Results[Home] [Up] [Interstate Match Results 1938 to 1954] [1908 Melbourne Carnival] [1911 Adelaide Carnival] [1914 Sydney Carnival] [1921 Perth Carnival] [1924 Hobart Carnival] [1927 Melbourne Carnival] [1930 Adelaide Carnival] [1933 Sydney Carnival] [1937 Perth Carnival] [1947 Hobart Carnival] [1953 Adelaide Carnival] [1956 Perth Carnival] [1958 Melbourne Carnival] [1961 Brisbane Carnival] [1966 Hobart Carnival] [1969 Adelaide Carnival] [1972 Perth Carnival] [1975 Knock-out Carnival] [1979 Perth State of Origin Carnival] [1980 Adelaide State of Origin Carnival] [1988 Adelaide Bicentennial State of Origin Carnival] [Carnival Placings] [Carnival Summary 1908 to 1993] [All Australian Teams 1953 to 1988] [Tassie Medallists] [Glossary: Carnivals]
Just as in Hobart three years earlier the 1950 Brisbane Carnival - the first to be held in that city - was marred by inclement weather. Indeed, so soggy was the Brisbane Exhibition Ground at times that it would arguably have been better suited as a venue for water polo.
|
|
|
ABOVE: Action from the VFL's clash with South Australia in the mud and slush of the Brisbane Exhibition Ground at the 1950 ANFC Carnival. |
A significant innovation at Brisbane was the playing of several matches at night using a white ball. This, coupled with the heavy ground conditions, kept scoring to a premium. Sadly, the poor weather also impeded efforts to promote the game in a heathen environment, both in terms of limiting attendances (the average daily crowd was just 7,500) and in ensuring that the football produced was, on the whole, less immediately eye-catching to the non connoisseur. Another comparative novelty - again brought about by the weather conditions - was the prevalence of the drop punt as a means of disposal. First used at least as long ago as the 1920s (although Jack Dyer's claims to having 'invented' are still, to this day, laughably accorded credence by some more gullible/parochial Victorians) this kick had hitherto been mainly - indeed almost exclusively - used by certain players when kicking for goal. Nowadays, of course, it is virtually the only kick in the game.
As in 1947 the Carnival was played in two sections. This time the 'Big 3' were joined in section A by Tasmania, winners of section B 3 years earlier, and the VFA which, after years of ostracism at least partly fuelled by a narcissistic self interest, had been granted full membership of the Australian National Football Council in 1949. And the VFA it was which produced the 1950 Carnival's biggest shock, its smaller, lighter players adapting better to the Exhibition Ground's mud and slush than those of South Australia as it soccered and sloshed its way to an 8 point win. Despite this triumph, however (the only one achieved by the VFA against one of the 'Big 3' states in 15 attempts over 5 Carnivals), the Association side still finished last in section A and would be required to defend their elite status in a challenge match against the winners of section B. As for South Australia, the defeat ended all hope of a shock championship win, but earlier wins over Western Australia and Tasmania ensured 2nd spot on the ladder. Perhaps not unexpectedly, however, it was the VFL side which adapted best to the difficult conditions, and was never seriously challenged in any of its 4 Carnival matches.
|
Australian Amateurs: 1950 Section B Carnival Winners |
 |
| BACK ROW (L-R): A.Miles (WA), A.Morone (Vic.), J.Stock (Vic.), J.McLeod (SA), P.Cox (Vic.), G.Hibbins (Vic.), D.Brebner (SA), S.Birtles (Vic.) |
| THIRD ROW (L-R): R.Harvey (SA), W.Ralph (WA), C.Barton (Trainer), R.Mann (WA), N.Brady (Vic.), H.Shea (Tas.) |
| SECOND ROW (L-R): P.Shepherd (Tas.), A.Mellors (Vic.), P.Keogh (SA), A.Reid (Vic.), J.Quinn (SA), J.Castle (Vic.) |
| FRONT ROW (L-R): A.Jones (WA), R.Wood (SA, vice captain), E.Coulter (Tas., Manager), D.Arnold (Vic., captain), J.McCann (Vic., Secretary), M.Natt (SA), T.Rowley (Tas) |
Section B witnessed the Carnival debut of an Australian Amateur side comprising players drawn from each of the 4 main football states. Despite being hard-pressed at times by both New South Wales and Queensland the Amateurs won all 3 of their matches with comparative ease to top the ladder and earn a crack at the VFA prior to the next Carnival, which was scheduled for Adelaide in 1953.
| SECTION A | Points | ||||||
| Pld | Won | Lost | For | Ag | % | Pts | |
| Victorian Football League | 4 | 4 | 0 | 414 | 200 | 207.0 | 16 |
| South Australia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 248 | 220 | 112.7 | 8 |
| Western Australia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 314 | 326 | 96.3 | 8 |
| Tasmania | 4 | 1 | 3 | 266 | 346 | 76.9 | 4 |
| Victorian Football Association | 4 | 1 | 3 | 206 | 356 | 57.9 | 4 |
|
SECTION B |
Points |
||||||
| Pld | Won | Lost | For | Ag | % | Pts | |
| Australian Amateurs | 3 | 3 | 0 | 287 | 158 | 181.6 | 12 |
| New South Wales | 3 | 2 | 1 | 233 | 162 | 143.8 | 8 |
| Queensland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 196 | 175 | 112.0 | 4 |
| Canberra | 3 | 0 | 3 | 122 | 343 | 35.6 | 0 |
| Placing | Player(s) | Votes |
| 1st | T.Cashion (Tasmania) | 8 |
| 2nd | D.Fraser (VFL) | 6 |
| 3rd | R.Hank (South Australia) | 5 |
| =4th | W.Hutchison (VFL) & L.McClements (Western Australia) | 4 |
1950 Brisbane Carnival: Leading Goalkickers
R.Parsons (Tasmania) 14; W.Hutchison (VFL) 12; A.Ruthven (VFL) 11; J.Conway (Western Australia) & L.McClements (Western Australia) 10
