Season Summary: 1952

Harold Hosking was re-elected president for the third time in respect of the 1952 season, and Stan Whear, an accountant from Caltex oil company, commenced his then-record 13-year posting as secretary in this year, replacing George Abberton who had been in the role for two seasons. The committee decided on a change of coach and appointed Billy Williams of South Melbourne, where he had played 124 games from 1945-1951, kicking 180 goals and winning the Swans best & fairest in 1946, 1947 and 1950. Adrian Dullard was persuaded to remain on as a player, which he did for two more seasons, but Gordon Williams, the equal 1951 best & fairest winner, was made vice-captain. Bob Major commenced his long reign as head trainer in this season when Fred Sutton retired. 

For more information on Billy Williams, copy and paste the link below.

http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/born-working-billy-williams/

Players missing from the 1951 outfit included 100-game veteran Alf Sampson (coach of St Arnaud Stars), Keith Abberton (coach of Moe, but he returned in 1954), Reg Featherby (coach of Benalla, but he returned in 1953), Jack Danckert, who missed all of 1951 due to his work, transferred to Tooronga and Murray McRae retired due to injury but attempted a comeback in 1953 and played one further game. The biggest blow of all was the move of the brilliant Bill Gunn to South Melbourne after just one season. The transfer of coach Williams was used as leverage by the Swans to acquire Gunn, Williamstown's best first-year player in 1951, who would go on to represent Victoria twice during his first year in the VFL, following in the footsteps of other former Williamstown players Jack O'Connell in 1922, Alan Geddes in 1925, and Reg Harley and Geoff Spring in 1948.

 

Recruited to the Club was future Team of the Century member, Harry Simpson, also from South Melbourne, who had signed with Sandringham but was persuaded by vice-president George Holdsworth to join Williamstown, whilst the sons of former players, Johnny Martin (from Williamstown Seconds) and George Taafe (from South Melbourne Seconds), both made their debuts in 1952. John Martin senior had played in Footscray's VFA premiership teams of 1919-20 and joined Williamstown in 1923 before becoming captain-coach in 1926. George Taafe senior played 53 games with 'Town from 1928-31. George Tozer came across from Carlton Seconds in June, whilst full-back in the Team of the Century, Max Munday, also joined the 'Town from Footscray and Yarraville Socials in the Footscray District League. Alan Cuff (Newport), Jack Simpson (Essendon), Bert Phillips (Essendon Seconds), Jack Howat (local junior), Bernie Hogan (Yarraville), Kevin Hibbert (Williamstown Seconds) and Brian Lowry (Williamstown Thirds) were also useful additions. Reg Harley returned from South Melbourne mid-season after playing 61 League games, and Gordon Cameron returned from Wagga North and made a brief comeback, playing two games before retiring with 81 matches to hisname.

Williamstown lost its opening two matches of the season for the first time since 1937 when they lost the first six games, going down to eventual runner-up, Port Melbourne, 15.14.104 to 6.11.47 at home and then away at Preston 16.11.107 to 'Town's 14.19.103. It was Port’s first win at Pt Gellibrand since 1941 and the Seagulls lowest score for the year. It was also champion full-forward Bob Bonnett's first senior game for the Borough. A good win at Coburg in round 3 gave rise to hope of improvement, but successive defeats to Northcote, Sandringham, eventual premier Oakleigh and the inexperienced Box Hill soon put paid to that, with only one win in the first seven games and second-last place on the ladder. The Seagulls overcame the previous year's premiers, Prahran, but then lost at Yarraville for the first time since 1937, the Eagles getting home by 10 points, 18.7.115 to 15.15.105. 

Just as interest in the season had almost evaporated, a magnificent win at Port Melbourne in round 14, 16.15.111 to 11.19.85, restored some pride after coming from two goals down at three-quarter time. Johnny Walker kicked 8 goals to get the Seagulls home while ruckman Harry Simpson, and defenders Max Munday and Don Rogers were amongst the best. It was Port's first loss for the year after thirteen consecutive wins, and Williamstown's first victory at North Port Oval since 1940. It was jocularly suggested that that the home side had been too gentlemanly in front of the Governor, Sir Dallas Brooks, who was seeing his first game of Association football as guest of the Port Melbourne club. A seven-goal win over Preston at Pt Gellibrand the following week elevated Williamstown to tenth place on the ladder, the highest it would achieve all season, before successive losses to Coburg and Northcote resumed the slump.

The 1952 season was marked by some of the worse weather ever experienced, with most of the grounds becoming waterlogged very early in the season and remained that way for the best part of the year. Williamstown's oval was a notable exception but this proved of little value to the team because every second match had to be played on a mudheap.  The game at Box Hill in round 7, which resulted in a two goal defeat, was played on a ground at least half covered with water with the rest mud. These abnormal conditions, even for winter, kept crowds away and made conditions unpleasant for the players and umpires, with little drop kicking or high marking. These conditions made 'Town's efforts to make progress or even arrest the drift of the previous season all the more difficult and, at the conclusion of the home-and-away games, the side was not only out of the top four for the second successive season but was pushed down to tenth position on the 14-team ladder with just eight wins from 20 games, the worse result since 1938. Apart from round 15, following a 44 point victory over Preston at Williamstown, which saw the Seagulls rise up the ladder to tenth place, this was the highest 'Town had been all year as the team floated between 11th and 13th all season. Injuries to Sid Wookey, Gerry Callahan, Harry Simpson, Bill Sheahan, Noel Allanson, Reg Harley, Jack Rennie and Jack Simpson also kept them out of the game for varying periods of time during the year which didn't help.

One redeeming feature of an otherwise mediocre season was the splendid performance of Johnny Walker, who got well out in front of his rivals towards the end of the season to take the VFA goalkicking honours with a total of 103, thirty-four in front of runner-up Bob Bonnett of Port Melbourne. Over the last three matches of the season, Walker added 34 goals to his tally with returns of 14 (v. Sandringham in a 132-point win), 4 (v Oakleigh) and 16 (v. Box Hill in a 103-point victory). This very good finish to the year bolstered the team's percentage up to 112.47 from the eight victories. The Box Hill game was at home against a team the Seagulls had yet to beat, and Williamstown focused on playing through Walker in an attempt to get him the 13 goals he needed for his century. Kicking five in the first quarter and having 11 by half time, Walker was well on his way. He brought up the coveted ton early in the third quarter after missing the most easiest of shots and ended up with 16 in a score of 24.11 to 8.4. Supporters were so elated that they took up a collection after the game and presented him with 40 pounds, a not inconsiderable amount when the basic wage was just 12 pounds a week (refer newspaper report below). Walker also brought up his 300th career goal during this game, which was Box Hill's first visit to Williamstown since being admitted to the VFA in 1951. The Seagulls total of 27.14 against Sandringham was the highest score kicked by any club that season, the score against Box Hill the second highest and on four occasions during the year 'Town kicked the highest score of the round despite winning just 8 games and finishing tenth. The team scored a total of 255 goals and 237 behinds (1767) to the opposition's 224 goals and 227 behinds (1571). Apart from Walker, captain-coach Billy Williams (34), former coach Adrian Dullard (24), Johnny Molyneux (21) and Bill 'Altona/Left-footer' Williams (16) were the others to kick more than ten goals during the season. 37 players appeared in the senior team during the season and the two Billy Williams, Walker, Dullard, Don Rogers and Gordon Williams were the only players to appear in all 20 matches.  

Another highlight of the year was the controversy surrounding the suspensions of Lou Barker and first-year player Max Munday for 10 matches each following the round 10 game against Brunswick at Williamstown. Barker had been reported by the field umpire and two boundary umpires for allegedly elbowing Cully of Brunswick whilst Munday went into the book for allegedly striking Pat Wheeler of Brunswick by a boundary umpire. The Club immediately appealed against the decision of the tribunal on the grounds that the honorary commissioners had not been appointed annually as required under the VFA regulations. The VFA subsequently admitted the technical error and lifted the suspensions immediately, and both players could resume having served a three week ban. This also threw a cloud over other suspensions handed out earlier in the year, including a lifetime ban on a Sandringham trainer for allegedly attempting to strike an umpire and a Northcote player who had been barred for 8 matches. It was revealed later that the Club would have taken no action except for what was perceived to be the manifestly excessive penalties handed down (Refer newspaper reports below).

At the annual meeting in respect of the 1952 season, held at the Town Hall in December 1952, VFA president, Dr Frank Hartnett, addressed the audience about the Association's involvement in the Australian National Football Council (ANFC). He stated that 'it was time the VFA withdrew from the ANFC so that it can bid for players that had a name in the League and, by doing so, regain some of its former power. Because of the money behind the League it dominated the ANFC to the detriment of the VFA.' Also at the meeting, life memberships were awarded to Fred Arms, a committeeman since 1945, and Len Bevis, a committeeman from 1945-50.

Membership in this season totalled 1,117 comprised of 937 adults and 180 students. 

Don Rogers did well to win the Club's best and fairest award, the Andy Taylor Memorial Trophy, from a back pocket, with Johnny Walker runner-up. Max Munday was best first-year player, Adrian Dullard the most consistent player, Harry Simpson the most serviceable player, Noel Allanson the most effective player, Ray Smith the most improved player, Gordon Williams the best utility, while special services awards were made to Bill Sheahan, Sid Wookey, John Martin and John Molyneux. Johnny Walker won the goalkicking award as well as the Williamstown Advertiser best player award. Noel Allanson took out the Williamstown Chronicle best player trophy. 

The Seconds, under new captain-coach Bert McTaggart jnr, the 1939 premiership centre half-forward, who replaced Joe Lyon, won ten matches, lost nine with one draw to finish sixth. Many of the losses were by small margins, by four points to Box Hill, three points to Yarraville and Port Melbourne, two points to Brunswick, one point to Preston and then the draw with Box Hill. Also, the new captain-coach received a serious hand injury in the first match of the season and never played again, with vice-captain, Charlie McLaren, leading the team for the remainder of the year. 59 players represented the Seconds over the course of the year, being 29 former players and 30 first-year players. Vice-captain, Charlie McLaren, took out their best and fairest award, while Sid Gething won the Williamstown Advertiser best player award. Future Liston Medallist, dual senior best and fairest winner and four-time senior premiership player, John Martin, was runner-up in the Seconds best and fairest award with Sid Gething in third place. Eric Perussich was awarded best first-year player in the Seconds, Clive Barnard most improved, Jim Paton best clubman, Jack Heslop most consistent and C. Birkett best utility. 

Jim Tyrell, who had been associated with the Seconds since 1944, received life membership of the Reserves at the annual meeting held at the Mechanics Institute in respect of the 1952 season in February 1953. The Seconds' end-of-season trip was to Wangaratta by coach with a party of 27, which included side trips to Beechworth and Bright/Mt Buffalo.    

In the Thirds competition, Williamstown missed the final four, but Peter Barnes won the inaugural Association best and fairest, the Alec Gillon Medal, whilst Fred Grubb won the Club award. Grubb did a pre-season with Footscray in 1954. The Thirds, once again coached by Ken Bravo, played curtain-raisers to the Seniors in this season.

Since the VFA resumed after the war recess in 1945, Williamstown had played in 173 matches resulting in 115 wins, 56 defeats and 2 draws. 82 of these games had been played at Pt Gellibrand and only 13 defeats had been suffered. In this time two premierships had been won, once runners-up, twice third and one fourth placing together with a lightning premiership in 1946. 

The Club lost a number of life members, former players and officials during the year, including:

- Life member, 82yo Walter Warren, passed away at his home in Illawarra Street on November 30. He played for fourteen seasons from 1886 and 1890-1902 and was captain five times, a record only broken by Gerry Callahan in 1959. His brothers, Peter and Ernie, were also grand players around the same time, with Ernie being vice-captain in 1890 and captain in 1891 during his career from 1884-1892, while Peter played from 1892-97. Other brothers Jack, Bill and Harry at one time or another also donned the blue and gold of Williamstown. Walter won the Club goalkicking 1892-1896 & 1898-99. Ernie was leading goalkicker with 30 in 1886, the most kicked by a Williamstown player in a season until Len 'Mother' Mortimer booted 48 in 1905. Ernie had died in May 1938;

- Bobby Gibbs jnr (140 games 87 goals 1907-19, vice-captain 1915 & 1919, first rover 1907 premiership team) on February 1 at his home at Newport aged 63;

- Arthur Prideaux (committeeman 1913, secretary 1914-18) on November 12 at Eurora aged 79; and

- Jack Emmerson (committeeman 1924, treasurer 1925-28) on April 4 at his home in Ferguson Street. 

The end-of-season trip was a more modest affair in this season, with a long weekend train trip to Albury aboard the 'Spirit of Progress' by 42 members, officials and supporters on October 10.

Jim Foley, the Club's VFA delegate since 1935, was replaced by Eddie Marr in this season while Stan Whear replaced George Abberton, who became a vice-president, as secretary, a post he would hold until the end of the 1964 season.  

The VFA introduced a club championship in this season, based on a points system for wins in the Firsts, Seconds and Thirds. It was named after the former Association president of 1947-49, Squire Reid, who had also been the MLA for Oakleigh from 1927-32 and then from 1937-47 before passing away on July 29, 1949, aged 61, whilst still leading the VFA. Port Melbourne were the first recipients of the award, which Williamstown eventually won in 1955.  

24yo Keith Abberton departed the Club in 1952 to take up the captain-coach role at Moe but returned in 1954 for one final season which saw him play in the premiership win over Port Melbourne.

Essendon's Jack Simpson joined Williamstown in 1952 and played 14 games and kicked 7 goals in his only season with the Seagulls. He had played 6 games with the Bombers from 1949-51 after being recruited from Doutta Stars and played in the Seconds' premiership in 1950. He went back to Doutta Stars after leaving Williamstown before returning to the VFA with Brunswick in 1955 and 1956. In 1976, Simpson entered Victorian State Parliament as the inaugural member for Niddrie in 1976 and served until 1988.

Stan Whear commenced his 13-year reign as Club secretary in 1952.

Williamstown Football Club ladies committee 1952

From left: Beverley Whiffin, Betty Whear, unknown, unknown, Jean Hately, secretary Evelyn Spicer, Hilda Jean Pohl, unknown, president Elsie Flett, Edie Nicholson, Betty Bury, Mrs K. Campbell, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown

Harry Simpson came to Williamstown in 1952 after 16 games with South Melbourne and went on to become the premier ruckman in the VFA, winning the Club best and fairest in 1953 and 1954 and being runner-up in the JJ Liston Trophy in 1954. He was first ruck in the 1954 and 1955 premiership teams, before leaving in 1956 after 75 games to captain-coach Dimboola. He was selected in a forward pocket in the Williamstown Team of the Century. 

Emerald Hill Record, February 22 1952 

Emerald Hill Record, February 22 1952 

                                                         

South Melbourne star of the 1940's and 50's, Billy Williams, came to Williamstown as captain-coach in 1952 in exchange for 1951 best first-year player, Bill Gunn. Williams played 124 games with the Swans from 1945-1951, kicking 180 goals and winning the Swans best & fairest in 1946, 1947 and 1950.

The Argus February 20, 1952

Williamstown Chronicle February 22, 1952

Full-back in the Team of the Century, Max Munday, joined 'Town from Footscray and Yarraville Socials in the Footscray District League in 1952 and went on to play 120 games, finishing in 1958 after playing in the 1954, 1955 and 1956 premiership sides.

The Age March 25, 1952

Williamstown Chronicle, March 28 1952

The Argus April 3, 1952

The Age April 12, 1952

Williamstown Chronicle, April 4 1952

 

 

 Williamstown Chronicle August 1, 1952

Williamstown's Johnny Walker was the VFA leading goalkicked in 1952. Over the last three matches of the season, Walker added 34 goals to his tally with returns of 14 (v. Sandringham in a 132-point win), 4 (v Oakleigh) and 16 (v. Box Hill in a 103-point victory). The Box Hill game was at Williamstown against a team the Seagulls had yet to beat, and Williamstown focused on playing through Walker in an attempt to get him the 13 goals he needed for his century. Kicking five in the first quarter and with 11 by half-time, Walker was well on his way and ended up with 16 in a score of 24.11 to 8.4. 

Reg Harley returned from South Melbourne early in the 1952 season.

Johnny Martin made his senior debut in 1952 against Preston at Williamstown in round 15 and went on to play 133 games, mainly across the centre, winning Club best and fairests in 1956 and 1958 and was runner-up in 1955, and the JJ Liston Trophy in 1956. He played in the 1954/1955/1956 and 1958 premiership teams, and was selected on the wing in the Williamstown Team of the Century. He went to Wentworth as playing coach in 1959 at the age of 25. 

1952 best and fairest winner, Don Rogers, recruited from Brunswick in 1950

Williamstown Chronicle, June 6 1952 

 The Age, June 23 1952 

The Age, June 28 1952

The Herald, July 19 1952

The Herald, July 21 1952

The Herald, July 22 1952

Sporting Globe, July 23 1952

Williamstown Chronicle, July 25 1952

Ray Smith, most improved player in 1952.

Williamstown Chronicle, September 12 1952

The Age, September 8. 1952.

The Age, September 8, 1952.

Williamstown Chronicle, October 31 1952

Dual Williamstown premiership coach (1939 and 1949), Gordon Ogden (left), pictured at the Dockyards with his father, Percy, in 1952.

The Seconds, under new captain-coach Bert McTaggart jnr, the 1939 premiership centre half-forward, who replaced Joe Lyon, won ten matches, lost nine with one draw to finish sixth. Many of the losses were by small margins, by four points to Box Hill, three points to Yarraville and Port Melbourne, two points to Brunswick, one point to Preston and then the draw with Box Hill. Also, the new captain-coach received a serious hand injury in the first match of the season and never played again, with vice-captain, Charlie McLaren, leading the team for the remainder of the year. 59 players represented the Seconds over the course of the year, being 29 former players and 30 first-year players. Vice-captain, Charlie McLaren, took out their best and fairest award, while Sid Gething won the Williamstown Advertiser best player award. Future Liston Medallist, dual senior best and fairest winner and four-time senior premiership player, John Martin, was runner-up in the Seconds best and fairest award with Sid Gething in third place. Eric Perussich was awarded best first-year player in the Seconds, Clive Barnard most improved, Jim Paton best clubman, Jack Heslop most consistent and C. Birkett best utility. 

Jim Tyrell, who had been associated with the Seconds since 1944, received life membership of the Reserves at the annual meeting held at the Mechanics Institute in respect of the 1952 season in February 1953. The Seconds' end-of-season trip was to Wangaratta by coach with a party of 27, which included side trips to Beechworth and Bright/Mt Buffalo.    

Williamstown Chronicle, December 19, 1952

Life member, 82yo Walter Warren, passed away at his home in Illawarra Street on November 30. He played for fourteen seasons from 1886 and 1890-1902 and was captain five times (1895, 1897-1899 & 1901) - a record until the great Gerry Callahan came along. His brothers, Peter and Ernie, were also grand players around the same time, with Ernie being vice-captain in 1890 and captain in 1891 during his career from 1884-1892, while Peter played from 1892-97. Other brothers Jack, Bill and Harry at one time or another also donned the blue and gold of Williamstown. Walter won the Club goalkicking seven times (1892-1896 & 1898-99). Ernie was leading goalkicker with 30 in 1886, the most kicked by a Williamstown player in a season until Len 'Mother' Mortimer booted 48 in 1905. Ernie had died in May 1938. 

 Ernest 'Dick' Warren, played 1884-92, 134 games, 52 goals, captain 1891, vice-captain 1890, leading goalscorer 1884 & 1886 

Williamstown Chronicle, February 8, 1952 - Bobby Gibbs jnr played 140 games and kicked 87 goals from 1907-19 and was vice-captain in 1915 & 1919. He was first rover in the 1907 premiership team, the Club's first. He passed away on February 1 at his home in Newport aged 63. His father, Bobby Gibbs snr, played between 171-185 games and kicked 46 goals between 1885-1899 and was vice-captain in 1892 and captain in 1893. He was leading goalkicker in 1889 with 13 goals. Father and son were both life members.

The Herald, February 2, 1952

Williamstown Chronicle, April 10, 1952 - Jack Emmerson, committeeman 1924 and treasurer 1925-28, passed away on April 4 at his home in Ferguson Street.

Argus, April 5, 1952 

Williamstown Chronicle, November 14, 1952 - Arthur Prideaux, committeeman 1913 & secretary 1914-18, passed away on November 12 at Eurora aged 79.

The Age, November 13, 1952

An extract from Larry Floyd's book on the history of the VFA and Williamstown - the games played and goalscorers of 1952. The second column in the games played and goals scored records is the player's cumulative total. 

Max Munday's best first-year player trophy, presented to him at the annual meeting in respect of the 1952 season held at the Town Hall in December 1952.