MAINLINE – JIM MAIN
A grand publication, for the Record
Here's a football trivia question to test the most dedicated fan. Name the teams that played in the MCG curtain-raiser to the 1933 Richmond-South Melbourne Grand Final.
No, they weren't the teams for the reserves grand final as that was played at the MCG two days earlier, on Royal Melbourne Show Day, with Melbourne defeating St Kilda by a point in front of 10,000 fans.
And it wasn't the VFA grand final as that Port Melbourne-Coburg clash was played at the same time as the VFL Grand Final.
Stumped? Well, believe it or not, it was Second Grade League Sub-Districts preliminary final between Kew District (brown and gold) and Abbotsford (black and white).
Where did I dig up this little trivia gem? From the 1933 VFL Grand Final edition of the Football Record, of course.
I recently spotted an online advertisement for a boxed set of every Grand Final edition of the Record, from the match-day program's debut in 1912 to last year's Geelong-Collingwood match.
It cost me $400 but, believe me, it was worth every cent and I urge anyone who loves their history to buy this beautifully presented boxed set.
I shall spend hours poring over every edition, from the player pen-pics, to snippets of information – even the advertisements.
The Record was an instant hit when first published and, during World War I, copies were eagerly anticipated by Diggers on the Western Front.
For example, South Melbourne's Wal Laidlaw wrote to his local newspaper early in 1917 to thank those who had sent him copies of the match-day program.
Driver Laidlaw wrote: "They are as welcome as Christmas boxes and it is hard to say where they finish up, as they are passed all around the camp and then posted on to different mates."
The Record grew and grew after the war and even the advertisements were as interesting as the match previews, player snippets, etc.
The 1932 Grand Final edition has a full-page advertisement poking fun at Collingwood's 85-point preliminary final defeat by Carlton.
Under a large R.I.P. headline, the copy reads: "In sad and loving memory of the pathetic collapse and death of Collingwood's premiership hopes, which passed away suddenly and painfully in Saturday last in the presence of a large and sorrowing circle of friends."
Underneath, in italics, is the line: "... which, being dead, yet sleepeth."
Then follows: "Funeral arrangements in the hands of Messrs Vallence [Carlton full forward Harry] and Minogue [Richmond coach Danny]" Then, the best line of all: "No raspberries, by request."
Who inserted this advertisement? In small print at the bottom of the page it reads: "Mourners are reminded that the sad memories of the occasion may be completely forgotten any Sunday by a visit to Cowes, Phillip Island, where the melancholy barracker can find recreation and happiness in the golden sands beside the sparking blue sea."
Wind the clock forward to the 1940 Melbourne-Essendon Grand Final, and the Record ran a full-page photo of Melbourne coach Frank "Checker" Hughes at his Greyhound Hotel enjoying a glass of the then winter tonic, a hot "Dad and Mum" – Bonox mixed with rum. It was said that with one of these drinks "you will feel bracing new strength pouring into that bloodstream".
Advertisements revealed that Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were starring in The Road to Zanzibar at the Lyceum (Bourke Street) and Errol Flynn in Footsteps in the Dark at the Plaza (Collins Street).
And, because Australia was at war in 1940, there was an advertisement urging men from 20-40 years of age to join the AIF "for service overseas".
Moving forward to the 1951 Geelong-Essendon Grand Final, Carlton announced that its annual ball would be held at the Coconut Grove that night, with tickets available at 15 shillings ($1.50).
The Record also announced that the winning team would receive a trophy donated by the Federal Government to mark the Commonwealth's 50th anniversary. (Geelong defeated Essendon by 11 points.)
Of course, that was the year champion Essendon goalkicker John Coleman was suspended for four matches on the eve of the finals after being found guilty of striking Carlton's Harry Caspar.
Coleman's name appeared on the page listing player ages, heights and weights but, of course, not in the team line-ups, with Essendon naming Keith McDonald, a first-year player recruited locally, placed at full forward (where he kicked two goals).
In 1963, the Football Record had a full colour front page for the first time, with the premiership cup photographed over a navy blue with white vee background.
Now, of course, Grand Final editions are superbly presented, full-colour collector's items.
The Record has come a long way.
n To get your boxed set, go to www.slatterymedia.com and follow the instructions.
