1955 - LVFL GRAND FINAL: YALLOURN v SALE
INTRODUCTION
As the 2022 AFL Finals approach, the above press release may prove of interest to football followers and former supporters of Yallourn Football Club.
The press cutting was found in ‘The Argus’ (on September 9th, 1955 on Page 22) and is a preview of the 1955 Latrobe Valley FL Grand Final between Sale and Yallourn which was played at Morwell. ’The Argus’ was a popular metropolitan newspaper; and the item indicates the status which the Latrobe Valley Football League held in those years. Former residents of Yallourn may well remember such club champions as Gerald Marchesi, Stan Brown, Peter Cook, Ken McColl, Jack Vinall and Roy Cullinan.
The text of the above match preview is printed below.
YALLOURN HAS THE SPEED TO BLANKET SALE
“ WET or dry Yallourn appears to have the players to counter Sale's trump cards in the Latrobe Valley Football League grand final, at Morwell tomorrow.
Morwell's ground last week was muddy, but unless heavy rain falls before tomorrow it should be in good condition, and last year's gate of £1,000 could be exceeded.
Yallourn started its run six weeks ago and although it just scraped into the four it has hit top form. Sale was struggling to defeat Warragul, in the second semi-final, but Yallourn last week had a comfortable victory.
Sale, to hold its place on top of the League ladder, developed blistering pace and a play-on style. Any slight loss of form on the part of Yallourn could prove fatal.
Sale's trumps are Orchard and King on the wing, Mason and Morrow in the ruck. Brewer on the half forward line and the Hart Brothers in the roving division.
Yallourn has the player, Stan Brown, in the back pocket to counter McKee; and McColl is in brilliant form at centre half-back and should match Brewer in the air. Cook and Vinall are strong players on Yallourn's half forward line.
Captain-coach Marchesi, formerly of North Melbourne, has blossomed into a capable full forward and former South Melbourne seconds full back Cullinan has developed into a handy goal sneak as a permanent forward pocket.
Sale has a good full forward in C. Smith, but Yallourn half-back line may cut off his supply. Sale will be trying to use its successful play on tactics and has a shrewd tactician in non-playing coach Hughie Murnane.”
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