By Percy Beames
First published in The Age on September 29, 1947
CARLTON’S SNAP ON BELL WINS PENNANT
Carlton 4.0 8.0 10.4 13.5 (86)
ESSENDON 3.7 8.11 10.15 11.19 (85)
Dominated by the will to win and possessing any amount of grit and perseverance, Carlton staged an amazing finishing effort to dramatically snatch a one-point victory from Essendon in the V.F.L. grand final on Saturday.
There were scenes of great excitement at the M.C.G. after Carlton’s one-point win for the premiership. Here the Carlton captain – Ern Henfry – is being carried shoulder-high.Credit:The Age Archives
Carlton supporters became delirious with excitement when a left-foot snap goal by Stafford, less than one minute before the final bell, gave the Blues its narrow victory — and the 1947 premiership.
A memorable struggle between two well-matched teams, the game was well worthy of the big occasion. It was easily the brightest, breeziest and most thrilling struggle of the final series, and a wonderful climax to a most successful season.
Play was never dull. Scores were always fairly close. Pace was well in evidence and there was life and fire in every phase of play, while the spectacular marking, driving kicking, fearless clashes and the cleverness of individuals brought continuous applause.
Weight was used unsparingly, with occasionally full-blooded physical clashes, which kept the crowd simmering, threatened to become too fiery, but control by umpire Sawyer was never relaxed.
McClure, of Essendon, stretches full length to mark in front of Bennett, of Carlton. Cassin, of Essendon, stood down to await developments.Credit:The Age Archives
With less than 10 minutes to play, and 12 points down, Carlton’s prospects of success appeared far from bright. Then, as if awaiting a well-planned signal, the whole team sprang into life for a final do-or-die effort, which succeeded by sheer desperation.
Bennett, in defence, worked like a Trojan to keep Carlton forward, Howell became a revitalised force in the ruck, Henfry gave drive from the centre, while Baird’s activity and pace at centre half-forward became factors, emphasised by the tiredness of Buttsworth, of the Essendon defence,
Also Hands, previously unsighted, flashed into play with timely marks.
In addition, the placing of Baxter, a freshman, in the ruck, in the final few minutes, was a well-timed stroke of strategy. Baxter had replaced Deacon.
Tensed with great excitement, the crowd cheered every thrust in the last few minutes. Outmanoeuvring Ruddell to mark cleverly, Davies first goaled, to leave Carlton 6 points down.
Towering high over the pack, Howell marked beautifully, but Buttsworth was in the way. Hands then had a chance, but Ruddell brilliantly saved at the goal base.
Undeterred, Carlton again swarmed forward for Davies to mark 15 yards out. Groans of anguish followed his easy miss, leaving Carlton five points down.
From a free 40 yards from goal, Baxter failed to get the vital distance, and with time running dangerously short, Reynolds coolly marked to give Essendon respite and hold up play.
But Essendon, exhausted, could not advance far, and again Carlton stormed forward for Hands to flash in and mark. Distance again proved beyond him, and eagerly Essendon swept the ball out of bounds.
Over anxiety then proved Essendon’s downfall. Stafford was left unguarded.
A heavy pack flew for the ball. It was tapped to the ground. Stafford flashed across, snapped it up and crewed home cleverly a brilliant left-foot snap to give Carlton the lead and the match.
Essendon was dumbfounded and Dons’ supporters bewildered.
Pluck Rewarded
Carlton’s remarkable win was a tribute to its pluck, persistency and fighting spirit, and, although fortunate in the critical stage, it was deserving of the victory.
Playing an all-important part in the success was fitness and stamina, which enabled the Blues to persistently bombard Essendon’s defence into submission in the final term. The side was brilliantly led by Henfry, whose centre play was a great source of inspiration.
Accuracy, too, in kicking for goals was a most invaluable asset. Until half-time it was mainly their deadly precision – 8 goals straight – which kept the Blues within striking distance.
Until then Essendon was, in general play, the better side. It rose to its greatest height in the second term, to badly overshadow Carlton almost everywhere, but an appalling weakness in kicking for goals proved a losing handicap.
Well-earned opportunities were frittered away with heart-breaking monotony. Brittingham, full forward, was the main offender, but golden chances were also missed by Jones, Hutchison and other forwards.
For its defeat Essendon can blame only its first-half inaccuracy, particularly the early part of the opening term, from which 1.5 was scored from six shots.
It was apparent at interval that should a close finish occur Essendon, under the humid conditions, following two previous strenuous games, would be very hard put to see out the distance.
In the first, half the Dons used up a tremendous amount of energy for the small gain of only 11 points. A gruelling third term without marginal difference did not assist Essendon, especially as its pace had dropped considerably and its continuity of play diminished.
However, the Dons surprised by the tenacious way they hung on, and it was really only the last five minutes that exhaustion completely sapped their resistance and determination.
Essendon’s great strength all day was its defence. At centre half-back Buttsworth was practically impassable, and almost single-handed kept Carlton at bay. The Dons had a slight call on the wing and in the ruck, while its rovers were much smarter and quicker to seize opportunities.
But like accuracy in goal kicking, Essendon’s short passing was also faulty, allowing defenders to chip in to convert attack into defence.
However, for its gallant fight, which narrowly failed, Essendon is deserving of great praise To run Carlton to one point without Lane and Leehane was indeed a grand effort.
