Articles submitted are extracted from the following newspapers : Ferntree Gully News, Free Press, Ferntree Gully Times, Croydon Post and Pakenham Gazette.
15/3/46 Football (ed part of)
.......the South Belgrave club was formed last Friday........ Mr Jack Oram, a prewar district player, will coach the team. The colours will be brown and gold. Three donations of one guinea and one of 10/6 were received. A football to be used in the first home match, was donated by the President. Messrs J and F Rae offered to pay umpires' fees in the first match which was thankfully accepted. The club's first social event will be a dance and euchre in the Belgrave Heights Hall on Saturday 16th March.
22/3/46 Sth Belgrave Club Dance
A very successfull dance set the new Belgrave South Club in full motion and netted 4 pound 1 shilling profit. Mr J Beasley and partner won the monte carlo and a pair of towels went to Mr J Murdoch. Mr J Gillingham was MC. Coach J Oram was in charge of training last weekend when an excellent muster turned out.
18/4/46 Practice Match - South Belgrave v Kalorama Park Football Club (ed should read "Kalora" Park)
There was a good muster of players at the ground last Saturday afternoon for a club practice match. White pants versus the all kinds. Naturally, it was hard work and hard going after the heavy rain of the night before, but most of the boys stood up to it fairly well, although good solid training will be necessary to get at the top of their form in time for the opening of the season a few weeks off. The most outstanding players were Laurie Cordell, I. Beasley and I. Mills in the rucks. Fred Rae, roving; Bluey Murdoch position play; Cox, at centre forward; Varty and Halleur general play; B. Bousfield, back; and fast and furious Frank Bailey finished up fighting fit. It was pleasing to note that free kicks were few and far between, the boys playing the ball and not the man. The umpires were brilliant, although at one stage of the game one umpire forgot he had a whistle.
Arrangements have been made with the Upwey-Tecoma Club for a practice match at South Belgrave on April 27 at 2.45 p.m.
Football stockings are unprocurable and some of the lads are finding it hard to get their stockings knitted. The secretary has over 100 skeins of wool, if there is any lady who would like to knit a pair we would be glad to hear from them and the wool will be sent along immediately.
The general meeting will be held at Progress Hall, Belgrave Heights on Friday April 26 - important business relating to rules and constitution.
There's a lot of hard work and many obstacles for a new club to overcome and already our expenses are over the 25 pound mark, and the boys hope to sell many club membership tickets to our supporters and well-wishers. Gents tickets are 5/-, ladies and juniors 2/6. Now on sale.
Friday May 3 1946 Good Form at S. Belgrave (by L.D.)
Upwey-Tecoma played at Sth Belgrave on Saturday last. Being the first real try out, the standard of play was particularly good. The supporters of both teams were very pleased with the form shown generally.
Upwey-Tecoma were more experienced, and showed better team work and anticipation. The South Belgrave boys are younger, with plenty of dash and determination, and they should be heard of later. The marking and handling of the wet greasy ball was unexpectedly good. The umpire did his job well, which always helps to make good football.
The final scores were Upwey-Tecoma 5.17.47 to South Belgrave 2.2.14. Best for South Fred Rae, Halleur, Bousfield, Jack Gillingham (the team featherweight), Freddie Cox, and Cordell.
Friday May 10 1946 Mountain District Season Opens
Conditions were ideal for the opening round of the MDFA on Saturday and with eight teams participating local sport enthusiasts were given a taste of the game such as they have not been treated to for some years.
Gembrook's Easy Win - The new South Belgrave team was no match for Gembrook, whose experience and use of the home ground helped greatly in recording for them a comfortable win. Final Scores Gembrook 17.17.119 to South Belgrave 4.11.35.
Friday May 17 1946 Olinda Just Home from South Belgrave
South Belgrave had the scoring end in the first quarter, scoring two goals to nil but Olinda made amends in the second to finish the half 6 points up. Playing on in the third they kept the lead despite the wind and at the last change were in a winning position. In the final term South Belgrave played hard, making every effort to gain a lead but Olinda's backs were too strong. Fred Rae, after bright elusive play snapped the first goal of the day. George Anderson at full back defended well, and his long kicking was brilliant. He was ably assisted in the back pocket by Brian Bousfield. Mick Potter improving every game is a silent but solid worker on the half back wing. Freddie Cox gave his usual display of clever forward work. "Smiler" Jack Rae and Allan Halleur, change ruck and rover respectively, never better than when the pressure is on. Laurie Cordell and Ian Beasley put in a lot of good work in the ruck. A check up of the ages of the boys proved interesting - eight players between 15 and 17 and eight in the 18 - 20 group. One of the 15 year olds, Bluey Murdoch battled like a veteran in the forward pocket during the first half. A much improved side due to the untiring efforts of the new coach, Mr W. Jones.
I have hundreds of these reports. If you want more of the same, email me twonames@vic.australis.com.au or write to the club at P.O. Box 347 Belgrave 3160
