1942 Chronology
1942 Chronology -Jack's first year as coach. -Former Brownlow Medallist Stan Judkins enlists with the AIF -The club receive 26 pounds 14/6 to purchase the Vic Thorp Memorial -Richmond play two practice matches 96 players in total took part. And Much More! January Sat 10 The Riverine Herald references that George Ogilvie, Richmond's 1920 player,has recently captained the premiers in the forces football championship held in Darwin, where he kicked 6 goals. Sun 11 Richmond footballers and Essendon footballers raise 22 pounds 7/ towards the New Sydney Fund, in a cricket match held on Carter oval in Burnley Park. The result is a tie (106 runs each). Top score for Richmond was Crane (22) and Perkins (16). Maguire took 5/20 and Smeaton 4/10 Tues 20 At a Richmond committee meeting the club decide to continue their support for football to be played in 1942, whilst the war is on. The club claims that 'those who are in the defence forces, essential services, together with women and children, and those under and over age, were looking forward to the relaxation afforded by football.' (The Argus) Maurie Fleming reports that 15 regular players from last season are not available for war service, as there are in the police, fire, or essential services. The club also has several players under 18 who could the vacancies in the team. Former Brownlow Medallist Stan Judkins enlists with the AIF The club receive 26 pounds 14/6 to purchase the Vic Thorp Memorial Shield on which it will inscribe the names of the Best and Fairest player each year. Last year's winner Jack Titus will be the first inscription. Thorp died late last year. February Wed. 11 Richmond's AGM is held at the Richmond Town Hall. Former Prime Minister, and current member for Yarra, James Scullin addresses the crowd that he hopes football continues during 1942 as he was 'sure the public wanted it'. (The Argus) Life Membership bestowed on Charlie Callander who has been property steward for 21 years, and Arthur Daws, a committeeman. Wed. 17 Jack Dyer is appointed Richmond coach An Executive is appointed for the first time. It comprises of Harry Dyke (President), Ray Dunn, Martin Bolger, Frank O'Brien, C.E Turner, Maurie Fleming. Selection committee comprise of Dyer, Martin Bolger, Bill Quinn, and the captain and vice captain of the season. Finance committee comprise of Bolger, Dunn, O'Brien, Turner and Fleming. League delegates are Dyke and O'Brien. Mon. 23 Former Richmond secretary Percy Page joins the RAAF in the administrative branch. Jack Baggott has also enlisted into the same branch. March Sat. 7 A letter from Lieutant 'Lockie' Walker, a prisoner of war in Libya, is published in the Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian. In the letter he writes ... Who won the football this year? (1941) We had a mock broadcast on Saturday night, for that would be the date of the Grand Final - of Melbourne vs Richmond. Melbourne won by 17 points. Sun 29 Richmond play Carlton in a Challenge Patriotic Match at the Richmond City Reserve at 1.30pm. Jack Titus (c), Dyer, Merrett, Edwards, Maguire, Smeaton, Steele, Crane, Perkins, Dwan, Priestley, Sullivan, Harris, Ablett, Bawden were expected to play. Tue 31 Richmond commences training for the 1942 season. Several players from Richmond's 1941 Boys League premiership are invited to train. 30 boys aged between 15 - 18 appear as part of the club's recruitment drive for their junior recruits. April Wed 1 The League decide by majority decision to have a 1942 football season. Three clubs voted against the decision - Collingwood , Melbourne and Hawthorn, but all 3 agreed to play if majority ruled. Geelong will not play this season mainly due to transportation difficulties. Tue 7 50 players partake in Richmond training under captain/coach Jack Dyer New men include W. McKay (signed up in 1941), Youlden (Richmond seconds), McMahon (from Kew CYMS), Bob Powell (Richmond Recruits), Jack Burgess (from Lemnos in Golden Valley). Corporal Stan Judkins, who returned from overseas was given a hearty welcome. Boys under the age of 18 eager to play in the Boy's League were asked to attend a meeting in the clubrooms on Wednesday week. Sat 18 Richmond play two practice matches 96 players in total took part. The playing list was cut from 100 to 70. Those cut were invited to train with the Seconds on Monday 20th April. Best players in the first practice match were Walliker, Mooney, Wiggins, Mahomet (district), Styles (Croydon), and the Scanlon brothers (Sandringham). In the second game the best players were Doherty , McKissock (Burnley), Russell (seconds), Cook (Croydon), Burgess (Katandra), Alexander (Castlemaine), Krohan (Burnley), Fraser (seconds), Mackay (Mentone). Doherty - the wingman from Ardmona, was particularly impressive, with The Argus reporting he is one of the club's best recruit in years. He is 20 years old, 5ft 10 and a half, and 12st 12. Tues 21 Bill Shand, the 15 year old son of 1916-1919 player Jimmy Shand, trains with Richmond Sat 25 Anzac Day. The League forbids players from training on this day, but allows practice matches. Two practice matches between Richmond players take place (at 1pm and 3pm) on the Richmond ground. Umpires are Martin Bolger and Claude Wilson. A collection for the Red Cross takes place. A crowd of 4,000 attend. In the first practice match (made up of recruits) Mooney, Hinson, Walliker, Youldon, Wiggins, Winberg, Mahomet, F Scanlon , W Scanlon were outstanding. The second practice match was made up of last year's players. Jones, Dyer, Guinane, Harris, Russell, Titus, Tanner, Bawden were in excellent form. Crohan, Scott, Way (Boulder) played well. May 2 Richmond v Fitzroy in a 'Patriotic Match' A perpetual trophy will be struck for future matches between the two teams. A baseball match takes place as a curtain raiser, organised by Lieutenant Duncan representing U.S social services. June 4 Vice Presidents Ray Dunn and J Weston tender their resignation from the committee due to war duties. The committee however grant them a leave of absence until the Annual General Meeting. However, Dunn's resignation from Finance Committee and Weston's resignation as Assistant Secretary were accepted. Martin Bolger was appointed Assistant Secretary, Bill Quinn to the Finance Committee. August 8 Arthur Daws is presented with his Life Membership plaque at the committee meeting, because it wasn't ready in time for the Annual Meeting in February. The committee announce the death of Richmond Seconds player Ossie Jennings on active service. The committee pass a motion empowering the Selection Committee to change a selected team before the start of a game and that a player may be asked to leave the field if considered necessary. September 1 A minute silence is held at the Richmond committee for the death of Bert Foster. Awards for Season 1942 (presented at 1943 Annual General Meeting) Award Player Best and Fairest Leo Merrett Most Accomplished Sport Dan Guinane Most Consistent Dick Harris Most Unselfish Robert Bawden Best Utility George Smeaton Most Reliable Len Ablett Most Effective Bert Edwards Most Improved Jack Scott Best Forward Jack Titus Best First Year Player Bill Morris Best Second 18 Recruit Fred Burge Richmond Recruits Best and Fairest Arthur Mooney
