Season Summary: 1955

Apart from the Seniors winning the 1955 pennant, the Seconds bettered their effort from the previous season and also won the premiership, the third that the Club had won following success in 1941 and 1948, excluding those won as Williamstown Juniors. The Thirds, which headed the ladder after the home-and-away rounds, had to be content with runners-up. This was only the second time after Coburg in 1928 that the seniors and reserves won VFA premierships in the same season. Essendon had completed the treble in the VFL in 1950.

At the annual general meeting in respect of the 1954 season, held at the Town Hall in December 1954, incumbent President Harold Hosking, content with a premiership finally stood down  as he said he would and handed over the reins to Jack Carter, a vice-president of the Senior club since 1953 and president of the Thirds since 1952. Dr Louis Joel was made a life member after more than 27 years service as the honorary medical officer.

Wally Carter (coach), Gerry Callahan (captain) and Alby Linton (vice-captain) were all re-appointed to their 1954 positions. Departures included best & fairest winners, Don Rogers (coach of Greensborough) and Reg Harley, who took up a country captain-coach appointment with Nar Nar Goon, while Johnny Walker similarly moved to captain-coach Footscray and Yarraville Socials after breaking down in the pre-season practice matches. Kev Taylor, Keith Abberton and Noel Alford (captain-coach of Traralgon) were the other main absentees, the latter being transferred to Gippsland with his employment. Recruits included rover Maurie Gear from Geelong, local lad Alan McPherson from South Melbourne, local junior Reg Ogden, Ted Barnes (son of 1930's star Jack Barnes), Allen Laurie (from Moorabbin), Robert Jones (Thirds captain), future Team of the Century back pocket Eric Beitzel (from Footscray seconds) and 19 year-old Alby Outen (from Footscray). Outen was the nephew of 1907 premiership vice-captain, Wyn Outen, and his brother, Mat Outen, who was first ruck in Williamstown's first premiership team and was a cousin of Reg Outen who was emergency in the 1939 premiership side.

As in the previous season, sixteen matches were won out of the twenty home-and-away games played, but on this occasion it earned the Club only third place although the Seagulls were never lower than fifth the entire year. The first match at Yarraville resulted in a comfortable win, 17.18 to 11.11, but the opening home game the following week resulted in an 8 point defeat to Preston after the unfurling of the 1954 pennant. Brunswick did the same thing in 1950 except that defeat was the opening match of the season. It was also the first time Preston had tasted victory at Williamstown since 1938, and the Bullants repeated the result later in the season at Preston in round 14 by delivering the Seagulls’ heaviest defeat of the season, 10.10 to 4.7, while the Bullants were on a 12-game winning streak. Port inflicted one of the other defeats rather easily at North Port Oval in round 16, winning 10.11 to 5.12, but the absence of captain Gerry Callahan was a mitigating factor. He had been suspended for two matches after being reported by umpire Irving for striking Preston’s Ray McBean.  As a result of that incident a policeman came onto the ground and requested that Irving stop the match. At three quarter time the officer took McBean’s  name and address and spoke with Callahan in the Williamstown rooms at the end of the game but fortunately no action was taken by police (refer newspaper report below). Callahan's absence allowed Port captain-coach, Don 'Mopsy' Fraser, to dominate and was best-on-ground. 

Moorabbin broke through for its first-ever victory against Williamstown in round 6 at Pt Gellibrand by 3 goals. Box Hill nearly caused an upset at City Oval, again on a mudheap, with a slim two-point win to 'Town, while other close victories were against Port and Camberwell at home by the same margin of 4 points. Oakleigh could only manage 2.7.19 to the 'Town's 15.14.104 at Williamstown in round 19 in the season's biggest win, and Brighton fared little better with 3.9.27 to the Seagulls' 16.14.110 in round 12 in the second largest victory. Williamstown also defeated Oakleigh by 79 points in round 7 in another big win even though the team did not have a permanent full-forward to cover the loss of Johnny Walker.  

Port again headed the list at the end of the home-and-away games with only two losses and a draw, followed by Preston with three losses, Williamstown then Moorabbin. It was to be Preston’s first finals appearance since 1941 and the most games it had ever won in a season. The finals were again played at the Junction Oval and, without the double chance, Williamstown needed to win three matches for a second successive pennant. Port started as favourites because of its talented team and willingness to use strong-arm tactics. The first semi-final against Moorabbin before a crowd of 11,000 resulted in a comfortable win 12.12.84 to 10.9.69, due to a 4-goal to 2 final quarter. Star ruckman Harry Simpson incurred the wrath of the committee during the season, along with forward Dale Anderson, and was suspended (refer newspaper report below) but commonsense prevailed and he returned to the team nearing the finals to make a most effective contribution. Vice-captain Alby Linton kicked four goals and Reg Fisher three. 

The preliminary final against Preston, their first since 1934, in front of a crowd of 16,000, was not a great spectacle as both sides were overly-anxious, but Williamstown led Preston by 32 points at half-time, 8.9 to 3.7, before the Bullants rallied to hit the front eight minutes into the final term. Inexperience ultimately cost the Bullants the game as 'Town was still trailing by a few points in time-on in the last quarter when a Preston player marked in the goalsquare and inexplicably decided to play on. Tackled, the ball spilled free and the Seagulls took advantage by rushing the ball to the other end of the ground to take the lead before Linton goaled again enabling Williamstown to run out winners 11.16.82 to 10.13.73, with bigman Jack Evans booting 4 goals and 19 year-old school teacher, Alby Outen, starring in the back pocket. Harry Simpson, Maurie Gear, Eric Beitzel, Len Kent, Johnny Martin, Syd Wookey and Frank Sims and George Taafe, both playing their 50th senior game, were others to do well.

The 30,000 who attended the grand final, the 133rd encounter between Williamstown and Port Melbourne, were treated to an excellent match, although early indications pointed to an easy Port victory, leading 4.2 to one behind after 17 minutes and 7.3 to 1.3 at the first change, after having first use of the wind. Port was again without Fraser, who had been suspended for four games on a charge of striking Preston’s McBean in the second-semi. Williamstown were without Len Kent, who injured his ankle in the preliminary final, and he was replaced by Max Munday, with Neil Whitaker moved to the half-forward flank. By early in the second term this advantage had been extended to 43 points, but the situation had improved slightly by half-time with Port's lead reduced by 8.6 to 5.10. Williamstown’s decision to use six ruckmen in short bursts and three rovers to allow Linton to spend more time up forward enabled 'Town to creep within 14 points by the long break, but the Seagulls' inaccuracy and rain during the long break appeared to make Port’s position more secure. Playing with confidence, the Borough looked like breaking away in the third term but the vigour of Fisher and Simpson helped to steady the side, and Port didn’t use the strengthening wind as well in the third quarter as it had in the first, but still led by 31 points shortly before three-quarter time. A late goal by Linton cut the difference to 25 points but, with 12.8 on the board to Willi's 7.13 at the last change, it looked like Port's pennant. The crowd was entertained during the last break to the ridiculous spectacle of the Port players crouching around the boundary fence so that their suspended captain-coach, Don 'Mopsy' Fraser, could address them from amongst the crowd.

Kicking to the scoreboard end with a freshening breeze in the last quarter and with belated determination, Williamstown took control of the game and gradually reduced the lead, firstly by a goal off the ground by Linton at the four-minute mark, and another by Callahan three minutes later reduced the margin to two goals. The crowd, which had settled down to see how much Port would win by, suddenly livened up. Led by Simpson and Callahan in the ruck and Martin dominating the centre, the Seagulls steadily brought the scores closer. Bonnett had the chance to steady for Port when he received a free kick but missed from 40 yards out straight in front. Gear snapped a goal for the Seagulls followed by Linton goaling on the run to put ‘Town only a point down after 12 minutes. Port added a behind before Smith and Callahan kicked points to tie the scores, 12.10 to 11.16. As was often the case with Port players in a crisis, they started using unnecessary vigour and umpire Irving didn't hesitate to hand out free kicks. Linton was felled behind play by a blow to the side of the head but, after trainers worked desperately on him, he soon dashed back into the action to mark brilliantly between two big defenders to boot his sixth goal, which made him the Association leading goalkicker with 84 for the season and put ‘Town ahead after 17 minutes for the first time in the match. A behind to Smith made the difference seven points, which was cut to one when Bernie Miller kicked Port’s only goal for the quarter. The Seagulls managed another two behinds and then finished off with a goal after a free kick was awarded to Alan McPherson, who had just replaced Neil Whitaker, from only 10 yards out after Johnny Martin was felled further upfield, while Port could only muster 1.2 for the term to 'Town's 6.6. From an almost impossible position, Williamstown had its second consecutive pennant for the first time in the Club's long history well in hand with minutes to play. The final scores were Williamstown 13.19.97 to Port's 13.10.88. Alby Linton kicked six goals and best players were Linton, Eric Beitzel, Callahan, Martin, Smith, Munday, Simpson, Sims, Bob Jones and Outen. This game was Bob Jones' fifth consecutive Grand Final, the other four being in the Seconds, winning two flags and twice being runner-up, once with Williamstown in 1954 and other occasions with Yarraville.

Williamstown’s 1955 premiership side was:

B.    Alby Outen        Max Munday     Sid Wookey

HB. Eric Beitzel         John Ramsay     Jack Curran

C.    George Taafe    Johnny Martin   Frank Sims

HF.  Ray Smith          Gerry Callahan (c.)   Neil Whitaker

F.       Reg Fisher               Jack Evans      Maurie Gear

Foll.   Harry Simpson       Bob Jones

Rov.   Alby Linton (v.c.)

Res.   Alan McPherson    Allen Laurie

Coach: Wally Carter

Alby Linton took out the Club's best and fairest award, the Andy Taylor Memorial Trophy, with star centreman, Johnny Martin, runner-up. He also finished third in the Liston Trophy, just three votes behind Moorabbin rover Les Moroney and Camberwell centreman Lloyd Holyoak, and won the Association goalkicking honours with a tally of 84 to cap off a wonderful season. This was the first occasion where a rover headed the list. He also took out the Sporting Globe, Herald and London Stores awards for the season, as well as the Williamstown Advertiser award while tying with Johnny Martin for the Chronicle award. Lou Barker won the reserves best and fairest and Brian Stafford the third's. Sid Wookey brought up his 100th senior game during the season.

The team scored a total of 289 goals and 318 behinds (2052) to their opponent's total of 208 goals and 243 behinds (1491). Apart from Linton's 84 goals, Alan McPherson (31), Maurie Gear (27), Harry Simpson (25), Dale Anderson (22), Reg Fisher (21), Ray Smith (20), Jack Evans (12) and Gerry Callahan (11) were others to kick more than ten goals over the course of the year. 30 players represented the senior team over the course of the season with Jack Curran, Ray Smith, John Ramsay and Linton being the only players to appear in all of the Club's 23 engagements during the season.

The Second's season was very similar to the Seniors in that each won sixteen home-and-away matches of the twenty played and both finished third and with a similar percentage. Then, as did the Seniors, the Seconds won their three finals matches to bring the third reserves pennant to Williamstown, following the successes of 1941 and 1948. The total number of junior premierships totalled six if the pennants won by Williamstown Juniors in 1916, 1917 and 1919 before the establishment of a VFA Seconds competition in 1928 are included. They were also runners-up in 1918 (as Williamstown Juniors) as well as 1949, 1950 and 1954.

'Town defeated Moorabbin 9.10.64 to 6.8.44 in the first semi, Coburg in the preliminary 8.15.63 to 9.8.62 and downing Oakleigh in the grand final by 7 points, 10.10.70 to 9.9.63. This was Williamstown's first Reserves premiership since 1948, when it also beat Oakleigh by just four points on that occasion, 15.16 to 14.18. Apart from the Club best and fairest, captain-coach Lou Barker also won the competition award, the Angus McDonnell Trophy, and vice-captain Dick Roberts was voted the competition's best full back and was awarded the Roy Smith Trophy, just the second player from Williamstown to win the trophy after Bill Turnbull in 1948/49. Since becoming captain-coach of the Reserves in 1953, Barker had taken them to the finals each year and into two grand finals.

The Thirds, under the coaching once again of former senior ruckman, Murray McRae, headed the ladder after the home-and-away round but lost the second-semi to Yarraville 13.8 to 7.5, before winning the preliminary against Box Hill 7.8 to 5.8. The grand final was lost to Yarraville at Northcote 9.4 to 5.3. Brian Stafford was awarded the best and fairest in the Thirds. 

Williamstown also won the Squire Reid Club Championship conducted by the VFA after being runners-up to Port Melbourne on the three occasions since the inception of the award, and a special president's chair with a plaque was commissioned to mark the achievement which is still in the Club's possession. 

At the annual meeting held in December, life memberships were awarded to vice-presidents since 1951, George Holdsworth and Theo Nelson, and to VFA delegate since 1951, Eddie Marr. Marr had also been assistant secretary in 1950 and 1951. Holdsworth continued on as vice-president until the end of 1965 and Nelson until the end of 1969. During the year, 'special' life memberships were given to Christopher and Jennifer Byrne, grandchildren of the Governor of Victoria, Sir Dallas Brooks, following their visit to the round 14 game against Preston at Williamstown on July 17, 1954. Jennifer Byrne would go on to become a leading Australian journalist, television presenter and book publisher and marry comedian and film producer, Andrew Denton.

Bob Briggs, the Club's leading goalkicker in 1908 with 59 majors, the highest total in a season to that date by a Williamstown player, passed away on July 6 at the age of 71. Briggs played at full-forward in the Club's first premiership win in 1907, kicking 3 goals out of a team total of 7, and was the first 'Town player to kick 10 goals in a game in the round 16 clash with North Melbourne at Arden St in 1908, with the Villagers winning 17.19.121 to 6.4.40. Another former player who passed away in 1955 was Arthur 'Artie' Thompson, who was born in Williamstown on November 6 1871, came to play for the Villagers from Carlton in 1895 and played 19 games up until the end of 1898. He returned to Carlton in 1899 and played 22 VFL games up until the end of 1901. Before joining Carlton the first time he was the champion goalkicker of the VJFA in 1892 when playing for North Williamstown. Thompson passed away on June 26 at Williamstown, aged 84. 

Adult membership stood at 978 in 1955, a drop of some significance from the 3130 in 1946, which followed a premiership season and Ron Todd's phenomenal 188 goals. There were also 95 junior members. 

1949 & 1954 premiership player, Keith Abberton, was one of the players missing from the 1955 line-up when he retired from the VFA at the age of 27 to captain-coach West Newport. Keith also played in the Seconds premiership team of 1948. 

The unfurling of the 1954 pennant prior to the opening home game of the 1955 season against Preston which the Bullants won by 8 points, 12.10.82 to 9.20.74.

Williamstown Football Club general committee 1955

Back row: George Flett, Clarrie Hurwood, Jim McConville (treasurer), Vic Davies, Eddie Marr (VFA delegate), Bill Sheahan jnr., Tom Johnston, Arthur Budgen

Front row: Steve Maloney, Bill McLeay, Bob Sturrock (assistant secretary), Bill Sheahan snr., Mick Maloney

 Argus 18 July, 1955

The last year that these three champions played together, as Harry Simpson moved to Dimboola as playing coach in 1956

Argus August 12, 1955 - Harry Simpson and Dale Anderson were suspended by the Club following an incident at Maurice Johnson's Oxford Hotel in Swanston Street during a team dinner at the hotel. 

Argus, August 24, 1955

Argus August 31, 1955

Argus September 3, 1955

The Age, September 5, 1955 - Williamstown Seconds finished third on the ladder and downed Moorabbin in the first semi-final on their way to the premiership, the Club's third Seconds' pennant following on from the successes of 1941 and 1948.

The Age, September 5, 1955

The Age, September 5, 1955 - first semi-final result.

VFA Recorder, 1955 Preliminary Final, Williamstown v. Preston

 

Williamstown Chronicle, September 30, 1955 

Argus, September 21, 1955

 Argus, September 24 1955

 VFA Recorder, 1955 Grand Final, Williamstown v. Port Melbourne

 

Williamstown Advertiser, September 30, 1955

                            

The Sun, September 26, 1955

Umpire Irving tries to keep control during one of several incidents during a tense last quarter in the Grand Final. Williamstown players are, from left, Sid Wookey (#20), Eric Beitzel (#29) and Alby Outen (#5).

 Williamstown Chronicle, September 30, 1955

 

19yo Williamstown back pocket player, Alby Outen, and Port Melbourne rover, Bernie Miller, in a contest for the ball in the Grand Final while Seagull teammate Maurie Gear moves in to assist

Williamstown Chronicle, September 30, 1955 

Williamstown Advertiser, September 30, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

 The Sun, September 26, 1955

Full-back Max Munday's 1955 premiership trophy.

 The Argus, 26 September, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

The Sporting Globe, September 24, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

The Argus, 26 September, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

The Sun, September 26, 1955

The Sun, September 26, 1955

Williamstown Chronicle, September 30, 1955    

   

 Williamstown Advertiser, September 30, 1955                                                             

Williamstown Advertiser, September 30, 1955

Star rover and team vice-captain, Alby Linton, kicked 6 goals in the 1955 Grand Final to become the VFA leading goalscorer for the season with 84, the first time a rover had headed the list. In a sensational year, apart from his best-on-ground performance in the Grand Final, he also took out the Club's best and fairest award with star centreman, Johnny Martin, runner-up. He also finished third in the Liston Trophy and won the Sporting Globe, Herald and London Stores awards for the season, as well as the Williamstown Advertiser award while tying with Johnny Martin for the Chronicle award. 

The Age, 26 September, 1955

Williamstown Advertiser, September 30, 1955

                

 The Sun, September 26, 1955

Williamstown Chronicle, September 30, 1955 

Back row: Ian Boyall, Arthur Hewitt, Frank Jones, Jimmy Davies, Cliff Deacon, Bobby Gourlay, Ian McLeod, Alan Cuff

Centre row: Teddy Barnes, Eric Liley, Max Hughes, Dick Roberts (vice-captain), Lou Barker (captain-coach), John McTaggart, Reg Ogden, Allan Leigh

Front row: Brian Auld, Kevin Taylor, Ian Barker (mascot-son of Lou Barker), Wally Muldowney, Peter Richards

Argus, August 31, 1955

The Age, September 5, 1955 - Williamstown Seconds downed Moorabbin in the first semi-final.

  The Argus, 19 September, 1955

The Argus, 26 September, 1955

The Age, 26 September, 1955

The Sporting Globe, September 24, 1955

Williamstown Advertiser, September 30, 1955

                                                                                                                        

Williamstown Chronicle, September 30, 1955 

Back row: Bill Paton, Keith Reitman, Bill Lambert, Fred Lange, Stan Jamieson, Ron Hagger, Alan Laurie, Bob Jones, John Fowler, Alan Cuff, Bill Sheahan, Stan Kellett, E. Neenan, Sid Gething, Gordon Groft

2nd back row: C. Dey, Alan McTaggart, Andy Chick, Jim Foley, Claude Tompkins, Arthur Hewitt, Frank Jones, Jimmy Davies, Cliff Deacon, Bobby Gourlay, Fred Bell, Bill Clements, L. Schutt, H. Duffield, Jimmy Tyrell

2nd front row: J. Nichols, Ern Dwyer, Gordon Drew (secretary), Teddy Barnes, Max Hughes, Dick Roberts (vice-captain), Harry Dyson (President), Lou Barker (captain-coach), John McTaggart, Allan Leigh, Dave Palmer (treasurer), Jack Vinall, Jack Smith

Front row: Ian Boyall, Eric Liley, Brian Auld, Kevin Taylor, Ian Barker (mascot-son of Lou Barker), Wally Muldowney, Peter Richards, Reg Ogden, Ian McLeod  

The 1955 Thirds team, which lost the grand final to Yarraville at Northcote, 9.4 to 5.3.

Back row: Tom Phillips, unknown, Dick Harris, unknown, John Turner, Ted Barnes, unknown, Laurie Davies, Bob Jones, Max Chamberlain, Evan Lewis.

Front row: Brian Brady, Doug Menzies, Theo Nelson, Brian Stafford (best and fairest winner), Murray McRae (coach), Herbie Machar, Doug Kellett, Vic Lown/Brian Lowne, Brian Leehane, Bobby Dalgleish.

                                                                                                                                         

Bob Briggs, the Club's leading goalkicker in 1908 with 59 majors, the highest total in a season to that date by a Williamstown player, passed away on July 6 at the age of 71. Briggs played at full-forward in the Club's first premiership win in 1907, kicking 3 goals out of a team total of 7, and was the first 'Town player to kick 10 goals in a game in the round 16 clash with North Melbourne at Arden St in 1908, with the Villagers winning 17.19.121 to 6.4.40. 

The Argus, July 8, 1955

                                                                                                                    

Arthur 'Artie' Thompson, who was born in Williamstown on November 6 1871, came to play for the Villagers from Carlton in 1895 and played 19 games up until the end of 1898. He returned to Carlton in 1899 and played 22 VFL games up until the end of 1901. Before joining Carlton the first time he was the champion goalkicker of the VJFA in 1892 when playing for North Williamstown. Thompson passed away on June 26, 1955, at Williamstown aged 84. 

The 1955 end-of-season trip to Broken Hill, from left vice-presidents George Holdsworth, Jack MacDonald, Bob Jones, Jack Evans, Eric Beitzel, Len Kent, Ray Smith, Bill Raffle, Frank Sims, Alf Woods and George Taafe.

 An extract from Larry Floyd's book on the history of the VFA and Williamstown - the games played and goalscorers of 1955. The second column in the games played and goals scored records is the player's cumulative total.