Season Summary: 1950

The 1950 season saw the controversial appointment of 116-game, dual premiership Melbourne follower Adrian 'Spud' Dullard as playing-coach, which meant the premiership coach of the previous season, Gordon Ogden, was effectively sacked. The board of the time overwhelmingly elected to revert to a playing coach, reversing the narrow vote to have a non-playing coach taken in 1948. Ogden had requested a two-year term and a little more money. Ogden, who played 56 games for Williamstown up until 1945, and coached for five seasons (1939-41 and 1948-49), took up umpiring in 1950 and then would go on to coach Yarraville from 1951-1955, leading them to the losing grand final against Port Melbourne in 1953. Ogden also coached Williamstown to the 1939 premiership, into the 1948 grand final, which was lost to Brighton by just nine points, and led the Seconds to the finals in 1944 when that competition restarted a year prior to the VFA seniors resuming after the recess for the Second World War.

Dullard, father of the player from the 1980's, Tony Dullard, was made captain and Reg Featherby vice-captain in place of Colin Wilcox who immediately announced his disagreement with the committee's decision on the coaching position and resigned, ending the career, after 173 games (the Club record at the time), of one of the best players ever to wear a Williamstown guernsey. Named on a half-back flank in the Team of the Century, Wilcox came across from Melbourne reserves in 1938 and gave wonderful service as a centre-half back, on the half-back flank and occasionally at full back. He played in three premierships (1939, 1945 & 1949), the first Williamstown player to do so, and won the best & fairest award in 1948 as well as being runner-up in 1938/40/41/45. Wilcox was vice-captain of the 1949 premiership team. He was a good clubman, which he demonstrated during the war recess when several League clubs strove hard for his services. He always told them he would wait for the VFA to resume so that he would be immediately available for Williamstown.

Other players departing the club after 1949 were the great Ron Todd (retired), Bill Wells (coach of Maryborough), Alan Strang (coach of Wagga), Bill Redmond (Eaglehawk) and Bruce Chapman (coach of Newport). 24yo Harold Peacock accepted a big offer to captain-coach country side Heywood, near where he spent much of his early childhood, and eventually guided them to their first Western Districts Football League premiership in 1953. Theo Greenland followed Peacock to Heywood after 4 games in 1950.

Apart from Dullard, recruits included Vin Morrisey (13 games with Footscray 1948-49), who didn't play until July following a dispute with Brighton over his signature, Don Rogers (Brunswick), and good local players Laurie Gunn (Footscray Seconds), future president of the Club, Sid Wookey, from Spotswood, Jack Dorgan (3 games with Melbourne), 18 year-old John 'Chooka' Fowler (who kicked 120 goals for Spotswood in 1949) and Jack Twist, Arthur Vernon, Kevin Moloney and Cliff Poole, from the Seconds. Poole had won the FDFL C grade best and fairest award in 1949 when with Newport. Wookey, Fowler, Twist, Vernon, Moloney and Poole had all played in the Seconds' final series in 1949. Another new player was Jack Rennie, who would go on to train world champion boxer, Lionel Rose, and J. Thomas also came across from Yarraville.

Off the field, Alf Urban, who ran a chemist shop in Douglas Parade, stepped down from the presidency after three years and Harold Hosking, former secretary of the Club from 1929-32, was elected, a post he would hold until the end of 1954.

The VFA became affiliated with the Australian National Football Council over the summer, which meant that some of the features that made the Association unique, such as the throw-pass and kicking-in-danger, were dropped from the rules, which Williamstown felt sacrificed the independence and individuality of the VFA, but it was to be a few years before the full impact of this move was felt.

The opening game of the season at home against Brunswick saw the unfurling of the 1949 pennant by Mrs Urban, wife of the previous year's president, and a subsequent nine-point defeat (10.12.72 to 9.9.63), the Club's first round one loss since 1937. It was only its fourth defeat at home since the resumption after World War II in 1945 and Brunswick's first win at Pt. Gellibrand since 1938. It was the first time the two clubs had met in the opening round since 1925. It was also the first time that a club, after unfurling the flag, had lost at home since Prahran beat Footscray at Footscray in 1909. Brunswick nearly achieved the feat when it drew with Coburg at Coburg on the first day of the 1930 season. The ‘Wicks repeated the effort later in the year when they downed Williamstown in round 12 at Brunswick.

The first round loss saw Williamstown in tenth place, but four consecutive wins, including two at Pt Gellibrand over eventual third-placed, Brighton, by 3 goals and eventual runner-up, Port Melbourne, by 2 goals, improved the situation a good deal and the Club was soon back in second position on the ladder. Four defeats over the next seven rounds, including a 15-goal loss at Coburg and an 8-goal defeat at Toorak Park, saw the team slip back to sixth position by round 12. The Seagulls held eventual premier, Oakleigh, to a score of 3.8.26 at Williamstown in round 8 in a 55-point victory, the second-largest winning margin of the season.

Three consecutive wins, including a second victory over Brighton for the year in round 14 at Elsternwick Park, elevated the Seagulls back into third spot by round 15. A seven-goal defeat at Port Melbourne followed, before three successive wins, including a one-point victory over Sandringham at Williamstown in the last match, which was Lou Salvas' 100th senior game for the Seagulls. Coburg were on the same number of wins prior to this game and with a better percentage but lost whilst 'Town won. Oakleigh, Port Melbourne, Williamstown and Brighton made up the final four that would contest the finals, the Seagulls' sixth consecutive finals appearance.

Having missed the double chance for the first time since 1945, 'Town came up against Brighton in the first semi-final at the Junction Oval, St Kilda, before a crowd of 18,000. Williamstown were eliminated from the finals, going down 15.12.102 to 9.10.64 with Johnny Walker kicking five goals and the best players being Sid Wookey, Kevin Taylor, Adrian Dullard, Jack Danckert, Gordon Cameron and Walker. The Club was dogged by injuries which, when added to the loss of quality players such as Todd, Peacock, Greenland, Wells, Strang, Redmond, Chapman and Wilcox, brought the team back to the field. More numerous injuries than usual kept players such as Murray McRae, Gordon Williams, Cliff Poole, Sid Wookey and John Molyneux on the sidelines for varying periods. Mal MacPherson suffered a serious knee injury in round 8 at Sandringham which allowed him to play only 5 matches for the year and ended his VFA career after 84 games and 198 goals from 1946. The transfer of Johnny Walker to full-forward after Todd's departure was the highlight of the season as he finished equal with Bruce Harper of Sandringham on 71 goals to head the Association goalkicking list. Other Williamstown players to kick 10 or more goals for the season were Adrian Dullard (27), Keith Abberton (17), Kevin Taylor (15), John Molyneux (14) and Lou Salvas (10). The team kicked 214 goals, 266 behinds, 1550 points to the opposition's 214 goals, 229 behinds, 1513 points. 34 players represented the Club in senior football during the year and Keith Abberton, Norm Bernard and new captain-coach, Adrian Dullard, were the only players to appear in all 20 matches during the season.

Since the VFA resumed in 1945, Williamstown had played 133 matches for 97 wins, 35 losses and one draw. Of these games, 62 had been played at Pt Gellibrand and resulted in just four defeats. Two premierships had been won, once runner-up, two third placings and one fourth, as well as the lightning premiership in 1946.

At the annual meeting in respect of the 1950 season, held at the Town Hall in November, the following trophies were presented: Jack Danckert (best & fairest), John Molyneux (best & fairest runner-up), Sid Wookey (best first-year player), Alf Sampson (most consistent), Gordon 'Splinter' Williams (best utility), Ken May (most serviceable), Johnny Walker (special services) and Norm Bernard (most improved). Reg Featherby (v. Northcote in round 7) and Lou Salvas (v. Sandringham in round 19) both brought up their 100th senior appearance for 'Town during the year. Alf Sampson, at 38 years of age, won the Williamstown Advertiser award and John Molyneux the Williamstown Chronicle award. Molyneux also finished equal fifth in the Liston Trophy voting. Bert Paterson (committeeman 1936-40 and vice-president 1949-50) and former player and administrator, Tom Hernan (7 games 1925, committeeman 1940-42, 1946 & 1948-50 and assistant secretary 1945 & 1947) both received life membership at the meeting.

Both Murray McRae and Freddie Matthews were selected to represent the VFA in a game against the ACT in June, which the Association won by 21 goals, while Jack Danckert and Reg Featherby represented the VFA at the ANFC carnival in Brisbane in July, held at the Exhibition Oval.

The Seconds, under new captain-coach Joe Lyon, had another good season finishing second on the ladder by percentage only, with the Seagulls and Coburg both having 14 wins and 5 losses and the team was never out of the four during the season. The team remained unbeaten on the Williamstown ground for four years. Playing Coburg in the second semi-final, the Seconds gave their worst display for the season nand were decisively defeated. Changes to the team and positional moves enabled the Seconds to overwhelm Port Melbourne in the preliminary final, 12.15.87 to 5.6.36, with Doug Howard and Terry Gapper both kicking 3 goals and the better players being Howard, Don Rogers, Charlie McLaren, Terry Gapper and Joe Lyon. Unfortunately, the team finished runner-up for the second consecutive season by losing the grand final to Coburg by just one goal, 8.11 to 7.11, despite leading at every change of ends by 2 points, 7 points and 1 point, respectively. Vice-captain, Doug Howard, and rover, Terry Gapper, both kicked two goals while the better players were best-on-ground Don Rogers, Sid Wookey, Leo Tweedly, Kevin Auld, Arthur 'Cocky' Vernon, Joe Lyon, Howard, Gapper and Thomas. It was the 'Burgers eleventh pennant in 24 years since the Club joined the VFA in 1925, and were also runners-up on five occasions.

47 players represented the Seconds during the year, 28 being first-year players and 19 former players. Leo Tweedly won his second Reserves best and fairest award with Max Hughes runner-up. Hughes won the Williamstown Advertiser best player award with Tweedly runner-up. E. Neenan was awarded the best clubman trophy, C. Burkett best first-year player, J. Barrett most consistent, Doug Howard best utility and Terry Gapper the most improved. Don Rogers was judged the best-in-finals player with Kevin Auld in second place. Former Seconds' premiership captain-coach of 1948, Jack Vinall, received life membership of the Seconds at the annual meeting in respect of the 1950 season held at the Mechanics Institute in February 1951. Claude Tomkins stood down as president of the Seconds at the conclusion of the season after a record six seasons in the role, and was replaced by one of the vice-presidents, Harry Dyson. The Seconds' end-of-season trip comprised a party of 41 players, committeemen and supporters who journeyed to Devonport, Tasmania, aboard the M.V. Taroona, which included a game against the local team which resulted in a four-point defeat, 9.11.65 to 8.13.61.

During 1950 the Club lost a number of life members and former players, including:

- Jack Kenny (83 games 10 goals 1887-1899, captain 1894) on April 26 at his home in Power Street at the age of 79;

- Kenny's former teammate, Bob McCubbin, the champion follower of the period 1891-96 (97 games 17 goals) and 1893 VFA representative, passed away at Kyneton Hospital on March 10 at the age of 81;

- Sid Conlon (27 games 1924-26, vice-captain 1926, grand final 1924) on May 22 at Heidelberg Military Hospital at the age of 51;

- Tommy Hall (played 1907-08) on August 8 at his home in Footscray aged 67; and

- committeeman from 1911-15, 1926, 1934-35 and 1938 and assistant secretary 1919-20 and vice-president 1921, George Musicka, on August 21 at his home in Dover Road at the age of 63.

Adult membership stood at 1562 in 1950, a drop of some significance from the 3130 in 1946, which followed a premiership season and Ron Todd's phenomenal 188 goals.

During the year the VFA elected to admit Box Hill and Moorabbin to the competition from the following season, the first inclusions since Oakleigh and Sandringham joined the VFA in 1929. The Association was also in secret negotiations with the Royal Agricultural Society to stage night football at the Showgrounds from 1951. VFA vice-president, Bill Dooley, was heavily involved in the discussions. The same group of clubs who were reluctant about admitting new teams was also against the concept of night football, despite Dooley's pleas for them to 'think big' for a change. This fight reached its peak at the end of the season and the matter was dropped. Ironically, after pioneering the possibilities of night football as early as 1950, the VFA had to pay high rates for the South Melbourne ground when night football did commence in 1957 and beyond. The idea of night football came about when VFA officials witnessed the success of games played under lights at the ANFC Carnival in Brisbane in July 1950.

Ron Todd left for England from Port Melbourne aboard the Stratheden on April 18, 1950.

Harold Hosking, secretary of the Club from 1929-32 and vice-president from 1933-35 and 1948-49, was elected president in 1950, a post he would hold until 1954.

Williamstown Chronicle, March 17, 1950

Williamstown's new coach, pictured here in the Sporting Globe, August 14 1946

Williamstown Chronicle March 3, 1950

1950 Argus newspaper badge

Argus April 20, 1950

1949 premiership vice-captain, Colin Wilcox, immediately announced his disagreement with the committee's decision on the appointment of Adrian Dullard as coach and resigned on the eve of the season, ending the career after 173 games (the Club record at the time) of one of the best players ever to wear a Williamstown guernsey. Named on a half-back flank in the Team of the Century, Wilcox came across from Melbourne reserves in 1938 and gave wonderful service as a centre half-back, on the half-back flank and occasionally at full back. He played in three premierships (1939, 1945 & 1949), the first Williamstown player to do so, and won the best & fairest award in 1948 as well as being runner-up in 1938/40/41/45. He was a good clubman, which he demonstrated during the war recess when several League clubs strove hard for his services. He always told them he would wait for the VFA to resume so that he would be immediately available for Williamstown.

Vin Morrissey was recruited from Footscray in 1950

Sporting Globe, March 29 1950

Back pocket in Williamstown's 1945 premiership side and ruck rover in the 1948 grand final team, Bruce Chapman, retired during 1949 due to injury after 85 games and became coach of Newport in 1950.

Williamstown Chronicle, February 10 1950

The unfurling of the 1949 pennant by the president's wife, Mrs Urban, at the opening game of the 1950 season at home against Brunswick which resulted in a nine-point defeat (10.12.72 to 9.9.63), only the fourth loss at Williamstown since the resumption after the war in 1945.

The Age September 15, 1950

The Argus May 17, 1950

Williamstown Chronicle, June 2, 1950 - a scene from the round 6 game at Coburg which resulted in an 89-point defeat.

A scene from the round 6 game at Coburg which resulted in an 89-point defeat. John Molyneux (#10) awaits the outcome of the marking contest between Rex Varney and Don Holbrook of Coburg and Keith Abberton of Williamstown. Fred 'Snowy' Matthews (#12) is looking on.

The Argus June 14, 1950

Mal Macpherson

Mal Macpherson played 84 games and kicked 198 goals from 1946-1950 before retiring at the age of 22 due to a serious knee injury sustained at Sandringham in round 8 of the 1950 season. He kicked 5 goals in the one-point loss to Sandringham in the 1946 preliminary final, played in the 1948 grand final loss in the year he was leading goalkicker with 59 majors and played in the 1949 three-point premiership win over Oakleigh on the day he turned 21yo.

Reg Featherby, who was appointed vice-captain in 1950, played 123 games and kicked 5 goals from 1945-1951 and 1953 (he coached Benalla in 1952), won the 1949 best and fairest award and played in the 1945 & 1949 premiership teams. Recruited from Altona, he was the greatest exponent of the throw pass to ever play for Williamstown, according to the late Club historian, Fred Critchley.

An extract from Larry Floyd's book on the history of the VFA and Williamstown - the games played and goalscorers of 1950. The second column in the games played and goals scored records is the player's cumulative total.

The Age, September 25, 1950 - Williamstown Seconds progressed to the grand final after downing Port Melbourne in the preliminary final, 12.15.87 to 5.6.36.

Williamstown Chronicle, October 6 1950

The Herald, September 30 1950

The Argus, October 2 1950

The Age, October 2 1950

Williamstown Seconds, under new captain-coach Joe Lyon, had another good season finishing second on the ladder by percentage only, with the Seagulls and Coburg both having 14 wins and 5 losses and the team was never out of the four during the season. The team had remained unbeaten on the Williamstown ground for four years.

Leo Tweedly won his second best and fairest award for the Seconds after earlier taking it out in 1948. Likewise, Doug Howard was again voted best utility player after having received the same trophy in 1948.

47 players represented the Seconds during the year, 28 being first-year players and 19 former players. Leo Tweedly won his second Reserves best and fairest award with Max Hughes runner-up. Hughes won the Williamstown Advertiser best player award with Tweedly runner-up. E. Neenan was awarded the best clubman trophy, C. Burkett best first-year player, J. Barrett most consistent, Doug Howard best utility and Terry Gapper the most improved. Don Rogers was judged the best-in-finals player with Kevin Auld in second place. Former Seconds' premiership captain-coach of 1948, Jack Vinall, received life membership of the Seconds at the annual meeting in respect of the 1950 season held at the Mechanics Institute in February 1951. Claude Tomkins stood down as president of the Seconds at the conclusion of the season after a record six seasons in the role, and was replaced by one of the vice-presidents, Harry Dyson. The Seconds' end-of-season trip comprised a party of 41 players, committeemen and supporters who journeyed to Devonport, Tasmania, aboard the M.V. Taroona, the Seconds' first interstate trip since Easter 1921 when they also ventured to Tasmania. The trip included a game against the local team which resulted in a four-point defeat, 9.11.65 to 8.13.61.

Jack Kenny, who commenced with Williamstown in 1887 after being recruited from Williamstown Juniors, was elevated to the captaincy in 1894 but was unsuccessful and replaced for the following season by Walter Warren. Kenny played a total of 83 games and kicked 10 goals from 1887-99. He passed away on April 26, 1950, at his home in Power Street at the age of 79.

The Age, April 27, 1950

Champion follower of the period 1891-96 (97 games 17 goals), 1893 VFA representative and former teammate of Jack Kenny, Bob McCubbin, passed away at Kyneton Hospital on March 10 at the age of 81. He is pictured here playing for Collingwood, where he played 6 games in 1898 at the age of almost 30 after leaving Williamstown to try his luck in the then VFL.

The Age, March 11, 1950

Argus, March 13, 1950

Emerald Hill Times, May 27, 1950 - Former player, Sid Conlon (27 games 1924-26, vice-captain 1926, grand final 1924), passed away on May 22 at Heidelberg Military Hospital at the age of 51.

The Age, May 23, 1950

The Age, June 2, 1950

The Age, August 10, 1950 - Former player, Tommy Hall (played 1907-08), passed away on August 8 at his home in Footscray aged 67.

Tom Hernan played 7 games for the Villagers in 1925 before heading to Williamstown Juniors during the season, but returned to Williamstown as a committeeman in 1940-42, 1946 and from 1948-50 and was assistant secretary 1945 & 1947, receiving life membership in 1950 before passing away in 1966.