1896 Carlton Football Club season

The 1896 VFA season was the 20th season in the Victorian Football Association to be contested by the Carlton Football Club. The club finished equal-last out of thirteen teams, with a record of 2–14–2 from eighteen matches. It was the final VFA season contested by the club before joining the newly established Victorian Football League in 1897.

Club summary

The 1896 VFA season was the 20th season of the VFA competition since its inception in 1877; and, having competed in every season, it was also the 20th season contested by the Carlton Football Club. It was the last time the club ever competed in the VFA as a senior club, before the club joined the Victorian Football League competition the following year; Carlton would later return to the former VFA from 2000–2002, but fielding its reserves team rather than its senior team.

Carlton's primary home ground in 1896 was the University Cricket Ground, within the grounds of the University of Melbourne in Carlton; but, home matches were also moved to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Jolimont, and to the Richmond City Reserve in Richmond.

Mr A. H. Shaw took over the role as president of the football club in 1896. Shaw replaced Mr F. B. Bromby, who had served in the role for one year in 1895.^[1]

Season summary

Non-premiership matches

Carlton's played one non-premiership match in 1896. This match was played against Ballarat Imperial in Ballarat on the same weekend as Round 1 of the premiership seasons, during which both clubs had a bye.

Premiership season

In a generally uncompetitive season, Carlton finished with a record of 2–14–2 from eighteen matches, to finish equal last in the Association with Richmond. A draw against equal sixth-placed Port Melbourne was Carlton's best result, as all other premiership points earned came against teams finishing ninth or lower. Throughout the season, Carlton was in a battle with Richmond for last place on the ladder; Richmond ultimately won its last two matches, breaking a streak of fifteen losses in a row, to draw level with Carlton, thus resulting in the two clubs sharing last place.^[4][5]

Ladder

The Association had no formal tie-breakers in cases where clubs were equal on premiership points.

Notable events

• Following Carlton's 3–4 loss against Collingwood in Round 5, it was revealed that, due to a timekeepers' error, the final quarter had lasted 30 minutes instead of the regulation 25 minutes. Because Collingwood had scored the winning goal inside those extra five minutes – and, in fact, on the final bell – Carlton formally challenged to have the result amended to a 3–3 draw.^[41] The challenge was dismissed at the Association's next meeting, held three weeks later.^[42]
• On 2 October, the day before the playoff match for the premiership between Collingwood and South Melbourne, six of the league's strongest clubs – Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne and South Melbourne – opted to split from the Victorian Football Association, and established the Victorian Football League as a distinct rival competition from 1897. The six clubs invited Carlton and St Kilda to defect to the new competition, as seventh and eighth clubs, and both accepted.^[43]

References