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Status: Friendly
Date: 30 August 1952
Venue: WACA Ground, Perth, Western Australia
Western Australia: Dominic Di Lollo, Ron Adair, Frank Reid, J.Ward, Guiseppe Scarparolo, Jack Smethurst, Vince Parlatoni, Edmundo Paletti, Frank McShane, Bert Robertson, Jimmy McMillan
Australia: Bill Mahoney, Eric Heath, Mick O’Malley, Bob Bignell, Pat Clarke, Eric Duff, Charlie Stewart, J.Freckleton, Bill Copeland, C.Rawlings, D.Pitcairn
Referee:
A lack of quality finishing was responsible for Western Australia going down 2-0 to a strong Australian national team at the WACA Ground. On several occasions the State forwards found themselves in good scoring positions but either lifted their shots high of the crossbar or past one of the uprights. Also influencing WA’s inability to find the net was a splendid defensive performance from the national team for whom Bill Mahoney made some spectacular saves to thrill the crowd of around 10,000.
WA were on the attack immediately from the kick-off, Bert Robertson forcing an early corner which Jimmy McMillan headed past the post. Australia took the lead through a quick passing movement that enabled Charlie Stewart to cut in and net with a hard, low shot. A few minutes later centre-forward Bill Copeland added a second goal with a fine drive that crept under the bar. After this the Australian attack was allowed little scope by Ron Adair and fellow defender Guiseppe Scarparolo and J.Ward, who continually beat their opponents to the ball.
The second half was dominated by State wingers Frank Reid and Jack Smethurst, the latter creating a wealth of scoring opportunities which his team mates were unable to finish. In one such attacking raid centre-forward Edmundo Faletti hit the post with Mahoney hopelessly out of position. A measure of WA’s superiority can be gained from the fact they won eleven corners across the game compared to Australia’s three. Australia captain Bob Bignell paid tribute after the match to Smethurst, who he rated as the best on ground.
Status: Friendly
Date: 1 September 1952
Venue: WACA Ground, Perth, Western Australia
Western Australia: Dominic Di Lollo, Ron Adair, Frank Reid, John Beveridge, J.Ward, Frank McShane, Joe Szymanski, Edmundo Paletti, Bert Robertson, D.Young, Jimmy McMillan
Australia: Bill Mahoney, Eric Heath (D.Pitcairn), Mick O’Malley, Bob Bignell, Jack Mather, Pat Clarke, Angus Drennan, Charlie Stewart, Bill Copeland, Eric Duff, Cliff Sander
Referee:
Western Australia gave a good performance to draw 1-1 with the visiting Australian national team at the WACA Ground. The standard of play was not high because of a slippery pitch which caused players on both teams to regularly lose their footing. Australia suffered an early setback with fullback Eric Heath leaving the field injured after falling heavily on his arm, D.Pitcairn came off the bench with the coaching staff force to reshuffling their line-up. State player Jack Smethurst missed the game due to a leg injury suffered in Saturday’s opening friendly between the teams.
There were glimpses of systematic play in the first half but found the State backline of Ron Adair, John Beveridge and J.Ward in excellent form. The opening goal arrived five minutes from half-time when Eric Duff cleverly beat two opponents and drove the ball out of the reach of goalkeeper Dominic Di Lollo. Western Australia hit back ten minutes after the resumption, Frank Reid sending a perfect pass through to Jimmy McMillan who raced away and dribbled around ‘keeper Bill Mahoney before blasting in the equaliser. The host team went on to dominate the remainder of the game through their determined tackling and ability to adapted better to the conditions.
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