The 1924 VFL season was the 28th season of the

Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...

(VFL), the highest level senior

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...

competition in Victoria. The season featured nine clubs, ran from 26 April until 27 September, and comprised a 16-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top four clubs. The premiership was won by the

Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed the Bombers, is a professional Australian rules football club. The club plays in the Australian Football League (AFL), the game's premier competition. The club was formed by the McCracken family in their A ...

for the sixth time and second time consecutively, after it won the round-robin finals series which was held in this season only. It is the last time a VFL/AFL premiership was not decided by a

Grand Final Primarily in Australian sports, a grand final (sometimes colloquially abbreviated to "grannie") is a game that decides a sports league's premiership (or championship) winning team, i.e. the conclusive game of a finals (or play-off) series. Sy ...

. The season saw the first presentation of the

Brownlow Medal The Charles Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal (and informally as "Charlie"), is awarded to the " best and fairest" player in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the home-and-away season, as determined by votes cast by ...

for

fairest and best In Australian sport, the best and fairest award recognises the player(s) adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition. The awards are sometimes dependent on not receiving a suspensi ...

player in the league, won by

Edward Greeves Edward Goderich "Carji" Greeves, Junior (1 November 1903 – 15 April 1963) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), now known as the Australian Football League (AFL). H ...

().

Premiership season

In 1924, the VFL competition consisted of nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no reserves, although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their place on the field at any time during the match. Each team played each other twice in a home-and-away season of 18 rounds (i.e., 16 matches and 2 byes). Once the 18 round home-and-away season had finished, the 1924 VFL premiership was determined by an experimental 1924 finals system, which the VFL used in this season only. The format was similar to the round-robin format used in 1897 Finals System, but included the minor premier's right to challenge, which existed under the amended ''Argus'' System.

Round 1

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.7 (67) , , 13.16 (94) ,

Punt Road Oval Punt Road Oval, also known by naming rights sponsorship as the Swinburne Centre, is an Australian rules football ground and former cricket oval located within the Yarra Park precinct of East Melbourne, Victoria, situated a few hundred metres to ...

, 20,000 , 26 April 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.12 (84) , , 11.16 (82) ,

Junction Oval Junction Oval (also known as the St Kilda Cricket Ground, or the CitiPower Centre due to sponsorship reasons) is a historic sports ground in the suburb of St Kilda in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The oval's location near the St Kilda Junc ...

, 15,000 , 26 April 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 8.15 (63) , , 12.7 (79) , Windy Hill , 25,000 , 26 April 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 16.9 (105) , , 15.13 (103) ,

Brunswick Street Oval The WT Peterson Community Oval, best known as the Brunswick Street Oval and also as the Fitzroy Cricket Ground, is a cricket and Australian rules football ground located in Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North, Victoria. History Australian Rules ...

, 30,000 , 26 April 1924

Round 2

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.15 (75) , , 7.11 (53) ,

Corio Oval Corio Oval was an Australian rules football ground, located in Geelong, Victoria, and used by the Geelong Football Club in the VFA and the VFL from 1878 to 1915, and 1917 to 1940. Sited in Eastern Park, the oval was served by trams from 1930 wh ...

, 13,000 , 3 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.17 (77) , , 7.15 (57) ,

Victoria Park Victoria Park may refer to: Places Australia * Victoria Park Nature Reserve, a protected area in Northern Rivers region, New South Wales * Victoria Park, Adelaide, a park and racecourse * Victoria Park, Brisbane, a public park and former golf ...

, 19,000 , 3 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.14 (56) , , 7.14 (56) , Princes Park , 40,000 , 3 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.15 (57) , , 12.14 (86) ,

Lake Oval Lakeside Stadium is an Australian sports arena in the South Melbourne suburb of Albert Park. Comprising an athletics track and soccer stadium, it currently serves as the home ground and administrative base for association football club Sout ...

, 28,000 , 3 May 1924

Round 3

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 14.13 (97) , , 10.14 (74) ,

, 20,000 , 10 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.13 (85) , , 8.11 (59) , Windy Hill , 25,000 , 10 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 8.13 (61) , , 8.14 (62) ,

MCG The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...

, 18,211 , 10 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.22 (76) , , 13.12 (90) ,

, 26,000 , 10 May 1924

Round 4

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 11.10 (76) , , 14.25 (109) , Princes Park , 23,000 , 17 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.9 (81) , , 7.11 (53) ,

, 22,000 , 17 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 5.18 (48) , , 10.14 (74) ,

, 22,000 , 17 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 8.12 (60) , , 12.8 (80) ,

, 12,000 , 17 May 1924

Round 5

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.16 (76) , , 10.9 (69) ,

, 22,072 , 24 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 13.16 (94) , , 3.13 (31) , Windy Hill , 22,000 , 24 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 13.24 (102) , , 11.10 (76) ,

, 16,000 , 24 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 19.17 (131) , , 16.11 (107) ,

, 25,000 , 24 May 1924

Round 6

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.19 (73) , , 8.6 (54) ,

, 20,000 , 31 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.19 (73) , , 9.9 (63) ,

, 12,000 , 31 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.8 (68) , , 8.13 (61) ,

, 35,000 , 31 May 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.15 (69) , , 8.8 (56) ,

, 25,000 , 31 May 1924

Round 7

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.16 (76) , , 11.16 (82) ,

, 14,000 , 7 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.12 (72) , , 11.12 (78) , Princes Park , 29,000 , 7 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 11.17 (83) , , 13.9 (87) ,

, 27,533 , 9 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.13 (85) , , 14.9 (93) ,

, 30,000 , 9 June 1924

Round 8

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.15 (87) , , 5.11 (41) ,

, 15,000 , 14 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 16.17 (113) , , 3.13 (31) , Windy Hill , 20,000 , 14 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.23 (95) , , 10.10 (70) ,

, 21,000 , 14 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.12 (66) , , 6.15 (51) ,

, 12,000 , 14 June 1924

Round 9

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.9 (51) , , 9.14 (68) ,

, 22,000 , 21 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 3.10 (28) , , 5.8 (38) , Princes Park , 21,000 , 21 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.6 (48) , , 7.3 (45) ,

, 20,000 , 21 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 5.12 (42) , , 10.11 (71) ,

, 18,769 , 21 June 1924

Round 10

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 8.15 (63) , , 6.15 (51) ,

, 14,286 , 28 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 4.10 (34) , , 8.12 (60) ,

, 20,000 , 28 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 15.14 (104) , , 8.8 (56) , Princes Park , 27,770 , 28 June 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.7 (61) , , 5.13 (43) ,

, 30,000 , 28 June 1924

Round 11

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 4.17 (41) , , 9.10 (64) ,

, 20,000 , 5 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.20 (80) , , 9.8 (62) ,

, 18,000 , 5 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 16.16 (112) , , 6.16 (52) ,

, 13,000 , 5 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.19 (79) , , 8.14 (62) , Windy Hill , 28,000 , 5 July 1924

Round 12

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 11.10 (76) , , 7.11 (53) ,

, 8,000 , 12 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 14.15 (99) , , 8.8 (56) , Princes Park , 17,000 , 12 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.14 (68) , , 9.11 (65) ,

, 15,000 , 12 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.8 (62) , , 6.13 (49) ,

, 33,000 , 12 July 1924

Round 13

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 13.14 (92) , , 12.16 (88) ,

, 25,000 , 19 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.12 (54) , , 8.16 (64) ,

, 26,000 , 19 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.14 (74) , , 8.14 (62) , Windy Hill , 20,000 , 19 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.13 (55) , , 9.8 (62) ,

, 17,931 , 19 July 1924

Round 14

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 18.15 (123) , , 7.6 (48) ,

, 12,000 , 26 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.12 (72) , , 12.12 (84) , Princes Park , 30,000 , 26 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.13 (85) , , 5.8 (38) ,

, 16,000 , 26 July 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 7.14 (56) , , 12.13 (85) ,

, 38,000 , 26 July 1924

Round 15

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.19 (73) , , 9.7 (61) , Windy Hill , 26,000 , 2 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.16 (70) , , 6.15 (51) ,

, 18,000 , 2 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 5.9 (39) , , 11.12 (78) ,

, 10,000 , 2 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 5.9 (39) , , 8.8 (56) ,

, 7,382 , 2 August 1924

Round 16

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 16.13 (109) , , 6.10 (46) ,

, 10,000 , 23 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 17.19 (121) , , 9.21 (75) ,

, 14,000 , 23 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.19 (73) , , 5.6 (36) ,

, 15,600 , 23 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 13.19 (97) , , 4.7 (31) ,

, 22,000 , 23 August 1924

Round 17

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 6.13 (49) , , 8.13 (61) ,

, 21,000 , 30 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.7 (61) , , 6.18 (54) , Princes Park , 15,000 , 30 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.13 (67) , , 16.14 (110) ,

, 12,487 , 30 August 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.5 (59) , , 11.17 (83) ,

, 20,000 , 30 August 1924

Round 18

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.13 (67) , , 9.14 (68) ,

, 16,500 , 6 September 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.10 (82) , , 14.12 (96) , Windy Hill , 10,000 , 6 September 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 6.14 (50) , , 11.20 (86) ,

, 13,000 , 6 September 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 12.16 (88) , , 8.12 (60) ,

, 30,000 , 6 September 1924

Ladder

1924 finals series

In 1924, the VFL dispensed with the amended ''Argus'' system and adopted a new finals system initially proposed by Carlton delegate Reg Hunt. The new scheme saw the top four clubs play a round-robin semi-finals series over three weeks, with two matches played each Saturday. Then, if the minor premiers did not finish on top of the round-robin ladder, a Grand Final would be played between the minor premiers and round-robin winner. Essendon ultimately finished on top of the finals ladder on the basis of its greater percentage than ; and, as minor premier, Essendon won the premiership without a Grand Final. The scheme was developed primarily as a result of demand for entry to finals matches in the early 1920s exceeding the capacity of the

Melbourne Cricket Ground The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadiu ...

. It was noted that while an average of 80,000 spectators attended a four-game home-and-away round, the capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground was limited to about 55,000; and, as such, under the ''Argus'' system, in which only one final was played each day, many spectators were turned away. However, playing two semi-finals on each day would allow more spectators to attend. The original intent of the system was partially realised, with 65,000 spectators attending the first week of semi-finals, and 60,000 attending the second week; although, only 42,000 attended the third week, when the dead rubber between and was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the premiership-deciding – match was played on the smaller

South Melbourne Cricket Ground Lakeside Stadium is an Australian sports arena in the South Melbourne suburb of Albert Park. Comprising an athletics track and soccer stadium, it currently serves as the home ground and administrative base for association football club Sout ...

. However, even the weeks with higher spectator numbers did not translate to better financial performance: extra competing teams meant more clubs whose members were entitled free admission and fewer neutral spectators paying at the gate. As a result, the new scheme was abandoned at the end of the year and the amended ''Argus'' system resumed from 1925.

Semi-finals

Week 1

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 8.10 (58) , , 2.6 (18) ,

, 42,522 , 13 September 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 13.7 (85) , , 9.3 (57) , Windy Hill , 22,300 , 13 September 1924

Week 2

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 11.10 (76) , , 8.8 (56) , Princes Park , 26,000 , 20 September 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 10.12 (72) , , 4.15 (39) ,

, 35,407 , 20 September 1924

Week 3

, - style="background:#ccf;" , Home team , Home team score , Away team , Away team score , Venue , Crowd , Date , - style="background:#fff;" , , 9.13 (67) , , 6.11 (47) ,

, 25,000 , 27 September 1924 , - style="background:#fff;" , , 13.8 (86) , , 10.13 (73) ,

, 17,503 , 27 September 1924

Finals ladder

Finals team squads

As there was no designated grand final, this also meant that there were no grand final teams in 1924; instead there was an "Essendon finals squad", a "Fitzroy finals squad", a "Richmond finals squad", and a "South Melbourne finals squad". Listed in alphabetical order the four squads were: * Essendon squad:

Fred Baring Frederick Albert Baring (15 December 1890 – 10 December 1961) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the early 1900s. In 1997 he was named at fullback in Essendon's official ...

, Syd Barker, Sr. (captain), Norm Beckton,

Clyde Donaldson Clyde Donaldson (9 June 1894 – 23 May 1979) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Family The son of George Donaldson (1857-), and Louisa Emma Susanna Donaldson (1858-1932), née Se ...

, Charlie Farrell,

Tom Fitzmaurice Thomas Joseph Cullinan Fitzmaurice (7 July 1898 – 25 December 1977) was an Australian rules footballer in the (then) Victorian Football League (VFL). Football A brilliant centre-half-back, he commenced his career with Essendon Football C ...

, Jack Garden, Harry Gregory,

Charlie Hardy Charlie Hardy (1 April 1887 – 19 May 1968) was an Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) during the 1910s and Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the early 19 ...

, Harry Hunter,

Tommy Jenkins Thomas Ernest Jenkins (born 2 December 1947) is an English retired footballer. He played professionally in two continents as a winger and is now a soccer coach in the United States. Early career Born in Bethnal Green, Jenkins played for Ea ...

Roy Laing William Roy Laing (4 April 1893 – 11 April 1972) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) before and after the First World War. Laing, originally from Western Australia, was recruited ...

, Frank Maher, Charlie May, Justin McCarthy, George Rawle,

George Shorten George William "Tich" Shorten (19 March 1901 – 26 June 1973) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the VFL during the 1920s. Shorten was the lightest player in Essendon's famed "Mosquito Fleet", with estimates on hi ...

Greg Stockdale Francis Gregory Stockdale (30 July 1899 – 14 May 1949) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1920s. Family The son of William Hallett Stockdale (1859–1927), and Agn ...

, Jimmy Sullivan, and

Rowley Watt Rowland Hill Watt (17 July 1898 – 27 July 1970) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Watt arrived at Essendon from Rochester and spent a season with Essendon Association befor ...

. * Fitzroy squad: Bill Adams,

Jim Atkinson James Archibald "Snowy" Atkinson (4 April 1896 – 11 June 1956) was an Australian rules footballer and first class cricketer. Family The son of Michael James Atkinson, and Margaret Atkinson, née Markland, James Archibald Atkinson was born i ...

(captain), Arthur Batchelor, Les Bryant, Charlie Chapman,

Goldie Collins Goldsmith Collins (16 September 1901 – 27 April 1982) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the VFL. He made his debut with Fitzroy in 1922 and the following season was the club's best and fairest. His brothers, H ...

Tommy Corrigan Thomas Joseph Corrigan (24 February 1903 – 9 January 1943) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL), and Nothcote in the VFA during the 1920s and 1930s. He died of peritonitis that had ...

, Arch Dickens,

Steve Donnellan Steve Donnellan (12 November 1900 – 29 June 1934) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Football Donnellan came to Fitzroy from Cohuna and played 16 games in his debut season in ...

, Ern Elliott,

Clive Fergie Clive Alfred Fergie (20 December 1895 – 13 August 1960) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy Football Club, Fitzroy in the Australian Football League, Victorian Football League (VFL). Fergie played his early football at ...

Jimmy Freake James Henry Freake (27 January 1889 – 19 May 1937) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serv ...

Len Gale Leonard George "Len" Gale (18 April 1897 – 25 June 1948) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Gale was one of many present and future footballers who fought in World War I. H ...

, Tom Hickey, Horrie Jenkin,

Gordon McCracken William Clifford Gordon McCracken, (22 March 1898 – 27 January 1964) was an Australian Commonwealth Note and Stamp Printer and an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1920s. F ...

, Stan Molan,

Jack Moriarty Jack Moriarty (30 April 1901 – 5 September 1980) was an Australian rules footballer and champion goal-kicker in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Family The son of the Fitzroy full-back, dual premiership player, and first coach, Geoffr ...

Gordon Rattray Gordon Kitchener Rattray (19 October 1898 – 10 December 1964) was an Australian rules footballer who played with and coached Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was the first VFL player to use the torpedo punt. Family The son ...

, Jim Tarbotton,

Len Wigraft Leonard Herman Wigraft (28 January 1897 – 16 January 1982) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy Football Club, Fitzroy in the Australian Football League, Victorian Football League (VFL). Football Wigraft usually played ...

, and Fred Williams. * Richmond squad: Jack Barnett,

Ted Bourke Edward Arthur Bourke (17 February 1904 – 27 November 1952) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond and South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1920s. Often playing at centre half back, Bourke sp ...

Ralph Empey Ralph Empey (22 September 1904 – 28 September 1960) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Football Empey played his early football at Scotch College and made his first VFL appea ...

Clarrie Hall Clarence Herbert Hall (18 January 1890 – 3 September 1976) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL between 1912 and 1922 and then one game in 1924 for the Richmond Football Club. References External links *Richmond Foot ...

, Joe Harrison, Doug Hayes, Gordon Hislop, Max Hislop, Jim Karthaus,

Bob McCaskill Robert 'Bob' James McCaskill (27 September 1895 – 23 June 1952) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1920s and coached both North Melbourne and Hawthorn. Early life Bo ...

, Norm McIntosh,

Angus MacIsaac Angus "Tando" MacIsaac (born June 4, 1943) is a politician, educator and businessman in Nova Scotia, Canada. Political career Angus MacIsaac's father, Alexander MacIsaac, was MLA of Guysborough prior to October 1968. Upon Alexander MacIsaac's ...

, Keith Millar,

Dan Minogue Daniel Thomas Minogue (4 September 1891 – 27 July 1961) was an Australian rules footballer, who played with three different clubs in the (then) Victorian Football League (VFL), and who was the coach of five different VFL clubs. Family The ...

(captain),

Mel Morris Melville Arthur Leslie Morris (8 June 1895 – 3 May 1956) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL between 1921 and 1926 for the Richmond Football Club. He was Captain/Coach of Richmond for the 1926 season. Morris was also ...

Reuben Reid Reuben James Reid (born 26 July 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays for Southern Football League Premier South side Weston-super-Mare as a striker. Born in Bristol, he has played in the Football League for Plymouth Argyle, ...

George Rudolph George Ernest Rudolph (29 April 1901 – 1 April 1967) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1920s. Family The son of Frank Rudolph and Eliza Rudolph, née Barrett, George E ...

, James Smith, Jim Spain, Ernie Taylor,

Vic Thorp Victor Charles Thorp (25 October 1890 – 1 October 1941) was an Australian rules footballer for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League between 1910 and 1925. Nicknamed "Flippa", Thorp was the first true champion player to ...

, and George Valentine. * South Melbourne squad: Harry Alexander,

Bobby Allison Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937) is a former American professional stock car racing driver and owner. Allison was the founder of the Alabama Gang, a group of drivers based in Hueytown, Alabama, where there were abundant short tracks ...

, Phil Brooks, Martin Brown, Roy Cazaly (captain),

Bill Condon William Condon (born October 22, 1955) is an American director and screenwriter. Condon is known for writing and/or directing numerous successful and acclaimed films including '' Gods and Monsters'', ''Chicago'', '' Kinsey'', ''Dreamgirls'', ' ...

Fred Fleiter Fred "Skeeter" Fleiter (3 May 1897 – 10 January 1973) was an Australian rules footballer who played for South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Football Fleiter played as a ruck-rover and made his league debut in 1919. He pla ...

, Arthur Hando, Jacky Harris,

Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson (born December 4, 1972) is a former American football player in the National Football League (NFL). He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the Universi ...

, Tom Joyce, Frank Laird,

Harold Mahony Harold Segerson Mahony (13 February 1867 – 27 June 1905) was a Scottish-born Irish tennis player who is best known for winning the singles title at the Wimbledon Championships in 1896. His career lasted from 1888 until his death in 1905. Maho ...

, Herb Matthews, Bob McDonald, Charles McDonald, Gil Miller,

Charlie Nicholls Lester Cecil "Charlie" Nicholls (11 September 1899 – 20 November 1944) was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules footba ...

Jack O'Connell Jack O'Connell may refer to: * Jack O'Connell (actor) (born 1990), English actor * Jack O'Connell (Australian politician) (1903–1972), member of the Victorian Legislative Council * Jack O'Connell (diplomat) (1921–2010), American diplomat and C ...

, Ted O'Meara, Frank Ross, Joe Scanlan,

Paddy Scanlan Patrick James Scanlan (6 September 1896 – 1 January 1977) was an Australian rules footballer who played with and coached South Melbourne and Footscray in the Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australi ...

, Mark Tandy, and

Les Woodfield Les Woodfield (27 August 1899 – 1 April 1974) was a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and South Melbourne South Melbourne is an inner suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south of Melbour ...

Awards

* The 1924 VFL premiership team was

Essendon Essendon may refer to: Australia *Electoral district of Essendon *Electoral district of Essendon and Flemington * Essendon, Victoria **Essendon railway station **Essendon Airport * Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League United Ki ...

. * The VFL's leading goalkicker was

Fitzroy Fitzroy or FitzRoy may refer to: People As a given name *Several members of the Somerset family (Dukes of Beaufort) have this as a middle-name: **FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855) ** Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset, 8th Duke of Beau ...

with 82 goals, a VFL record. (Moriarty had played 13 senior games for

in 1922, and after playing in Essendon's Second Eighteen for 1923, and was released to Fitzroy). * The winner of the 1924 (inaugural)

was Edward "Carji" Greeves of

Geelong Geelong ( ) (Wathawurrung: ''Djilang''/''Djalang'') is a port city in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River, ...

with 7 votes. * St Kilda took the

wooden spoon Wooden Spoon may refer to: * Wooden spoon, implement * Wooden spoon (award) A wooden spoon is an award that is given to an individual or team that has come last in a competition. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous e ...

in 1924. * The seconds grand final was scratched and the premiership was awarded to after minor premiers refused to travel to Geelong for the grand final.

Notable events

* Administrator Charles Brownlow died on 23 January 1924; the Charles Brownlow Trophy, more commonly known as the

, was instituted in his memory. The trophy is to be awarded to "the best and fairest player" in the VFL as determined by the votes of the field umpire at the end of each home-and-away match. From 1924 to 1930, there was a single vote cast per match. *The VFL started fixing the schedule from 1924 to ensure that neither and nor and played home matches on the same day due to the heavy transport and labour burden associated with running the two nearby venues at the same time. This arrangement continued as long as the clubs played at nearby locations. * Bill Twomey, Sr. who played for Collingwood (1918–1922) and would play for

Hawthorn Hawthorn or Hawthorns may refer to: Plants * '' Crataegus'' (hawthorn), a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae * ''Rhaphiolepis'' (hawthorn), a genus of about 15 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Rosace ...

(1933–1934), the father of Collingwood's Bill Twomey, Jr. (1945–1958),

Pat Twomey Pat Twomey (2 April 1929 – 22 November 1969) was an Australian rules footballer, who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Pat Twomey joined Collingwood in 1947. He had two stints with the Magpies, separated by a spell with country ...

(1947–1949; 1952–1953), and

Mick Twomey Michael John Twomey (25 September 1931 – 14 December 2015) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). At 185cm (6'1") in height, Collingwood's Mick Twomey was ta ...

(1951–1961), and the grandfather of Collingwood's

David Twomey David Twomey (born 21 February 1961) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Victorian Football League (VFL). A member of Collingwood's famous Twomey family, David is the grandson of Bill Twomey senior and ...

(1979–1985) wins the 1924, 130-yard

Stawell Gift The Stawell Gift is Australia's oldest and richest short-distance running race. It is the main event in an annual carnival held on Easter weekend by the Stawell Athletic Club, with the main race finals on the holiday Monday, at Central Park, St ...

in 12.1 seconds, off a handicap of 8½ yards. * The Fitzroy versus Carlton match in the opening round was the first VFL match in which both teams scored 100 points. * The VFL adopts the convention of home teams wearing black shorts and away teams wearing white shorts. * Because the 1924 premiership was determined by a round-robin system, Essendon won the premiership despite being beaten by runners-up Richmond 9.13 (67) to 6.11 (47) in the last round-robin match; this is the only time in VFL/AFL history that the premiers lost their last match of the season. Richmond would have needed to win by at least 43 points to challenge Essendon to a grand final. * Many of the Essendon players were unhappy at the poor performances of some of their teammates in the final round robin match against Richmond, and there were heated arguments and fist-fights in the rooms after the match and after a post-match function later that evening, related to accusations of

match fixing In organized sports, match fixing is the act of playing or officiating a match with the intention of achieving a pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. There are many reasons why match fixing might take place, ...

and receiving bribes. * On the Saturday after the VFL grand final, Essendon (in its role as 1924 VFL premiers) was challenged by 1924 VFA premiers, Footscray, to a match in aid of Dame Nellie Melba's Limbless Soldiers' Appeal, purportedly (but not officially) for the championship of Victoria. Footscray unexpectedly defeated Essendon 9.10 (64) to 4.12 (36). Again there were accusations of match fixing, and champion centre half-back

was so disgusted with many of his teammates having, in his view, deliberately lost the match, he never played again for Essendon. * The Seconds grand final, to have been staged between and minor premiers on 4 October, was originally scheduled to be played at Geelong's home ground,

, but after Essendon raised its objections, the Seconds League rescheduled the match for

Kardinia Park Kardinia Park is a major public park located in South Geelong, Victoria. A number of public and sporting facilities are located in the park: a major AFL stadium, a secondary football oval, a cricket field, an open air swimming pool, a number of ...

, which was a neutral venue, but still located in Geelong. Essendon again objected, and after the league dismissed their complaint, refused to travel to Geelong. Consequently, the match was scratched and the Seconds premiership was awarded to Geelong.

Notes

References

* Hogan P: ''The Tigers Of Old'', Richmond FC, (Melbourne), 1996. * Maplestone, M., ''Flying Higher: History of the Essendon Football Club 1872–1996'', Essendon Football Club, (Melbourne), 1996. * Rogers, S. & Brown, A., ''Every Game Ever Played: VFL/AFL Results 1897–1997 (Sixth Edition)'', Viking Books, (Ringwood), 1998. * Ross, J. (ed), ''100 Years of Australian Football 1897–1996: The Complete Story of the AFL, All the Big Stories, All the Great Pictures, All the Champions, Every AFL Season Reported'', Viking, (Ringwood), 1996.

External links

1924 Season - AFL Tables

1924 VFL Premiers vs VFA Premiers Match
– BoylesFootballPhotos
Frost, L., "Did the 1924 Bombers throw their last game?", (25 September, 2006), AFL Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:1924 Vfl Season Australian Football League seasons

VFL season The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...