Amongst his collection of team photos, club invitations, football records, were 18 photos taken at Glenferrie from a game against St Kilda. From an historical view these photos were pure gold. This collection of photos taken in 1953 by a person unknown is the earliest pictorial record of more than one photo from a given game.
Further investigation revealed that the photos were taken in round 2, 1953. John O’Mahony puzzled how he had the photos summoned help from former teammates John Kennedy Snr and Peter Charleston. They readily identified Len Crane, Ted Fletcher, Maurie Considine, Clive Phil, Norm Black, Lance Wilkinson, Jack Marr, Tom Alsop and George Edwards.
The photos highlighted the one on one contest between players in an era when positional play was the accepted norm of playing football. To pick up your man, kick to position with contested high marking a feature was the team plan. A number of the photos feature John Kennedy Snr, Len Crane, Jack McDonald and Clive Philp flying high for marks against their direct St Kilda opponent.
The very large white team numbers that can be seen made identification easier for some of the players. Back in 1953 team numbers were cut from white felt and hand sown directly to the guernsey. Norm Black wearing number 22 can be seen readily running in to assist number 14, Len Crane. The guernseys were knitted in heavy wool and logo free. Being a home game the shorts are black and appeared big and baggy compared to the shorts worn today.
Judging from the backgrounds seen in the photos the photographer stood in the pocket in front of the Red Brick Stand (later known as the Tuck Stand). The majority of the spectators seen are standing to watch. At Glenferrie both grandstands were small and at the city end of the ground. Additional seating consisted of a row of seats that lined the fence along the railway wing and an enclosed seating area for lucky spectators in front of the Wooden Stand.
One photo features the small scoreboard on the Linda Crescent side of the ground with some of the trainers standing near by resplendent in their all white uniforms and Club blazers. Other photos show the backs of the landmark buildings along Glenferrie Road. Anderson Furniture store, the Glen Theatre, the roofline of the Bowling Club that later became Coles car park and the Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception on the corner of Burwood Road.
The wooden fence shown along Linda Crescent was a mecca for young fans. They would lean their bikes on the outside of the fence and standing on their bike seats would peer over the top of the fence to watch the game as seen in several photos. The railway wing fence seen silhouetted against the sky was also captured in a number of the photos with crowds of spectators standing below. The entrance to the tunnel from Lynch Street can also be picked out.
As for the match it was a disappointment. Herb Coomes football writer for The Sporting Globe, wrote with the smallest crowd attendance for the round, 12,000, St Kilda was superior in all departments and soundly defeated Hawthorn. The Hawks had no counter to the Seagulls’ (as the Saints known as then) aerial ability, better teamwork and sound positional play running out easy winners by 35 points. St Kilda 13. 14. 92 defeated Hawthorn 8. 9. 57. Hawthorn’s Best Players were Kevin Coghlan putting in a spirited display as a rover, Pat Cash who earned his four goals, Ted Fletcher a determined follower, Len Crane always reliable at full back with Norm Black and Jack Marr the best of the rest. Goals Pat Cash 4, Bill Collins 2, Jack MacDonald 2.
The Hawks Museum would like to hear from anyone who can assist with locating photos, film footage or memorabilia from the Club’s days at Glenferrie. If you can help please contact the Hawks Museum on 9535 3075 or email hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au
John Kennedy Snr flies high against the St Kilda.
Hawthorn players Ted Fletcher, Jack Marr and John Kennedy Snr compete for the ball.
John O'Mahony watches Len Crane escape the clutches of a Saint.
John O'Mahony awaits a handball from John Kennedy Snr, with Lance Wilkinson in support.
