Fremantle’s Scott Watters breaks away from Footscray youngster Brad Johnson at Western Oval in 1995. Photo: ALLSPORT

BRISBANE LIONS v RICHMOND (at the Gabba)
Round 14
July 6, 1997

A crowd of 19,155 lobbed up in mild and drizzly conditions to observe a frustrating first half, with a woefully inaccurate Brisbane kicking one goal and six behinds in each of the first two terms.

The Lions took control in the third quarter, and despite continued blunders in front of goal, extended their lead to win by exactly 18 behinds.

Craig McCrae, Jarrod Molloy, and 100 gamer Darryl White were the main culprits in front of the big sticks with 1.4 each.

Up the other end, Matthew Richardson kicked the bulk of Richmond’s score with 4.2.

Although scrappy, this win would catapult the Lions into the eight, where they would remain for the rest of the season.

Coach Robert Walls lasted three more matches at Richmond, with a 137 point loss to the Crows in round 17 opening the door for ‘The Geish’ to be unleashed.

COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG (at Victoria Park)
Round 3
May 22, 1897

The Magpies, coming off a VFA premiership, entered the match as overwhelming favourites against a Geelong side that had gone down to Melbourne by 45 points the week before.

A strong start by the visitors gave them a surprise eight point lead at quarter time, before the Magpies steadied through the middle of the match, taking a four point margin into the final term.

After a goal to George Callesen put Collingwood 10 points up, Geelong slotted back-to-back majors via Joe McShane (one of three McShane brothers playing on the day) and Charlie Coles.

With the underdogs closing in on an unlikely victory, Archie Smith (unrelated to the retired Brisbane Lion of the same name) booted his second goal in the dying seconds, claiming victory for the home side.

Bill Proudfoot was Collingwood’s best at centre half forward, while Archie Thompson (unrelated to the retired Soccoroo of the same name) was strong for the Cats.

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SOUTH MELBOURNE v MELBOURNE (at Lake Oval)
Round 1
May 8, 1897

Melbourne and South Melbourne met on the inaugural day of the inaugural VFL season.

Despite their away status, the Fuchsias piled on three goals to none in the first term, maintaining their margin to half time.

Although South Melbourne brought the difference back to a manageable 10 points, one goal to zero in the last quarter gave Melbourne a comfortable 17 point win.

Jack Leith, who would go on to kick 162 goals across 13 seasons in the red and blue, booted two on the day.

South Melbourne, runners up in the 1896 VFA, came into this game with five players aged 28 or older compared to Melbourne’s one, and were no doubt accused of gratuitous topping up.

A report in The Argus newspaper, in between bemoaning rule changes, commented that “the dropkick, which had well nigh been replaced entirely by the crude, bull-headed punt, will, I fancy, once more become the glory of the game.”

FOOTSCRAY v FREMANTLE (at Western Oval)
Round 5
April 29, 1995

Footscray hosted Fremantle in what would prove to be one of the classic matches of 1995.

After a tight first quarter, the Dockers took control and had a 10 point lead at the final break.

In a pulsating last term, Bulldog Jason Watts snapped a goal with one minute remaining to put the home side two points up.

With Footscray running the clock down across half back, Fremantle skipper Ben Allen went back with the flight to take an incredible intercept mark, the siren sounding as he got to his feet.

70 metres out, Allen unloaded with a post-siren barrel that carried all the way to the goal mouth, where it was spoiled back into play by a pack of Bulldogs defenders. A brilliant individual effort, but just short.

Among Fremantle’s two debutants was Shaun McManus, who played 228 games at Fremantle, captained the club, and is a life member.