Scotch College

Who played in the first game?

Details of the participants in the first recorded game of Australian rules football are sketchy.

Words: Mr Paul Mishura

The game between Scotch and Melbourne Grammar in August and September 1858 has attained great significance, with its acceptance as the first recognisable game of Australian Rules football.

Details of its participants are few. Forty played for each side. Contrary to Gillian Hibbins’ statement in The Australian Game of Football since 1858 that three teachers played on each side, four Scotch teachers played: Thomas Henry ‘Red’ Smith, Robert Morrison, Robert Hervey and James ‘Black’ Smith. They are named in the centenary history of Scotch, and MGS’s headmaster, the Rev John Bromby, complained Scotch had one more master than Grammar. Of the Scotch players, the centenary history only knew of ‘the Ogilvys, the Macphersons, the Wilkies, George Bowen and Thompson’.

Scotch’s register and accounts for 1858 survive, but have few details, including alleged ages upon enrolment. With few exceptions, it is presumed most boys who played were at least 15. We have identified 36 boys (below) who attended Scotch in August and September 1858 and who are identified as playing in the first game, or who were old enough to have played in it. Adding the four teachers gives a total of 40 Scotch players. Did these 40 play in the famous first game? Any further information about them would be appreciated.

Scotch staff

Thomas Henry Smith

Please see the article about him in the December 2008 edition of Great Scot.

James Smith

Born at Edinburgh, Scotland, in February 1836, the son of James and Elizabeth (née Jeffery) Smith. James taught English literature and English history at Scotch from 1857 to at least 1864. He later taught at Albert Park State School. He retired in 1893, and died at South Melbourne on 14 August 1913.

Robert Hervey (or Harvey).

Originally named ‘Harvey’, recent research suggests he may have been Robert Hervey. Nothing further is known.

Robert Morrison

Born at Edinkillie, Moray, Scotland, on 24 August 1835, he taught at Scotch from 1857–1904 (Vice-Principal 1869-1904). As well as playing in the 1858 game, he played football for Scotch in 1860; staff often played in Scotch’s early cricket and football teams. A brother of headmaster Alexander Morrison (1857-1903), he is the great-great-great-great uncle of Will Meggitt, of Year 9. Robert died at Whittlesea on 10 September 1908.

Scotch boys

Archibald Ainslie

Born at East Lothian, Scotland, in 1842, the son of James Ainslie, he attended Scotch from 1853–58. A member of the 1858 1st XI, it is likely he played in the first football game. He married Margaret Grace Murphy on 10 June 1879 while working for Imperial Maritime Customs in China. Archibald died at Launceston, Tasmania, on 17 July 1926 aged 83.

Alfred Bilton

Born about 1841, the son of Charles Bilton, he was living at 16 Gore Street, Collingwood, when he enrolled at Scotch on 26 July 1858. He left Scotch in 1859 and nothing further is known about him.

George Frederick Bowen

Born about 1846 at Sydney, the son of Ebenezer and Bridget (née Cusack) Bowen, he attended Scotch from 12 July 1858 to 1859. He became a journalist, using the name ‘Olympus’, and married Susanna Hampton in 1870. Although he would have been only 12 at the time, his obituary states he played in the first game. ‘Olympus’ died at East Melbourne aged 61 and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery on 16 February 1908.

Ebenezer Adam Cairns

Born at Cupar, Fife, Scotland, on 8 January 1843, the son of the Reverend Dr Adam and Jessie (née Ballingall) Cairns, he attended Scotch from 1854–58. It is doubtful he played in the first game as classmate John Tait recalled Ebenezer was a brilliant scholar but awkward at play. Ebenezer died at East Melbourne on 27 July 1866.

David Carson

Born in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, on 25 July 1843, the son of shoe shop proprietor John, and Elizabeth (née Duncan) Carson, he was among the first students to attend Scotch in October 1851. A member of the 1st XI in 1858 and 1859, he was likely to have played in the first game. Although much is known about his life, no records appear to confirm his involvement. A pastoralist, David died at Elsternwick on 30 November 1931.

Joseph Michael Cashmore

Born at Melbourne on 7 November 1843, the son of Michael and Elizabeth (née Solomon) Cashmore, he attended Scotch from 1857–58 before defecting to Melbourne Grammar in 1859. Joseph died at South Yarra on 16 April 1931.

Thomas Cleal

Born about 1841, the son of Daniel Cleal, he was living at 58 Swanston Street, Melbourne while attending Scotch from 1857–58. An Anglican, nothing further is known. His father may be the Daniel who died in Melbourne in 1882 aged 75.

Robert Dalziel

Born at Glasgow, Scotland, about 1843, the son of William and Martha (née Muir) Dalziel, he attended Scotch from 1854–58. He is likely to have played in the first game, as he played in the 1858 1st XI. A grocer, he married Marian Pepper in 1868 and died in Victoria on 14 October 1873 aged 30.

Thomas Sizar Elliott

Born about 1841, the son of Sizar and Sarah (née Nestrip) Elliott, he attended Scotch from 1858–59. He probably played in the first game, as he was a member of the 1st XI in 1858 and 1859. A clerk for Victorian Railways from 24 February 1862 to 30 June 1893, he married Mary Ann Fish in 1864. Tom died at East Melbourne aged 77, and was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery on 29 April 1918.

George Flack

Born at London on 16 August 1842, the son of George and Catherine (née Mowbray) Flack, George attended Scotch from 1857–58. His brothers Thomas and Charles Henry Flack were also at Scotch, with Thomas later at MGS from 1860–61. George married Fanny Breese in 1875, and became a storekeeper at Ballan, where he died on 18 June 1905.

Charles James Hayward

Born at London about 1843, the son of James and Fanny (née Mallett) Hayward, he attended Scotch from 1858–59. In 1867 he married Emily Smith, and he became a brewer at Warrnambool, where he died on 27 September 1918.

John Hickinbotham

Born in Suffolk about 1843, the son of William and Harriet Hickinbotham, he attended Scotch from 1857–59. He married Louisa Ann McEvoy in 1872, and died at Liverpool, New South Wales, in 1902. Although he had several children, no other details are known.

Mitchell Hoffmann (or Hoffman)

Born in 1843, Mitchell was a Lutheran who attended Scotch from 1857–58. No details are known of his parents, entry address, or his fate.

William Hoffman (or Hoffmann)

Born at Campbellfield, Victoria, in 1843, the son of William and Elizabeth Hoffman, he lived at 19 Gore Street, Collingwood while attending Scotch from 1858–59. A Presbyterian, he was described in probate as a gentleman when he died on 10 May 1877 aged 34, while living at Essendon.

Edward Jordan

Born about 1843, he attended Scotch from 1857–59. An Anglican, no details of his parents or entry address are known. He became a clerk at Christchurch, New Zealand, where he died on 9 December 1909, allegedly aged 68. An Edward Jordan, born on 20 November 1842 at Merri Creek, Victoria, the son of John and Mary Jordan, attended Melbourne Grammar from 1860–61. MGS’s records claim he died in 1875, although the source is unknown. The Scotch and MGS boy may be one and the same.

James Donaldson Law

Born on 5 October 1843 at Georgetown, Jamaica, the son of a merchant, Peter, and Margaret (née Rae) Law. James lived at 20 Gore Street, Collingwood and attended Scotch from 1855–58. He appears to be incorrectly named as ‘Low’ in the 1858 1st XI. James took meticulous notes of Scotch teacher Dr John Macadam’s science lectures in 1858, in an exercise book in the author’s possession. Unfortunately, James did not jot notes about the first game in the back of this book! Macadam umpired the first game. James was general manager of the Bank of Victoria for 25 years. He died at Camberwell on 21 August 1925.

James Philip MacPherson

Born at Moonee Ponds on 26 June 1842, the son of a squatter, John, and Helen (née Watson) MacPherson, James attended Scotch from 1857–62. James is noted in the centenary history as having played in the first game. He played in the 1st XI in 1858 and 1859. He became a pastoralist, and Victorian parliamentarian. Although James married Frances Mary Morton on 11 March 1880, he was childless when he died at Melbourne on 23 August 1891.

John McNaughton

Born in a tent at Brunswick, Victoria, on 24 January 1842, the son of John and Janet McNaughton, he attended Scotch from 1854–58. He married Catherine Grant Brown in 1872. His grandsons, great-grandsons, and great-great-grandsons attended Scotch. John was a commercial traveller for Briscoe & Co (Ltd) Merchants until retiring in 1902. Despite an active interest in Melbourne’s history, there is no known record of him playing in the first game. He died at West Richmond on 3 August 1934.

William McPherson

Born about 1842, he attended Scotch in 1858 while living in Brunswick Street. His parents may have been Frederick Adolphus and Matilda Isabella (née Ford) McPherson. The centenary history referred to the ‘Macphersons’, but it is wrong if claiming William Duncan MacPherson (brother of J P MacPherson) played, as he left in 1857. Alternatively, it may have lumped MacPherson and McPherson together. William McPherson was a Presbyterian, but nothing further is known.

Robert B Moore

Born about 1842, the son of John Moore, he was living at 68 George Street, Collingwood when he attended Scotch from 13 July 1858 to December 1859. A Presbyterian, nothing further is known.

Thomas Carmichael Murray

Born at Geelong on 7 July 1842, the son of Hugh and Elizabeth (née Young) Murray, he lived at Borongarook, Colac and attended Scotch from 1858–60. A member of the 1859 1st XI, and the 1st XX (now the 1st XVIII) of 1860, he is likely to have played in the first game. He married Miriam Eleanor Parker in 1873 and died at Colac on 26 May 1913.

David Ogilvy

Born at Melbourne on 6 September 1842, the son of David and Elizabeth (née Williamson) Ogilvy, he enrolled at Scotch when it opened on 6 October 1851. A member of the 1st XI in 1858 and 1859, he is named in the centenary history as playing in the first game. He was a farmer, and married twice. David died at Ararat on 7 August 1933.

James Williamson Ogilvy

Born at St Kilda on 21 January 1844, the brother of David Ogilvy, he attended Scotch from its opening day until 1860. Although 14, it is likely he was one of the ‘Ogilvys’ said to have played. He was a member of the 1st XI in 1858 and 1859 and the 1st XX in 1860. James was a thrice married farmer who died at East Melbourne on 14 June 1935.

Alexander John Ogilvy

Born at Melbourne on 12 February 1846, he was a brother of David and J W Ogilvy. Although 12 at the time of the game, he was a similar age to Bowen, and the reference to the ‘Ogilvys’ may mean three and not just two brothers. He attended Scotch from its first day until 1862. An accountant and real estate agent, he died on 18 October 1902.

James Peake

Born about 1843, the son of Frederick Peake, he was living at 319 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne while attending Scotch from 1858– 59. A Methodist, nothing else is known.

Nicholas Punch

Born about 1843, he attended Scotch from 1857–59, and is likely to have played in the first game, as he was a member of the 1st XI in 1858. A Roman Catholic, nothing is known of his parents, entry address, or fate, other than it being believed he moved to Sydney. Michael Punch, born in about 1844, for whom there is a similar lack of details, may have been a brother.

Joseph Rippingale

Born about 1843, the son of Charles Rippingale, he lived in High Street, Bendigo, and attended Scotch from

1857–59. Nothing else is known, but he may be the Joseph J Rippingale, son of Charles and Hannah Rippingale, who died at Petersham, NSW, in 1924.

Edward Sawden

Born on 5 December 1843 at Bridlington, Yorkshire, he lived in Kent Street, Collingwood. He was enrolled at Scotch by William Saunders, and is believed to have entered Scotch under inaugural headmaster Robert Lawson (1851–56). Dux of Mathematics, he was remembered by classmate John Tait as being a good scholar, but no good at sport. He may not have played in the first game. He left Scotch in December 1859. An Anglican, nothing further is known.

Henry Seymour Smith

Born about 1843 at London, United Kingdom, the son of Sydney Vivian and Amelia (née Smith) Smith, he came from Myrtle Creek, Beechworth, to attend Scotch from 1858-59. An Anglican, he married Eliza Linton at Longwood, Victoria, on 30 January 1878. Henry died at Sandringham on 17 February 1917.

James Thompson

Enrolled at Scotch by James S Grain on 5 July 1858, aged 23, while living at 62 Gertrude Street, Collingwood. Cynics might say his enrolment was intended to boost Scotch’s chances in the game the following month. An Anglican, he left at the end of 1858, and nothing else is known. The centenary history names him.

Charles Edward Wallen

Born about 1843, the son of Francis Robertson and Catherine (née Hobson) Wallen, he was an Anglican who attended Scotch from 1857–59. Brothers James McHenry, William Henry and Francis Hobson Wallen were also at Scotch. Charles died at Chatswood, NSW, in 1904.

John Watson. Born about 1841, he may be the John Watson who entered Scotch in October 1851 and who was a good runner. He may be the same John Watson who attended Scotch from at least 1857 to 1859. A Presbyterian, nothing else is known.

George Alexander Waugh

Born at Melbourne in 1843, the son of Robert and Isabella Waugh, he was living at 22 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, when he attended Scotch from 1858–61. A Presbyterian, nothing further is known.

Daniel Wilkie

Born in Swanston Street, Melbourne, on 1 December 1843, the son of David Elliott and Mary Elizabeth (née Clow) Wilkie, he attended Scotch from 1852–61. Presumably one of the Wilkies named by the centenary history as playing, he was in the 1st XI in 1858 and 1859, and the 1st XX in 1860. He was captain of the East Melbourne Cricket Club, and played for Victoria from 1865-66. A solicitor, he was vice-president of the Old Collegians’ Society (a predecessor of OSCA) in 1880. Daniel married Jean Frances Moody on 22 October 1873 and sent his son to Melbourne Grammar. Daniel died at St Kilda on 11 May 1917.

James Clow Wilkie

Born at Melbourne on 10 December 1846, he was a brother of Daniel Wilkie. Although 11 at the time of the first game, as the next oldest brother he could be one of the ‘Wilkies’ alleged to have played. He is also about the same age as Bowen. James attended Scotch from 1857–62, and married Susannah Jones on 10 July 1873. James became a stockbroker and died at Armadale on 31 August 1922.

William Watson Williams

Born in Fiji on 12 January 1845, the son of the Reverend Thomas and Mary (née Cottingham) Williams, he attended Scotch from 1857–61. In 1986 his grandson Stewart Hammon Williams advised Scotch William played in the first game. William later played for the East Melbourne Cricket Club. A civil servant and postmaster, he married Sarah Anne Bowie in 1876. He died at Greensborough on 30 July 1900.

While there are undoubtedly more to be identified, at least 11 Scotch 1st XVIII players have also attended MGS, and at least six others are the sons of Old Melburnians, with one being both an Old Melburnian and the son of an Old Melburnian.

Even MGS’s famous football family, the Cordners, has Scotch connections, with Don Cordner’s first cousin once removed, Lawrence Cordner, being a member of the Scotch 1st XVIII in 1928, and his second cousin once removed, Duncan McCall, being a member of the 1984 1st XVIII.

Most notably, however, Jack Macciolli who captained the MGS team to victory in this year’s Cordner Eggleston Cup match against Scotch, is a son of Old Scotch boy Stewart Macciolli (’77). GS

Melbourne Grammar players who were once Scotch boys

John (‘Jack’) Conway

Born at Geelong on 3 (or 28) February 1842, the son of Henry and Catherine (née Quinn) Conway. He was enrolled at Scotch by Henry Woolf, and attended for the first months of 1858, being a member of the 1st XI before moving to MGS when it opened on 7 April 1858. He is known to have played for MGS in the first game. While at MGS (and for years afterwards) he played for Victoria against NSW. On 1 January 1862 he delivered the first ball on Australian soil against an English batsman, and he promoted the first tour of England by a white Australian team in 1878. A journalist, he died at Frankston on 22 August 1909.

Edwin Walton Wintle

Born at Melbourne on 31 October 1842, the son of George, the governor of the Melbourne Gaol, and Mary (née Gibson) Wintle, he attended Scotch from about 1855 until 1857 or 1858. He entered MGS on its first day, and left in 1859. MGS records name him as playing in the first game. A supervisor of land purchases for Victorian Railways, he died at Elsternwick on 22 July 1926.