Remember 1910

Sunday, April 7, 2013. Remember this date. Tattoo it on a spare space. Magpies v the Lygon Street Secondhand Sock Sellers at the G. Mr Buckley v Mick Malthouse. And remember the 1910 VFL Grand Final victory by Collingwood over Carlton:

Early in the fourth quarter of the match, while Collingwood was leading, a huge brawl broke out involving at least thirty players and officials from both clubs; the fight was described by experienced umpire Jack Elder as he worst he saw in his VFL career. Collingwood held on to win by 14 points, but four players were reported for starting the big fight and as a result were heavily suspended.

Percy Sheehan (Carlton) and Jack Shorten (Collingwood) both were given 18 month suspensions, and Jack Baquie (Carlton) and Tom Baxter (Collingwood) both received 12 month suspensions. However, Collingwood appealed the Baxter suspension and produced a written declaration from another player, Richard Daykin, claiming that it was he and not Baxter who had traded blows with Baquie. The VFL chose to accept Daykin’s confession and cleared Baxter of his 12 month suspension. Soon after Baxter was cleared, Daykin announced his immediate retirement from VFL football. Carlton vowed never to forget this day and they soon had their revenge by winning the Premiership from Collingwood in 1915.

Madame Fifi, of Madame Fifi's House of Earthly Pleasures, Smith Street, Collingwood, and the owner of the Bugle, will again fly this famous banner on April 7.