Australian Football.

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 256, 27 May 1905, Page 20

Australian Football.

The match Cib r. Pet one la&t Saturday had to be postponed because tlie ground at Petone was rnoie 01 less under watei . Twenty thousand people witnessed the match between Fitzroy and C'ollmgwood, at the Fitzrcn Cucket Ground, Melbourne. Fitzro\ « on bv fcliiiee points C'arlfcon bpat E^^endon bv eight points. Auckland Imperials sprang a surprise on the followers of the "aine up North bv defeating last year's premiers, Australs by three points. Those who went over to Seatoun on Saturday witnessed the best exhibition of the game that has been played heie. It was a faster and better game all round than that between Ohiristehui eh and Wellington last season. Tihe general expectation was that Newtown would beat Federals, but the laitter in the last quarter had their opponents completely beaten after a struo^le that reminded one of the battles between two Melbourne teams playing off for the premiership. There was a. good orowd of spectators, and the cheering and applause that came from them would make the residetiits of Seatoun imagine that there was a. few thousands present in the Park Owens played the best game of the thirty-six. His marking and looking were a treat to see. Bowman (Fatty) gave a sterling exhibition for Federal. The firet he kicked was a beaiuty, and just at the right time, as it put new life into the Federals. "Tassy" Goodwin, who played for Newtown last eeason, also plavedl splendid1\ for Federals. Maine was the pick of the Newtown team, kicking with great judgment. Ryan played well, -just missing a couple of goals. The goal-kackers for Federal were • Bowman (2), Rankin Barker, and! McB\idgean , for Newtown, Main© and Ryan The final scores were: Federal, five goals, four behinds, 34 points . Newtown, two goals, seven behandsi, 19 points. The Federals aie now leading. A word of praise is due to Mr. Thomas, who was central umpire. He made the game fast, and was strict and impartial in his decisions.