1903

Under the disciplined coaching of Jack Worrall, the Navy Blues finished in the top four of the VFL competition in 1903 and qualified for the finals for the first time. This marked improvement in Carlton's fortunes led other clubs to examine the possibility of following our lead and appointing a coach. Up until then, it was traditional for the captain and vice-captain to supervise team training and tactics.

Having finished third, the Blues also came heartbreakingly close to a first VFL Grand Final appearance, going down to ladder-leaders Collingwood by 4 points in the first Semi Final at Fitzroy's Brunswick Street Oval.

A season of 11 wins, including victories over both Grand Finalists in Collingwood and Fitzroy, would show that the Blues were emerging at last from their rough initiation into the VFL. Our first Grand Final, and of course our first Premiership, was just a matter of time.

Readers may notice that the round order for this season are slightly out of order. Please click here to find out why.

Carlton v N.S.W. Wednesday 5 August

After the rescheduled Rnd.2 Geelong match on the S.C.G. the Blues played N.S.W. at the same venue.
Weather fine and a good attendance.
Other players in the touring party;
H. McShane, Rowland, Leeds, Trim, Topping, Elliott, Smythe, McNamara, Barlow, Flynn.
Carlton team;
Backs; J. McShane, F. Hince, C. Ross
Half backs; C.O'Connor, E. Walton, G. Ross
Centres; B.Jacobson, A.Ford, C.Tough
Half forwards; Neil, F.Scott, F.Webber
Forwards; G.Bruce, Mainwaring, J.Sullivan
Rucks; M.Grace, J.Opie
Rover A.Snell
Umpire; M.J.Dillon
Goal umpires; D.L.Bennett, T.Sheeley
Carlton won;
Carl; 2.2 4.6 7.13 9.15.69
NSW;2.3 4.7 5.10 6.13.49
Goals; Grace 2, Scott 2, Opie 2, Neil 2, Ross
Players mentioned; M.Grace, F.Scott, J.Opie, Neil, Ross, J.Sullivan, F.Hince
The Evening News (Sydney) August 06, reporting on this match said;
"That Carlton team would win was expected, and the Victorians knew it, for their team comprised several supporters who had come over with the team to witness the Carlton-Geelong contest."
Could Mainwaring and Neil be two of these supporters?

Team as published on the morning of the match, differs to the team in the Evening News.
Image: Trove; SMH August 05 p10

Carlton v Fitzroy Juniors at Princes Park on April 11

Carlton team;
Backs; O'Connell, Hart, Sullivan
Half backs; Webber, Jacobson, Snell
Centres; O'Connor, Ford, Fenton
Half forwards; Ross, Walton, G. Ross (Capt)
Forwards; McDonald, Tough, Lazarus
Followers; Elliott, Richards
Rover; Monagle
Carlton won by 55 points.
Carl; 1.7 3.8 7.11 10.14.74
F.Jnrs; 1.1 2.1 2.1 3.1.19
Goals; Sullivan 2, Webber 2, Walton 2, O'Connor, Richards/Rickards, Jacobson, Ford

Carlton v Carlton Juniors at Carlton Monday April 13

The Juniors were two players short
Carlton team;
Backs; McNulty, Tough, Lazarus
Half backs; McNamara, Walton, G. Ross
Centres; O'Connell, Ross, Fenton
Half forwards; McDonald, Lampe, O'Connor
Forwards; Webber, Snell, Jackson
Followers; Elliott, Leeds
Rover; Monagle
Carlton Juniors
Backs; O'Dea, Wallace, Pemberton
Half backs; Laidlaw, Waring, Guise
Centres; Ward, Ryan unknown
Half forwards; Williams, Tomlinson, unknown
Forwards; Delaney, Murray, Doran
Followers;Eastman, Prescott, Crowe
Rover; Stewart
Umpire; Holmes
Carlton won by 67 points
Carlton; 4.2.26, 8.5.53, 12.7.79, 12.11.83
Carl.Jr; 0.0.0, 0.0.0, 1.2.8, 2.4.16
Carlton Goals, McDonald 4, Webber 4, O'Connor 2, Walton, Snell
Juniors Goals; Myers, Tough.

Carlton v Preston at Preston Park on April 18

Players met at Ernie Walton's Lygon Street.
Good weather, large crowd.
Carlton team;
Backs; Opie, Lazarus, Orr
Half backs; Freame, Prim, Starke
Centres; Eades, Fort, Jacobson
Half forwards; O'Connor, Sullivan, McShane
Forwards; O'Neil, Walsh, McDonald
Followers; Elliott, Todd
Rover; Monaghan
Umpire; Todd
Carlton won by ? (no final result available)
Carl; 4.5 7.11 10.11 -----Pres; 1.0 1.2 2.3 ------

Carlton v Essendon Town on Princes Oval, April 25

A fair attendance despite the wet weather.
Sullivan, Flynn, and McDonald played
Carlton team;
Backs; McNamara, Tough, Trimm
Half backs; Orr, Walton, G. Ross
Centres; Stivey, Ford, Roland
Half forwards; H. McShane, Opie, Jacobsen
Forwards, Leeds, Elliott, Snell
Followers; J. McShane, Tenbrick
Rover; Tipping/Topping?
Umpire; Pope
Carlton won by 74 points
Carl; 3.6 8.13 9.17 11.22.88
E.T; 0.1 0.2 2.2 2.2.14
Goals; Sullivan 3, Leeds 2, Flynn 2, Snell, McDonald, Jacobson, Walton.

Ladder

People of 1903

Captain: Joe McShane
Coach: Jack Worrall
Leading Goal-kicker: Joe Sullivan - 27 goals

Debuts

Round 17: Jim Marchbank, John T Stephenson
Round 16: Alex Prentice, Bert Lithgow
Round 15: Norm Hogg
Round 14: Alf Gough, Matt Crowe
Round 7: Frank Hince
Round 5: George Bruce
Round 4: Billy Orr
Round 3: Mick Grace
Round 1: Jim Flynn, Arthur Ford, Bob Jacobson, Billy Leeds, Albert Trim