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BIOGRAPHIES [L]

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[Allan La Fontaine] [William N. Lacey] [Don Laffin] [Les 'Bruiser' Laing] [Milton Lamb] [Phil Lamb] [Chris Lambert] [Craig Lambert] [George Lambert] [Harold Lampe] [Esmond Lane] [Gordon Lane] [Alex Lang] [Don Langdon] [Chris Langford] [Frederick Langford] [Frank Langley] [Gilbert Langley] [Don Langsford] [Len Lapthorne] [Matthew Larkin] [Ian Law] [John Law] [Barry Lawrence] [Ron Lawrence] [Stephen Lawrence] [Victor Lawrence] [J.B. 'Ivo' Lawson] [Joe Lawson] [Harry Laxton] [Norman Le Brun] [Keith Leach] [Bernie Leahy] [Rex Leahy] [Tom Leahy] [Lancelot Leak] [Jack Leckie] [Graeme Lee] [Mark Lee] [Scott Lee] [Walter 'Dick' Lee] [John Leedham] [Ted Leehane] [Geoff Leek] [Ron Leishman] [Allan Leitch] [Jack Leith] [Hubert Lenne] [Trevor Leo] [John Leonard] [Justin Leppitsch] [Martin Leslie] [Rod Lester-Smith] [Chris Lethbridge] [Clive Lewington] [Chris Lewis] [Frank Lewis] [Fred Lewis] [John Lewis] [Percy Lewis] [William Libbis] [Tony Liberatore] [Alick Lill] [Herbert 'Hubba' Limb] [Doug Lind] [Don Lindner] [Theo 'Hank' Lindner] [Haydn Linke] [Ray Linke] [Alby Linton] [Harold Littler] [Brian Livesey] [Edward Llewellyn] [Tony Lockett] [Stewart Loewe] [Colin Lofts] [Wesley Lofts] [Keith London] [Jack Londrigan] [Doug Long] [Geoff Long] [Michael Long] [John Longmire] [Clarrie Lonsdale] [Alistair Lord] [John Lord] [John Loughridge] [Robert Loveday] [Edwin Lovegrove] [Brett Lovett] [Dave Low] [Ian Low] [William Lowenthal] [Peter Lucas] [Ray Lucev] [Roger Luders] [Troy Luff] [Gavin Luttrell] [Alastair Lynch] [Allan Lynch] [Jack Lynch] [Harold Lyne] [Tony Lynn] [Garry Lyon]

Allan La Fontaine (Melbourne)

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Sublimely skilled, Melbourne's Allan La Fontaine could probably have been a success in any position on the field (he kicked 9 goals from full forward against Hawthorn in only his second league game), but perhaps not surprisingly ended up playing the majority of his VFL career as a centreman. That career began in 1934 and ended, three premierships and 171 games later, in 1945. Winner of four Melbourne best and fairest awards (a club record shared with Jim Stynes), La Fontaine gave the impression that everything he accomplished on the field came easily to him, but of course that was scarcely likely to have been the case. Enormously respected at Melbourne, he captained the club from 1936 to 1941, and after the war spent three years as non-playing coach before giving way to Norm Smith. Prior to his time in the VFL, La Fontaine was a top amateur footballer with University Blacks, winning the VAFA A Section best and fairest award in 1933.

In the year 2000, Allan La Fontaine was the no doubt almost automatic choice as centreman in Melbourne's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

William N. Lacey (Carlton)

Once described as "the finest centre player the Colony has seen" (see footnote 1), Carlton's Billy Lacey was a member of an illustrious Carlton line-up that won Victorian premierships in 1871, 1873, 1874 and 1875. Some records also show the Blues as having secured the 1869 premiership, but other sources cite Melbourne as premier for that year. Born in 1855, Lacey served for many years as headmaster of Maryborough Grammar School.

William Lacey died on 6 June 1925 at Maryborough, Victoria, aged seventy-five. His name is often wrongly rendered in official football-related records as 'William J. Lacey', but his full given name was actually William Nicholas Lacey, the same as his father's. William Nicholas Lacey senior arrived in Australia from Co. Wexford, Ireland, with Lacey's mother, Bridget Parell, in 1854, one year prior to William junior's birth (see footnote 2).

Footnotes

1. An unnamed source, quoted in The Carlton Story by Hugh Buggy and Harry Bell, page 31. Return to Main Text

2. I am indebted to William Lacey's great grandson, Roger Young, for supplying me with some fascinating biographical facts about Lacey. Any errors in the interpretation of these facts, as presented here, are mine. Return to Main Text

Don Laffin (Glenelg)

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Neither the tidiest nor most spectacular of footballers, and frequently overshadowed by his partner in the ruck Allan Crabb, Don Laffin was nevertheless always wholehearted and honest in his approach to the game, and gave Glenelg consistently useful service over the course of a ten season career that ran from 1946 to 1955. During that time he played a total of 136 SANFL games, including the losing grand final of 1950 against Norwood, and booted 83 goals. In a clash with Norwood at the Parade in 1949 he lived out the dream of every league footballer when he capped a remarkable last gasp Tiger recovery by kicking the winning goal of the match right on the siren.

Les 'Bruiser' Laing (Subiaco)

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Evocatively nicknamed 'Bruiser', Les Laing was every opposition forward's nightmare, and a key if sometimes unheralded reason for Subiaco's dominance of the WAFL competition between 1912 and 1915. Recruited from Meekatharra, he made his senior debut during a 1911 season that saw the Maroons give the odd hint of what was to come by managing 5 wins, their best result since 1906. Most of his 89 games were played as a permanent back pocket, in which position he was resolute, aggressive, and arguably without peer in the state, although the dearth of interstate football engaged in by Western Australia during the course of his career meant that he was never given the opportunity to prove this at the game's highest level.

Laing's astute football brain coupled with his happy knack of being able to unsettle or intimidate even the the most gifted of opponents made him a vital component in the Subiaco success story under Messrs Scaddan, Matson and Leckie. When the Maroons beat Perth by a couple of goals to win the 1913 premiership, Laing rated highly in most observers' best player lists, and he also performed creditably in both the 1912 and 1915 flag triumphs. His career continued after the Great War, but in some respects the boot was on the other foot by this time and he found himself frequently sidelined by injury. He finally retired in 1921.

Milton Lamb (Geelong)

Milton Lamb, who died in June 2006, was the last surviving member of Geelong's 1931 premiership team. An extremely consistent, close-checking back pocket player, he joined the Cats from Geelong College and played a total of 72 VFL games between 1928 and 1932. In the 1931 grand final win over Richmond he was one of the best players afield, collecting 13 kicks, and keeping a tight rein on the two Richmond rovers, Maurie Hunter and Frank Ford, whenever they were stationed in the forward pocket. Early in his career he was sometimes used at full back to good effect.

Phil Lamb (Subiaco)

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A tough if unobtrusive player with a never-say-die approach, Phil Lamb was a key member of Subiaco sides for well over a decade. Originally from Wembley, he made his league debut in 1976, and went on to amass 227 senior games over the ensuing twelve seasons. Phil Lamb was a Subiaco premiership player in 1986.

Chris Lambert (Essendon & Coburg)

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With 139 senior games between 1939 and 1951 Chris Lambert's VFL career with Essendon traversed World Two, although he was forced to miss a good deal of football when his service in the RAAF saw him posted to Darwin. Equally adept across the centreline or in a back pocket, Lambert's straight ahead approach belied his somewhat slight (170cm, 78kg) stature. A VFL interstate representative in 1949, he was a reserve in Essendon's 1946 premiership team, and was on a wing when the Dons overcame North Melbourne in the grand final of 1950. A hamstring injury forced him out of the 1949 premiership side.

After leaving Essendon, Chris Lambert spent the 1952-3 seasons as captain-coach of Coburg in the VFA. He finished his career with Ballarat Football League club Redan.

Craig Lambert (Dandenong, Richmond, Brisbane)

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Craig Lambert began his senior career with VFA club Dandenong, but it was as a deceptively unkempt looking but highly creative midfielder for Richmond that he made his name. Tough and hard running, he used handball to great effect to open up the play, and was almost a lone shining light in the Tigers' struggling sides of the late 1980s and early '90s. After 123 V/AFL games and 53 goals with Richmond between 1988 and 1993, Lambert transferred to Brisbane, where he promptly won the 1994 best and fairest award to go with the one won three years earlier with the Tigers. In 96 games from 1994 to 2000 Lambert was a superb contributor to the Brisbane cause, and was widely recognised as one of the most damaging on-ballers in the game. He was a key player when the Bears made the finals for the first time in 1996, achieving AFL All Australian selection the same season. The quality of his football in his last few seasons was undermined by niggling calf and groin injuries, but he still managed to put in some telling performances.

George Lambert (Fitzroy)

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Fitzroy's George 'Snowy' Lambert made an extremely impressive start to his VFL career, but never quite fulfilled his early promise. He joined the Maroons in 1909 from Abbotsford, and was soon playing with the aplomb of a veteran. He ended up sharing his club's best and fairest award with Bill Walker. Over the ensuing eight seasons, Lambert found himself in and out of Fitzroy's senior team, and although he performed serviceably at times, he lacked the consistency to be regarded as a top player. Most of his 107 league games were played on a half back flank. Unfortunately for Lambert, he was not selected in either the 1913 or 1916 premiership teams.

Harold Lampe (South Melbourne)

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Heftily built, Harold Lampe was a formidable player who gave South Melbourne solid, consistent service, initially as a forward, but later, and mainly, as a backman, in 135 VFL games between 1899 and 1907, during which he booted 57 goals. He hailed from Wagga Wagga, and was selected to represent the VFL in 1901. His last game for the red and whites was the losing grand final of 1907 against Carlton, in which, playing in a back pocket, he produced a performance of typical authority and determination.

Esmond Lane (South Melbourne)

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Winner of South Melbourne's 1955 best and fairest award, 'Eddie' Lane was a nimble, clever rover with a keen eye for goal. He topped South's goal kicking list with 28 goals in 1954 and 36 the following year, and went on to amass a career total of 130 in 86 VFL games between 1951 and 1956. A sure ball-handler whose foot passing was excellent, he also played state football for the VFL.

Gordon Lane (Essendon & South Melbourne)

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Gordon 'Whopper' Lane was one of those footballers about whom opinion was divided. In the view of some, he was among the finest key position forwards in the VFL for at least some of his 178 game, 349 goal senior career with two different clubs which ran from 1940 until 1952. Among the evidence in support of this opinion was his knack of producing his best form when it mattered most, such as in Essendon's winning grand finals of 1942, when he booted 6 goals, and 1946 (reviewed here) when he went 1 better. Besides being a superb overhead mark, Lane was also a dynamic and damaging player at ground level, capable during his peak years of snapping goals with either foot from distances of up to 50 metres.

The converse viewpoint regarding Lane was that he lacked sufficient consistency to be regarded as an out and out champion, and it is certainly true that he was prone to 'disappear' from matches on occasion. Perhaps that is one reason that he was never selected to play interstate football. Questions were also asked from time to time about his physical toughness, although one of the toughest league footballers of all time had an answer to that one. Interviewed late in a 1946 season that would bring Essendon one of the club's most memorable premierships, with Lane playing a prominent role, Richmond legend Jack Dyer pulled no punches when he declared, "'Whopper' Lane is the one (opposition) player I would want at Richmond, first because he's the best centre half forward in the game, and next, because he has all the qualities I demand of a league top-liner. Two seasons ago, Lane did not count. You brushed him out of the way and left him there. But in the last two seasons he has developed seventy per cent. He has built up physically. Try to push him aside today - he'll come back full of fire and bite, and he'll be willing to go on with the business. He's a brilliant mark and a 'Dead-eye Dick' with either foot".

Adding weight to Dyer's assessment, if the pun can be allowed, Lane was a gangly, 79kg, 187cm youth when he made his Essendon debut in 1940, but by the time of the 1946 grand final he had put on more than a stone, and while this did not make him a 'man mountain' it demonstrably did make him harder to fend off or impede.

Lane ran second in the Dons' best and fairest voting in 1946, but soon afterwards things began to go awry. Broken ribs sustained in the 1947 preliminary final defeat of Fitzroy forced him out of the Bombers' team for the grand final clash with Carlton, a match which Essendon lost by a point, despite amassing 30 scoring shots to 21. Had Lane been fit to play, who knows what impact he would have had, but judging by his form prior to being injured in the Fitzroy match he might realistically have been expected to sway the balance in Essendon's favour. As it was, Lane recovered from his rib injury, only to hurt his knee badly in the following season's round three clash with South Melbourne. Bomber fans would never again be treated to the best of 'Whopper' Lane, and in 1950, after 131 games in a black and red jumper, he crossed to South Melbourne as captain-coach.

Lane's three seasons with South saw him rediscover elements of his best form as he topped the club's goal kicking list twice, while as a coach he preformed creditably, overseeing steady improvement in a side that went from one position off the bottom of the ladder in his first season, to narrowly missing the finals in his last.

Alex Lang (Carlton)

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Alex 'Bongo' Lang (see footnote 1) was one of the finest, and ultimately one of the most controversial, VFL footballers of the pre-World War One era. He began playing for Carlton in 1906, and was a rover in the club's 1906-7-8 premiership teams. Clever, dashing and persistent, he was rated by 'The Australasian' in 1909 as the outstanding player in the VFL. The following year, however, he found himself at the centre of enormous controversy when he was dropped from Carlton's 2nd semi final team amidst allegations that he had accepted a bribe to play dead. When the allegations were proved to the satisfaction of the Carlton committee, he was banned from playing for five years. In 1916, after the ban had expired, he actually resumed with the Blues, and was a member of that year's losing grand final team against Fitzroy. When he finally hung up his boots at the end of the following season he had amassed 105 VFL games and booted 85 goals.

Footnotes

1. The spelling of Lang's surname in the above illustration is incorrect. Return to Main Text

Don Langdon (East Perth)

In Don Langdon, East Perth had a player who combined height, strength, pace and cleverness to admirable effect. Most of his football was played at centre half forward, where he acted as the fulcrum of the Royals' attack, expertly gaining possession whether in the air or at ground level, and typically feeding it off with lightning quick handballs before the opposition realised what was happening. He made his senior debut in 1959, and was a key contributor later that year to the Royals 12.17 (89) to 9.14 (68) grand final defeat of Subiaco, booting 4 goals and being some observers' nomination as the best player afield. He went on to make a total of 69 league appearances and kick 99 goals. His last game for East Perth was the losing grand final of 1962 against Swan Districts, in which he once again booted 4 goals. Don Langdon represented Western Australia 5 times.

Chris Langford (Hawthorn)

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Defender Chris Langford was the essence of solidity, strength and sureness in 303 V/AFL games for Hawthorn between 1983 and 1997. Of imposing physique, he was powerful overhead, and polished in everything he did at ground level; he was also extraordinarily hard to beat one on one, and had the wood on most regular opponents for the majority of his career. He was a key player for the Hawks in the winning grand finals of 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991, and captained the club in 1994. A regular Victorian representative, Langford achieved All Australian selection in 1987, and was an AFL All Australian in 1994. He was named on the interchange bench in Hawthorn's official 'Team of the Century'.

Frederick Langford (Railway, Collingwood, Glenorchy, Wellington, North Hobart)

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Combining coolness with considerable assurance and skill, Fred Langford - invariably known as 'Dickie' - commenced his senior career with Hobart club Railway, where his prowess quickly came to the attention of a number of mainland clubs. In 1894, he was enticed to cross the Bass Strait by Collingwood, with whom he immediately impressed as a player of the highest calibre. However, after a game against Port Melbourne midway through the year he was suspected of having accepted a bribe to 'play dead', and amidst a welter of acrimony on the part of the club's supporters, he was told to pack his bags and return home, partly at least for his own safety.

The following season saw Langford resuming his football career, which was to last for another eighteen seasons without any further controversy, with his original club, Railway. He later spent time with Glenorchy (see footnote 1), Wellington, where he oversaw premierships in 1903-4, and North Hobart, which won a flag during his first season in 1908. Langford's peak years as a player were the early 1900s, and in 1903 he was voted the best all round player in the STFA.

Footnotes

1. Not to be confused with the later club of the same name which emerged from the New Town Football Club. Return to Main Text

Frank Langley (Melbourne)

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A running defender who could also take a turn on the ball, Frank Langley proved himself a top class player in 89 VFL games with Melbourne between 1900 and 1906. He also represented the VFL. In his debut season he starred on a half forward flank as the Fuchsias overcame the grand final challenge of Fitzroy to clinch their first ever VFL pennant. The 61 goals he amassed during his senior career testify to his penchant for resting up forward from where he often provided his team with its primary route to goal.

Gilbert Langley (Sturt & Essendon)

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Although he was probably better known as a cricketer, in which sport he represented Australia 26 times as a wicket-keeper, Gil Langley was also an accomplished footballer. Indeed, Jim Rosevear made the point in his recent biography of Langley, The Humble Hero, that initially Langley was actually a footballer who only played cricket in order to keep fit. He made his league debut with Sturt as an eighteen year old in 1939, and when he retired in 1950 had accumulated a total of 160 senior appearances for the club, booting 341 goals. Those appearances included the grand final of 1940 in which he produced a typically energetic and influential performance in helping the Blues overcome South Adelaide by 21 points.

During the war, Gil Langley worked in munitions, and when he was posted to Melbourne briefly in 1943 he lined up with Essendon, for whom his 4 VFL games included the losing grand final of that year against Richmond (as 19th man).

Returning home to Sturt he produced the best and most consistent football of his career, winning club best and fairest awards in 1945 and 1946, captaining the side in 1945 and 1947, and topping its goal kicking list with 40 goals in 1948. Langley's 11 interstate matches for South Australia yielded 19 goals, and included games at the 1947 Hobart carnival. Always insatiable in his appetite for a contest, of whatever sort - Rosevear felt that the modern footballer he most resembled in approach and style was John Platten - he later enjoyed success in the political sphere.

As a footballer, he played for most of his career as a rover, and he was selected in that position, changing in the forward pocket, in Sturt's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Ted Langridge (Richmond & Sturt)

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A clever rover who combined direct methods with sure foot passing skills and a keen eye for goal, Ted Langridge worked his way through the ranks at Richmond before making his senior debut as an eighteen year old in 1955. He went on to play a total of 92 VFL games for the Tigers, kicking 149 goals. He was Richmond's top goal kicker in 1958 with 28 goals, 1961 (29) and 1962 (42). In 1963 he transferred to Sturt and promptly topped the Blues' goal kicking list with 37 goals. He spent three seasons with the club, playing 54 SANFL games and kicking 80 goals.

Don Langsford (Swan Districts)

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Originally from Scotch College, Don Langsford debuted with Swan Districts in 1977 and went on to enjoy an auspicious, thirteen season career. Always hard at the ball and constructive, Langsford was a key component in the Swan Districts machine that landed a hat trick of flags between 1982 and '84. His best season was probably 1983 when he landed the prestigious 'Westside Football' Player of the Year Award, and represented the state. Appointed Swans skipper in 1985 Don Langsford led from the front both that season and next. In 1987 he was a member of West Coast's inaugural VFL squad, but never played a competitive match for the club. He resumed with Swan Districts in 1989, and when he retired twelve months later he had played a total of 237 senior games for the club, kicking 60 goals.

Len Lapthorne (South Adelaide)

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Of almost elfin stature and appearance, Len Lapthorne had an impish disposition to match, and "always seemed to be fleeing from justice" (see footnote 1). His career straddled World War Two and involved 193 games with South Adelaide and a further 15 with the Sturt-South Adelaide combine which operated between 1942 and 1944. A quick-thinking and agile rover, he was especially damaging when resting in a forward pocket, and overall bagged an impressive tally of 365 goals. He topped South Adelaide's goal kicking list on four occasions, and captained the club in 1949-50. His 2 interstate appearances for South Australia came at the 1947 Hobart carnival.

Len Lapthorne was included on the interchange bench in South Adelaide's official 'Greatest Team'.

Footnotes

1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 38. Return to Main Text

Matthew Larkin (North Melbourne)

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Resolute and tough, Matthew Larkin was a fulcrum in the North Melbourne midfield for a decade, playing 172 V/AFL games and kicking 143 goals between 1984 and 1993. Originally from Boronia, he adapted to league football immediately, winning a club best and fairest award in his second season, and earning Victorian state representation for the first time in his third. Renowned for his ability to win the hard ball, Larkin won further best and fairest awards in 1987 and 1988. He captained the 'Roos from 1990 to 1992.

Ian Law (Hawthorn)

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A superb, terrier-like rover, Ian Law played a handful of games for Hawthorn in 1960 before making a pronounced impression the following year, when he not only won his club's best and fairest award, but ran third in the Brownlow, and was close to best afield in the Hawks' inaugural VFL premiership win.

Recruited from VAFA side Old Scotch Collegians, with whom he had won the 1959 Woodrow Medal, and whom he later coached, Law's amateur sensibilities only lasted one game at Hawthorn. During the course of his debut, he was spectacularly out-marked by an opponent, whereupon, in true amateur fashion, he burst into sincere applause, a gesture which earned a fiery rebuke from Hawk coach John Kennedy. Needless to say, the misdemeanour was never repeated.

Fleet of foot, tough, courageous and highly skilled, Law continued to exhibit superb form for the next three seasons, winning further club champion awards in 1963-4. Thereafter, a combination of commitments overseas and niggling injuries undermined his impact, and he seldom recaptured the form of his early career. He retired in 1969 after 106 VFL games.

In later years, the Ian Law style of roving was maintained at Hawthorn courtesy of the likes of Peter Crimmins and Johnny Platten.

John Law (North Melbourne)

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On joining North Melbourne from Strathbogie John Law was used initially as a forward but his resolute, straight ahead style was much better suited to a half back flank, which was where he ended up spending the vast majority of his twelve season, 219 game VFL career. He captained the Kangaroos in 1988 and 1989, which proved to be his last two seasons in the game.

Barry Lawrence (Longford & St Kilda)

Barry Lawrence is widely remembered as one of the best VFL defenders of the late 1960s and early 1970s, but he actually began his career with Longford as a forward, and was selected as centre half forward in that club's official 'Team of the Century'. A member of Tasmania's carnival squad in 1966 Lawrence won the Hec Smith Memorial Medal the same year before leaving for the mainland, and an eight season career in the 'big time' with St Kilda, two years later.

Late in his first season with the Saints, after failing to perform at the expected standard as a forward, coach Allan Jeans tried him on the backlines, and a star was born. Lawrence was later again used in an attacking role - this time with success - on intermittent occasions.

In the 1971 VFL grand final Barry Lawrence put in one of the performances for which he is best remembered when, faced by fellow Taswegian Peter Hudson of Hawthorn, he barely made a mistake all day in restricting the champion goalsneak to just 3 goals when 4 would have seen him break Bob Pratt's all time record of 150 VFL goals in a season. Sadly, Hudson had the last laugh, however, as the Hawks won the premiership.

After 128 games with St Kilda Lawrence returned to Longford in 1977 and continued to perform to a high standard. In 1978 and 1979 he captained Tasmania, taking his total number of Tasmanian interstate appearances to 14 in the process. He had also earlier represented the VFL in representative football. Sadly, however, when he finally retired from football it was without a senior premiership to his name.

In 2004, Barry Lawrence was named on a half back flank in the official Tasmanian 'Team of the Century'.

Ron Lawrence (East Fremantle)

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Invariably known as 'Trizzie', Ron Lawrence served East Fremantle with distinction in 165 league games between 1956 and 1966. A hard working and tenacious rover who kicked plenty of goals while resting in a forward pocket, he was a member of Old Easts' 1957 premiership team, and also played in the losing grand finals of 1958 (as 20th man), 1962, 1963 and 1964. His best and most consistent football came during a 1964 season that saw him selected to represent Western Australia 3 times. Lawrence was East Fremantle's joint leading goal kicker in 1961 with 39 goals.

Stephen Lawrence (Morningside & Hawthorn)

As a teenager, Steve Lawrence was Queensland's first winner, in 1986, of the Larke Medal for best and fairest player at the Teal Cup national under 17 championships. Tall, mobile and athletic, he had many of the assets necessary to become a truly great player. Sadly, after a highly promising start to his senior career as a ruckman, he failed to 'kick on', and perhaps the kindest assessment of his eleven season, 146 game V/AFL career would be "could have done better".

Having said that, Steve Lawrence's best was very very good indeed, and this was never better exemplified than in 1991 when he was a key performer for the Hawks in both their night and day premiership successes, as well as the best player afield for Queensland in its 23.14 (152) to 15.18 (108) state of origin defeat of Victoria at the Gabba. Lawrence was also prominent in the Queensland/Northern Territory combined state of origin side's comfortable win over Tasmania at Bellerive a couple of seasons later.

As the 1990s wore on, however, Hawthorn's decline in fortune was mirrored by that of its 200cm, 100kg South African-born stalwart whose primacy in the ruck ended after the arrival at Glenferrie of former Essendon great Paul Salmon in 1996. Forced to reinvent himself, the lanky, deceptively awkward looking Lawrence went on to play some of the most consistent football of his career over the next couple of years as a resolute, strong marking defender. After featuring in the Hawks' opening 4 games of the 1998 season, however, Lawrence was dropped to the reserves where he sustained back and cheek injuries which ultimately brought his senior AFL career to an end.

Victor Lawrence (North Melbourne)

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After working his way through the ranks at North Melbourne Vic Lawrence made his senior debut in 1948. For three seasons or so he was only a fringe league player, but he eventually blossomed into a highly capable, adaptable footballer who gave the club some excellent service. A VFL representative player in 1952, he was capable of playing in any key position, but played most of his football at centre half back. In 1955 he was appointed club captain, but it was a disappointing year as North slumped from 4th place in 1954 to second from last with just 3 wins from 18 games. Lawrence retired at the end of the 1955 season having played 121 VFL games and kicked 21 goals. He had been 19th man for the losing grand final of 1950 against Essendon.

J.B. 'Ivo' Lawson (Williamstown, Collingwood, St Kilda, Richmond)

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Invariably referred to as 'Ivo', Lawson began with Williamstown in the VFA before commencing his VFL career with a brief, 7 game stint at Collingwood in 1904. A strong, hard to beat defender, he then established himself as a league player of note with 30 games for St Kilda between 1905 and 1907. The 1908 season saw him lining up with VFL newcomer Richmond, and he added another 32 VFL games for the yellow and blacks over the ensuing couple of seasons. Lawson was Richmond's vice-captain in 1909.

Joe Lawson (Swan Districts)

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Joe Lawson was arguably the finest full back in Swan Districts' history. That, at any rate, was the opinion of the selectors who installed him in that position for the club's official 'Team of the Century'. Between 1955 and 1966 Lawson played a total of 235 WANFL games for Swans, winning a fairest and best award in 1958. These included the club's three successive winning grand finals of 1961-2-3, in the first two of which Lawson was rated high among the best players. Captain of his club for part of the 1959 season, Joe Lawson, perhaps surprisingly, made just one interstate appearance for Western Australia during his career. There can be little doubt, however, that overall he was one of the best and most consistent last line defenders in the league.

Harry Laxton (West Melbourne, Essendon, Brighton)

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A dashing wingman, Harry Laxton gave good service to West Melbourne in 1902-3 before joining Essendon. He played 44 VFL games for the Same Old in 1904-5 and 1907, interspersed with another stint back at West Melbourne where he was a member of the 1906 grand final win over Footscray. Laxton's final port of call was Brighton where he spent the last two seasons of his senior career in 1909 and 1910.

Norman Le Brun (South Melbourne, Essendon, Collingwood, Carlton)

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Although Norman Le Brun's VFL career only comprised 50 games, it was nevertheless noteworthy in that it saw him play for no fewer than four different clubs (the record is five). Indeed, it might easily have been five, as he began his career at Richmond, but was unable to crack it for a senior game. From the Tigers he moved to South Melbourne, where he played 3 games and kicked 2 goals in 1929. After spending the 1930 season with Sandhurst he returned to league action in 1931 with Essendon, where he was in and out of the side for two seasons, and ended up playing another 23 games and booting 4 goals. His other clubs were Collingwood (19 games and 23 goals in 1933-4) and Carlton (5 games, 2 goals, 1935). Norman Le Brun later died while on active military service during World War Two.

Keith Leach (Wilston Grange)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Keith Leach was a dominant and highly regarded tap ruckman with Wilston-Grange who might have enjoyed an even more distinguished career but for a serious knee injury in 1964. He won the Grogan Medal in 1961-62 after being runner-up in 1957. Leach had a stint in Sydney before returning 'home' to play in Grange's first premiership side in 1969 to finish his career. A regular Queensland representative from 1957-63, he later became a sponsor of the competition via Leach Motors.

Bernie Leahy (West Adelaide & North Adelaide)

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Indisputably one of West Adelaide's early greats, Bernie Leahy played 60 games for the club between 1905 and 1909. An extremely resilient and reliable defender who was superb overhead, he had the distinction of captaining the red and blacks to their first ever premiership in 1908, courtesy of a 3 point challenge final victory over Norwood's 'oxygents'. Shortly afterwards he went one better by leading his team to a 12.9 (81) to 7.10 (52) defeat of Carlton in the championship of Australia play-off. Leahy also skippered Westies to the 1909 premiership, but in 1910 he joined his brother Tom and talented wingman Alby Klose in transferring to North Adelaide, where he once again assumed the mantle of captain. Although the red and whites tended to struggle during his time with them, Leahy gave them just over three years of exemplary service before a broken leg, sustained early in a 1913 season that would once again see the club emerge as a league power, forced his premature retirement from the game. He had played 6 interstate games for South Australia, and might conceivably have played several more had his career continued.

Rex Leahy (Glenelg)

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Rex Leahy was a consummate clubman who played all over the ground during the course of his 128 game, 35 goal league career with Glenelg between 1952 and 1963. Typically called on to address perceived weaknesses in each week's line-up, he was seldom able to build momentum by playing in the same position for several weeks in succession. Sadly, this meant that his form suffered, and he played a fair number of games in the seconds as a result. Nevertheless, his value to the Bays was unquestioned, as was the fact that he was the type of versatile, wholly dedicated player every coach loves to have in his squad.

Tom Leahy (West Adelaide, North Adelaide, Norwood)

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Known throughout Australia as 'The Prince of Ruckmen' Tom Leahy was arguably the most widely celebrated footballer produced in South Australia prior to the onset of the television age. The reasons for his high reputation were legion. In the first place, he possessed all the skills necessary to succeed as a ruckman in the 'ruck shepherd era', a time when the primary objective of the second player in a ruck combination (the player who would later metamorphose into the ruck rover) was to impede and interfere with the opposition's main ruckman in an effort to prevent him contesting the knock. Leahy's strength, intelligence and athleticism enabled him to counter these tactics better probably than anyone.

Secondly, despite being the object of unrestrained and often illegal vigour on the part of his opponents Tom Leahy always maintained a cheerful, unflustered demeanour, and never retaliated. This is not to suggest for a moment that his play lacked aggression; however, his aggression was always controlled, and seldom transcended standards of what was acceptable, both legally and morally.

Tom Leahy remained in the upper echelon of the nation's footballers throughout his two decades in the game. One of his contemporaries, Vic Richardson of Sturt, when writing of Leahy half a century after his retirement as a player, paid him the ultimate accolade of suggesting that "had (he) played under the modern rules, which do not permit shepherding or interference at the bounce, no ruckman in Australia could have taken one knock from him. His tremendous power and wonderful judgement would have given him far too great an advantage" [see footnote 1]. This assessment may have been magnified somewhat by the rose-tinted lenses of nostalgia, but evaluations of the abilities of footballers are always subjective and it is at least arguable that the opinions of a player's contemporaries should count for rather more than the subsequent evaluations of so called 'experts' whose perceptions have, to all intents and purposes, been pre-packaged and delivered to them whole, albeit with scant regard for historical veracity.

Tom Leahy played a total of 196 senior games, comprising 58 with West Adelaide, 111 with North Adelaide, and 27 for South Australia.

In 1922 he was appointed non-playing coach of Norwood, and steered the club to two premierships and a 3rd place in his three seasons at the helm.

Footnotes

1. From The Vic Richardson Story by V.Y. Richardson, page 166. Back to Main Text

Lancelot Leak (Sturt, North Shore, Glenelg)

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A brilliant rover with good evasive skills and a keen eye for goal, Lance Leak debuted with Sturt in 1922, and impressed from the start. A smooth ball handler, some of his best games were played when the going was heavy, and he was frequently described in terms like 'mud lark' and 'mud skipper'. He represented South Australia at the 1924 Hobart carnival, and was widely acknowledged as one of the premier small men in the state. His league career with the Double Blues was interrupted between 1926 and 1929 when he lived interstate, and as a result he missed the chance of participating in the club's premiership triumph of 1926. Leak played with North Shore in Sydney in 1926, and also represented both New South Wales and a Metropolitan Sydney representative side. Thereafter, his movements are unclear until his return to South Australia in 1930, when he resumed his SANFL career with the Double Blues. Two years later he finally got to achieve the main ambition of nearly all footballers when he played on a half forward flank in Sturt's 1932 grand final defeat of North Adelaide. Leak's final two seasons in league football were spent with Glenelg, and included participation in the club's boilover grand final victory over Port Adelaide in 1934 (reviewed here). Lance Leak's senior career at the top level comprised 102 games and 104 goals for Sturt, a season with North Shore, 22 games and 19 goals with Glenelg, 4 interstate appearances and 7 goals for South Australia, plus either 3 or 4 representative and interstate games (records are unclear) during the Sydney phase of his career. (See footnote 1)

Footnotes

1. I am indebted to Ian Granland for providing details of Lancelot Leak's season in Sydney football. Return to Main Text

Jack Leckie (Essendon, Fitzroy, Boulder City, Perth, South Fremantle, Subiaco, West Perth)

Born in Victoria, Jack Leckie played his early football in the VFA with Essendon and Fitzroy before following the well-worn path westwards to the West Australian goldfields town of Coolgardie where, in 1895, he was heavily instrumental in getting organised football underway via the formation of the three team Yilgarn Football Association. Initially a member of the Union team, he transferred in 1896 to newcomers Civil Service, and then in 1898 to Boulder City, which is the oldest surviving country club in Western Australia.

Leckie later ventured to the coast and was a member in 1907 of Perth's controversial premiership-winning team. His most memorable exploits were as a coach, however: in 1911-12 he coached South Fremantle; he led Subiaco in 1915-16, annexing a premiership in his first year; other brief stints were with West Perth in 1923 and Perth in 1930. Undoubtedly his greatest achievement though was masterminding Western Australia's historic carnival success on home soil in 1921.

Graeme Lee (Wynyard, St Kilda, Launceston, East Devonport)

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Best remembered as a wingman, but capable of playing in a variety of positions, including half forward flank and even full forward, Graeme 'Gypsy' Lee commenced his senior career with Wynyard towards the end of the 1956 season, shortly after his seventeenth birthday. He had played 43 games for the club by the time he crossed to the mainland in 1960 in order to join St Kilda where he added 19 senior games in an injury affected three season spell. He returned to Tasmania in 1963 and joined Launceston as captain-coach. Between that year and 1967 he kept the Blues among the leading clubs in the NTFA, albeit without securing a premiership. A regular Tasmanian interstate representative during this phase of his career, Lee captained the state in 1965 as well as at the 1966 Hobart carnival. It was at that carnival that he produced some of the best football of his career, earning plaudits as Tasmania's best player of the series, finishing joint 3rd in the Tassie Medal voting, and gaining selection in the All Australian team. Pacy, clever and a superb drop kick, he proved beyond doubt that, when fit, he could match it with the very best footballers from Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. In 1968, after 90 games for Launceston, Lee transferred to East Devonport as captain-coach, where he was immediately successful in steering the club to its first flag in twenty years. He remained with the Swans until 1975, playing a total of 127 NWFU games, and serving as captain-coach from 1968 to 1970 as well as in his last two seasons. In addition to his 279 senior club appearances, Lee represented Tasmania a total of 11 times, and played representative football for both the NTFA and the NWFU. In March 2001 he was selected on a half forward flank in Launceston's official 'Team of the Century'.

Mark Lee (Richmond)

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Mark Lee was a talented ruckman who perhaps failed wholly to fulfill his potential. Richmond recruited him from Mildura, and he made his VFL debut in 1977. Mobile, athletic, and skilful, he was among the best players afield as the Tigers trounced Collingwood in the 1980 grand final, and for several years after that he could lay claim to being the most touted ruckman in the game. A triple All Australian, Lee won Richmond's best and fairest award in 1984, but after that, partly because of injury, his form declined. He retired from the game in 1991 after 233 V/AFL games and 94 goals.

Scott Lee (Central District & Adelaide)

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After failing to make the grade at Hawthorn, where he played just one night game, Scott Lee was cleared to Central District. Tough, nuggety and always sublimely composed, he was a resounding success in South Australia, both with the Bulldogs, and with Adelaide, where he played 86 AFL games, mainly in the back pocket, between 1991 and 1995. At Centrals he played a total of 243 SANFL games and kicked 107 goals between 1985 and 1990, in 1992, and from 1994 to 2000. He won the club's best and fairest award in 1987 and 1990, and was chosen in a back pocket in the Bulldogs' official 'Best All Time Team 1964 to 2003'. Lee represented his adopted state of South Australia 5 times.

Walter Lee (Collingwood)

One of the first of the game's truly great full forwards, Walter 'Dick' Lee's VFL career spanned 230 games over 17 seasons and spawned 707 goals. The last of those 707 goals came with Lee's final kick in League football, in Collingwood's losing 1922 challenge final against Fitzroy. Small (175cm) and lightweight (70kg) by the standards of modern full forwards Lee was nevertheless a commanding figure on the ground, and "matched spectacular, high-flying aerobatics with superb ground-level skills and unerring accuracy in front of goal, whether by punt or place kick" (see footnote 1). Testimony to this accuracy is afforded by the tale that Lee was a frequent visitor to an amusement hall which had a game which required participants to kick at a target from various difficult angles; in the end, the proprietors allegedly had to bar Lee from participating owing to his near faultless proficiency (see footnote 2).

Perhaps more than any other leading club, Collingwood has a tradition of producing full forwards of the highest quality - a tradition which originated almost a century ago with a lightweight place kicking genius whose exploits arguably did more than those of any one else to transform full forward into the glamorous, distinctive position it remains to this day.

Footnotes

1. The Encyclopedia of League Footballers by Jim Main and Russell Holmesby, page 276. Return to Main Text

2. The Clubs by Garrie Hutchinson and John Ross, page 80. Return to Main Text

John Leedham (North Hobart & North Launceston)

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John Leedham was the epitome of the socks down, no holds barred style of footballer whose every gesture seems to make a tangible contribution to the team effort. Known affectionately as 'John L.' Leedham represented Tasmania in the 1947, 1953 and 1958 carnivals, performing particularly creditably at Adelaide in 1953 when, despite a disastrous winless series, he was chosen as the sole Tasmanian representative in the inaugural All Australian team.

Throughout his career Leedham tended to save his best performances for games against top class opposition or when the pressure was at its highest. He captain-coached Tasmania to wins over both South Australia and Western Australia at the 1958 Melbourne carnival, and invariably outplayed his direct opponent whenever Tasmania clashed with the 'Big V'. Too outspoken to attract many votes from umpires, his contribution to his team was arguably more telling than that of many so called 'superstars'. In the classic style of Ron Barassi, Mal Brown, Neil Kerley and Ted Whitten, Leedham was a 'stirrer', pre-eminently capable of unsettling an opponent by the use of psychological as much as physical methods of intimidation. Added to this he was a superbly gifted footballer who more than made up for what he lacked in grace and smoothness of movement with an innate, untutored knack of finding the ball and using it effectively.

In June 2004, John Leedham was named as vice-captain and first ruck-rover in the official Tasmanian 'Team of the Century'. The following year saw his induction as an inaugural legend in Tasmanian Football's official Hall of Fame.

Ted Leehane (Essendon)

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Ted Leehane was a fast moving, strong marking key position forward who gave Essendon fine service in a war interrupted career. He joined the Dons in 1942 from East Brunswick, and played at full forward in that season's grand final win over Richmond. From late 1943 until late 1946 he was in the army and his league football career was put on hold. After playing a handful of games towards the end of the 1946 season he resumed full time in 1947, topping Essendon's goal kicking with 50 goals for the year. In 1948 he spent most of his time at centre half forward and played some of the best football of his career to finish second in the club's best and fairest award. His good form continued in 1949 when he was one of the Bombers' best in their 18.17 (125) to 6.16 (52) grand final annihilation of Carlton. During the 1950 season Leehane ruptured a kidney but recovered sufficiently to be named as 19th man for the grand final against North Melbourne, which Essendon won. It proved to be the last of Ted Leehane's 83 VFL games, during the course of which he booted 140 goals.

Geoff Leek (Essendon)

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Originally from Preston Boys Club, where he played between 1946 and 1949, Geoff Leek was residentially bound to Collingwood, but was cleared from that club to Essendon in 1950. After spending his first season with the Bombers in the Thirds he graduated to league ranks in 1952 where he belied his somewhat ungainly style by developing into a knock ruckman par excellence. A wholehearted team player, "he gave his rovers an armchair ride with his clever and controlled palming from the packs" (see footnote 1). He was also surprisingly quick and sure-footed for his size (194cm, 96kg), making him a dominating presence all over the ground, let down only by some slipshod kicking.

Leek played 191 VFL games and booted 98 goals for the Dons between 1951 and 1962. One of his finest performances came in his last ever game, the victorious grand final of 1962 against Carlton, when he took to the field with the aid of pain-killing injections whilst suffering from an ankle injury. He was vice-captain of Essendon for the final six seasons of his league career, which at the time was claimed to be a record.

Footnotes

1. Those Magnificent Men by Michael Maplestone, page 92. Return to Main Text

Ron Leishman (Preston & Box Hill)

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A highly accomplished player during what was a predominantly inauspicious era for Preston, Ron Leishman played 98 games for the club in a war-interrupted career which began in 1941. He won the club's best and fairest award in 1947, before transferring in 1951 to VFA newcomers Box Hill.

Allan Leitch (New Town, Carlton, Hawthorn)

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Allan Leitch was the son of William Leitch, in whose honour the TANFL re-named its annual best and fairest player award in 1930. Somewhat ironically, Allan Leitch won the league's best and fairest trophy the very year before the name change. Two years later he finished runner-up to former Collingwood champion Albert Collier. There is little doubt that he would have won a number of club best and fairest awards had they been regularly on offer during his career.

Leitch's senior career began in 1922 with New Town, which was in only its second season in the TFL. He went on to play 135 league games with the black and whites culminating in that runners-up spot in the 1931 Leitch Medal. In between, he embarked on two brief stints in the VFL: in 1925 he played 17 games with Carlton, primarily as a defender, and was also selected to represent the VFL on a couple of occasions; three years later he added another 4 VFL games with Hawthorn.

Allan Leitch's main virtue was his consistency; he could be relied on seldom to put in a bad game, whilst simultaneously ensuring that his direct opponent did. As such, he was invariably one of the first players selected in both state and TANFL representative teams. He played a total of 13 interstate matches for Tasmania, including the 1924 Hobart and 1930 Adelaide carnivals; that tally would have been even greater had he been able to travel to the Melbourne carnival in 1927, for which he was also selected. He also represented the league on 24 occasions, including the noteworthy win over a South Australian combination in Adelaide in 1923.

In the year 2000 Allan Leitch gained a berth in the back pocket in the official Glenorchy (formerly known as New Town) 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Jack Leith (Geelong & Melbourne)

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Jack Leith (sometimes mis-spelt 'Leath') began his senior football career in the VFA with Geelong, but it was only after transferring to Melbourne that he really rose to prominence. In the first season of the VFL he was widely regarded as the most brilliant forward in the league, but some observers questioned his attitude, suggesting that he sometimes failed to give a hundred per cent. There could be no doubting his talent, however, and when within range of goal he was deadly, with his place kicks from set shots being renowned for their unwavering accuracy. In one match against St Kilda in 1902, Leith kicked 5 goals, all from place kicks. He topped Melbourne's goal kicking list on four occasions, and was at centre half forward in the 1900 flag-winning team.

At the end of the 1908 season Leith retired, but three years later he made a comeback. This time around he played mainly in the backlines, with his extensive prior experience as a forward helping him to anticipate and stymie his opponents' endeavours. After two final seasons with the Redlegs, bringing his total of VFL games to 139, Leith retired for good.

Hubert Lenne (Fitzroy & St Kilda)

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Solidly built at 183cm and 82kg, Hubert Lenne was a tough, occasionally ruthless defender whom Fitzroy recruited from Fitzroy Juniors. He made his VFL debut in 1910, and went on to spend thirteen seasons at the club, playing 157 games and kicking 6 goals. The highlights of his career came with his appearances at full back in the 'Roys grand final wins of 1913 and 1916 over St Kilda and Carlton respectively. The low point came in 1915, when he ran foul of the game's authorities, and was suspended for 14 matches. Overlooked for Fitzroy's grand final team of 1922 against Collingwood, Lenne promptly quit the club and joined St Kilda where, over the next couple of seasons, he added a final 21 VFL games to his career tally.

Trevor Leo (Cooee, Hobart, New Norfolk)

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One of the best of the many superb rovers to have graced Tasmanian football since World War Two, Trevor Leo gave distinguished service to three clubs as well as representing Tasmania in the interstate arena 18 times, including games at the 1956, 1958 and 1961 carnivals. He began his career with Cooee in 1953, where he gave immediate evidence of his prowess by winning the club's best and fairest award. The following season saw him at Hobart, where he was a member of premiership teams in 1954, 1959 and 1960, won the 1957 William Leitch Medal, and was a dual winner of the club's best and fairest award. After 124 games for the Tigers he crossed to New Norfolk as captain-coach where, five years later, he made history by steering the side to its first ever TANFL premiership courtesy of a 14.13 (97) to 9.14 (68) grand final defeat of North Hobart. The Eagles later downed Scottsdale to win their first and only Tasmanian state premiership, after which Leo retired as a player. He continued as non-playing coach of New Norfolk for one further season, and also coached the Tasmanian team at the 1969 Adelaide carnival. His last involvement in league football came as non-playing coach of his original club, Hobart, in 1974, but it proved to be an unsavoury finale as the Tigers, who were reigning premiers, missed the finals.

Trevor Leo, who away from football established a reputation as one of Tasmania's leading mathematicians, earned inclusion in both Hobart's official 'Greatest Team 1947 to 2002' and New Norfolk's equivalent combination for the period from 1947 to 2001.

John Leonard (Subiaco, South Melbourne, West Perth, Claremont)

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Born in England, Johnny Leonard was a prodigiously talented rover for Subiaco during the 1920s. In 1926 he won a Sandover Medal, and was later awarded a retrospective Medal for the 1929 season after initially finishing 2nd on a countback to East Perth's 'Billy' Thomas. Quick, intelligent and highly skilled, he was an automatic choice for Western Australia for much of his career, and made a near club record 26 interstate appearances (only Tom Outridge, with 27, played for the state more times).

After playing a total of 146 games for Subiaco between 1922 and 1930, Johnny Leonard was enticed east to Ballarat, where he commenced what was to become an equally successful coaching career. His achievement in steering Maryborough to the 1931 Ballarat Football League premiership caught the attention of the powers-that-were at South Melbourne, and the 1932 season saw him replacing Paddy Scanlan as coach of the forward-thinking, ambitious Bloodstained Angels.

Leonard's acute inside knowledge of the Western Australian football scene was a key factor in his success with South. By recruiting players of the calibre of former Subiaco team mates Brighton Diggins and Billy Faul, and former South Fremantle follower Bert Beard, Leonard - who remained no mean player himself - was able to bolster South Melbourne's playing ranks sufficiently to propel the club to its first finals campaign in almost a decade. In doing so, he laid the foundations for arguably South's greatest era of the twentieth century - the so called 'foreign legion years' - but Leonard's direct involvement with the team was limited to that one, 1932 season. The 1930s witnessed a severe economic depression and in 1933 Johnny Leonard, lured by the prospect of secure employment with Ross Faulkner Limited, returned home to Perth. His impact at the Lake Oval had, however, been significant:

His legacy had been to lift the spirit at the Lake Oval and to forge a belief that success could be achieved despite the disappointments of the recent past. He had sensed the awesome potential of (Bob) Pratt, giving him space and responsibility up forward as well as providing opportunities and recognition to the skills of (Herbie) Matthews. (See footnote 1)

Perhaps even more importantly, however, that legacy was destined to endure, for:

Leonard played his part in settling the interstate newcomers into the passionate football environment of Melbourne, bringing the best out of Diggins and Faul almost immediately. Significantly, he discouraged his Western Australian colleagues from following him back home and ensured that his departure did not unsettle the development of the club. As a sign of his affection for South Melbourne, he continued to publicly support the club in its interstate trading activities. (See footnote 2)

It may be a platitude, but loyalty of this nature tends to breed loyalty, and it may in small part help to explain Leonard's substantial success as a coach over the ensuing decade.

If the seeds of that success were sown on Victorian soil, they germinated and grew in Western Australia. In 1934 and 1935, Leonard steered West Perth to an overall success rate of 71.1% and successive premierships. Always quintessentially a 'players' coach', Leonard "believed that training throughout the season should be enjoyable, brisk, and involve as much ball-handling as possible" (see footnote 3), a regime to which his charges responded with great energy and enthusiasm, both at the Cardinals, who Leonard coached for a third season in 1937, and even more so at Claremont, where he was to eke out a reputation for himself which placed him squarely and irrefutably amongst the immortals.

Prior to Leonard's arrival at Claremont Oval in 1938 the Monts had failed to secure a single flag. During his first three seasons there they were indefatigable, managing an overall success rate of 72.6%, and winning every premiership on offer. Admittedly, Claremont had reached the 1936 and 1937 grand finals under Leonard's predecessor Dick Lawn, but there can be little doubt that Leonard's arrival constituted that final, elusive ingredient necessary to catapult the team across the often insurmountable divide between being a promising challenger and a fully fledged, bona fide champion. In doing so - much as Tom Hafey did at Richmond, or Haydn Bunton junior at Swan Districts, or Fos Williams at Port Adelaide - Leonard effectively heralded a new era for the club, in the process imbuing it with aspects of his own essential character.

John Leonard's career as a league football coach was comparatively brief - fewer than 200 games spread over just nine seasons - but his strike rate of better than a premiership every other year was outstanding. Moreover, the fact that three of those premierships were attained with a club which had never previously enjoyed such eminent status makes his achievements all the more meritorious, and makes John Leonard arguably Australian football's 'greatest Pommy'.

Footnotes

1. From Bloodstained Angels: the Rise and Fall of the Foreign Legion by Mark Branagan and Mike Lefebvre, page 11. Herbie Matthews would later go on to win the 1940 Brownlow Medal. Return to Main Text

2. Ibid, page 11. Return to Main Text

3. The Tigers' Tale by Kevin Casey, page 128. Return to Main Text

Justin Leppitsch (Brisbane)

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After overcoming the not inconsiderable handicap of a knee reconstruction early in his career, Justin Leppitsch went on to become a highly recognisable, and extremely formidable player for Brisbane for well over a decade. Originally from Berwick, he made his AFL debut for the then Bears in1993, and by the time of his enforced retirement owing to injury in 2006 he had amassed a total of 227 senior games for the club. Extremely quick on the lead, strong overhead, and an accurate kick, he played most of his early football as a key position forward, topping his club's goal kicking list with 50 goals in 1997, and 26 the following year. When Leigh Matthews arrived at Brisbane as coach in 1999 he converted Leppitsch into a hard-hitting rebound defender who, at his peak, had few peers in the modern game. A joint winner, along with Jason Akermanis, of his club's best and fairest award in 1999, he went on to play in the Lions' premiership victories of 2001-2-3, as well as in the losing grand final side of 2004. The high universal respect in which he was held was indicated by his inclusion in the AFL All Australian teams of 1999, 2002 and 2003. After injury problems in 2006 restricted him to just 4 appearances in the first 10 weeks of the season Leppitsch announced his retirement as a player at the age of thirty.

Martin Leslie (Port Adelaide, Waratahs, Brisbane)

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Port Adelaide recruited Martin Leslie from Ethelton and he made his SANFL debut in 1981. After playing just 4 games in his first season, he developed into a regular from 1982, with his tough, resolute, unflinching style being in total accord with the Magpie ethos. He was at centre half back in the 1984 grand final loss to Norwood, and on a half back flank, and close to best afield, in the 12.12 (84) to 8.7 (55) win over Glenelg four years later. He won Port's best and fairest award in 1986, and was a regular state of origin and state league representative for South Australia. He was one of the home state's best players at the 1988 bicentennial carnival in Adelaide, and was rewarded with All Australian selection.

Initially drafted to Brisbane in 1986 (he was actually the club's first draft choice), Leslie deferred making the move until the end of the 1988 season, by which time he had played 150 SANFL games, plus several for Waratahs in the Darwin competition, and was a ready made, top quality VFL footballer. In seven seasons with the Bears he played 107 senior games, winning a club best and fairest award (jointly with David Bain) in 1990. Injuries later in his career restricted his appearances, and saw him play several games in the state league with West Brisbane, but when selected for the Bears he could always be guaranteed to give one hundred per cent effort, and to make a worthwhile contribution to the team cause.

Rod Lester-Smith (East Fremantle, Hawthorn, Brisbane)

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Tall, pacy and strong overhead, wingman Rod Lester-Smith endured more than his fair share of injury woes during a six season, 89 game phase of his league career with East Fremantle, playing for the state, and playing in the club's 1979 grand final win over arch rival South Fremantle. Despite his fitness problems he was signed by Hawthorn in 1983 and gave the Hawks sterling service, mainly as a defender, in 70 VFL games over the next four seasons. From 1988 to 1991 he rounded off his V/AFL career at Brisbane, where he added a final 39 VFL games to his tally. The last of his league games came in 1993 when, as a thirty-three year old, he made one final senior appearance for East Fremantle against arch rivals South Fremantle. Lester-Smith later coached the Sharks in 2003 and for part of 2004.

Chris Lethbridge (Fitzroy)

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Having already played interstate football for his native New South Wales, Chris Lethbridge joined Fitzroy in 1913 where he quickly acquired a reputation as a hard-hitting, no frills defender who knew how to look after himself, could take a grab, and was a prodigious kick. He went on to play 148 games for the Maroons in an era when the club was a bona fide VFL power (see footnote 1). In his debut season he was in a back pocket in Fitzroy’s premiership winning combination. He was not a member of the side which won the farcical 1916 premiership when only four clubs competed, but in 1922 he finished his VFL career as he started it by playing in a 2nd premiership winning side, this time on a half back flank, and as club skipper. He also represented the VFL on 3 occasions.

Footnotes

1. In addition to its three flags, Fitzroy had the impressive success rate of almost 62% in this period. Return to Main Text

Clive Lewington (South Fremantle & West Perth)

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South Fremantle's 1947 Sandover Medallist Clive Lewington had few peers as a centreline player during the half a dozen or so seasons after World War Two. A triple club champion, Lewington also played in South's winning grand final sides of 1947, 1948 and 1950, earning a Simpson Medal after the last of those matches against Perth. Lewington was the club's captain-coach in 1950, having been captain for the previous three seasons, and he again served as captain coach in 1951. After retiring as a player he spent the period between 1952 and 1958 as the club's non-playing coach, overseeing further premiership triumphs against West Perth in 1952 and 1953, and arch rivals East Fremantle in 1954. His overall success rate in nine seasons as coach of South Fremantle was a highly impressive 70.9%; only in his last two seasons did the club fail to contest the finals.

In a war-interrupted career, Lewington managed only 5 interstate appearances, but among these were the Hobart carnival matches of 1947, which included a famous victory over the VFL. For South Fremantle he played a total of 181 senior games in 1939-40 and between 1946 and 1952. He made a brief return to top level football in 1964 as non-playing coach of West Perth, but it was tacitly acknowledged that he was merely filling in for a season while the club awaited the arrival from Footscray of Bob Spargo.

Chris Lewis (Claremont & West Coast)

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After just 3 senior games for Claremont in 1986 seventeen and a half year old Chris Lewis was included in West Coast's inaugural VFL squad. He made his Eagles debut in 1987 en route to a total of 215 appearances over the next fourteen seasons. He also booted 259 goals. A supremely gifted footballer, his achilles heel, especially early on, was a suspect temperament. On one notorious occasion in 1991 he was suspended after being found guilty of biting an opponent. It was also possible for opposition teams to impair his concentration, and hence his effectiveness, by baiting him. Later in his career, however, Lewis overcame these problems to some extent. Voted the Eagles best and fairest player in 1990, he was still producing excellent football in his final few seasons. He was a member of premiership teams in 1992 and 1994, and played 5 state of origin matches for Western Australia. In 2001 he returned to Claremont where he played for two further seasons, taking his final tally of games with the club to 53.

Frank Lewis (West Adelaide)

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Glorying, if that is the word, in the nickname 'Buckets', Frank Lewis was a shrewd and intelligent footballer who gave West Adelaide sterling service over the full course of his ten season, 147 game league career. He also played 10 times for South Australia. Jeff Pash once described him as "a veritable Ulysses of football" (see footnote 1), and it seems he had few peers when it came to the rare art of almost invariably making astute decisions under even the most intense pressure.

A member of West Adelaide's 1947 premiership team, Lewis later captained the club. That he may have been something of an undervalued genius is suggested by Jeff Pash's glowing appraisal: Lewis, he claimed, was "neither swift nor heavy nor tall; yet he marks in any company, is quite at home among bumps, and once he gets the ball it is impossible to catch him" (see footnote 2).

Footnotes

1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 146. Return to Main Text

2. Ibid., page 146. Return to Main Text

Fred Lewis (East Fremantle)

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Fred Lewis was an accomplished key position footballer who played 153 senior games for East Fremantle between 1964 and 1972. He was at centre half forward when Old Easts overcame Swan Districts in the 1965 WANFL grand final. In 1967, he enjoyed probably his best season in football when he won both his club's fairest and best trophy, and its leading goal kicker award, with 36 goals. He captained Old Easts to 3rd place on the ladder in 1971. Lewis represented Western Australia on half a dozen occasions.

John Lewis (North Melbourne & Melbourne)

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John Lewis began with North Melbourne when the club was still plying its trade in the VFA, and his status as one of the top ruckmen in that competition was frequently affirmed via selection in Association representative teams. Lewis' reputation was enhanced still further when North entered the league in 1925 and he became the club's first interstate representative en route to a total of 10 VFL appearances. He captain-coached North in 1930, and was captain in 1931.

At 191cm and 97kg Lewis was one of the heftiest footballers of his day, and he was certainly far from shy about using his weight. he also had plenty of raw talent, and was a particularly fine mark and thumping kick.

In 1935, despite the fact that Lewis won North Melbourne's best and fairest award, there were suggestions from within the club that he should think about retiring. Instead, after more than 200 games for the shinboners, he accepted an invitation to play for Melbourne, and over the next three years he added a final 46 creditable games to his tally.

Percy Lewis (North Adelaide)

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As player, coach and administrator, Percy Lewis was a stalwart of the North Adelaide Football Club for the better part of four decades. He made his league debut as a player in 1912, and had played a total of 185 senior games by the time he retired in 1928. A defender for much of his career, he was pacy, highly skilled, and boasted superb judgement. He later became a successful full forward, topping the SAFL's goal kicking list in 1923 with 58 goals, and his club's in 1924 with 19. Lewis captained North from 1922 to 1926, and won the club's 1922 best and fairest award. He represented South Australia 8 times, including matches at the 1921 Perth carnival. Two years after his retirement as a player he returned to North as non-playing coach, and was successful in steering the side to premierships in each of his first two seasons in charge. He remained at the helm until 1934, with North missing the finals only in his last season. Percy Lewis' close association with the North Adelaide Football Club continued in the 1940s when he served as president from 1940 to 1948, and as patron in 1949 and 1950.

William Libbis (Collingwood, Melbourne, Northcote)

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Despite scarcely showing any interest in football until he was almost twenty years of age, Bill Libbis developed into one of the most damaging and highly regarded rovers of his day. Having played only a handful of scratch matches while at school, he decided to join Fairfield Football Club in 1923 and before long was making his presence known as a speedy and tenacious footballer whose skills, particularly his kicking, were surprisingly polished and effectual. In 1924, at the behest of Collingwood defender Ernie Wilson, Libbis ventured to Victoria Park where he he was put through his paces by legendary Magpies coach Jock McHale. Few coaches down the years have had a better eye for talent than McHale, and whilst recognising that Libbis was still a long way adrift of VFL standard, he nevertheless sensed - rightly, as it turned out - that the player had the necessary mental qualities to make the most of his undoubted natural ability. By the time the 1925 season rolled around, Libbis was deemed ready, and in round 2 of that year he was handed his senior debut against Melbourne. He performed serviceably, and although he was initially unable to hold down a regular place in the side, by 1926 he was acquiring a reputation as one of the most promising small men in the game. Selected as first rover for that season's challenge final clash with Melbourne he overcame a slow start to produce an effective performance, but could not prevent the 'Woods being humbled by 57 points. He did, however, have the minor satisfaction of kicking the final goal of the game, for which achievement he was awarded the extravagant prize of a box of chocolates.

Between 1927 and 1930 Collingwood was the pre-eminent force in the VFL, and Libbis - by this stage glorying in the nickname 'Pickles' - was a major factor in that dominance. First rover in each of the Magpies' four straight premiership wins, he was also a regular member of the state side. Energetic, pacy and amply skilled, his trademark crisp, low stab passes to Gordon Coventry were a major factor in the champion full forward's perennial dominance of the VFL's goal kicking stakes. Mind you, Libbis was no slouch near goal himself, as his tally of 150 goals in 139 games for the Magpies makes clear.

Normally regarded as one of the most quietly spoken members of the Collingwood team, Libbis made the mistake in 1933 of protesting openly when the club elected to reduce weekly match payments by ten shillings. Dissension of any kind was seldom tolerated at Collingwood, least of all when it had to do with money, and Libbis promptly found himself off-loaded to Melbourne, where he continued to perform to good effect for another 39 senior games over three seasons. He also made the VFL's 1933 Sydney carnival team. After leaving the VFL he was a useful player in the VFA with Northcote for a time.

When the AFL implemented its official Hall of Fame in 1996, one of the first inductees was Bill Libbis's fellow rover throughout his time at Collingwood, Harry Collier. It says much for the comparatively unsung Libbis's playing prowess that it was he, and not Collier, who earned the premier roving berth for the Magpies in five consecutive grand finals. In later years, Collier himself provided a succinct and telling analysis: "Somehow I ended up with the name," he observed, "but Billy Libbis .......well, he was the player."

Tony Liberatore (Footscray/Western Bulldogs & Box Hill)

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At just 163cm and 77kg Tony Liberatore was one of the smallest men to play top level football in recent years, but he belied his stature with numerous performances of great courage, determination and skill. That said, he did not have things all his own way at the outset of his career: after failing to crack it for a senior game at North Melbourne he crossed to Footscray in 1986 but there too he struggled to make his mark. At North he had won the 1984 Morrish Medal for best and fairest in the VFL's under nineteen competition, and in his first three seasons with the Bulldogs he added a couple of Gardiner Medals for best and fairest in the VFL reserves. It seemed that Liberatore had found his level, an impression reinforced in 1989 when he was selected as captain of Footscray's reserves team. Within twelve months, however, everything had changed: the 1990 season saw 'Libba' not only capture a regular berth in the seniors, but perform with such consistent distinction that he finished the year as a surprise, but eminently worthy, winner of the Brownlow Medal. When he followed this up by winning the 1991 Footscray best and fairest award it was clear that Tony Liberatore had truly 'arrived' as an AFL player.

Between 1986 and 2002 Liberatore played 283 senior games and kicked 195 goals. At times, the indiscriminate nature of some of his negating tactics attracted criticism, but he was well loved at the Western Oval, and throughout the 1990s was one of the most readily identifiable figures in football. After retiring at the end of the 2002 season he was appointed coach of Hawthorn's VFL feeder club, Box Hill, where he had an immediate impact, steering the side as far as the 2003 grand final which was lost narrowly to Williamstown. In 2004 he was recruited by Carlton as an assistant coach.

When the Western Bulldogs announced their official 'Team of the Century' in May 2002 Tony Liberatore was selected on the interchange bench.

Alick Lill (Norwood)

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Tall (193cm), slender and rangy, Alick Lill was a superlative athlete whose movements were all smoothness, elegance and grace. He adorned Norwood teams in 123 games between 1923 and 1931, almost invariably in the centre, and was an ever present in South Australian interstate teams from 1925-30, except for an injury-ruined 1929 season, making a total of 20 state appearances, and kicking 7 goals.

One of those rare players who genuinely 'had it all', Lill was virtually unbeatable in the air, faster on the ground than virtually every opponent, handled the ball with effortless ease, and could kick with pinpoint accuracy over prodigious distances. The only major difficulty he had was a susceptibility to injuries, particularly knee problems, and it was these which ultimately curtailed his career.

Norwood was a powerful combination for most of the 1920s, and Lill had the satisfaction of appearing in three premiership sides. In 1925 he not only helped the Redlegs to a grand final victory over West Torrens, he won the club's best and fairest award (his second in succession), and edged out Port Adelaide's Peter Bampton for the Magarey Medal. He won another club best and fairest award in 1927.

By popular consent, Lill's greatest ever individual performance came while representing South Australia against the VFL on a quagmire-like Adelaide Oval during the 1930 Adelaide carnival. Had the South Australians possessed another half a dozen players of Lill's calibre, they would have won at a canter, but unfortunately the Norwood man was more or less on his own.

After retiring as a player, Lill coached Norwood in 1933-4, but without success.

Herbert Limb (Sturt & Subiaco)

Despite having the stature of a rover, Herbert Limb proved to be a highly successful full forward in two states. Originally from Gawler, he began his league career as an eighteen year old with Sturt in 1908, and topped the club's goal kicking list in each of his three seasons with the club, with his form improving gradually but discernibly all the time. In all, he booted 62 goals for the Blues in 32 matches. In 1910, he was a member of South Australia's winning team against the VFL in Adelaide.

The most successful phase of 'Hubba' Limb's career occurred between 1911 and 1923, when he played 161 games for Subiaco. When Limb arrived, the Maroons were probably the weakest team in the WAFL, but an intensive and intelligent recruiting campaign saw them emerge from the doldrums to enjoy what probably remains the greatest era in their history. Limb himself was a key contributor to this improvement, but only after overcoming a dreadful eye injury sustained in a match against South Fremantle midway through his debut season in the west. After specialist medical treatment in Adelaide and Melbourne, paid for by the club, Limb recovered, and in 1912 he repaid his benefactors in spectacular fashion by topping the WAFL goal kicking list with 40 goals as the Maroons leapt dramatically up the ladder from last place in 1911 to a first ever league premiership. In the challenge final against East Fremantle, Limb kicked 4 of his team's 5 goals in a match-winning performance.

Subiaco went on to annex further premierships in 1913 and 1915, with Limb, who was often 'licensed to roam' away from full forward in search of kicks, making a telling contribution on both occasions.

Limb's career continued in staccato fashion after 1915. He officially 'retired' on a number of occasions, only to find himself unable to resist the 'lure of the leather'. His final game in league ranks came in 1923.

Doug Lind (West Perth)

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After struggling to get a regular game in his debut season of 1946 Doug Lind emerged as a key player for West Perth the following year, when he appeared in the first of three successive grand finals, a tally which eventually rose to four in five seasons. When the Cardinals beat Perth in the 1949 flag decider and South Fremantle in that of 1951, Lind was selected as first rover. His league career comprised 102 games between 1946 and 1951. He also played 4 games for West Australian second eighteens against visiting clubs from interstate.

Don Lindner (North Adelaide)

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From 'The Advertiser', 12/9/70

'LEAPING LINDY' FOLDS WINGS

by Merv Agars

Don Lindner, the 'astronaut' of SA football for 17 years, yesterday announced his retirement from league football.

Lindner, 35, veteran of 284 league games with North......said it had been a problem to decide when to quite league football. "I didn't think I was playing well enough to go on. People come to expect a certain standard from you after a long time in the game and I wasn't playing up to that standard. I guess I could have gone on to reach 300 games if it had been as important to me as it was to some other North supporters," said Lindner.

An easy going, good natured country boy, Lindner has never fitted the dedicated, ruthless image of the present day league footballer. "It has always been a game to me - even when I was coaching," he said yesterday. "That's another reason for giving up. They expect you to be a bit business-like about it these days."

Lindner - often known as 'Leaping Lindy' or 'Daredevil Don', but more commonly as 'Butch' - is easily the most sensational high mark in league football since World War Two. I was......lucky enough to see him in action at the peak of his career in the 1961 Brisbane carnival when he turned a game for SA with his breathtaking marking. SA lost to Victoria and then, playing WA, trailed by 20 points at three quarter time and looked a beaten side after having been outscored 9.14 to 4.2 in the preceding two quarters. Then Lindner, opposed to 6ft 4in (193cm) 17 stone (108kg) WA giant Ray Gabelich, cut loose with the most electrifying burst of marking I have seen. His inspiring play (plus 2 fine goals) and the ruckwork of Bill Wedding lifted SA to a thrilling 2 point win.

Lindner took one mark at full stretch with his foot wedged against the upright Gabelich's neck. His hands must have been close to 14ft (4.3 metres) from the ground when he grabbed the ball. Victoria's coach, the late Len Smith......described Lindner's effort that day as "out of this world".

Lindner said he thought his peak years had been the late 1950s and early 1960s. His most rewarding year was in 1963 when he took North from 6th in 1962 to the grand final (it lost to Port) in his first year as playing coach. "I was also in the SA side which beat the Vics in Melbourne that year."

When it was pointed out his best year for votes was 1967 when he won 'The Advertiser' Trophy and lost the Magarey Medal To Trevor Obst on a countback (see footnote 1), Lindner said: "Aha - that was the year I was switched to the ruck, resting in defence. It just shows what might have happened if I had got away from the clutches of those centre half backs a little earlier in my career."

Lindner will rank with the unforgettable. He is already a legend among North supporters (see footnote 2), and his sudden death, aged seventy-two, in January 2009 would have saddened football lovers of all persuasions.

Footnotes

1. In 1998, the SANFL decided to award retrospective Medals to all players who had initially lost either on countback - such as Lindner - or the casting vote of the league chairman. Return to Main Text

2. Besides his retrospective Magarey Medal, Don Lindner won North Adelaide's premier award in 1958, 1962 and 1967, topped the club's goal kicking list in 1955 with 36 goals, was a member of the 1960 premiership-winning side, was named an All Australian in 1961, and made a total of 16 appearances for South Australia. Return to Main Text

Theo 'Hank' Lindner (North Adelaide)

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Less ostentatiously talented than his older brother, Don (nothing unusual there), Theo Lindner - popularly known as 'Hank' - was nevertheless an extremely useful footballer in his own right. Combining trademark Lindner aerial prowess with immense solidity and strength, he gave North Adelaide consistently effective service, mainly in the backlines, in 126 league games between 1959 and 1964, and in 1966-7. He was a member of North's 1960 premiership team, and also played in the losing grand final of 1963 against Port Adelaide when he was one of his side's best players. 'Hank' Lindner played 3 interstate games for South Australia.

Haydn Linke (Glenelg)

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If ungainliness in football was a virtue, Glenelg's Haydn Linke would have been considered an out and out champion. As it was, he was a fine, if often underrated, player, who gave the Bays efficient, and sometimes eye-catchingly superb, service in 137 games, mainly as a centre half back, between 1959 and 1968. It was in his kicking that the trademark ungainliness surfaced most conspicuously. When kicking a punt, he flapped his arms so wantonly and superfluously that he was once said to resemble a large and heavy bird endeavouring to take off. As an aerialist, however, his style might be said to verge on the classical, and he was certainly one of the most consistently spectacular high marks of his time. He also possessed a surprising amount of pace, which he used to make many an irresistible, relieving dash out of the backlines. His finest moment came in 1961 when he ran second in the Magarey Medal voting, just 2 votes adrift of the winner, Sturt's John Halbert, despite having missed several games during the season in order to concentrate on his studies.

Ray Linke (South Adelaide)

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One of South Adelaide's finest players during a generally dire time for the club, Ray Linke played a total of 159 SANFL games between 1947 and 1956. A joint runner-up (with West Adelaide's Colin Brown) to Len Fitzgerald for the 1954 Magarey Medal, he won his club's premier individual award, the Knuckey Cup, on three occasions, was the recipient of the 1954 Advertiser Trophy, and was a South Australian state representative on half a dozen occasions. Early in the twenty-first century he was selected as one of the interchange players in South Adelaide's official 'Greatest Team'. Playing chiefly on the half back line, he possessed admirable qualities of concentration and determination, and was one of his team's quickest players - attributes which, in the modern game, would doubtless have enabled him to perform tagging duties to perfection. As it was, he helped provide a much needed element of solidity to a backline that was frequently under intense and almost unremitting duress.

Alby Linton (Footscray & Williamstown)

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Originally from Spotswood in the Footscray District Football League, Alby Linton was an energetic and clever rover who scouted the packs well and loved to kick a goal. He went from Spotswood to his local VFL club, Footscray, and played a total of 53 league games and kicked 46 goals between 1947 and 1952s. He was the club's top goal kicker (jointly with Charlie Sutton) in 1951 when he booted 23 goals. Linton's best football came during his time with Williamstown, however, where he moved in 1953. During a four season stint with the 'Gulls, he played a total of 87 games and kicked 226 goals, besides establishing himself as arguably the finest rover in the VFA. Williamstown was a force to be reckoned with during the 1950s, and Linton had the good fortune to appear in the club's 1954, 1955 and 1956 premiership teams. His form in 1955 was especially impressive and saw him secure the club's best and fairest award as well as head the Association's goal kicking ladder with 84 goals. He rounded off the season in style, too, with a 6 goal, best afield performance in the grand final as the Seagulls came from 25 points down at three quarter time to beat Port Melbourne 13.19 (97) to 13.10 (88). Despite the comparative brevity of his time at the club Alby Linton produced football of such consistently high quality to earn inclusion, as first rover, in Williamstown's official 'Team of the Century'.

Harold 'Joe' Littler (Launceston, Mersey, South Melbourne, City, Wynyard)

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When 'Joe' Littler played his last game with Wynyard in 1932 he was fifty-one years of age, making him one of the oldest senior footballers ever. He commenced his career as a sixteen year old with Launceston in 1897, playing in a premiership team in his first season. Two years later, having relocated to Devonport, he captained Mersey to a flag - quite a remarkable feat considering he was still just eighteen years of age.

Further flags with Mersey followed in 1901 and 1902 before Littler spent the 1903 season with South Melbourne, playing 10 VFL games. He returned to Mersey the next year, and was a member of another flag-winning team in 1905.

In 1908, Littler moved back to Launceston, this time as captain, and was selected in Tasmania's team for the Melbourne carnival. Somewhat strangely, he elected to spend the following season as an umpire before resuming as a player, this time with City, in 1910. City won the premiership that season, but Littler was on the move again at the end of the year, this time to Wynyard, where he would enjoy his longest stint in senior football. That stint elicited three further premierships, and was broken only by a season with Yeoman, as captain, in 1924. During his two decades with Wynyard, Littler served the club as captain, secretary and league delegate. When he retired it was claimed that he had played in excess of 500 games, but this figure has never been substantiated, and is almost certainly an exaggeration. Two years after his retirement he became non-playing coach of the club.

Brian Livesey (West Torrens)

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A skilful all round footballer with a penchant for the unpredictable, Brian Livesey would almost certainly have been accorded much greater adulation and kudos had he not happened to play at West Torrens alongside the even more mercurially gifted Lindsay Head. If Livesey had a fault, it was the fact that he sometimes attempted to over-elaborate, and ended up being caught in possession of the ball, but genuine crowd pleasers of his ilk can readily be permitted this flaw. He first played senior football as a fourteen year old with Gawler Central, and three years later, in 1953, joined West Torrens, where, after a few games in the Colts, he was promoted to the Seconds. He made his league debut the following year in the losing 1st semi final against Sturt, and went on to play a total of 152 senior games for the club over the next eleven seasons, kicking 79 goals. Livesey might well have made his senior debut somewhat earlier than he did as he was selected as a reserve for the opening fixture of the 1954 season against Port Adelaide. However, he had been so confident that he would gain a place in the starting line-up that he expressed his disgust by staying at home, whereupon the club committee, hardly surprisingly, suspended him "at its pleasure". Livesey subsequently apologised, and the suspension was lifted, but by this time he had embarked on national service, which prevented him from being available for selection until the eve of the finals. By 1957 he was regarded as one of the finest half forward flank specialists in the SANFL, and he made an eye-catching interstate debut in the position that year against the Vics at the Adelaide Oval. He went on to play a total of 5 matches for South Australia.

Edward Llewellyn (Geelong & North Melbourne)

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Ted Llewellyn joined Geelong from Port Fairy and showed plenty of promise during a 38 game, 23 goal stint with the club between 1929 and 1931. Quite tall for the time at 189cm he was extremely difficult to beat in the air, and also possessed plenty of flair and panache. He was Geelong's first ruckman, and one of its best players, in the losing challenge final of 1930 against Collingwood, but when he failed to gain a place in the following year's grand final team he requested, and was granted, a clearance to North Melbourne. Over the course of the next four years he produced probably the best football of his career. Alternating between the ruck and centre half forward he was an imposing on-field presence, adding 50 games and 31 goals to his respective tallies. He captained North during the second half of his final league season (not 1934, as is sometimes wrongly stated).

Tony Lockett (St Kilda, Sydney, Port Melbourne)

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Massively built at 191cm and 112kg, full forward Tony Lockett was both an awesome on-field presence and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Using a combination of explosive pace over the first few metres and tremendous physical strength he maneuvered himself into front position to take mark after mark and ultimately amass more V/AFL goals than anyone else. Lockett, who hailed from Ballarat, made his league debut with St Kilda in 1983, and by his second season, when he booted 77 goals, it was obvious that the Saints had a special talent on their hands. Tallies of 79 and 60 goals followed before Lockett 'topped the ton' (and the league list) for the first time in 1987 with 117 goals. Emphasising the fact that he was much more than just the bloke who kicked the goals, Lockett surprised many pundits in 1987 by tying for the Brownlow Medal with Hawthorn's John Platten; he was the first full forward ever to win the award, and he doubled up by winning the Saints' club champion trophy as well.

Between 1983 and 1994 Lockett played 183 games and kicked 898 goals for St Kilda, topping the league list for the second time in 1991 (with 127 goals), and the Saints' list every season bar one. He also won a second club best and fairest award in 1991. His record would have been even better had he not suffered from persistent niggling injuries, particularly to his back.

Never happy with being under constant media scrutiny in Melbourne, in 1995 Lockett sought, and was granted, a move to Sydney, where Australian footballers enjoy comparative anonymity. Over the next five seasons he not only gave the Swans great service, he also helped raise the profile of Australia's native game in the country's largest city. Arguably his most memorable moment came in the 1996 preliminary final against Essendon at the SCG when, with a behind kicked after the final siren, he secured his team's passage to a grand final showdown with North Melbourne. Sadly for Lockett, however, the only grand final appearance of his senior career ended in failure, as North won easily by 43 points after the match had been finely poised at half time. Another great moment, also at the SCG, came in 1999 when - ironically against Collingwood - he surpassed former Magpie great Gordon Coventry's long-standing V/AFL goal kicking record with the 1,300th goal of his career.

Tony Lockett retired in 1999 after 95 games and 459 goals for the Swans, but three years later he made a much heralded comeback. Despite making strenuous efforts to get as fit as possible, however, he managed just 3 AFL games (for 3 goals) plus a handful for the Swans' VFL feeder club, Port Melbourne, before admitting that he was no longer up to the demands of the game at the highest level. During his career he had won the Coleman Medal a record four times, and achieved AFL All Australian selection on five occasions. Unusually for a full forward, he also won three club best and fairest awards, affording persuasive evidence, if such were needed, that there was much more to his game than just the kicking of goals.

Not surprisingly, Tony Lockett was selected at full forward in both the St Kilda and Sydney 'Teams of the Century'.

Stewart Loewe (St Kilda)

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Recruited from Mt Eliza, Stewart Loewe made his VFL debut with St Kilda in 1986, and scored a goal with his first kick. Almost preternaturally strong overhead, he topped the league in marks in 1990, 1993, 1996 and 1997. He was also a competent player at ground level, but his kicking sometimes let him down. Nevertheless, he booted 594 goals in 321 games, and topped the Saints' goal kicking list in 1995 and 1996, when he spent a lot of his time at full forward. An AFL All Australian in 1991 and 1992, he won St Kilda's best and fairest award on one occasion and was runner-up four times. Wholeheartedly committed to the Saints' cause, he was co-captain along with Nathan Burke from until 1998. He was still producing highly effective football up until the time that he chose to leave the AFL at the end of the 2002 season. He later played for Old Haileyburians in the VAFA.

Colin Lofts (Perth)

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Seldom if ever brilliant in an eye-catching way, Colin Lofts was nevertheless a key figure in the history of the Perth Football Club. He made his WANFL debut in 1969, and became a regular senior player the following year. A tough, relentlessly determined player, he may have lacked skill - his kicking, for example, could scarcely be said to be of league standard - but his value to the team, particularly in important games, was immense. Playing on a half back flank, he was among Perth's best players in the losing grand finals of 1970, against South Fremantle, and 1974, against East Fremantle. In 1975 he was rewarded for his obviously wholehearted commitment to his team's cause by being appointed captain, a role he clearly relished. In 1976 he had the satisfaction of leading from the front as the Demons overcame the grand final challenge afforded by East Perth to win by 23 points. He then crowned his career in style the following year when he skippered the side to a record breaking 26.13 (169) to 14.12 (96) grand final annihilation of East Fremantle. Lofts retired after the game, having donned the Perth jumper on 154 occasions. His feat in captaining the club to two premierships has only been bettered by Mal Atwell, who led Perth to three consecutive flags between 1966 and 1968.

Wesley Lofts (Carlton)

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Tough and ruthless, Wes Lofts endured his ups and downs during an eleven season, 167 game VFL career that ended in a 1970 season which saw Carlton lift the premiership without him. Only seventeen when he commenced, he soon developed into one of the best and most rugged defenders in the game. He was at centre half back in 1962 when Carlton lost the grand final to Essendon, and at full back six years later when the Blues turned the tables. Renowned for his prodigious and accurate kicking out from goal, as well as his strong, vigorous spoiling, Wes Lofts was chosen to represent the VFL in both 1963 and 1967.

Keith London (West Perth & Perth)

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Keith London made his senior debut with West Perth in 1950, but he spent the majority of both that season and the next in the reserves, winning the Prendergast Medal for the fairest and best player at that level in 1951. In 1952 he came into his own and, aged just nineteen, made his interstate debut for Western Australia against South Australia in Adelaide. He went on to represent his state half a dozen times, including games at the 1953 Adelaide carnival. London played a total of 144 league games during his eleven season WANFL career, and was a popular winner of the club's 1958 fairest and best player award. Much of his best football was played as a wingman. However, having missed selection in the Cardinals' team for the 1951 grand final against South Fremantle he suffered similar disappointment in his final year with the club when he failed to make the cut for the 1960 premiership clash with East Perth, from which West Perth again emerged triumphant. In 1961, Keith London crossed to Perth, but added just half a dozen games to his tally.

Jack Londrigan (Sturt & Port Adelaide)

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Jack Londrigan had the good fortune to captain one of the greatest teams in Australian football history. In an era when the game's ultimate pecking order had still to be determined, he led a magnificent Port Adelaide combination to successive victories in both the local and the national premierships.

A resolute and supremely reliable defender, Londrigan began his senior football career at Sturt in 1907. In four seasons with the Blues he played a total of 47 games, and helped the club to emerge for the first time as a bona fide league power. After playing in the losing premiership play-off of 1910 against Port Adelaide, however, Londrigan left Sturt, and joined University, amidst strong rumours that that club was soon to be admitted to the SAFL, thereby eliminating the bye.

Londrigan played the whole of the 1911 season at University, but when it became clear that a place in elite company for the club was not to be forthcoming, he jumped ship once more and joined Port Adelaide. In 1912, Londrigan was a virtual ever present in a powerful Magpie combination that reached the premiership play-off, only to lose by 14 points to West Adelaide. Jack Londrigan himself so impressed Port officials that he was selected as captain of the club for a 1913 season that was to see it embark on a brief halcyon period that, but for the war, might have brought success of unparalleled dimensions. As it was, the Magpies lost only 2 matches in 1913, beat North Adelaide by 14 points in the SAFL grand final, and trounced Fitzroy in the championship of Australia match by 63 points.

In 1914, Port raised its level of performance still further, winning every match for the year in which it played. This unprecedented sequence included 14 minor round games, 2 finals, a championship of Australia clash with Carlton, and a special challenge match against a team comprising players from each of the other six league clubs. Londrigan's contribution, as ever, was quietly effective (although he was forced to withdraw from the champions match during the 3rd quarter with a shoulder injury), but both he and the club were robbed of further glory by the intervention of war.

Doug Long (Geelong & Glenelg)

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Originally from South Gambier Football Club, ruckman Doug Long was recruited by Geelong as a seventeen year old in 1957. Powerfully built and tenacious, he also possessed surprising pace for a big man, and was capable of lifting his hefty 193cm, 93.5kg frame high off the ground in ruck and marking contests. After 73 games in five seasons with the Cats he returned to South Australia and, still aged just twenty-one, was appointed captain-coach of Glenelg. Although he had leaned much during his time in the VFL, particularly from renowned Geelong identity Reg Hickey - "the greatest man and greatest coach I've ever had anything to do with" (see footnote 1) - he was probably too young to assume such major responsibility, and in both of his seasons in charge, the Tigers flopped dismally. As a player, however, Long proved to be a considerable success, leading the Bays' rucks for most of the next decade, besides representing South Australia on 7 occasions. He was quite versatile, too, as he proved by producing some commanding performances at full back when Neil Kerley first arrived at Glenelg as coach in 1967. His value to the club was emphasised in 1962 when he received the prestigious Football Writers', Commentators' Award. He retired at the end of the 1969 season with 135 SANFL games to his credit.

Footnotes

1. Long quoted in Pride Of The Bay by Peter Cornwall and John Wood, page 153. Return to Main Text

Geoff Long (City/City-South)

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Geoff Long gave excellent service to City/City-South over 224 senior games, winning the club's best and fairest award in 1953. He also represented the NTFA in 29 intrastate representative games, and played a dozen times for Tasmania. His state performances were almost invariably of the highest order, and he won the Lefroy Medal for best Tasmanian player for the season in 1955, and an All Australian blazer after the following year's Perth carnival. Long also represented Tasmania at the 1953 and 1958 carnivals in Adelaide and Melbourne respectively. In 2005 he was inducted as an inaugural legend into Tasmanian Football's official Hall of Fame.

Michael Long (St Marys, West Torrens, Essendon)

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One of several members of the Long family to play for St Marys, Michael went on to establish himself as one of the finest Territorians ever to play the game. He made his NTFL debut with the Saints at the age of just sixteen and would go on to register 52 games with the club, including 2 winning grand finals. A member of the Territory's victorious Division Two Australian championship team at the 1988 bicentennial carnival in Adelaide, Long was chosen as an All Australian and went on to spend the remainder of the season with SANFL club, West Torrens. His class and poise were evident throughout the year, and it was no surprise when he won the Eagles' fairest and best award. He also polled 17 votes in the Magarey Medal, a total exceeded by only two players, but a suspension incurred during the year meant that he would not have been eligible for the award in any case.

Fiery in temperament, and sometimes overly robust in approach, suspensions would be one of the banes of Long's career, while he would also be frequently handicapped by injury.

In 1989, after spending the summer months at home in Darwin where he won the St Marys club champion award, he moved to Essendon and enjoyed a stellar debut season which culminated in his being named VFL Rookie of the Year. Long would go on to enjoy a lengthy and highly fruitful career at Essendon, interspersed with moments of controversy and drama. This is readily illustrated by his contributions to the Bombers premierships of 1993 and 2000: in the former, he won the Norm Smith Medal as best afield, while in the latter he was involved in a highly contentious clash with Melbourne's Troy Simmonds which resulted in Long incurring a 4 match suspension.

Possessed of extraordinary pace and superlative ball skills, Long had an awkward looking kicking style which belied its great effectiveness. His best AFL season was probably 1995, when he polled 16 Brownlow votes to finish equal 4th, was runner up to James Hird in the Essendon best and fairest count, and was selected in the AFL All Australian team.

John Longmire (North Melbourne)

Something of a schoolboy prodigy, Longmire, who hailed from Corrowa-Rutherglen, was originally tied to Sydney, but in the end actually joined North Melbourne. Tall (194cm), powerful and, particularly early in his career, surprisingly quick, Longmire could adapt to a variety of positions with equal success. Excellent overhead, he was also a prodigious kick, qualities which came to the fore during 1990, arguably his best AFL season, when, with 98 goals, he topped the league list, despite playing in the backlines for some of the year. Aged only twenty at the time, he was the youngest player in V/AFL history to kick so many goals. He was rewarded with the North Melbourne best and fairest award.

The farcical nature of the rules determining state of origin eligibility was vividly highlighted during that same 1990 season when Longmire played for both Victoria against Tasmania, and for his home state of New South Wales against Victoria. In the latter game he booted 8 of New South Wales' 13 goals and was a near unanimous choice as best player afield. To top things off, New South Wales won the match.

For most of the first half of the 1990s Longmire was used primarily in a key attacking role where, with Wayne Carey, he gave North Melbourne one of the most potent forward lines in the game. Between 1990 and 1994, as North gradually emerged from the doldrums to become arguably the team of the '90s, Longmire headed the club's list of goalkickers every year at an average of 81 goals per season. After unfortunately missing the 1996 grand final, in which North defeated Sydney, with injury, he capped off his career in style by helping the Kangas overcome Carlton in the 1999 flag decider in what was his 200th and final league game. He kicked 511 goals.

Clarrie Lonsdale (Hawthorn)

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Hard working and extremely adaptable, Clarrie Lonsdale was a stalwart member of under-achieving Hawthorn sides for more than a decade.. During the course of his 109 game, 22 goal VFL career between 1927 and 1937 he played in a large number of positions, but it was as a defender that he probably produced his best football.

Alistair Lord (Geelong)

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Geelong's 1962 Brownlow Medallist Alistair Lord was an effervescent, attacking centreman who was continually in the thick of the action. The Cats procured him from Cobden and he made his league debut in 1959, often alternating during the early phase of his career between a half forward flank and the pivot. During his Brownlow year he averaged 30 disposals a game and finished 9 votes clear of his nearest rival. Not surprisingly, he won Geelong's best and fairest award the same year. Lord was in the centre when the Cats beat Hawthorn in the 1963 grand final, but his form after that became patchy as he seemed to lose his motivation. He retired in 1966 after 122 VFL games. He also represented the VFL on 8 occasions.

John Lord (Melbourne)

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Hard working, gutsy and reliable, John Lord was a largely unsung member of Melbourne's great sides of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Tall and quite strongly built at 188cm and 92.5kg, he was highly effective overhead, and gave equal value whether stationed in attack or defence. His 132 VFL games (for 80 goals) between 1957 and 1965 included appearances in the winning grand finals of 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964. He was close to best afield in the 8.14 (62) to 2.2 (14) grand final trouncing of Collingwood in 1960, and was also listed high in the best players after the 1957 grand final, in which the Demons beat Essendon.

John Loughridge (West Perth)

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Regarded during his career as one of the classiest centremen ever seen in West Australian football, John Loughridge was a key factor in West Perth's post World War Two emergence as a league power. Frequently seen to best effect in big games, he won a Simpson Medal after the 1946 grand final despite being on the losing side, and was among the best players afield when the Cardinals broke through for a premiership in 1949 after failing three times in a row at the last hurdle.

Dynamic, resourceful and highly skilled, Loughridge was a popular winner of the 1946 Sandover Medal, after finishing runner-up the previous year. He was West Perth's club champion on three occasions - no mean achievement considering that he was surrounded by players of the quality of Stan 'Pops' Heal, Ray Schofield, Fred Buttsworth and Ray Scott. John Loughridge represented Western Australia 3 times.

Robert Loveday (West Adelaide)

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Londoner Bob Loveday emigrated to Australia with his family when he was twelve. Having played soccer in England, he was naturally disposed to continue his involvement in that sport when he arrived in Adelaide, but found the atmosphere at local soccer clubs not to his taste. Instead, he turned to football, a decision he never had cause to regret. "I loved the environment, I loved the people and I loved the game," he would recall at the end of his playing career (see footnote 1).

The young Loveday soon began to demonstrate considerable prowess at his chosen game. Fearless and resolute, he also possessed considerable pace, while his all round skills would continue to improve noticeably for most of his twenty-one year football career.

Despite being a North Adelaide supporter, Loveday, aged sixteen, was persuaded by a friend to try out with West Adelaide. In 1962 he fronted up for West's Thirds team, playing mainly as a ruckman, and the following season he captained the side before breaking through for his debut League appearance towards the end of the year. Then, however, Loveday's career stalled, and he spent the greater part of the next three seasons playing at full forward for the seconds.

Bob Loveday's big break came in 1967 when coach Don Roach decided to give him a run on the half back line. Loveday thrived. In 1968 he played in both of South Australia's interstate matches for the year on a half back flank and the following year he was continuing to perform splendidly in West Adelaide's best side since the beginning of the decade when disaster struck; midway through the season, Loveday broke a leg, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the year. His absence during the finals arguably cost West dear.

Loveday eventually recovered from his injury and in 1971 he was appointed club skipper. All told, he captained West for a club record seven seasons, as well as being playing coach in 1972.

During the final phase of his career, Loveday demonstrated his versatility by playing many games on the ball, while in 1973 and 1974 he topped the club goal kicking from full forward. In 1974 and 1975 he won the Trabilsie Medal as West Adelaide's best and fairest player.

Despite 'retiring' at the end of a 1977 season which had seen West bow out in the preliminary final, Loveday, desperate to play in a premiership side, resumed the following year, only to suffer immense disappointment as his side won just 5 games (and drew 1) for the year to plummet to 9th. This time Loveday's illustrious sixteen season, 263 game (plus 2 for South Australia) career really was over.

Footnotes

1. Quoted in Blood, Sweat and Tears by Merv Agars, page 73. Return to Main Text

Edwin Lovegrove (Claremont-Cottesloe/Claremont)

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Always referred to as 'Dick' rather than Edwin, Lovegrove was a member in 1926 of Claremont-Cottesloe's inaugural WAFL side. He went on to enjoy a twelve season league career with the club, during which he played a total of 154 senior games. Equally at home in the centre or across half back, he won his club's fairest and best award in 1929, and served as skipper in 1932 and 1933. His interstate career comprised 4 of Western Australia's 5 matches at the 1930 Adelaide carnival.

Brett Lovett (Melbourne)

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Hawthorn recruited Brett Lovett from Inverloch but he only managed to play reserve football (more than 60 games) before being released to Melbourne. As often seems to happen, the new surroundings brought out the best in him, and he rapidly developed into one of the most accomplished and consistent half backs in the VFL. Combining first rate defensive instincts with excellent disposal skills and a calm, unflustered temperament, he was one of the key contributors to the Demons' emergence as a league power during the late 1980s. Between 1986 and 1997 he played a total of 235 senior games and kicked 48 goals. He also represented Victoria half a dozen times. When Melbourne lost the 1988 VFL grand final to Hawthorn by 96 points Lovett was one of the few Demons players entitled to hold his head up after the game, in which he was arguably his team's most noteworthy performer.

Dave Low (North Broken Hill & West Torrens)

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Dave Low (spelt 'Lowe' in some sources) hailed from Broken Hill where he began his playing career with the North Club, and both there and during his comparatively brief league stint with West Torrens he established himself as one of the finest defenders of the period. His death in action during World War One deprived football of a talent which might ultimately have acquired legendary status.

After making his debut with Torrens in 1910 Dave Low was quick to gain a reputation as a "strong and distinguished defender". In his second season he was selected in South Australia's team for the Adelaide carnival and was, by common consent, the best backman on view during the home state's demolition of the VFL in the deciding game of the championships. Later that season he finished second to Harry Cumberland of Sturt in the Magarey Medal voting.

The 1912 season brought state selection once more together with a 'gold medal' as West Torrens club champion. Topping both of these achievements, however, was Low's selection as the 1912 Magarey Medallist, the first permanent defender to secure the award. Despite this, the achievement that Low would no doubt most have wanted - participation in the blue and golds' first ever premiership - did not eventuate as Torrens were dislodged from contention in the 1st semi final by Port Adelaide.

Dave Low continued to play consistently well for two more seasons. After representing South Australia at the 1914 Sydney carnival (when he 'shone in defence') he returned home to help West Torrens - which had been 0-5-1 after 6 games - mount a sustained late season charge which ultimately saw them oust West Adelaide from 4th place. Once again, however, Dave Low did not enjoy finals participation beyond the semi final stage as North Adelaide promptly brought West Torrens' season to an end in a low scoring game by 9 points. By this time though league football was the last thing on most people's minds as the 'war to end all wars' lurched slowly but ominously into top gear.

Dave Low played the first 4 matches of what was to be the SANFL's last full scale - or near full scale - season for four years in 1915 before enlisting and setting sail for Africa, and then Europe. Along with many other talented men of his generation he never returned to Australia.

Ian Low (Manuka, Footscray, Collingwood)

A talented and versatile player, Ian Low represented Canberra and was a member of Manuka's 1973 and 1974 premiership sides before transferring to VFL club Footscray in 1975. After a slow start to his five season stint with the Bulldogs, Low proved himself a more than handy acquisition, playing mainly on a wing or the half forward line. He was a member of Footscray's losing elimination final team against Geelong in 1976, and was also in the side when the Bulldogs kicked their highest ever VFL score of 33.15 (213) against St Kilda two years later.

In 1980, Low transferred to Collingwood, where he played another 11 games in what proved to be his last VFL season, taking his overall total to 78. He also booted 77 goals.

William Lowenthal (Essendon, Fitzroy, Preston)

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After joining Essendon from Ascot Vale Presbyterians, Bill Lowenthal spent a couple of years in the seconds before making his senior VFL debut in 1930. Strong running, tenacious, and an excellent overhead mark, he caught the eye as a centreman initially before finding his true niche as a half back flanker, in which position he had few peers anywhere. He enjoyed a particularly auspicious season in 1933, earning selection in the VFL's Sydney carnival team, and running second in both Essendon's best and fairest trophy and the Brownlow Medal. Had he not missed the last few games of the season he might well have won both awards. Midway through the 1937 season, after 73 games and 14 goals with Essendon, Lowenthal crossed to Fitzroy where he added a final 13 VFL appearances, plus 1 goal. He spent the next four seasons with VFA side Preston whom he helped to consecutive 4th place finishes in 1940-41. Between 1942 and 1946, Bill Lowenthal continued to play football of a high standard with the official RAAF team, which he captained for some of that time.

Peter Lucas (Collingwood)

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Collingwood's Peter Lucas was a half back flanker of the highest order, whose ability to keep even the most dangerous opponents in check was perhaps the most noteworthy feature of his game. Pacy, strong overhead, and a fine kick, he did everything with a smooth consistency that effectively redoubled its impact. His 177 VFL games between 1949 and 1959 included the winning grand final of 1958 against Melbourne, injury having ruled him out of the previous premiership win against Geelong in 1953. Peter Lucas returned to Collingwood as an administrator after his playing days were over.

Ray Lucev (West Perth & South Melbourne)

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Combining tremendous pace with a pronounced ruthless streak, West Perth's Ray Lucev was Public Enemy Number One as far as many opposition supporters were concerned. He made the first of precisely 100 WANFL appearances in 1961, and spent the early part of his career playing mainly as a full back. However, it was not long before the Cardinals selection committee began to regard him as a liability in that position, owing to the large number of free kicks - and easy goals - he gave away. He was moved to centre half forward where his strength, vigour, and authority in the air, coupled with his trademark dash and physicality made him a decided asset. He was chosen to represent Western Australia for the first time in 1964, and went on to play all 3 of the state's matches that year. In 1965 he crossed to South Melbourne where he played 30 VFL games in two seasons, kicking 14 goals.

Roger Luders (West Adelaide)

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With 558 goals in 165 SANFL matches between 1978 and 1987 Roger Luders is West Adelaide's all time leading aggregate goal kicker. It is therefore somewhat surprising to note that, despite 'topping the ton' in 1983 with 105 goals, he never headed the SANFL's goal kicking list. He did, however, win the Bloods' goal kicking award on half a dozen occasions, including once jointly. A superb and often spectacular high mark, Luders was, for several years, one of the SANFL's major draw cards. He was a key member of West Adelaide's 1983 premiership team, kicking 4 goals from full forward in the 21.16 (142) to 16.12 (108) grand final defeat of Sturt. Perhaps because of his mercurial temperament and tendency towards inconsistency, Roger Luders was never chosen to play interstate football for South Australia.

Troy Luff (Sydney, Balmain, UNSW-Eastern Suburbs)

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Recruited from Nelson Bay, Troy Luff made his senior AFL debut with Sydney in 1990. An excellent high mark, he was also extremely quick, making him more than capable of holding down a variety of positions. However, it is probably as a strong marking, rebounding defender that he played his most impressive football, and is best remembered.

Selected on a half forward flank in Sydney's 1996 grand final team Luff booted 2 goals and was one of the Swans' best in their 43 point loss to North Melbourne.

After quitting the AFL Luff joined Balmain and won a Phelan Medal and club best and fairest award in 2002. He also coached the club from 2002 to 2004. In 2003, he was placed at centre half back in Balmain's official 'Team of the Century'.

In 2005 Troy Luff embarked on a new phase of his career when he was appointed playing coach of UNSW-Eastern Suburbs.

Gavin Luttrell (Lefroy, Longford, North Launceston)

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As a player, Gavin Luttrell was tenacious and hard-hitting. From 1932 to 1940 he played a club record 212 games for Lefroy, mainly as a wingman, winning the club's best and fairest award on four consecutive occasions between 1937 and 1940. He was also a regular representative player. In 1941 he joined Longford, where he played until war brought the suspension of league football the following year. On the resumption of full scale football in 1945 Luttrell was appointed captain-coach of North Launceston, where he enjoyed considerable success, steering the side to five consecutive NTFA flags from 1946 to 1950, plus the 1947, 1929 and 1950 state titles. His last game, at the age of thirty-eight, was the 1950 state final in which the Robins downed TFL premier Hobart by 35 points in Hobart.

As a non-playing coach, Gavin Luttrell led the NTFA representative side to an 8-3 record in the four seasons from 1957 to 1960. He became a selector for both NTFA and state teams, as well as working as a football reporter for 'The Mercury'.

In 1999 he was selected as coach of North Launceston's official 'Best Team 1945 to 1999'.

Alastair Lynch (Hobart, Fitzroy, Brisbane)

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Alastair Lynch was one of the most consistent and dominating key forwards of the last decade and a half. However, his career was not devoid of difficulty. In 1995 for example he was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and spent the vast majority of the season on the sidelines. That he not only recovered, but went on to become, if anything, an even better player than before, starring in Brisbane's historic 2001 grand final defeat of Essendon, and 'leading from the front' as co-captain (with Michael Voss) between 1997 and 2000, is testimony to his determination and courage. A quick lead, Lynch was also one of the AFL's finest exponents of what some purists regard as a dying art - the contested mark. In his later years his kicking for goal also improved and by the end of his career he had snared 663 goals in 306 games over seventeen seasons. He continued to perform with distinction throughout Brisbane's ultimately successful quest for a trifecta of premiership honours between 2001 and 2003, and only in his final league season of 2004 were there any real signs that the rigours of the game were becoming a tad too much for his aging body.

Just two years after his retirement as a player, Alastair Lynch was inducted as a legend into the official Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

Allan Lynch (Launceston & Fitzroy)

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Allan Lynch began his senior career at Launceston, but it was with Fitzroy that he established himself as a truly first rate performer. Tall and strong, he proved adept at virtually any position, although it was at either full back or in the ruck that he tended to be used most. He played a total of 98 VFL games for the Lions between 1959 and 1966.

Jack Lynch (West Adelaide)

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Jack Lynch, a footballer who oozed quality, gave West Adelaide superb service in a 147 game league career between 1948 and 1958, winning the club's best first year player award in his debut season, and its best and fairest award in his last. Elusive and polished, he was said by Jeff Pash to have an "india rubber quality" (see footnote 1) as well as to seem archly resilient to the pressure brought to bear by either opposition or climatic conditions. Noted for his smooth ball handling skills, and excellent foot passing, Lynch was one of many fine West Adelaide players whose careers unfortunately coincided almost precisely with the club's fourteen year gap between premierships. The high regard in which he was held is evidenced by his selection to represent South Australia on no fewer than 16 occasions. He was also chosen in the prestigious 'Advertiser Team of the Year' three times.

Footnotes

1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 207. Return to Main Text

Harold Lyne (Sturt & Glenelg)

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Harold Lyne was an accomplished all round footballer who perhaps should have accomplished more in the game than he did. He made his league debut with reigning premier Sturt in 1920, and was soon called upon to hold down the difficult centre half forward position. An elegant player who was quick and elusive and marked well, Lyne was also renowned for the pinpoint accuracy of his foot-passing. He played a total of 69 games for the Blues, kicking 62 goals, including a club list topping tally of 27 in 1922. His last game for Sturt was the losing challenge final of 1924 against West Torrens (briefly reviewed here). In 1925, he crossed to Glenelg, but managed just 11 games and 7 goals in two seasons before retiring. Lyne was selected twice for South Australia, kicking 3 goals.

Tony Lynn ((Morningside, Brisbane, Central District, Carlton, Mt Gravatt)

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Tony Lynn enjoyed a long and eventful career in three states. After impressing as a junior he began his senior career with Morningside before being drafted by Brisbane. He made an eye-catching start to his VFL career with the Bears in 1988, only to break down with a serious knee injury after just 6 games. After returning to Morningside for a spell, his career was resurrected at SANFL club Central District under first, Neil Kerley, and later Alan Stewart. All told, he played 87 games for the Bulldogs (see footnote 1), where he impressed as a hard running, productive utility. In 1993 he played a starring role in Queensland/Northern Territory's impressive state of origin victory over Tasmania in Hobart, and it was largely on the strength of this performance that he was drafted by Carlton at the end of the year. Always at very least a serviceable performer, Lynn played a total of 27 AFL games during a three season stint with the Blues, before returning home to Queensland in 1997 with, it soon emerged, plenty of football left in him.

Lynn played a further 6 seasons at state league level, initially with Morningside, and later with Mt Gravatt, bowing out of the game in the best way imaginable by winning the Joe Grant Medal for best afield in the Vultures' 2002 grand final defeat of Southport.

Footnotes

1. At least that was the total according to the SANFL Official 1994 Yearbook; Richard Laidlaw in Central District 30 Year Almanac, however, gives the figure as 86. Return to Main Text

Garry Lyon (Melbourne)

Since winning its last premiership in 1964 the Melbourne Football Club has been home to many great players, but few if any as noteworthy or influential as Devonport-born Garry Lyon whom the Demons plucked from Goulburn Valley Football League club Kyabram's Thirds team.

Statistically, and in terms of honours and awards, Lyon's career was impressive enough, but the qualities which elevated him among many of his peers into the arena of the truly great were mostly intangible. During the fraught times of the mid 1990s, when the club's continued existence as an autonomous entity was often under threat, it was Garry Lyon who somehow epitomised the fight for survival, indeed the Melbourne Football Club's very essence.

In a frequently injury impeded career spanning fourteen seasons and 226 games Garry Lyon booted 426 goals and was twice voted Melbourne's club champion. Tall (193 cm), hefty (101kg) and powerful, Lyon was a potent force on the Demons' forward line throughout his career, even towards the end when he needed to rely more on intelligence and brute force than on the perhaps surprising turn of pace he possessed during his early years.

Selected in three consecutive AFL All Australian teams during his peak years of 1993 to 1995, Lyon was also a natural leader, both on and off the field, and captained the Demons between 1991 and 1997. In 1994 he was chosen as skipper of Victoria for a state of origin game against South Australia. Twice Melbourne's leading goal kicker, Lyon probably provided team mates with at least as many goals as he procured himself.

A chronic back injury limited Lyon's appearances during his later years and he was finally forced to retire in 1999.