The Massacre

Major round matches of this year and future years may be forgotten, but the first semi-final of 1959 will long be remembered, and chiefly as "The Massacre.

Subiaco 26,23 (17,9) to Perth 7.8 (50) a record score and winning margin for a major round match. Subiaco also established a third record for a major round by kicking 16.8 for one quarter of play.

Not even the most one-eyed Subiaco supporter could have dreamt such a result.

After something approaching a rough-and-tumble first half of football with Subiaco clearly the superior team, a dramatic change came over the game.

GOAL SCORING ORGY

The Maroons, who previously fritted away golden scoring opportunities with poor goal-kicking, swept the Den1ons before them was so much flotsam.

Developing fast, brilliant and coordinated football, Subiaco cut loose to pile on seven goals in 10 minutes 13.16 to S.5. Perth struggled gallantly, but the flying Maroons continued remorselessly to chop Perth to pieces.

Goals flowed and cascaded like a waterfall until the siren sounded.

The Maroons piled on an amazing 16.8 for an aggregate of 22.19 to completely demoralise the Demons. They won in practically all positions.

FEAST OF FOOTBALL

No matter how Perth tried and regardless of changes in their playing positions, the Maroons left them for "dead". In fact, Perth were made to look like a brigade of novices as Subiaco gathered in the ball from the ruck and the packs to race away with purposeful handball, backing-up; vastly superior marking and long, punishing drop-kicks.

Charlie Tyson, elusive and destructive was ably abetted by ruck-rover Don Glass, rover Wally Stevens and goalsneak Kevin Merifield (amongst other players) teaming together brilliantly.

And the Maroons after two quarters, finally realised that to make the most of Merifield, they had to boot the ball high to him instead of trying to "plonk" it on his chest.

RAGGED DEMONS

Kevin Merifield is in his element flying high for the ball. From one goal for the first half he booted five for the quarter. The Demons were ragged and hopelessly slow. They missed marks and fumbled the ball which they booted with little discretion. There were exceptions, notably the Harper brothers who played sound, positive football.

However, Perth who missed Bob Coleman in the ruck and forward division and Bill Leuzzi (centre), were not a balanced combination. Their attack was always groping because it was never coordinated.

THE GAME

The pattern of play was set early. Merv Screaigh (centre half-forward) with a beautiful drop-kick goal, had the first score on the board after two and a half minutes of play. Subiaco had a strong wind at their backs.

Perth's kicking was hurried. Dick Walker missed a sitter from Frank Pyke. It was the first of many missed marks by Perth.

Neither team had developed any system. Finally, Willie Tussler goaled for Perth after 13 minutes of play. Meanwhile, the Maroons messed about with pot shots for points apart from the goals contributed by Don Glass, Wally Stevens and Kevin Merifield.

Big Tom Davis hoisted Perth's second goal as time was running out. Scores 4.7 to 2.0 Subiaco's way.

SECOND QUARTER

Now the Demons had the wind. Their efforts to use it purposefully proved fruitless. Their general play was too often too rugged.

Subiaco's ruck was now clearly superior and Peter Amaranti was gaining the upper hand at the centre. When Subiaco was in trouble, Charlie Tyson

retrieved the situation. He was consistently playing loose.

The Maroons were developing system in their play with players making position to break into the open, intercept the quick hand pass and play on.

Their kicking and marking were decidedly more purposeful than the Demon's.

Dick Walker finally kicked a goal to give Perth one for the term. The Demons' inadequate attack was always bustled and harried by the opposition defenders. Perth plunged forward for five points while three further shots for goals went out of bounds.

Apart from the last quarter, the story of the first semi-final has been recounted.

With nine minutes of play remaining, left-footer Frank Pyke's lovely drop-kick gave Perth their first goal since the second quarter.

The disjointed Demons gamely struggled on. The spirit was willing, but the football finesse was not just there.

If Subiaco can click earlier in the game or games ahead to reproduce their scintillating football of the third quarter, they'll win the 1959 premiership!