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1919 Summary
Melbourne re-entered the VFL after missing the past three season due to World War I and the competition returned to its traditional 18 round format. While Melbourne was able to field a side, they were substantially weaker than pre-war and were unable to win a game in 1919.The Blues finished fourth in 1919, after a good start to the season. Carlton won its first game, lost its second and then had a bye in round 3. Four consecutive wins against Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and Collingwood between rounds 4 and 7 saw the Blues top of the ladder.
Unfortunately Carlton dropped its next 4 games (South Melbourne, Richmond, Fitzroy and Essendon) and left it lying in fifth place two games out of the final four after the second bye in round 12.
Five wins out of the final six games and a strong percentage (percentages were introduced to the ladder during the 1919 season) meant that Carlton managed to climb back into the top 4 after winning its last home and away in round 18. After finishing third on the ladder, the Blues played Collingwood in the second Semi Final, losing by 18 points to be knocked out of the finals.
Late Starting - Jack Worrall
"It is axiom that all things, sport included, should move with the times. Forty years ago 3 o'clock was the allotted hour for starting football , and it is practically the same to-day. Officially the time is 2.40 pm, with ten minutes grace allowed, but no match has never been known to commence before 3. So for the last 40 years the hour at starting play has remained the same, despite the fact that the alterations in the uniforms of the different clubs - such as the introduction of white knickers and shoulder straps - has made early starting an absolute necessity , especially in the months of June and July. Not only once but a dozen times this season already has it been next to impossible to distinguish the players in the gloaming, play frequently finishing as late as half past 5.It stands to reason that in the dusk and darkness opportunities exist for foul play that would not stand the light of day. Surely the public possesses some rights, and should be considered, especially as it provides the wherewithal that keeps the game going.
Watching unrecognised, shadowy forms running to and fro in the mist, chasing a ball that cannot be seen any distance away, is scurvy treatment for the ardent followers of the sport. There are many arguments why play should not commence later than a quarter to three (half past 2 for choice), and not one argument in its favour. It would not inconvenience the players, and would be a boon to the public, as frequently the last half of the final quarter's play is only dimly observable - a state of things unsatisfactory to everybody but the members of the League."
(Trove: Australasian July 12 p27)
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | For | Against | % |
| 1 | Collingwood | 13 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 172.211.1243 | 99.172.766 | 162.3 |
| 2 | Sth Melbourne | 12 | 0 | 4 | 48 | 148.223.1111 | 90.160.700 | 158.7 |
| 3 | Carlton | 10 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 154.226.1150 | 126.145.901 | 127.6 |
| 4 | Richmond | 10 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 145.213.1083 | 122.184.916 | 118.2 |
| 5 | Fitzroy | 9 | 1 | 6 | 38 | 149.180.1074 | 115.167.857 | 125.3 |
| 6 | Essendon | 7 | 0 | 9 | 28 | 125.174.924 | 133.179.977 | 94.6 |
| 7 | St Kilda | 7 | 0 | 9 | 28 | 101.166.772 | 150.193.1093 | 70.6 |
| 8 | Geelong | 3 | 1 | 12 | 14 | 106.158.794 | 142.230.1082 | 73.4 |
| 9 | Melbourne | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 87.125.647 | 210.246.1506 | 43 |
Vs University, on the old Brunswick reserve Park Street near Sydney Road, April 12
Carlton won 12.8.80 - 8.4. 52Vs Williamstown Juniors at Princes Park, April 19
The Williamstown Chronicle "Football Notes" April 26 (p3);"The Juniors lost to Carlton last Saturday after the worst display given by the boys. All the seasoned players were on holidays."
No further details
Vs Ballarat at Ballarat, Monday April 21
A Carlton visit to Ballarat was an annual event pre war. This was the first senior football seen in Ballarat for over four years.The party was invited to Beecham's Unicorn Hotel.
Welcomed by Cr. W. Elsworth president of the Ballarat League. W. H. Gent, president of Golden Point Club, and A. O'Day secretary of the local League.
Resonse speeches were made by Carlton's J. Gardiner (president), T. F. Beary (vice president), R. Hunt (secretary), and Lt. H. J. Nugent.
The match was played on the Eastern oval. Seven Carlton senior men played.
Carlton team; (18 named)
Leehane (capt), Powditch, Hore, Johnson, Bockholt, Scobie, Canet, McCumisky, A. Graff, B. Graff, White, Willis, Keily, Cowley, Goonan, Martin, Ewans, Down.
Umpire; Lt. H. J. Nugent, Military Cross winner. Nugent was an umpire in Ballarat pre war, he also served in the Boer War.
Carlton won by 29 points
Carl; 5.8 8.14 11.14 12.25.97
Ball; 0.0 5.5 9.10 9.14.68
Vs Carlton District (19) April 26 at Princes Park
Carlton District is Carlton's team playing in the newly formed Reserves (Victorian Junior League) competition.Play did not commence until 3.30pm and the senior Carlton team wore black arm bands as a mark of respect of this day's news of the sudden death of Carlton vice president Frank Hyett.
Carlton team; (18)
Leehane (capt), Behrendt, Hore, White, Martin, Scobie, Canet, Chandler, A. Graf, B. Graf, Woolley, Haughton, Fisher, Murcovitch, Cowley, Shiels, Evans, Shortell.
Carlton District team; (19)
Gordon (capt), Wittman, Gavin, Key, Inch, Read, Wright, Craig, Chappell, Oak, V. Truman, Freeman, Jamieson, Watson, Noonan, Boyne, Whannell, Rourke, R. Brown(e).
Quarter time scores only.
Carl; 2.5
C.Dist; 0.1
People of 1919
Coach: Viv ValentineCaptain: Charlie Fisher
Leading Goal-kicker: Charlie Fisher - 36 goals
Milestones
Debuts: Stewart McLatchie, Les Kittle, Joe Prince, Jack Scobie, Bert Boromeo, Newton Chandler, Morrie Ewans, Bert Graf
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