Round 17 – Western Bulldogs v Sydney: South Melbourne! South Melbourne!
Heritage Round was indeed a time to rejoice. The red V was back. The chant was back. And the South diehards and their families turned up. Thousands of us, decked out in red and white, celebrating our history, and wanting the current crop of Bloods to continue their winning ways.
Unlike last week’s demolition of West Coast, and despite a 19–point victory, this game was not for the faint–hearted. The Oxford Dictionary describes the term as ‘one who tends to be a little timid or anxious, easily scared or overwhelmed’. Me timid? No way! But the rest of the description certainly applies when the Swans are involved. At one point in the third quarter, when the Dogs looked dangerous and my anxiety levels were rising, I muttered loudly to my two sisters and Marshall “I hate football!”
Hate it I might when games are too close, but I couldn’t live without it!
This one had it all, and despite the Dogs position on the ladder and their great performances this year, we were able to overpower them. Our ball movement and pinpoint accuracy up and down the ground was telling; our backline superb, led by Jordan Dawson, Tom McCartin, Jake Lloyd and Dane Rampe; the midfield, noticeably Callum Mills and Luke Parker, was able to nullify the Dogs’ higher number of centre hit–outs; and although Buddy and Tom Papley failed to add more than a goal to our tally, Will Hayward (2) and the impressive and best on ground Jordan Dawson (3) certainly compensated.
And we managed to win despite the discrepancy in frees. I don’t usually talk about umpiring – there’s no point, you can’t change things – but this game certainly stood out in the number of frees to and against. 29 to 16. It’s not so much the numbers, but the ones missed and wrongly given that count. And, whilst I’m at it, that disallowed goal by Buddy was a goal! We were sitting in the perfect position on Level 3, and there certainly was daylight between the ball and the post. Maybe an insect hit the post at the same time as the ball went through, triggering off the machine that makes the final decision!
Despite the unimportant grievances, this was, again, an overall team performance from our boys, with all 22 players contributing. What more can we ask for?
What happens from here? Anyone’s guess, and I’m never one to predict anything. Off to Ballarat next weekend to face the Giants (nervous about that one). Would love for it to have been in Geelong, but must be grateful that Swans fans in Melbourne/Victoria will be able to see another live match. From then on….time only will tell.
Meanwhile, Cheer Cheer! South Melbourne, South Melbourne! And Go Bloods!
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About Jan Courtin
A Bloods tragic since first game at Lake Oval in 1948. Moved interstate to Sydney to be closer to beloved Swans in 1998. My book "My Lifelong Love Affair with the Swans" was launched by the Swans at their headquarters at the SCG in August 2016. www.myswansloveaffair.com
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Jan,a great 4 quarters of pressure and team work. Tad concerned about GWS game,but che sera sera. I share your thoughts regards umpiring. The one against McInerney for a “front on contact” in the marking contest was a howler,giftimg them a goal. Umpiring mistakes generally even out,but in this game?? Great to see the South guernsey. Go bloods.
The red V looked magnificent Jan! The Bloods are flying, who knows how far they can go.
Winning a game somehow vaildates commentary about the free kick count Jan. Now that you have raised the matter, I realised how much of the 2016 GF scar I carry around with me when seeing the same umpring scenario play out before us.
Nevetherless, unlike in 2016, we held back the tide through magnificent determination and not allowing the whistle ratio to throw us off course.
go Jan and yes what a match!!
whilst at the game with you and Marsh and sis Jude i kept thinking very fondly of our great uncle Jimmy Caldwell….
to Captain Coach South Melbourne!!!
i am so proud of him
far out i say to our great team
GO BLOODS
GO BLOODS
wooooooha!!!!
It is a great tribute to the club that they’ve kept the old South fans engaged
Many thanks for making a Comment Tony, Luke (great win by your guys!), Emerald Hill Chronicle, Polly and Dr Rocket.
Onwards to Victory and Go Bloods!
Jim Caldwell wasn’t captain-coach of South’s 1918 premiership team, he was captain but not coach. However, he did captain-coach Williamstown’s 1921 premiership team and was the youngest player in Willi’s 1907 premiership team, the Club’s first. Much revered at Williamstown and is a member of our Hall of Fame.
https://www.williamstownfc.com.au/1883-39
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Melbourne_Football_Club/Sydney_Swans_coaches
Thanks Wally, this is what is written in my book “My Lifelong Love Affair With the Swans”:
I was born into the Bloods family. My great uncle, Jim Caldwell – who was inducted into the
Swans Hall of Fame in 2015 – captained our 1918 premiership team. Before moving to South Melbourne in 1909 (he didn’t play in the Grand Final that year as he was suspended in the Preliminary Final), he played for Williamstown, and returned there in 1921 to win another premiership as captain coach. He went back to South in 1929 as coach, but sadly, died that year, aged 41.
So, I agree with you!
Welcome Jan, I didn’t know of your family connections to the Caldwells. As you are no doubt aware, Jim had several brothers who all played football for Williamstown and one also played with St Kilda for a year or two before he was killed at Gallipoli in WWI. There is a photo of him on the Williamstown website. Jim and one of his brothers both played in Willi’s first premiership team in 1907. Jim also played and coached in country Victoria as well as Perth in the WAFL and at Carlton. A most interesting character and career.
Many thanks for the info Wally. I also wrote in the book:
“He (Jim) was one of 13 children, my grandmother his sister. It seems that after his death most of
his siblings, who lived in and around Williamstown, followed that team. I don’t know how many of
them or their offspring were South people, but I am forever grateful that at least one of my grandmother’s two children became a dedicated South supporter….”
Where is your book available, Jan? I think I need to have a good read of that. Got plenty of time on my hands with lockdown 5.0