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
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
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