried an advertisement which included “Victorian Football League / Grand Final Match / …Carlton v Essendon / At 3. / To-morrow To-morrow..”
The Age issue of 26 September in an advertisement at column six of page 16 includes
“..Carlton v Essendon / To-day, To-day, at 3..”
The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) - 26 Sep 1908 - p16
Advertising; Family Notices;
trove.nla.gov.au
No match reports or post-match reviews that I have seen comment on any delay so..
Summary: 1908 Grand Final start time, remove 2.50 and replace with 3.00
- Thread starter
- #46
1909
2 October Grand Final Carlton v South Melbourne
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball websites have start as 2.50, I think it should be 3.00
The Herald issue of Friday 1 October carries an advertisement which includes
“Victorian Football League / Grand Final Match / ..To-morrow To-morrow / Carlton v South Melbourne, / At 3.”
The Argus issue of Saturday 2 October carried a list under a heading Sporting Intelligence which included “To-Day’s Events / final match for league football premiership, Carlton v South Melbourne, on Melbourne Cricket-ground, 3 p.m.”
trove.nla.gov.au
No match reports or post-match reviews that I have seen comment on any delay so..
Summary: 1909 Grand Final start time, remove 2.50 and replace with 3.00
2 October Grand Final Carlton v South Melbourne
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball websites have start as 2.50, I think it should be 3.00
The Herald issue of Friday 1 October carries an advertisement which includes
“Victorian Football League / Grand Final Match / ..To-morrow To-morrow / Carlton v South Melbourne, / At 3.”
The Argus issue of Saturday 2 October carried a list under a heading Sporting Intelligence which included “To-Day’s Events / final match for league football premiership, Carlton v South Melbourne, on Melbourne Cricket-ground, 3 p.m.”
SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TO-DAY'S EVENTS. - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 2 Oct 1909
V.R.C. races, at Flemington; A.J.C. Spring Meeting, at Randwick (first day); Adelaide Hunt Club races; Queensland Turf Club races; West Australian Tattersall's Club races; footracing at ...
trove.nla.gov.au
No match reports or post-match reviews that I have seen comment on any delay so..
Summary: 1909 Grand Final start time, remove 2.50 and replace with 3.00
- Thread starter
- #47
1910
Grand Final 1 October Carlton v Collingwood
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball websites have start as 2.50, I think it should be 3.00
The Herald issue of Friday 30 September carried an advertisement which included
“Grand Final Match / To-morrow To-morrow / Carlton v Collingwood / At 3. “
The Age issue of Saturday 1 October has an advertisement on page 18 column 6 which includes
“..Grand Final Match / ..Carlton v Collingwood, At 3.”
No match reports or post-match reviews that I have seen comment on any delay so..
Summary: 1910 Grand Final start time, remove 2.50 and replace with 3.00
Grand Final 1 October Carlton v Collingwood
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball websites have start as 2.50, I think it should be 3.00
The Herald issue of Friday 30 September carried an advertisement which included
“Grand Final Match / To-morrow To-morrow / Carlton v Collingwood / At 3. “
The Age issue of Saturday 1 October has an advertisement on page 18 column 6 which includes
“..Grand Final Match / ..Carlton v Collingwood, At 3.”
No match reports or post-match reviews that I have seen comment on any delay so..
Summary: 1910 Grand Final start time, remove 2.50 and replace with 3.00
1901 7 September Grand Final - Essendon v Collingwood
AFL Tables and AustralianFootball have start as 2.50, I think time should be 3.05
The Argus issue of Saturday 7 September has an advertisement in the Amusements section for the match which includes “..Baseball Match, Victoria v New South Wales, 1 to 3, prior to Football Match.”
Advertising - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 7 Sep 1901
The Sportsman issue of Tuesday 10 September has a match report which includes “..The crowd was anxious for the start, and just after 3 o’clock a mighty roar went up in welcoming the players, Essendon were the first out, and were quickly followed by Collingwood.”
THE SEASON ENDED. - The Final Fight. Essendon Beats Collingwood And Wins the Premiership. - Sportsman (Melbourne, Vic. : 1882 - 1904) - 10 Sep 1901
Time The old man with the seythe has cut down another football season and Saturday saw the great final light for the honors of the year as ...
Summary: 1901 Grand Final start time - remove 2.50 and replace with 3.05
Similiar to the 1901 Grand Final info above, the Semi Finals certainly didn't take place prior to 3pm (as per AFLTables/AF)
As the baseball match was schedule between 1pm - 3pm
And this article for Coll v Geel final talks about the grandstand being pretty full by 3 oclock.
Summary:
Change 1901 Semi Finals matches from 2.30pm to either 3.00pm or 3.05pm
