A one-man band

By Justin Robertson
IT WAS the goal that was the catalyst behind Garfield and Bunyip’s long-standing rivalry and is still a talking point all these years later.
In 1939, both teams had qualified for the grand final at Nar Nar Goon and in the week leading up to the big match, Garfield had made several requests to have the game postponed to the following Saturday, due to appalling weather and heavy rain.
A few days before the game, some passionate supporters approached Bunyip and asked to have the game postponed to the following week, as they felt the ground was in no condition for a final. Their request fell on deaf ears and at the time said they would take to the field as scheduled.
Further rain fell on the Friday night and also on the Saturday morning. It had rained so much that even VFL matches had been cancelled, the same day these two clubs were due to play their final. Garfield made a last-ditch effort to have the game moved, but league officials ignored any requests made by the club and with that, they took the ultimate stand by deciding not to play.
While the club was doing its best to have the game moved, Jack Smith was busy working trying to get the afternoon off to play in football’s biggest day. After paying 10 shillings to get a lift to Flinders Street Station, he got changed into his green and gold jumper on the train, put on his socks and made his way to Nar Nar Goon ready to do battle.
In all the confusion during the week leading up to the match, Smith was not informed of his team’s boycott and was the only Garfield footballer to show up on that one day in September.
The ball was bounced at 3:30pm and when Bunyip’s Wally Toy marked and goaled he sealed a premiership for his side with one kick.
It’s that kick that started a rivalry that has been passed on through generations of juniors and senior footballers at both clubs and will be eagerly anticipated by supporters of both clubs this Saturday afternoon at Beswick Street.