1903
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1903 Summary
Under the disciplined coaching of Jack Worrall, the Navy Blues finished in the top four of the VFL competition in 1903 and qualified for the finals for the first time. This marked improvement in Carlton's fortunes led other clubs to examine the possibility of following our lead and appointing a coach. Up until then, it was traditional for the captain and vice-captain to supervise team training and tactics.
Having finished third, the Blues also came heartbreakingly close to a first VFL Grand Final appearance, going down to ladder-leaders Collingwood by 4 points in the first Semi Final at Fitzroy's Brunswick Street Oval.
A season of 11 wins, including victories over both Grand Finalists in Collingwood and Fitzroy, would show that the Blues were emerging at last from their rough initiation into the VFL. Our first Grand Final, and of course our first Premiership, was just a matter of time.
Readers may notice that the round order for this season are slightly out of order. Please click here to find out why.
Carlton v N.S.W. Wednesday 5 August
After the rescheduled Rnd.2 Geelong match on the S.C.G. the Blues played N.S.W. at the same venue. Weather fine and a good attendance. Other players in the touring party; H. McShane, Rowland, Leeds, Trim, Topping, Elliott, Smythe, McNamara, Barlow, Flynn. Carlton team; Backs; J. McShane, F. Hince, C. Ross Half backs; C.O'Connor, E. Walton, G. Ross Centres; B.Jacobson, A.Ford, C.Tough Half forwards; Neil, F.Scott, F.Webber Forwards; G.Bruce, Mainwaring, J.Sullivan Rucks; M.Grace, J.Opie Rover A.Snell Umpire; M.J.Dillon Goal umpires; D.L.Bennett, T.Sheeley Carlton won; Carl; 2.2 4.6 7.13 9.15.69 NSW;2.3 4.7 5.10 6.13.49 Goals; Grace 2, Scott 2, Opie 2, Neil 2, Ross Players mentioned; M.Grace, F.Scott, J.Opie, Neil, Ross, J.Sullivan, F.Hince The Evening News (Sydney) August 06, reporting on this match said; "That Carlton team would win was expected, and the Victorians knew it, for their team comprised several supporters who had come over with the team to witness the Carlton-Geelong contest." Could Mainwaring and Neil be two of these supporters?
Team as published on the morning of the match, differs to the team in the Evening News. Image: Trove; SMH August 05 p10
Carlton v Fitzroy Juniors at Princes Park on April 11
Carlton team; Backs; O'Connell, Hart, Sullivan Half backs; Webber, Jacobson, Snell Centres; O'Connor, Ford, Fenton Half forwards; Ross, Walton, G. Ross (Capt) Forwards; McDonald, Tough, Lazarus Followers; Elliott, Richards Rover; Monagle Carlton won by 55 points. Carl; 1.7 3.8 7.11 10.14.74 F.Jnrs; 1.1 2.1 2.1 3.1.19 Goals; Sullivan 2, Webber 2, Walton 2, O'Connor, Richards/Rickards, Jacobson, Ford
Carlton v Carlton Juniors at Carlton Monday April 13
The Juniors were two players short Carlton team; Backs; McNulty, Tough, Lazarus Half backs; McNamara, Walton, G. Ross Centres; O'Connell, Ross, Fenton Half forwards; McDonald, Lampe, O'Connor Forwards; Webber, Snell, Jackson Followers; Elliott, Leeds Rover; Monagle Carlton Juniors Backs; O'Dea, Wallace, Pemberton Half backs; Laidlaw, Waring, Guise Centres; Ward, Ryan unknown Half forwards; Williams, Tomlinson, unknown Forwards; Delaney, Murray, Doran Followers;Eastman, Prescott, Crowe Rover; Stewart Umpire; Holmes Carlton won by 67 points Carlton; 4.2.26, 8.5.53, 12.7.79, 12.11.83 Carl.Jr; 0.0.0, 0.0.0, 1.2.8, 2.4.16 Carlton Goals, McDonald 4, Webber 4, O'Connor 2, Walton, Snell Juniors Goals; Myers, Tough.
Carlton v Preston at Preston Park on April 18
Players met at Ernie Walton's Lygon Street. Good weather, large crowd. Carlton team; Backs; Opie, Lazarus, Orr Half backs; Freame, Prim, Starke Centres; Eades, Fort, Jacobson Half forwards; O'Connor, Sullivan, McShane Forwards; O'Neil, Walsh, McDonald Followers; Elliott, Todd Rover; Monaghan Umpire; Todd Carlton won by ? (no final result available) Carl; 4.5 7.11 10.11 ---- Pres; 1.0 1.2 2.3 ----
Carlton v Essendon Town on Princes Oval, April 25
A fair attendance despite the wet weather. Sullivan, Flynn, and McDonald played Carlton team; Backs; McNamara, Tough, Trimm Half backs; Orr, Walton, G. Ross Centres; Stivey, Ford, Roland Half forwards; H. McShane, Opie, Jacobsen Forwards, Leeds, Elliott, Snell Followers; J. McShane, Tenbrick Rover; Tipping/Topping? Umpire; Pope Carlton won by 74 points Carl; 3.6 8.13 9.17 11.22.88 E.T; 0.1 0.2 2.2 2.2.14 Goals; Sullivan 3, Leeds 2, Flynn 2, Snell, McDonald, Jacobson, Walton.
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | For | Against | % |
| 1 | Collingwood | 15 | 0 | 2 | 60 | 147.181.1063 | 90.127.667 | 159.4 |
| 2 | Fitzroy | 14 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 133.187.985 | 76.118.574 | 171.6 |
| 3 | Carlton | 11 | 0 | 6 | 44 | 118.157.865 | 88.108.636 | 136 |
| 4 | Geelong | 9 | 0 | 8 | 36 | 137.159.981 | 108.165.813 | 120.7 |
| 5 | St Kilda | 7 | 1 | 9 | 30 | 83.137.635 | 107.189.831 | 76.4 |
| 6 | Essendon | 6 | 1 | 10 | 26 | 91.145.691 | 120.159.879 | 78.6 |
| 7 | Melbourne | 3 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 77.131.593 | 124.181.925 | 64.1 |
| 8 | Sth Melbourne | 2 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 75.145.595 | 148.195.1083 | 54.9 |
People of 1903
Captain: Joe McShane Coach: Jack Worrall Leading Goal-kicker: Joe Sullivan - 27 goals
Milestones
Debuts: Jim Marchbank, John T Stephenson, Alex Prentice, Bert Lithgow, Norm Hogg, Alf Gough, Matt Crowe, Frank Hince, George Bruce, Billy Orr, Mick Grace, Jim Flynn, Arthur Ford, Bob Jacobson, Billy Leeds, Albert Trim
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