1914 Head of the River

1st Geelong Grammar - Bow: K C Webb Ware, 2: F E Webb, 3: W S Kelly, 4: G P Kay, 5: G P Douglass, 6: R L C Hunt, 7: F P Brett, Str: J Webster, Cox: J C FitzNead, Cch: Lt Col A F Garrard
2nd Scotch College - Bow: Dan E MacTaggart, 2: Thomas R Warburton, 3: James D Burns, 4: Alan S Bishop, 5: William B Shaw, 6: Gilmour F Warburton, 7: Leslie F Edmunds, Str: John G Morrison, cox: Albert E McDonald, Cch: Clive H Disher
3rd Geelong College - Bow: A W Gunn, 2: C M Webb, 3: A F Campbell, 4: R S M Mitchell, 5: W J Reid, 6: G S McArthur, 7: A A W Hooper, Str: G A N Mitchell, Cox: R L Crawley, Cch: William H Pincott

The Age reported on the final as follows:

Geelong Grammar School on Saturday afternoon achieved the distinction for the first time in their history of heading the river in the Victorian public schools rowing contest. [Editor: the first eights win.] Competing in the final against Scotch College and Geelong College, the school eight covered the Henley course of a mile in the remarkably fast time of 5 mins 9 1-5th sec, and finished about two lengths ahead of Scotch College, with the rival Geelong crew, another length away, third. …

The Geelong crew forced the pace from the start, and were never once headed. The eight worked together like a machine, and their blade work was splendid. There was never any doubt as to the result once the big bend of the river was turned. The cox steered a beautiful course, and it was a joy to see the swing of the crew and their fine body work as they rowed up the straight. There was no excitement, each man pulled confidently and without apparent exertion. their work was in marked contrast to that of the Scotch College crew, who were by no means the same polished and well drilled combination. Their work was rather rough, and they forced their boat through the water rather than rowed it. They struggled gamely on, but it was a hopeless fight, and at the finish they were seriously challenged for second place. A quarter of a mile from the finishing mark the Geelong College crew were third, half a boots length behind the Scotch crew, They were rowing a good length, and sticking their pace pluckily. Over the last 200 yards they produced an unexpected spirt and caught up the Scotch Collegians, who were then nearly two lengths behind the leader. Their effort might have resulted in their obtaining second place, as the Scotch eight were sorely distressed but unfortunately, in the last 50 yards, with the crew dead level, stroke caught a crab, and Scotch College crew them for second place by a length.

Other crews competing were:
Xavier College - Bow: J Noonan, 2: Thomas Starr, 3: J Kennedy, 4: V Loughnan, 5: T Ryan, 6: W Dixon, 7: Frank McGinnis, Str: Gerald Honan, Cox: F Pianelli, Cch: David Ross
Wesley College - Bow: G G Selleck, 2: W M F Gamble, 3: F M Stirling, 4: D M Morris, 5: Ratu C Viuyasawa, 6: R Parkin, 7: K A Corlett, Str: K F Abernethy, Cox: J Mann, Cch: Charles Donald
Melbourne Grammar - Bow: J D Boydell, 2: A T Cole, 3: A C Begg, 4: H G M Horne, 5: F E M MacKay, 6: E W Austin, 7: J V Wischer, Str: F G Greive, Cox: G P McIntyre, Cch: M Higgins

Heat results:
E1: 1st SC, 2nd MGS. Time: 5:31.0, Margin: 3/4 length. MGS lead early but were overhauled by the SC crew which won by 3/4 length.
E2: 1st GGS, 2nd WC. Time: 5:17.0, Margin: 1/2 length. GGS led to the big bend but took the corner too wide alowing WC back into the race. GGS regained their composure and went onto win by 1/2 length.
E3: 1st GC, 2nd XC. Time: 5:21.0, Margin: 3/4 length. A good race between these two crews which eventually was won GC by 3/4 length.

A brief movie of the crews, the races and the crowds follows.