ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO AMGAMATE THE CODES
The second attempt to either amalgamate both Australian Football and Rugby League or form a new game, took place in 1933.
The meetings were held in Sydney during another All-States Carnival when state representatives and members of the Australian Football Council were present.
A preliminary meeting with representatives of both groups was appointed to establish some starting rules of the game and a sec ret match under those rules was played on Friday, 11 August at the RAS Showground, Moore Park (now FOX Studios).
Most of the players who took part in the match were members of the Queensland Australian Football team who were in Sydney for the carnival. Needing enough for two fourteen man teams, their number was supplemented by some local Rugby League players. The trouble was that the players were not familiar with the rules and the Queensland players had played a tough match the day before against ‘Çanberra’.
At the formal meeting held on the night of the game at Rugby League Headquarters, 165 Phillip Street, Sydney, Horrie Miller, Secretary of the NSW Rugby League gave a detailed report on the drafting of the rules, a brief description and a few of those rules, appears below:
It would appear that Mr Miller was a leading proponent of the introduction of a new game and went to great lengths to get the two groups talking as well as making arrangements for the trial game.
Various speakers expressed the view that any amalgamation would have to be gradual and that if each code introduced features of the other, the game could be brought together in a few years.
Mr Miller made a very interesting point when he said “I may say that the idea in drawing up this code of rules was to make the play as open as possible. We are giving what you Australian rule (sic) people are asking for and what the Australian public require – that is Action.”
“Ïn fact” he added, “it is action all the time. At no stage of the game would the ball be dead.”
The meeting was chaired by Mr E H Tassie who was the South Australian Representative on the Council and former president of the Norwood Football Club.
After listening to the speakers from the NSW Rugby League, he made the comment that “his group’s sincerity over the matter (the amalgamated game) might have been questioned, but, as delegates on a trip to Sydney, our actions have been such as should stay any criticism in that respect.”
Despite the genuineness displayed by Mr Miller, it would appear by reading between the lines that the Australian Football representatives were only paying the concept lip service.
Eventually, the following motion was carried unanimously by the combined seventeen man delegates:
That the suggested rules drawn up by the sub-committee for that purpose, form the basis of a report back to the various clubs, and, if in their opinion, these bodies consider a further conference desirable, such conference be held.
It was fine for the Rugby League delegates to give such a commitment but the Australian Football Council was comprised of delegates who represented each state and while most took notice of the resolutions of this body, it is reasonable to say that these were not all were binding and this was particularly the case of the VFL. In many eyes, particularly towards the end of its life, The Australian Football Council or later, the National Football Council, were considered by many as a toothless tiger.
One significant matter on both sides was the strong personalities ‘who would not have a brass tack of the other game. They think they have a good thing, and that if the other party wants to come into the fold he must do so and not expect any amalgamation.” 'Let the Rugby League take on our game,' said an Australian Rules hard citizen.
'Let the Victorians take on the Rugby League game. They would play it well,' said a Sydney man.
The whole issue had its fate decided when the NSW Rugby League met on 14 August where the matter was discussed in detail.
Mr.S.G Ball proposed and Mr. J. Craig seconded that the report be received and
no further action taken. He added that their own game at present needed all their
care and attention. This was carried, after debate, by 15 to 10.
It was doubted that the respective state leagues would have supported such an extraordinary change to the rules of their (Australian) game so the early decision of the Rugby League put a dampener on any possibility of a future mission into changing rules or the combining of games.
If a game acceptable by both codes were to be established, we shall never know.
Last Modified on 22/08/2014 16:56
