The Opening of the Season

The season is off to a start and I hope you got a chance to go down to some of the teams' matches. You can find links to the fixtures on the website!

Did the return of footy make you launch into prose? Well it did for someone in 1905!

Check out this poem written by a Berwick spectator about the opening of the footy season, published on the 10th of May 1905!

The Opening of the Season.

I visited the football ground last Saturday afternoon.

And enjoyed the game immensely, though it finished far too soon.

I sat down in the shade and wished, though very hot the day.

That the final bell would never stop such interesting play.

‘Twas the op’ning of the season, and the kids cried out “Hooray.”

When Jim Rich. had blown his whistle and the ball was bounced away.

The antics of the barrackers were interesting to see,

And when Ail Miller kicked first goal they were as happy as could be.

Again ‘twas bounced, and “Son” and “Ab” on the ball were doing good work;

While Buchanan and O’Shannassy their duties did not shirk.

Now the ball is travelling fast, but Hunter stops it on the roll,

And after some cool and dext’rous play, kicks Berwick’s second goal.

‘Tis change of ends, and Pakenham have got the ball away;

Jim ‘Noster gets a mark and scores the first goal of the day.

H. Espie does some splendid work and forwards to Rain and Brown,

Ans they sent it on to Anderson who knocks his opponents down.

Jack, and John, and Ted, with play that did credit to them all,

Have rushed the play along until now Woodley has the ball.

He nicely poised his leg to kick, but a shove from a man on the wing,

Made him sit down far from gently outside the boundary ring.

A few minutes more and time us up, with Berwick still in the lead;

To prevent their opponent’s scoring is now their only need.

And a few lady enthusiasts with hysterial delight,

Are urging on the local lads to play with all their might.

[missing line]

And when the ball comes near the goal they prevent it going through.

The bell has gone, the players have stopped, and some feel stiff in the joints.

But nearly ev’ryone seems glad ‘cause Berwick has won by five points.

They fought a very manly game and deserved their victory:

The play was some of the very best ‘twas ever my lot to see.

So here’s good luck to our football team and give them a hearty cheer.

To wish them the greatest of success throughout the coming year.

BERWICK FOOTBALL CLUB. (1905, May 10). South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1877 - 1920; 1926 - 1927), p. 2 (WEEKLY.). Retrieved July 6, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66143200