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The Blues would win by 5, taking their second premiership in two years. Perhaps the Australasian newspaper would summarise the game best, in the language of the time:
“It was in keeping with the eternal fitness of things that the representatives of the ancient dark Blues and their old time rivals of ‘The Hill’ should play off for the Premiership but it may be unhesitatingly affirmed that their encounter last Saturday furnished the best match of the year, and the finest final contest that has been played since the League was established.”
“From start to finish it was a fast, determined and extremely skilful game and it was so evenly fought out that right up to the final bell the outcome was in doubt.”
Over time, various players have been mentioned as best on ground, many worthy of mention in this summary of the Grand Final. First and foremost is the performance of George “Mallee” Johnson who took on the responsibility of leading Carlton’s rucks in the absence of Elliott and Marchbank, despite only standing at 179cm in height. The barrel-chested workhorse from inner-suburban Richmond was said to have ‘worked to exhaustion’ against the taller Souths followers. His lion-hearted effort in his second Grand Final for the Blues ensured that he would be named The Australasian newspaper’s Player of the Season.
Vying with Mallee Johnson for Best on Ground was George Bruce, who dominated one wing for most of the match. He was recruited from West Adelaide and became a member of one of the greatest centrelines of any era when he teamed up with Rod McGregor and Ted Kennedy at Princes Park. His blistering pace (he was a finalist in the Stawell Gift) allied to his durability and tenacity, were vital factors in Carlton’s epic hat-trick of Premierships in 1906-07-08.
Alby Ingleman had played less than 20 games in three seasons at Carlton before coach Jack Worrall chose him as the replacement for Rod McGregor in the Grand Final team. Nicknamed ’Badger,’ Ingleman was a tough-as-teak, no frills centreman from neighbouring VFA club Brunswick. His courage and tenacity when it mattered most won him widespread acclaim on Grand Final day, and a fond niche in the history of the Blues.
Les Beck was recruited from Carlton Juniors and played just his seventh game of senior VFL football as a late inclusion in Carlton’s fabled 1906 Premiership team. By the time the Blues defended their flag against South Melbourne in the 1907 Grand Final, Beck was considered one of the elite defenders of the competition. His sure marking, and long clearing kicks from the last line of defence on Grand Final day were a decisive factor in Carlton’s narrow win. Overall in his short but successful career at Princes Park, Beck played in a remarkable 53 wins in his 60 games, including the 1906, ’07 and ‘08 Premiership treble.
Last, but never least, James ‘Jim’ Flynn was worthy of mention as Captain of the Blues. In 1903, Jack Worrall has convinced 31 year-old ruckman Jim Flynn to leave the Geelong Pivotonians and join the Blues. Worrall wanted more experience and leadership in his football team, and he believed that Flynn could supply it. Geelong didn’t object greatly, because they believed that after seven seasons and 72 games, Flynn’s career as a senior VFL player was almost over. How wrong they were.
Flynn blossomed at Carlton, relishing the extra responsibility handed to him. Although he was just 179 cm tall, he was a gifted athlete with a good spring and sure hands. He was made vice-captain in his second season at Princes Park, and took over the captaincy in 1905. He led the rucks in our first Premiership triumph in 1906, but by 1907 Flynn’s private business interests began to impact on his football commitments. He approached Worrall with an offer to relinquish the captaincy, but the coach would not agree. He did however allow Flynn time off late in the season before recalling him for the finals. By the Grand Final, Flynn was 35 years old, and playing some of the best football of his career. His leadership in the last quarter of the Grand Final was inspirational.
After the game, Flynn provided this quote to the Herald in summary of the game:
“Yes, we won, but there was not much in it. They kept us going right to the end, didn’t they? It must have been a grand game to watch. I know it was splendid to play in. When it was all over I felt I’d have liked to have had to congratulate South – they played such a fine, spirited game. It was a hard struggle, with plenty of bumps, but there was very little to complain about. South were out for keeps all right, and they kept their heads well. The only mistake they made, I think, was they tried too much low-passing. They rather overdid it. It confused our chaps for a while, but when it failed to come off it cost South a lot. South Melbourne surprised me on the form they showed. We expected to beat them easily, but they had us all out. We were tested to out utmost all right. There was not much in it.
Of course, I think our team the best. You would not expect to me to say I did not, would you? I thought we had them settled at half-time, but they came at us again as fresh as ever. I think our weight had a good deal to do with our win. We average about 11 ½ stone, and that’s pretty solid for 18 men. The real secret of our success is our manager, Jack Worrall. There is no doubt most of it is due to him. He’s a grand judge of the game, and the youngsters that come up to the ground worship him; they’d do anything for him. They take no notice of anyone else. Besides that, we have a grand lot of fellows. There is no jealousy, no cliques, and they pulled together like clockwork. The umpire, Tulloch, should be congratulated on his display. It was really good work. The crowd gave us a grand reception, didn’t they? I could not get away from a bunch of barrackers, and they carried in as many of us as they could lay hands on. It’s all over now and I am finished. I have my business at St. James to attend to. We’ve got the premier team up there too. I’ve been playing senior football 10 years now with Geelong and Carlton and it’s about time I gave it up”.
NB. St James is near Yarrawonga, in country Victoria
The Carlton Annual Report for the year would summarise the win with the comment “For the second year in succession your Club has succeeded in obtaining the blue ribbon of the football world, after the grandest contest ever witnessed in a final game.” The Blues had won their second VFL / AFL Premiership, and now, some 100 years later, we still have the words of the players and reporters of the era to celebrate it by.
Final Scores:
Carlton 1.4.10 4.6.30 6.10.46 6.14.50
South 1.3.9 3.5.23 4.7.31 6.9.45
Goalkickers (Carlton): Topping 3, Lang, Jinks, Kelly
Best (Carlton): Johnson, Flynn, Gotz, Kelly, Ingleman, Bruce
