1909

From Blueseum - History of the Carlton Football Club
Round: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
Semi Final | Preliminary Final | The Grand Final
Fixture by Round

Summary

Carlton Football Club went within one kick of winning their fourth straight VFL Premiership in 1909, when they were beaten by two points by South Melbourne in an excruciatingly close Grand Final. Still, coming amid an unprecedented run of six Grand Finals in seven years, the Navy Blues continued to enhance their standing as the most powerful club in the competition.

Sadly, the club was wracked with infighting during the season, and this had ramifications on the field. Midway through the year, some senior players felt that they were being trained excessively by their coach, Jack Worrall, and aired their concerns with the club committee. When the dissatisfaction became public, and attempts to have him removed gained traction, Worrall resigned on July 29, "for the sake of the club".

Ironically, many of the same player group had been responsible for his reinstatement after his original dismissal in 1904. On that occasion, Worrall had been removed by a coup at committee level, but his supporters then forced a snap election that swept his detractors from power. Worrall was recalled, and took the club to triple premierships in 1906-07-08. This was a magnificent achievement, but the disruption of those early events undoubtedly harmed Carlton’s Premiership chances in 1904 and 1905.

Fred "Pompey" Elliott, club captain and great player, took over as captain-coach after Worrall’s departure, and the Blues finished second on the ladder to South Melbourne following the home and away rounds. Both teams had an 18 win, 4 loss record, but South had a marginally better percentage (165.1 to 161.2) to give them top place and a vital advantage – as we shall see.

Carlton began their finals campaign with a 36-point defeat of Essendon in the first Semi Final to pave the way for a tough and willing Preliminary Final against South Melbourne. The Southerners lost a couple of their better players to injury in that clash, and the Blues emerged victorious by 22 points. Had Carlton finished the regular season on top of the ladder, that result would have seen the Blues win four flags in a row. But South had finished on top, and under VFL rules at the time, this gave them the right to challenge Carlton for the Premiership if they lost in the Preliminary Final. Of course, this is exactly what they did, and in a fast, open and thrilling contest, the Lakesiders held on to beat the reigning champions by one kick to claim their first VFL pennant. Therefore, depending on how you look at it, Carlton missed out on winning four consecutive flags in 1909 by either 3.9 % or 3 points!

Whether the change of coach made any difference to the result is debateable, because Carlton won every game between Worrall's resignation and the Grand Final. South Melbourne showed that they had learned a lot from their Preliminary Final defeat, and their innovative tactics and pace in the decider brought them a rich reward.

Another significant event in 1909 was the opening of the Gardiner Stand at Princes Park. To read about the proposed new grandstand click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10713788

Ladder

PosTeamWinsDrawsLossesPointsForAgainst%
1Sth Melbourne140456165.172.116291.142.688168.9
2Carlton140456161.208.1174109.146.800146.8
3Collingwood122452144.206.1070112.149.821130.3
4Essendon110744146.200.1076118.176.884121.7
5Melbourne101742145.153.1023129.188.962106.3
6Fitzroy81934127.183.945126.174.930101.6
7University72932116.206.902121.175.901100.1
8Richmond601224112.153.825178.214.128264.4
9Geelong201612114.168.852183.203.130165.5
10St Kilda3015889.136.670152.218.113059.3


People of 1909

Coach: Jack Worrall (replaced during the season by Fred Elliott) Captain: Fred Elliott Vice Captain: Fred Jinks Leading Goal-kicker: George Topping - 36 goals

Milestones

Debuts: Ernie Jamieson, Ray Ritchie, Jim Neylan, Jack Baquie, Alex Barningham, George Renwick, George Stewart

April 10

Carlton played the Metropolitan Juniors Carlton won by 26 points, 6.13.49 - 3.5.23 Best of the new men; E. Renwick (Boulder City W.A.) Murray (Mordialloc), Ritchie (Korumburra)

April 17

Carlton played a combined team from Diamond Creek and Greensborough at Carlton Umpires; Duffy (field) Kennedy and Elder (boundary) Carlton won by 100 points, 17.12.114 - 2.2.14 Goals; Topping 6, Caine 3, Gardiner 2.

April 24

Carlton played the V.J.F.A. combined team at Carlton Umpires; Beauchamp (field), Kenny and O'Loughlin (boundary) Carlton won by 47 points, 10.12.72 - 3.7.25 Better players; Stewart (Eaglehawk) a wingman, Ritchie (Korumburra), McGregor, Topping, V. Gardiner, Laing, Goals; Topping 4


1909 Revenues & Expenditures, Trove; Age Nov 19 1910



Round: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
Semi Final | Preliminary Final | The Grand Final


Playing List | Debuts
Runners Up
1908 | 1910


Gallery

  • 1909 GF - South Melb. defeat Carlton.Source: 100 Years of Australian Rules Football.
    1909 GF - South Melb. defeat Carlton.Source: 100 Years of Australian Rules Football.
  • 1909 - Agitation at Carlton sees Worrall resign.Source: 100 Years of Australian Rules Football.
    1909 - Agitation at Carlton sees Worrall resign.Source: 100 Years of Australian Rules Football.
  • 1909 Rd 9 - Carlton opens new Grandstand.Source: 100 Years of Australian Rules Football.
    1909 Rd 9 - Carlton opens new Grandstand.Source: 100 Years of Australian Rules Football.
  • 1909 Semi Final At The MCG; Carlton Vs Essendon.
    1909 Semi Final At The MCG; Carlton Vs Essendon.
  • 1909 - Carlton Team Photo.
    1909 - Carlton Team Photo.
  • Ruck Duel In 1909 GF Vs South Melbourne
    Ruck Duel In 1909 GF Vs South Melbourne
  • 1909 - Carl Vs Sth GF.
    1909 - Carl Vs Sth GF.
  • 1909 Carlton GF Team.
    1909 Carlton GF Team.
  • Action From The 1909 GF Carlton Vs Sth MelbourneImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
    Action From The 1909 GF Carlton Vs Sth MelbourneImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
  • A Ruck Duel In The 1909 GF Vs Sth MelbourneImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
    A Ruck Duel In The 1909 GF Vs Sth MelbourneImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
  • A Packed MCG For The 1909 GF Carlton Vs Sth MelbourneImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
    A Packed MCG For The 1909 GF Carlton Vs Sth MelbourneImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
  • 1909 Trainers and players"1909 Trainers and players. N.Clark arms crossed Argus June 19 p5
    1909 Trainers and players"1909 Trainers and players. N.Clark arms crossed Argus June 19 p5
  • 1909 Martin Gotz"1909 Martin Gotz Argus June 19 p5
    1909 Martin Gotz"1909 Martin Gotz Argus June 19 p5
  • 1909 Norman Clark"1909 Norman Clark Argus June 19
    1909 Norman Clark"1909 Norman Clark Argus June 19
  • 1909 Harvey Kelly"1909 Harvey Kelly Argus June 19 p5
    1909 Harvey Kelly"1909 Harvey Kelly Argus June 19 p5
  • 1909 J. Marchbank & H. Kelly"1909 J. Marchbank & H. Kelly Argus 19 June p5
    1909 J. Marchbank & H. Kelly"1909 J. Marchbank & H. Kelly Argus 19 June p5
  • 1909 Harvey Kelly (enlargement) note different CFC monogram"1909 Harvey Kelly enlargement, note different CFC monogram. Argus June 19 p5
    1909 Harvey Kelly (enlargement) note different CFC monogram"1909 Harvey Kelly enlargement, note different CFC monogram. Argus June 19 p5
  • 1909 different monograms vs St.Kilda June 17"1909 enlargement Different monograms vs St. Kilda Australasian June 19
    1909 different monograms vs St.Kilda June 17"1909 enlargement Different monograms vs St. Kilda Australasian June 19
  • 1909 GF v South Melbourne"1909 GF v S. Melb Australasian Oct 02
    1909 GF v South Melbourne"1909 GF v S. Melb Australasian Oct 02
  • 1909 GF Harrison Stand"1909 Grand Final - crowd in the Harrison Stand. Australasian Oct 02
    1909 GF Harrison Stand"1909 Grand Final - crowd in the Harrison Stand. Australasian Oct 02
  • 1909 Grand Final crowd"1909 Grand Final crowd Australasian Oct 02
    1909 Grand Final crowd"1909 Grand Final crowd Australasian Oct 02
  • 1909 Grand Final v S. Melbourne"1909 Grand Final v South Melbourne Australasian Oct 02
    1909 Grand Final v S. Melbourne"1909 Grand Final v South Melbourne Australasian Oct 02
  • 1909 GF v South Melbourne"1909 GF v S. Melbourne Australasian Oct 02
    1909 GF v South Melbourne"1909 GF v S. Melbourne Australasian Oct 02
  • 1909 GF v South Melbourne"1909 vs South Melbourne Australasian Oct 02
    1909 GF v South Melbourne"1909 vs South Melbourne Australasian Oct 02
  • 1909 Rnd 2"1909 Rnd 2 ""Mallee"" Johnson v SM Punch May 13 p14
    1909 Rnd 2"1909 Rnd 2 ""Mallee"" Johnson v SM Punch May 13 p14
  • 1909 Rnd 2 v South Melbourne Lake Oval"1909 v South Melbourne Australasian May 15
    1909 Rnd 2 v South Melbourne Lake Oval"1909 v South Melbourne Australasian May 15
  • 1909 Gardiner Stand"1909 Gardiner Stand Argus March 12 p6
    1909 Gardiner Stand"1909 Gardiner Stand Argus March 12 p6
  • 1909 VFL Metro. Club's Expenditure"1909 VFL Metro Club's Expenditure Trove; Age Nov 19 p6 1910.
    1909 VFL Metro. Club's Expenditure"1909 VFL Metro Club's Expenditure Trove; Age Nov 19 p6 1910.
  • 1909 VFL Metro. Club's Memberships & Revenue"1909 VFL Metro. Club's Memberships and Revenue Trove; Age Nov 19 p6 1910
    1909 VFL Metro. Club's Memberships & Revenue"1909 VFL Metro. Club's Memberships and Revenue Trove; Age Nov 19 p6 1910
  • 1909 Carlton Guernsey worn by mascot in 1913"1909 Carlton Guernsey worn by a mascot for the Commercial Bank Football Team in 1913 Trove; Punch June 26 1913
    1909 Carlton Guernsey worn by mascot in 1913"1909 Carlton Guernsey worn by a mascot for the Commercial Bank Football Team in 1913 Trove; Punch June 26 1913
  • 1909 Rnd 9 vs Essendon Princes Park"1909 Rnd 9 vs Essendon Princes Park Trove; Punch June 24
    1909 Rnd 9 vs Essendon Princes Park"1909 Rnd 9 vs Essendon Princes Park Trove; Punch June 24
  • 1909 Rnd 9 Gardiner Stand opened. vs Essendon"1909 Rnd 9 Gardiner Stand opened at Princes Park vs Essendon Trove, SLV; Punch June 24
    1909 Rnd 9 Gardiner Stand opened. vs Essendon"1909 Rnd 9 Gardiner Stand opened at Princes Park vs Essendon Trove, SLV; Punch June 24
  • 1909 Opening of Gardiner Stand vs Essendon"1909 Rnd 9 Opening of Gardiner Stand vs Essendon Princes Park Trove, SLV; Punch June 24
    1909 Opening of Gardiner Stand vs Essendon"1909 Rnd 9 Opening of Gardiner Stand vs Essendon Princes Park Trove, SLV; Punch June 24
  • 1909 VFL Grand Final South Melbourne Enters The Field
    1909 VFL Grand Final South Melbourne Enters The Field
  • 1909 Rnd 1 vs University"1909 Rnd 1 vs University Trove; Weekly Times May 08
    1909 Rnd 1 vs University"1909 Rnd 1 vs University Trove; Weekly Times May 08
  • 1909 Rnd 1 vs University"1909 Rnd 1 vs University Trove; Weekly Times May 08
    1909 Rnd 1 vs University"1909 Rnd 1 vs University Trove; Weekly Times May 08
  • 1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University"1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University Back: R. McGregor, A. Ford, S. Johnson, A. Pattison, J. Marchbank, A. Barmingham, D. Gillespie, V. Gardiner, L. Beck Second: W. Stewart, A. Lang, F. Elliott (capt), F. Jinks (VS), N. Clark, F. Caine Front: G. Renwick, R. L. Harris, G. Topping Weekly Times May 08
    1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University"1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University Back: R. McGregor, A. Ford, S. Johnson, A. Pattison, J. Marchbank, A. Barmingham, D. Gillespie, V. Gardiner, L. Beck Second: W. Stewart, A. Lang, F. Elliott (capt), F. Jinks (VS), N. Clark, F. Caine Front: G. Renwick, R. L. Harris, G. Topping Weekly Times May 08
  • 1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University version 2"1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University version 2 Trove; Leader May 08
    1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University version 2"1909 Rnd 1 CFC team vs University version 2 Trove; Leader May 08
  • 1909 Fred Jinks and Casey (South Melb)"1909 Fred Jinks and Casey (South Melb) Trove: Herald September 25 (p6)
    1909 Fred Jinks and Casey (South Melb)"1909 Fred Jinks and Casey (South Melb) Trove: Herald September 25 (p6)
  • 1909 Rnd 12 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park"1909 Rnd 12 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park SLV: Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) p25
    1909 Rnd 12 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park"1909 Rnd 12 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park SLV: Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) p25
  • 1909 Rnd 11 v South Melbourne at Princes Park"1909 Rnd 11 v South Melbourne at Princes Park Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) July 15 (p25)
    1909 Rnd 11 v South Melbourne at Princes Park"1909 Rnd 11 v South Melbourne at Princes Park Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) July 15 (p25)
  • 1909 Grand Final Carlton's Harvey Kelly and Frank Caine (far right) 1909 Grand Final Carlton's Harvey Kelly and Frank Caine (far right) Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) October 07
    1909 Grand Final Carlton's Harvey Kelly and Frank Caine (far right) 1909 Grand Final Carlton's Harvey Kelly and Frank Caine (far right) Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) October 07
  • 1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park Fred Jinks and Herbert (Coll) Image SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) July 22 (p25)
    1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park Fred Jinks and Herbert (Coll) Image SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) July 22 (p25)
  • 1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park crowd 1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park crowd Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) July 22 (p25)
    1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park crowd 1909 Rnd 12 v Collingwood at Victoria Park crowd Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) July 22 (p25)
  • 1909 GF v SM Frank Caine"1909 GF v SM Frank Caine Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) October 07
    1909 GF v SM Frank Caine"1909 GF v SM Frank Caine Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) October 07
  • 1909 Prelim. Cameron (SM) leads A. Ford (C) and J. Marchbank (C)"1909 Preliminary Final, Cameron (South) leads from Arthur Ford and Jim Marchbank Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) September 30
    1909 Prelim. Cameron (SM) leads A. Ford (C) and J. Marchbank (C)"1909 Preliminary Final, Cameron (South) leads from Arthur Ford and Jim Marchbank Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) September 30
  • 1909 Prelim. Arthur Ford and Mallee Johnson"1909 Preliminary Final v South Melbourne Arthur Ford and Mallee Johnson Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) September 30
    1909 Prelim. Arthur Ford and Mallee Johnson"1909 Preliminary Final v South Melbourne Arthur Ford and Mallee Johnson Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (Melb) September 30
  • 1909 Samuel George Grimes aged 9 wearing a Carlton out fit.1909 Samuel George Grimes aged 9 wearing a Carlton out fit. He appears in the 1909 VFL Grand Final film. Image cropped, adjusted. From an article by Tony De Bolfo Feb. 02 2017. CFC image
    1909 Samuel George Grimes aged 9 wearing a Carlton out fit.1909 Samuel George Grimes aged 9 wearing a Carlton out fit. He appears in the 1909 VFL Grand Final film. Image cropped, adjusted. From an article by Tony De Bolfo Feb. 02 2017. CFC image
  • 1909 - Carlton vs Sth Melbourne.
    1909 - Carlton vs Sth Melbourne.
  • 1909 Grand Final - Quarter Time Score.
    1909 Grand Final - Quarter Time Score.
  • 1909 Rd 12 - Carlton Vs Collingwood crowd.
    1909 Rd 12 - Carlton Vs Collingwood crowd.
  • 1909 V StK. AA June 19 Capture
    1909 V StK. AA June 19 Capture
  • 1909 V StK. AA June 19 Capture
    1909 V StK. AA June 19 Capture
  • 1909 Differing Monograms V St.K AA June 19
    1909 Differing Monograms V St.K AA June 19
  • 1909 V St.Kilda AAsian June 19 P35 Capture
    1909 V St.Kilda AAsian June 19 P35 Capture
  • 1909 Rnd 12 McGregor Ford V Coll Herald 19 July P4 Capture
    1909 Rnd 12 McGregor Ford V Coll Herald 19 July P4 Capture
  • 1909 Rnd 12 V Coll Bacqie Marchbank Herald July 19 P4 Capture
    1909 Rnd 12 V Coll Bacqie Marchbank Herald July 19 P4 Capture
  • 1909 Rnd 12 Jinks Caine V Coll Herald July 19 P4 Capture
    1909 Rnd 12 Jinks Caine V Coll Herald July 19 P4 Capture
  • 1909 RD 11 Carlton V Sth.
    1909 RD 11 Carlton V Sth.
  • 1909 Carlton Vs Essendon
    1909 Carlton Vs Essendon
Retrieved from "https://friendly-ride.178-162-166-194.plesk.page//mwiki/index.php?title=1909&oldid=80577"
Powered by MediaWiki