The 1930 Premiership, Langwarrin wins their first flag in their third Grand Final appearance in as many years.
In the years 1920-1933 the Langwarrin Football Club were known as the Magpies and played in Black and White vertical stripes, the club was affiliated with the Peninsula & District Football Association.
During this period Mr M.Peters (Langwarrin) was President of the P.D.F.A. from 1930-1933 and Mr W.Cain(Langwarrin) was Secretary and Treasurer of the P.D.F.A. from 1920-1933 history has wrote that these two men were great stalwarts of both Langwarrin F.C. and the Peninsula & District Football Association.
The Langwarrin Football Club had great expectations in 1930 of continued success after two Grand Final appearances in 1928 and 1929, as well as finals appearances in 1926 and 1927 but the loss of a few players during the summer months and a young and inexperienced team of some local lads were causes for concern by the end of the first few rounds in 1930 seeing Langwarrin slip to the bottom half of the table.
By Round 6 Langwarrin had to play last season's Premiers Frankston, producing a demoralising lost where Frankston slammed on 21.15 to Langwarrin 3.4.(J.Legge of Frankston kicking 16 goals).This result left Langwarrin languishing near the bottom of the table with just 2 wins and 4 loses.
In a slump the clubs executives were quickly called to action and employed the services of ex Somerville player Mr M.Turner as Club Coach leaving J.Wickes as Captain, with the appointment of Turner and a couple of handy recruits Langwarrin went on to win the next 10 rounds straight and finish the end of the home away season on level points with minor premiers Frankston (because of their superior percentage).
The local journalist were quoted as writing that Langwarrin's rise was due to the "the system, the hand-balling and high marking were all features of their game" they also wrote that "it is hard to understand why a club would let a man of that worth go" referring to Somerville granting a clearance to Turner during the season.
The inclusion of Turner and some other players to Langwarrin by Round 6 had caused some unfavourable articles from some local journalist of the Langwarrin Football Club at the time, enough to upset the then Secretary Mr. F.Goudie who couldn't help himself but to reply to the Editor of the Frankston & Somerville Standard on the 5th July 1930.
Football Tactics
(To the Editor.)
Sir.- In reply to "Onlooker" referring to the Langwarrin Football Club importing players to help themselves out of a hole, let me state that only two men were Somerville League players and the other two were P.D.F.A. players of last year. "Onlooker" should open his two eyes and learn to see things (or go to school again) instead of squealing because this club happens to get a good man as a coach to improve the standard of football in the P.D.F.A. If "Onlookers" club had the same chance they would accept it. With regard to sports, I think Langwarrin F.C. are as good sports as any other club (not squealers) - Yours etc.
F.GOUDIE Hon. Sec. Langwarrin F.C.
Well what a spray from the secretary of the club, to put things to rest we located some old articles from 1930 and the following is the news coverage of the clubs first Premiership.
The Standard Saturday Oct.4th 1930
Langwarrin Wins Premiership
Opening with an uninteresting first quarter, the Grand Final at Mornington last Saturday between Langwarrin and Frankston improved as it proceeded and concluded with a most exciting struggle from which Langwarrin emerged victorious. The win was well deserved, from the commencement of the match Langwarrin strained every muscle to win and gradually strengthened its position until the end of the third quarter. Frankston rallied after the final change and for a time seemed likely to turn the tables, and certainly would have so but for the magnificent defence of Turner, who, in local football is right out of his class. His play was brilliant throughout , and in the last quarter he broke numerous attacks launched by Frankston.
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THE TEAMS
Frankston - Dyson (Capt.), Gamble, L.Legge, D.Quartermain, Cameron, Morris, A.Quartermain, J.Legge, Webster, Witheridge, Dalrymple, Bentley, Polglase, Williams, Claxton, Lloyd, R.Alderson, Pearce.
Langwarrin - Wickes (Capt.), Cullen, Techow, Upton, Swanson, Sullivan, Peters, Telford, Hawken, Goudie, Thornell, Bowes, Turner, Jondahl, Hague, McNabb, Bryant, Fazio.
Field Umpire - McLean.
First Quarter - Frankston was first to attack, but Langwarrin's defence was effective. A free to Polglase again brought the ball forward and A.Quartermain forwarded to D.Quartermain for single. A long period of centre and wing play followed. Webster and A.Quartermain were attractive players for Frankston. Bentley, who played an excellent game and Williams, sent forward, but Cullen, whose defence was brilliant, broke the attack. Another struggle in the centre ensued. A drive by Langwarrin was checked by Dyson, but Sullivan secured and raised both flags. Three strong drives by Langwarrin brought three singles. Frankston rallied and J.Legge was awarded a free in front of goal. Unfortunately this player was overeager and the shot brought up only one flag. Polglase and D.Quartermain again sent the ball forward, and another single was scored. Langwarrin replied with a point. After a period of uninteresting play a good dash by Peters added another point for Langwarrin. Peters and Wickes were prominent in two rushes which added two more points.
Second Quarter - Cullen checked an attack which commenced with a free to Gamble. A fine long kick from Webster brought a single, and the same player dashed forward a little later and brought up both flags. Some bright play by Bentley again put Frankston in a scoring position and a point was added. Langwarrin rallied. Good play by Claxton prevented a score, but a mark by Thornell brought a goal. Langwarrin was attacking with great vigour. Peters, Wickes, Turner and Thornell were playing well, and Bryant was showing up at intervals. Frankston rallied and notched a single. After a hard tussle Langwarrin notched a point. Claxton, Bentley and Webster were Frankston's most prominent players at this stage. Gamble added a point to Frankston's score with a kick from the ground. Frankston had reduced Langwarrin's score to one goal, but Sullivan took a fine mark before the close of the quarter and scored a sixer.
Third Quarter - Some good systematic play by Frankston opened the third quarter, but Langwarrin repulsed the attack and soon had the ball at the other end, where Sullivan, from a free, raised one flag. The shooting was deplorable, four consecutive drives by Langwarrin resulting in singles. Frankston held the play forward for a time, but Langwarrin's defence, especially that of Cullen was good. A mark by Alderson brought a single. Witheridge, Webster, Lloyd and Bentley were playing well. Langwarrin scored singles from two attacks, and fine dash was made by Turner, but his shot struck the post. Peters, with a good dash, got within scoring distance and scored full points. Frankston rallied and good effort by Lloyd, Alderson and Claxton added a sixer. Frankston was playing good football. Some attractive man to man play gave Webster a chance, and a goal was scored. A strong attack by Langwarrin was repelled, but a dash by Wickes brought up both flags.
Final Quarter - The last quarter was a stirring one, D.Quartermain broke an attack by Langwarrin. Some good work by Gamble and a smart dash by Claxton brought a goal. Frankston's play was greatly improved. A free to J.Legge brought another sixer. Langwarrin rallied and, after a period of strenuous play a point was scored. Frankston's attacks were vigorous and determined, but Langwarrin was making a fine defence. Turner was a tower of strength to Langwarrin, and it's safe to say that but for his excellent play Frankston would have scored freely during this quarter. Lloyd sent to J.Legge for a single, to which Langwarrin replied with a strong drive that added a point. Bentley and Lloyd played really good football, but the forwards were unable to break down Langwarrin's defence. There were only five scoring shots during the quarter Frankston scoring 2.1 to Langwarrin's 2 points. Frankston launched a strong attack just before the close of the match, but a fine mark by Cullen relieved. Frankston was again attacking when the bell sounded.
Final Scores - Langwarrin 5.16.46
Frankston 5.10.40
Goal Kickers - Sullivan 2, Thornell, Peters and Wickes 1.
Best Players - Turner, Wickes, Thornell, Peters, Bryant and Cullen
"The Comeback Kids - Black and Whites Pinch the 1930 Premiership"