The 1944 Victorian Football Association season was not played owing to World War II, which was at its peak at the time. It was the last of three seasons which were cancelled during World War II.
| 1944 VFA premiership season | |
|---|---|
| Premiers | Premiership not contested |
Abandonment of the season
editWorld War II commenced in Europe in September 1939, and had spread to the Pacific in December 1941. The Association had continued with a full program of football in the 1940 and 1941 seasons – with the sole exception that Sandringham had competed as an amateur club in the latter season[1] – but had cancelled the 1942 and 1943 seasons when it became clear that the competition would distract from the war effort.[2]
The Association decided not to recommence play in February 1944, though four clubs – Coburg, Oakleigh, Northcote and Prahran – were in favour of recommencing. The issue of military commandeering of football grounds was no longer a significant impediment, but wartime rationing did not cover uniforms and footballs.[3] It was decided on 12 June that the Association would resume play in 1945.[4]
The Association seconds competition, which had been in recess during 1942 and 1943, resumed in 1944, with ten of the twelve clubs fielding a team – only Sandringham and Brighton did not compete.[5] Clubs were, however, limited in the number of former senior players they could field.[6] The seconds premiership was won by Port Melbourne. Port Melbourne 20.16 (136) defeated Oakleigh 12.16 (88) in the Grand Final at Coburg on 23 September before a crowd of 7,000.[7]
Notable events
edit- On 12 April, Association president J. J. Liston died at age 70 after a short illness.[8] Liston had been president of the Association since 1929.[9] Long-time Preston president[10] Mr Henry Zwar, MLA replaced Liston as Association president.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Association teams – Preston's haul". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 12 April 1941. p. 16.
- ^ "No Association football". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 23 February 1943. p. 9.
- ^ "VFA not to resume". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 15 February 1944. p. 9.
- ^ "VFA to play next season". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 13 June 1944. p. 13.
- ^ "VFA seconds". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 29 April 1944. p. 6.
- ^ Fiddian, Marc: Devis at Play: A History of the Oakleigh Football Club, p. 37 ISBN 0959631631
- ^ "VFA seconds". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 25 September 1944. p. 9.
- ^ "Death of Mr J. J. Liston". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 13 April 1944. p. 3.
- ^ "New Association President". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 12 February 1929. p. 14.
- ^ Fiddian, Marc (2004), The VFA: a history of the Victorian Football Association, 1877–1995, p. 99
- ^ "New football leader". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. 9 May 1944. p. 9.