This is a nice piece and is worth contrasting with a similar moment 18 years later in Melbourne when the stars of the VFL took on champion Melbourne team Slavia-Port Melbourne in a charity match at Olympic Park,
It speaks of a more generous time or perhaps a more generous culture in which Rugby League and soccer players could meet in a spirit of good fellowship. Moreover it seems a culture in which players were more adaptable to another code. In the Melbourne game, the VFL footballers were reportedly all at sea in a game that at least superficially appears more soccer-like than Rugby League.
Daily Telegraph 23 September 1946, page 22
Headaches For League MenBy GEORGE CRAWFORD
Canterbury Rugby League players, having their first ex perience in Soccer yesterday, finished the game with headaches after trying to head the ball. They defeated Canterbury Soccer team 22-20 in a 50-50 Rugby League-Soccer match at Henson Park.
The first half of the match was Rugby League, and the second half Soccer. Three points were awarded for each goal — equivalent to a try — in the Soccer session. The Rugby League team led 19-5 at, the end of the Rugby League session. The Soccer team scored five goals to one in the Soccer session. Strange things happen in such freak matches.
Yesterday, Soccer champion Reg Date was the star in the Rugby League session. Playing at outside-centre, he cut through with the skill of a Test player. Veteran Rugby League player Henry Porter was the star in the Soccer session, playing at right-back. North Sydney Rugby League secretary (Mr. Reg Bowd) said: "Date would have made a Rugby League Test centre."
Soccer ex-international, J. ("Bully") Hughes said: "Porter is the first player I have seen this year to bottle-up Date.''
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