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1954

Coach: Norm Smith
Captain: Geoff Collins
Finishing Position: 4th (runners up)
Best and Fairest: Denis Cordner
Leading Goalkicker: Noel Clarke (51)
Best First Year Player: Robert B Johnson
Members: 2444

Matches Ladder Playing List Best and Fairest Seconds Thirds Fourths
Image


Having finished in the bottom two twice in the previous three seasons, the Demons had blooded a number of young players and were expected to climb up the ladder in '54, but nobody could have forecast how fast they would rise. With the resignation of Denis Cordner, Geoff Collins was appointed captain over vice-captain Noel McMahen. McMahen was not considered for the top job as he was expected to apply for a coaching clearance at the end of the year.

Two new rule changes came into effect, firstly players who took a mark on the goal or behind line would have the man on the mark stand back at least five yards. It was also put into the rules that if the field umpire missed a boundary umpires 'out of bounds' signal and a score was registered then it would be nullified as soon as the two umpires could confer.

The season opened with a loss, and Melbourne barely scraped into the finals with a last round win against South Melbourne despite having a percentage below a hundred. They then pulled off a shock victory against North Melbourne in the Semi Final before pulling off an even bigger upset in the Preliminary Final to send minor premiers Geelong out of the finals in straight sets.

Despite the promise of a financial bonus for the best player in the finals, raised by selling a bull donated by a supporter, the fairytale run came to an end in the Grand Final, handing Footscray their first and so far last league premiership.

All four grades (Seniors, seconds, thirds and fourths) made their finals. Senior players who appeared in all three finals games got a 16 pound bonus, while all players on the senior list shared in donations made by supporters to celebrate the finals appearance.

At the end of the season Melbourne supported a motion to remove the district system and allow players to choose the clubs they wanted to play for no matter where they lived. This was a reaction to population decreases in the City of Melbourne and Prahran areas that the Demons were assigned. Despite support from Collingwood and Fitzroy the motion didn't have the necessary 75% support to be carried.

Melbourne's VFL delegates were Bert Chadwick and Richard Taylor.

Practice match

OppositionResult
Ormond ?

Premiership Season

RoundOppositionResult
1 CollingwoodLOSS
2 CarltonWIN
3 HawthornLOSS
4 FitzroyWIN
5 RichmondWIN
6 St. KildaLOSS
7 South MelbourneWIN
8 GeelongWIN
9 EssendonLOSS
10 FootscrayLOSS
11 North MelbourneWIN
12 CollingwoodLOSS
13 CarltonWIN
14 HawthornWIN
15 FitzroyLOSS
16 RichmondWIN
17 St. KildaWIN
18 South MelbourneWIN
SF North MelbourneWIN
PF GeelongWIN
GF FootscrayLOSS

Exhibition Match

OppositionResult
Alberton League WIN
North-Eastern XVIII WIN

Ladder

WDL%P
Geelong1305133.152
Footscray1116130.046
North Melbourne111699.646
Melbourne110799.644
Richmond1008114.740
Essendon1008107.840
Collingwood1008100.840
Carlton801099.432
Hawthorn801088.032
South Melbourne601281.624
Fitzroy411373.218
St. Kilda411372.718

Playing List

NumberNameGamesGoals
1 Denis Cordner 216
2 Robert McKenzie 1931
3 Peter Marquis 172
4 Ken Christie 161
5 Ian McLean 204
6 Ken Albiston 915
7 Geoff Case 144
8 Geoff Collins 211
9 Brian Dixon 82
10 Lance Arnold 184
11 Laurie Mithen 136
12 Stuart Spencer 2137
16 Clyde Laidlaw 82
17 Geoff McGivern 1611
18 Bob Johnson 1123
19 Keith Carroll 60
22 John Ferguson 43
23 Leigh Gloury 30
24 Ian Ridley 21
25 Don Williams 210
26 Noel Clarke 2051
28 Terry Gleeson 41
29 Tony Bull 62
30 John Beckwith 170
31 Ron Barassi 1412
32 Dale Anderson 11
33 Colin Wilson 80
34 Ralph Lane 214
35 Noel McMahen 190
36 Keith Robinson 30
38 Ken Melville 200
39 Tom Magee 11
41 Frank Adams 1820

Best and Fairest

Player
1st Denis Cordner
2nd Noel McMahen

Other Awards
Most improved - Geoff Case
Outstanding service - Stuart Spencer
Consistent service - Peter Marquis and Ken Melville
Tribunal

RoundPlayerChargeSanction
SF Bob McKenzie Striking 4 matches
SF Peter Marquis Striking Guilty (reprimand)

Seconds

1954 Seconds season
Best and Fairest - Ken Albiston
Finals

RoundOpponentResult
SF Carlton WIN
GF Richmond LOSS

Thirds

1954 Thirds season
Captain - Terry Mountain
Leading Goalkicker: Peter Brenchley - 28

WDL%P
Footscray 1402122.756
Carlton1303145.052
Geelong1105133.844
Melbourne1006157.040
Fitzroy907134.936
Essendon907116.736
Richmond709114.028
South Melbourne70996.328
Collingwood70986.628
North Melbourne601094.624
St Kilda111446.16
Hawthorn111444.26

Finals

RoundOppositionResult
SF Geelong WIN
PF Footscray LOSS

Fourths

1954 Fourths season

Media
Age - 13/04/1954
Football Record R1 1954
Herald - 17/08/1954
Argus - 16/09/1954
Age - 27/09/1954
Age - 30/09/1954
Herald - 20/10/1954
Argus - 21/10/1954

Links
Image courtesy Boyles Football Photos

Created by Supermercado. Last Modification: Thursday 25 February 2021 04:04:31 AEDT by Supermercado. (Version 38)

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