1938 7 x WA players blacklisted without notice by WANFL.  Attached is the main story and a caricature of Jack Reeves,

Seven State Footballers Black Listed

Article – Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956)Saturday 13 August 1938 – Page 10

.. .P.), CROW (E.P.) ~. -ASH) REEVES (C). S it b asserted that not one of ; these men was officially … Seven State Footballers Black Listed Into ‘The Mirror’ office this morning walked four star … 448 words

 

Seven State Footballers Blacklisted

Into ‘The Mirror’ office this morning walked four-star footballers, their countenances a mixture of disappointment and anger. They were four of the seven, who it had been reported, had been banned by League delegates from further participation in interstate football games this year, following a report made by joint-manager, Mr. F. Book, regarding the conduct of some of the recently returned interstate team who played against Victoria and South Australia.

Seven player’s names in the report were Oliphant (P), Gook (P), Fitzgerald (P), Richardson (SF), M. Ryan (E.P.), Crow (E.P) and REEVES (C). It was asserted that not one of these men was officially Informed that he was on a list the league had submitted, it is stated, to the selectors as unavailable for selection in the team to meet a visiting South Australian side next Saturday and Tuesday. It Is also contended that none had been called up to hear the reasons why they would not be available. It was a leakage of confidential Information that came to the ears of two of them, and when ‘The Mirror’ Informed the other two of it they were amazed. In a. chorus our visitors said, ‘We want to meet the League or whatever body or committee ‘blacklisted’ us and we want the meeting to take place as soon as possible in the presence of Mr. Book. We consider it was tough to rule against us without even giving us a word to say in defence.

We were not even officially told that we were blacklisted, and in the face of certain circumstances, are at loss to know why.’

LEAGUE SECRETARY, MR. W. ORR SAID THAT THE SELECTION OF AN INTERSTATE TEAM WAS PURELY THE BUSINESS OF THE SELECTORS AND THAT HE DOUBTED IF THEY WERE COMPELLED TO OBSERVE ANY LIST SUBMITTED BY THE LEAGUE.

One of the selectors admitted that a list had been received. When inquiries were made by ‘The Mirror’ there appeared to be a general disinclination to discuss the move attributed to W.A.N.F.L. officials, but it is not denied that a list containing seven names was submitted to the selectors. At any rate, the four men who called on ‘The Mirror’ this morning all consider that it won’t do football any good if they are not given the opportunity to speak for themselves. They are also of the opinion that apart from football, the incident is a smudge on their characters. Selection of the State team will be made tonight

 

 

 

Ridiculous- Ban on Star Footballers

Sorry For the others but proud of them.

Says Jack Reeves

*Tm very sorry for the others, but proud of them for sticking together under such regrettable circumstances.’ Claremont follower Jack Reeves could not have been more sincere when he made that statement to ‘The Mirror’ this morning. Together with Oliphant, Gook, Fitzgerald, Crow, M. Ryan and A. Richardson, Reeves was banned in future interstate games following the report of co-managers F. Book and T. Reid on the W.A. team’s trip East last year, on the grounds that they did not fit themselves to play and disobeyed the managers. This ban was hotly contested by the players, who immediately sought a meeting at which they could state their case in the presence of the managers, but they were never given that opportunity, largely because of the illness and transfer to the country of Mr. Reid. League failed to make any official statement, and the players considered that the ban was a blot on their personal characters in view of several unfounded rumors circulating around the town.

Banned players resolved to stick together whatever eventuated, and after a time the matter dropped from the headlines. Then Reeves, on his own admission, had words with Book, a senior vice president of the League, but nothing about this episode reached the public until the selectors began to get busy on the State team to meet Victoria next Saturday.

A League meeting was held, and it was decided that the ban on the seven players be lifted providing an apology was received by Book from Reeves. Failing this, the seven players would be considered unavailable for selection, and that is definitely the position at present. Never was a more ridiculous ruling made by any controlling body than one which deprived seven men of the chance of earning further State honors because of a personal incident in which one of them was concerned. That decision is all wrong. Apart altogether from what happened in Victoria, the incident between Book and Reeves concerns them alone. Yet the League penalizes the other men. A public explanation by the League is most desirable.

REEVES GOING EAST

As far as Reeves personally is concerned, it did not matter what was the outcome of the meeting, for he will be away with Claremont when the State games are played, but he was willing, against his wishes, to sign the apology and make the way clear for the others. However, he was told by the others not to sign, and it is only fair to him to make this information public

As to the question of who w mostsuffer most. After all it is the public and the players who keep the game going, not the League, and the public consider that our chances against Victoria, never very bright, have been seriously minimized by the exclusion of men like Oliphant and Gook, who were almost certain of inclusion on form for the season. Whatever comes or goes, ‘The Mirror’ considers that the action of the League was absolutely unjustified, and that the other six men have had a very raw deal.

 

 

STUPID BAN AGAINST STAR LEAGUE PLAYERS

STATE football selectors are closely studying form prior to picking a side to meet Victoria on June 24 and 26.

There is every Indication that they will be hampered because of the league’s veto against the selection of certain men. This decision of the League was made after the carnival team’s visit to the Eastern States last year, and the ban operated in later interstate matches that season. Selectors were advised that’ none of the seven was available for selection.

It will be remembered that the excluded players were not called upon to answer any charges but were made to stand down from interstate games with a “Kathleen Mavourneen” ban upon them. Inquiries made yesterday by “The Sunday Times” reveal that the ban still operates.

 

SHOWING GOOD FORM

A number of these excluded players are showing good form this season, particularly A. Gook, who has kicked 32 goals in four matches, and J. Reeves, who is rucking better than at any other stage of his career.

Without Gook and Reeves no Western Australian team would be complete. The league takes up the peculiar attitude that these players are not suitable for interstate matches, but permits them to play in our own club games against our own players.]

If they are worthy of doing this, what is wrong with their meeting players of other States? There has been a policy of silence adopted by the controlling body that is not fair to the players concerned’ or to the football public.

Neither are the restrictions of assistance to the selectors in selecting a team that will do justice to Western Australian football prestige.

 

STATEMENT DESIRABLE

With the selectors’ decision so near at hand the league should make a further statement either confirming its earlier decision, and stating why, or clearing the matter up by making all players available for selection.

The present position is ridiculous. \