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Dependable ruckman Terry Libbis played 59 games for Woodville between 1985 and 1988, which happened to be that club's most successful era. He also rucked for the ACT at the 1988 bicentennial state of origin carnival in Adelaide. There have been more athletic and spectacular ruckmen than Libbis, but he nevertheless did his job effectively and with a minimum of fuss, using his lanky frame cleverly and adroitly to win out over seemingly more talented opponents. Often used off the bench as support for veteran Warriors stalwart Max Parker, the 195cm 91kg Libbis epitomised the 'one for all, all for one' work ethic that coach Malcolm Blight so successfully instilled in his charges at the time. A loss of form in 1988 saw Libbis relegated to the reserves, and he did not resume his League career thereafter. |
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Ruck-rover - Justin Blumfield (Tuggeranong, Essendon, Richmond) |
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Justin
Blumfield began his senior career with Tuggeranong
before being taken by Essendon as
selection 62 in the 1994 National Draft. After
taking a couple of seasons to find his feet at the elite level, Justin
Blumfield raised his performance level several notches in 1998 when he was
a virtual ever present in an Essendon
side that was starting to come good again after a spell of mediocrity.
In 1999 and 2000, Blumfield emerged as one of the primary reasons for
Essendon's development into arguably the most complete unit seen in
Australian football up to that point. Along with players like James
Hird, Jason Johnson, Blake Caracella and Joe Misiti, Blumfield gave
the Bombers an engine room second to none, personally averaging more than
20 disposals a game - most of them effective - besides chipping in with 20
or more goals a season. In Essendon's victorious grand final team of
2000, Blumfield was named second best on ground behind his skipper, James
Hird.
An injury affected 2001 season saw Blumfield's appearances in an Essendon jumper reduced, but he remained an extremely handy player when called upon. In 2002 he was back to something approximating to his best, playing almost every game for the year and once again averaging more than 20 possessions a match. Nevertheless, owing to salary cap restrictions, at season's end he was traded to Richmond where he endured a disappointing debut season. After managing just 8 league appearances in 2004 he was delisted. All told, Justin Blumfield played a total of 148 AFL games for his two clubs, and booted 91 goals. |
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After
an outstanding career as a junior, Canberra-born Barry Browning made his
senior debut with Ainslie, aged just 16, in
1952. Two years later he made the first of 15 representative
appearances for Canberra.
An elusive and highly skilled centreman, Browning was also good in the air, and if his kicking style appeared a trifle unkempt, his passes almost invariably hit their target. In 1955, still aged just 19, he became one of the youngest ever winners of the Mulrooney Medal, and was described in the Canberra League Annual Report as a "fine sportsman and a great credit to Canberra football - unfailing sportsmanship and clever play has earned him the admiration of all fine football lovers" (see footnote 1). VFL talent scouts were quick to take note of Browning's prowess, and in 1956 he was invited to train with Geelong. However, he elected to remain with Ainslie, where he continued to excel, winning the Mulrooney Medal for the second consecutive year. His superb form continued in both 1957 and 1958 when he won back to back club champion awards, besides being a prominent member of the Tricolours' 1958 premiership winning team. Browning enjoyed premiership success with Ainslie again in 1959 and 1961, and went on to play a total of 177 club games before a severe facial injury in 1964 forced his retirement. |
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1. Quoted in The National Game in the National Capital: 60 Years of Achievement by Barbara Marshall, page 92. Return to Main Text
