Many of us were upset about the sacking of several experienced players at the end of last season. But there was a more sensational one in 1928 and the club chose to do it, not at season's end, but right in the middle after Round 11.
North were bitterly disappointed with their 1927 season. After a flying start of 3 wins and a 2 point loss after Round 4 under new coach Syd Barker, North fell away badly failing to win another match.
1928 dawned with several experienced players missing. Full back Walsh was forced to retire through injury. Barker, Jenkins and Harry Johnson had also retired. J Lynch and Linton were gone. Worst of all, J Lewis had been given a 12 month suspension at the end of the previous season. But undeterred the club scoured different areas and picked up many new recruits. Sadly only 4 or 5 made any real impact.
By Round 11 North sat second last on the table with a 3-8 record. The committee had lost patience and came to think that some players were not giving their best. As always, the club was struggling financially and could only pay the players 2 pounds per game, while other clubs could pay more. Secretary S.C.Thomas came up with a hare-brained scheme of selling 60 life memberships at 10 pounds each to raise funds, but was not considered likely to succeed and only delay the inevitable.
When the team for the return match against Richmond was announced, there were 7 changes. Secretary Thomas then announced that 8 players were told that their services were no longer required. One of these (Carter,not Wally) had not played a senior match. Thomas then amended his statement saying "these men have volunteered to play for the second 18"
The names of the players sacked caused a sensation: Russ, Lamb, Lock, Lovett, Styles, Brown, McCabe and Carter. The first 4 had been with the club since 1925. Brown was one of the better recruits, playing in 9 of the 11 matches. Russ and Lamb would later continue their careers at Footscray. Football writer Old Boy said this:
"And so the great sensation turns out to be nothing more than the awakening of the North Melbourne committee to the fact that some players whom it has been cherishing as the most beautiful lake swans are really the most ordinary pond geese ..."
Nevertheless, North put in an improved performance agaist Richmond, going down by 37 points--an improvement on Round 1's 69 point loss. They went on to win 2 more matches--a total of 5--making it their most successful season. The club was in for 3 more lean years.
The new players who showed some measure of form:
Laurie Murphy--Former Collingwood ruckman who managed 14 games.
Tommy Dea--Epping defender who played 3 seasons.
Peter Brown--rover from Dimboola. Went on to star at Northcote.
Len McConnell--rover from Warrnambool who played 16 games before returning home.
Ben Kavanagh---from Essendon. Played a big part in North's first win over Carlton in Round 5, kickng 5 goals.
North were bitterly disappointed with their 1927 season. After a flying start of 3 wins and a 2 point loss after Round 4 under new coach Syd Barker, North fell away badly failing to win another match.
1928 dawned with several experienced players missing. Full back Walsh was forced to retire through injury. Barker, Jenkins and Harry Johnson had also retired. J Lynch and Linton were gone. Worst of all, J Lewis had been given a 12 month suspension at the end of the previous season. But undeterred the club scoured different areas and picked up many new recruits. Sadly only 4 or 5 made any real impact.
By Round 11 North sat second last on the table with a 3-8 record. The committee had lost patience and came to think that some players were not giving their best. As always, the club was struggling financially and could only pay the players 2 pounds per game, while other clubs could pay more. Secretary S.C.Thomas came up with a hare-brained scheme of selling 60 life memberships at 10 pounds each to raise funds, but was not considered likely to succeed and only delay the inevitable.
When the team for the return match against Richmond was announced, there were 7 changes. Secretary Thomas then announced that 8 players were told that their services were no longer required. One of these (Carter,not Wally) had not played a senior match. Thomas then amended his statement saying "these men have volunteered to play for the second 18"
The names of the players sacked caused a sensation: Russ, Lamb, Lock, Lovett, Styles, Brown, McCabe and Carter. The first 4 had been with the club since 1925. Brown was one of the better recruits, playing in 9 of the 11 matches. Russ and Lamb would later continue their careers at Footscray. Football writer Old Boy said this:
"And so the great sensation turns out to be nothing more than the awakening of the North Melbourne committee to the fact that some players whom it has been cherishing as the most beautiful lake swans are really the most ordinary pond geese ..."
Nevertheless, North put in an improved performance agaist Richmond, going down by 37 points--an improvement on Round 1's 69 point loss. They went on to win 2 more matches--a total of 5--making it their most successful season. The club was in for 3 more lean years.
The new players who showed some measure of form:
Laurie Murphy--Former Collingwood ruckman who managed 14 games.
Tommy Dea--Epping defender who played 3 seasons.
Peter Brown--rover from Dimboola. Went on to star at Northcote.
Len McConnell--rover from Warrnambool who played 16 games before returning home.
Ben Kavanagh---from Essendon. Played a big part in North's first win over Carlton in Round 5, kickng 5 goals.
