Table of contents
Introduction
South Melbourne famously recruited so many players from interstate that they were nicknamed the Foreign Legion.
Season and Lead-up
Richmond were the strongest team in the home and away season with 15 wins from 18 games. South Melbourne and Carlton were second and third with 13 wins and Geelong rounded out the four with 12 wins.
Geelong defeated Carlton in the first semi-final by a close 13 points. South Melbourne essentially won the grand final in the last quarter of their semi final match against Richmond. At three quarter time in the semi final Richmond 10.11 (71) led South Melbourne 6.9 (45), but 8 stright goals in the final quarter to Richmond's one goal, gave South Melbourne the game and a place in the Grand Final. Richmond defeated Geelong by 9 points in the Preliminary Final, but in a vigourous game, lost Hunter and Strang, wrecking their chances in the Grand Final.
Teams
South Melbourne
South Melbourne's players were less experienced than their Richmond counterparts in the VFL, but many had played in interstate competititons, so that a direct comparison is difficult. Still, Harry Clarke, Hec McKay, Peter Reville and Len Thomas had over 100+ games in the VFL.
Young 19 year old Herbie Matthews would play his last game in 1945 in the infamous Blood Bath Grand Final against Carlton.
With three goals in the Grand Final, Bob Pratt ended the season with 109 goals, and was the leading goal kicker for the year, having kicked one more goal than Gordon Coventry's 108.
Richmond
Richmond had many experienced players including eight with 100+ games (Jack Baggott, Percy Bentley, Allan Geddes, Stan Judkins, Basil McCormack, Joe Murdoch, TOm O'Halloran and jack Titus).
Kevin O'Neill with 13 votes was 6th overall in the 1933 Brownlow Medal count behind Brownlow Medalist Wilfred Smallhorn from Fitzroy. O'Neil polled highest of the players involved in the Grand Final.
The Richmond team was weakened as Doug Strang (suspended - tribunal), Maurie Hunter (Knee injury) and Jack McConchie (Fractured Collarbone) were unable to play. Between them, Strang and Hunter were Richmond's 2nd and 3rd top goal kickers for the season.
Links for Player Pages
Reference_ 1933 VFL Grand Final - Winning Team (South Melbourne)
Reference_ 1933 VFL Grand Final - Defeated Team (Richmond)
The Game
After Richmond's early lead against South Melbourne in the Semi Final, South Melbourne came out quickly and established a 21 point margin at the first change and from there were never seriously in trouble.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| South Melbourne | 3.5 (23) | 6.7 (43) | 8.12 (60) | 9.17 (71) |
| Richmond | 0.2 (2) | 2.3 (15) | 3.3 (21) | 4.5 (29) |
| SM by 21 | SM by 28 | SM by 39 | SM by 42 |
Goals
South Melbourne: Pratt 3, Brain 2, Diggins 2, Reville 1, Thomas 1
Richmond: Farmer 2, Martin 1, Strang 1
Match Reviews
Photos
1933 Grand Final 1_06_26 - VFL On Film 1909-1945 - Marking Time V1
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1933 Grand Final 1_06_31 - VFL On Film 1909-1945 - Marking Time V1
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1933 Grand Final 1_06_31 - VFL On Film 1909-1945 - Marking Time V1
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_1933_Grand_Final_1_06_59_.jpg "1933 Bert Foster (right) Grand Final 1_06_59 - VFL On Film 1909-1945 - Marking Time V1")
1933 Bert Foster (right) Grand Final 1_06_59 - VFL On Film 1909-1945 - Marking Time V1
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1933 Brighton Diggins Snaps for Goal Grand Final 1_07_15 - VFL On Film 1909-1945 - Marking Time V1
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The Aftermath
External Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933_VFL_Grand_Final
http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1933/141619330930.html