Adrian McAdam (Darwin, Southern Districts, North Melbourne)

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A younger brother of Greg and Gilbert McAdam, Adrian had earlier played with South Alice Springs, Darwin and Southern Districts.  He was a member of the NTFL side which defeated Essendon by 30 points at Gardens Oval in 1990.  Two years earlier, in Canberra, he was captain of the Northern Territory's Teal Cup team.

At North Melbourne, McAdam's career never again captured the heights of his inaugural season.  He played just 19 further senior games for the 'Roos over the next two seasons, adding 24 goals.  Nevertheless, at his best, as exemplified in 1993, he was both exhilarating to watch, and highly effective.  Like his brother Gilbert, he had electrifying pace, as well as - perhaps more importantly - a tremendous change of pace.  He also possessed extraordinary skills of evasion, and was a deadly kick for goal.  Had he been capable of exhibiting these skills at the highest level for longer than a solitary season he might well have verged on genuine greatness.

Gilbert McAdam (Claremont, Central District, Waratahs, St Kilda, Brisbane)

Possessing the gait of a champion trotter, and the elusiveness of a roebuck, McAdam was following in the footsteps of his older brother Greg, who had been a star performer for North Adelaide, and who would join Gilbert at Elizabeth Oval in 1989.  While with Centrals, Gilbert McAdam formed one quarter of the 'awesome foursome', a quartet of highly talented aboriginal footballers which also included Phil Graham, Eddie Hocking and Derek Kickett.  

In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Gilbert McAdam played 73 games, winning both the club best and fairest award and the Magarey Medal in 1989.  In 1988-89 and 1989-90, he played once again for Waratahs in the NTFL.

Moving to St Kilda in 1991, McAdam gave frequent evidence of his talent in 53 games over the ensuing three seasons.  He ventured north to Brisbane in 1994, and gave good service for the remainder of an AFL career which came to an end in 1996 after a total of 111 games.

Despite a nagging feeling that he could have achieved more, Gilbert McAdam gave sterling service to three league clubs, and considerable delight to the hordes of supporters who follow the fortunes of each of them.

Ivan McAlpine (Footscray & Hawthorn)

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Ray McArthur (West Adelaide)

Ken McAullay (East Perth)

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Asked about his approach when playing the difficult position of full back, McAullay remarked:

"It has always been my policy to work hard at maintaining the front position and to keep pressure on the full forward.  Make him aware that whenever he goes for the ball you will either be beside or in front of him.  I am not big and must rely on my judgement and anticipation to prevent my opponent from getting a kick.  I was fortunate enough (in the carnival) to keep a tight rein on the full forwards." (See footnote 1)

Ken McAullay's football career came to a premature end in 1975 after he suffered crippling achilles tendon injuries.  Unfortunately, these injury problems also helped to prevent him from achieving his greatest sporting ambition, which was to represent Australia in the Test cricket arena, and it is probably for his achievements on the football field that he will be best remembered - a fact endorsed in June 2006 with his inclusion on a half back flank in East Perth's official 'Team of the Century 1945 to 2005'.

Footnotes

1.  Football Close-Up 1973, page 19.  Return to Main Text

Luke McCabe (Hawthorn & Central District)

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Bill McCallum (Norwood)

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Tall for a centreman of his era at 187cm, and weighing 79.5kg, McCallum was strong overhead and a superb kick.  He was also extremely versatile, and although centre remained his position of choice, he could do an almost equally good job across half forward, in the ruck, or even at the goal front.  All told, he played 153 games for Norwood, and 6 for the state, including both matches at the 1937 Perth carnival.  His final appearance in the navy blue and red came in a 14.16 (100) to 10.11 (71) grand final defeat of Sturt in 1941.

Len McCankie (Footscray & North Hobart)

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Neil McCann (North Adelaide)

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When McCann made his SANFL debut against South Adelaide at Prospect in the final round of the 1950 season he lined up at full back in what was ostensibly a stop-gap measure aimed at freeing normal custodian Ian McKay to play on the ball in order, hopefully, to assist his Magarey Medal chances.  The move was consummate success: both players performed superbly as North eased to victory by 76 points, and McKay ended up as the 1950 Magarey Medallist.  For the remainder of his 150 game league career, McCann alternated between the two key defensive positions, handling both with equal conviction and sturdiness.  He also represented South Australia 7 times as a defender, including games at the 1956 Perth carnival.

Stephen McCann (North Melbourne)

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Billy McCarter (Geelong)

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Bernard McCarthy (West Torrens)

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John McCarthy (North Hobart, North Melbourne, Fitzroy, Woodville-West Torrens)

An automatic choice in Tasmania's state of origin sides between 1989 and 1993, McCarthy, with 3 goals, was a key contributor to the 20.14 (134) to 14.17 (101) defeat of the 'Big V' at North Hobart Oval in 1990 (reviewed here).

Sadly, John McCarthy never played in a senior premiership side; the nearest he came was in the 2000 season when he was a member of the Eagles' losing grand final team against Central District.

Footnotes

1.  Others include Percy Jones (249 games with Carlton), Simon Minton-Connell (115 games with 4 different AFL clubs), Denis Scanlon (66 games for Essendon), Paul Williams (Collingwood and Sydney), James Manson (Collingwood and Fitzroy, 153 games in total), 'Horrie' Mason (Camberwell and St Kilda), and Bradley Plain (Essendon, Collingwood and North Melbourne).  Return to Main Text

John 'Con' McCarthy (Collingwood & Footscray)

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The second phase of 'Con' McCarthy's career was, if anything, even more impressive than the first.  When VFA club Footscray offered him the immense sum for the time of £400 to take the reins as captain-coach in 1922 he took the bait without hesitation.  In both 1923 and 1924 he steered the Tricolours to premiership success, and in the latter year he also masterminded a stunning 9.10 (64) to 4.12 (36) defeat of Essendon in a specially arranged challenge match for the championship of Victoria.  McCarthy remained at the helm for two years after Footscray entered the VFL in 1925, adding a final 30 games to his tally.  On a personal front, he had continued to perform superbly as a player, and in 1923 became the first ever winner of the Recorder Cup awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player in the VFA.

McCarthy's nickname 'Con' was an abbreviation of his second forename, Cornelius.  On the face of it, his omission from both the Magpies' and the Bulldogs' official 'Teams of the Century' seems more than a trifle surprising, not to say unfortunate.

John J. McCarthy (West Adelaide)

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Frank McCashney (Richmond)

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Artie McCaul (South Brisbane & Windsor)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Les McClements (Claremont & Clarence)

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Les McClements began his senior football career with Claremont in 1941, the year after the third of the Tigers' inaugural three premierships in a row.  In 108 games with Claremont the closest he came to a flag was playing in a losing 1st semi final team in his debut season.  On the individual front, however, honours flooded his way, with no fewer than five successive Claremont fairest and best awards between 1946 and 1950, followed by a couple more with Clarence where he moved in 1951.  Besides representing Western Australia in both the 1947 Hobart and 1950 Brisbane carnivals, McClements went to Adelaide in 1953 in the colours of his adopted state of Tasmania.

Despite conceding up to 5 inches to many of his opponents in the ruck, McClements managed to be more than competitive owing to his "magnificent build and an ability to lift his powerful frame high" (see footnote 2). 

Footnotes

1.  The Tigers' Tale: The Origins And History Of The Claremont Football Club by Kevin Casey, page 62. Return to Main Text

2.  Ibid, page 72.  Return to Main Text

Leo McComish (Perth)

Roy McConnell (Essendon)

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A comparatively late starter, McConnell spent a long period in Essendon's reserves side, finishing second in the Gardiner Medal in 1948, the season before his elevation to league ranks.  He won the club's best first year player award in 1949, and was named most consistent player in his second to last season.  In 1956 he was the senior team's vice-captain.

After retiring as a player Roy McConnell served in a variety of capacities on the Essendon committee.

Basil McCormack (Richmond)

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A 13 time Big V representative, McCormack's lofty status in Tigerland was emphasised recently with his selection on a half back flank in Richmond's official 'Team of the 20th Century'.   

Following his twelve year stint in the VFL, Basil McCormack spent nine years coaching in Tasmania.

Warren McCoy (North Darwin)

Gordon McCracken (Essendon Association & Fitzroy)

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Doug McCulloch (Prahran)

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Chris McDermott (Glenelg, Adelaide, North Adelaide)

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By the mid-1980s, McDermott was regarded as one of the finest players in South Australia.  Hard at the ball and capable of using it sublimely, if often almost invisibly, he won club best and fairest awards in 1986-7-8 and made the 1986 and 1987 All Australian teams.  When the Tigers won consecutive grand finals in 1985-6 he was listed high among the best players both times.

A natural leader by example, Chris McDermott was appointed captain of Glenelg after Peter Carey's retirement at the end of the 1988 season.  When Adelaide was admitted to the AFL, he became the fledgling club's inaugural skipper, a role he retained until 1994.  With his hyper-aggressive, intense approach to the game, McDermott might have been born to play AFL football.  He enjoyed a particularly noteworthy 1992 season, achieving AFL All Australian selection, and landing the Crows best and fairest award.

Injuries slowed McDermott down towards the end of his career, and after struggling somewhat in 1995 and 1996, he retired from AFL football.  All told, he played 117 games for the Crows, 277 with Glenelg, and 14 for South Australia.  In 1997 he was appointed playing coach of North Adelaide, adding a final 10 league games to his tally as he led the Roosters as far as the 1st semi final.  McDermott continued as non-playing coach of North from 1998 to 2000 but was unable to get the side higher than 8th place on the ladder.  It is for his feats as a player, however, rather than as a coach, that he will be remembered.

Jack McDiarmid (West Perth)

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Colin McDonald (Woodville & Woodville-West Torrens)

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Harold McDonald (Port Adelaide & Woodville)

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Jeff Pash's memorably evocative description of Harold McDonald in action, part of which is reproduced above, is well worth quoting from in greater detail:

The little man who was ready to take on the world, who literally ran until he dropped, who came staggering half-silly away from one collision after another still carrying the ball, whom they often had to wrap in a rug and lead off the field in order to save him from himself, became another focus of Port's affection.

If McDonald had been deliberately used as a gimmick he could hardly have proved more effective.  Fos (Williams) was tough.  You followed him because you had to.  McDonald had this little touch of appealing frailty.  You could almost hear the big men growl with angry determination when he got hurt.  (See footnote 2)

When Woodville entered a team in the SANFL senior competition in 1964, Harold McDonald was appointed as the club's inaugural coach.  However, despite instilling something of the renowned Magpie urgency and desperation into his charges, they lacked the necessary talent and experience to defeat any of the established league sides, and finished 2nd last.  In 1965, McDonald was replaced as coach by another former Port champion in Peter Obst. 

Footnotes

1.  The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 155.  Return to Main Text

2.  Ibid., page 155.  Return to Main Text

Jack McDonald (St Kilda)

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Norman McDonald (Essendon)

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....McDonald......is league football's best half back flanker; a veritable Mandrake at the business of befuddling and bewitching rival half forwards.  Football becomes ballet when interpreted by this fleet-footed will-o'-the-wisp.  There's the rhythm and grace of the ballerina in his weaving evasive manoeuvres.  Probably not since Haydn Bunton has there been a better 'mover' on the field.  Perhaps the nearest approach to him today is Bill Twomey.  Yet despite this downright elegance, McDonald is a positive, red-blooded and essentially masculine footballer.  His approach to the problem of defence is rather original.  Not always does he stick rigidly to his man in accordance with the catch-cry of coaches since grandma wore tights.  Rather does he prefer to give his opponent a little latitude - sufficient ground in which to bury himself, as it were.  Not for 'Macka' this negative spoiling or bash-'em-down stuff.  He prefers to pit skill against skill and let the winner take all.

Ron McDonald (Richmond)

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Ron 'Runty' McDonald (East Fremantle)

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Rupe McDonald (Geelong)

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Marty McDonnell (Footscray & South Fremantle)

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From 1960 to 1963 McDonnell coached South Fremantle but he was unable to get his team beyond the 1st semi final, for which they qualified twice during his time at the helm.

James McDowall (North Adelaide)

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Ron McEwin (Essendon)

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Alexander McFarlane (Port Adelaide)

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William McFarlane (Port Adelaide)

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Jeff McGann (Perth)

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William McGee (Port Melbourne & South Melbourne)

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From 1903 until 1905 McGee played with South Melbourne where, over the course of 36 VFL games, he enhanced his already high reputation still further.  In 1904 he captained the side to 5th place on the ladder.

Returning to Port in 1906, McGee continued to give excellent service for another five seasons, but the side proved unable to repeat its earlier successes.  McGee's importance in the history of the Port Melbourne Football Club was affirmed in 2003 when he was selected on a wing in the club's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Alex McGill (Mayne)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Kevin McGill (East Perth)

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Fred McGinis (City-Hobart & Melbourne)

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In 1900, McGinis' partnership with ruckmen 'Vic' Cumberland and George Moodie was a major factor in Melbourne's unexpected surge up the premiership ladder to take out the flag.  The same trio also represented the VFL in intercolonial matches.

Tragically, in 1902 McGinis' sight began to deteriorate alarmingly, and he was forced to quit the game and return home to Tasmania.

Footnotes

1.  100 Years Of Football: The Story Of The Melbourne Football Club 1858-1958  by E.C.H.Taylor, pages 30-31.  Return to Main Text

Geoff McGivern (Melbourne)

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Brian McGowan (South Melbourne & Glenelg)

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Not surprisingly, McGowan's small physical stature elicited a fair amount of sledging on the part of opponents, but there were also occasional humorous incidents.  In 1963, for instance, while playing for South Melbourne against Essendon, the teams were accompanied onto the ground by about forty young school children, dressed as club mascots.  As the mascots were leaving the field prior to the start of play, the Bombers' 194cm, 96kg ruckman Geoff Leek sidled over to McGowan and said, "Hurry along there, sonny - all mascots off the field!"

Ron McGowan (Longford, Hobart, Footscray, South Adelaide)

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John McGrath (Melbourne)

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Bruce McGregor (West Broken Hill, West Adelaide, North Hobart, South Adelaide, Glenelg)

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Records vary, but it is possible that McGregor won West's Best All Round Player Award as many as 6 times during his 102 game career with the club.  What cannot be disputed, however, is that he won both the 1926 and 1927 Magarey Medals, and represented South Australia no fewer than 22 times, kicking 30 goals.

Strong overhead, McGregor was also an excellent kick, equally adept over long or short distances, and as capable with the drop kick as he was with his trademark torpedo punt.

In 1927 McGregor not only landed the Magarey Medal, he was also West Adelaide's star player throughout a finals series which culminated in a 13 point challenge final victory over North Adelaide.

With the economic privations of the Depression beginning to hit home in 1930 McGregor, along with team mate Bob Snell, the 1929 Magarey Medallist, was lured to Tasmania, where the money on offer was significantly better than at home.  He spent two seasons as captain-coach of North Hobart but was unable to steer his charges to a flag.

In 1932 he returned to South Australia as captain-coach of South Adelaide, only to stand down as a player after just 2 games.  Two years later, however, he achieved the memorable feat of steering Glenelg to its first ever league premiership.

The McGregor lineage has continued with son Ken representing West Adelaide and South Australia with distinction in the 1950s, besides playing tennis at the highest level.  Bruce's grandson (also named Ken) is currently on the list of the Adelaide Crows, having also played for West Adelaide.

Ken McGregor (West Adelaide)

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I have no doubt that, without that career in big tennis, he would have been the outstanding footballer of his time.  How rare it is to see a really tall player give himself enough room to swing at a drop kick, and how awkwardly he stumbles over the short ones.  Not McGregor; only Lindsay Head has as handsome a drop kick as he, and that specially designed screw punt with the low trajectory belongs to no one else.  (See footnote 2)

McGregor's best and most consistent season on the football field was 1958 when he was rewarded with both the Advertiser and News-Ampol Trophies.

Footnotes

1.  The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 155.  Return to Main Text

2.  Ibid., page 266.  Return to Main Text

Rod McGregor (Essendon Association & Carlton)

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McGregor joined Carlton in 1905 after commencing his senior career with Essendon Association, and over the ensuing decade and a half he went on to amass an incredible total, for the period, of 236 VFL games, which remained a club record until broken by John Nicholls.  In addition to the 1906 and 1908 premierships, McGregor was a driving force in 1914-15 when Carlton went 'back to back'.  His omission from the club's official 'Team of the Century' seems, on the face of it, completely inexplicable.

Michael McGuane (Collingwood & Carlton)

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Neville McGuinness (Morningside)

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by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Noel McGuinness (Morningside & Coorparoo)

A regular Queensland interstate representative for much of the 1950s, McGuinness might well have spent some or all of that time interstate had not circumstances, in the form of a freak rib injury, intervened.  Due to join St Kilda in 1954, he sustained the injury on the eve of his departure during an unimportant reserves 'scratch' match in which he was participating only to make up the numbers.  Amazingly, however, he did not realise the extent of the injury until aboard his flight to Melbourne, when the air cabin pressure caused it to flare up, bringing McGuiness' hopes of a VFL career to an abrupt end.

In 1956, looking for a fresh challenge, he moved to Coorparoo which, despite being a top level club since before the War, had yet to contest the finals.  McGuinness' impact was immediate and pronounced, as he put in a superb season to win the Kangaroos' best and fairest award, besides helping the club to 3rd place on the ladder.  A second successive club champion award followed in 1957, with Coorparoo contesting its first ever grand final, only to fall short against Sandgate by an agonising 2 point margin.  

After his retirement Noel McGuinness continued to promote and support the game he loved via a long and successful media career.

Tony McGuinness (Glenelg, Footscray, Adelaide)

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McGuinness wasted no time in making his mark in top level football, winning a Magarey Medal with Glenelg in 1982 while still aged just eighteen.  He won the Bays' best and fairest award the same year, and would later also reap the premier individual rewards at Footscray (1987) and Adelaide (1993).

The last of Tony McGuinness' 113 SANFL games with Glenelg was the 1985 grand final in which North Adelaide was despatched to the tune of 57 points.  McGuinness' 2 goals in that match brought his career tally with the Tigers to precisely 200.

Between 1986 and 1990 he played a total of 109 V/AFL games for Footscray, amassing 108 goals.  With the Crows from 1991 to 1996 he added a further 113 AFL games and 61 goals.

Tony McGuinness returned to Glenelg as non-playing coach from 1998 to 2000 but proved unable to resurrect the fortunes of the once proud club.

James McHale (Collingwood)

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Born in Botany Bay, James Francis McHale moved to Victoria at the age of five and so was brought up playing Australian football rather than rugby.  As a senior player, he represented Collingwood 261 times, and:

Although not the most brilliant player of his day, he was a good centreman and a player of extraordinary cunning and nouse.  His reading of the game and his assessment of opposition players were legendary, even early in his career.  He was quite speedy, regularly working on his running during the summer months, and strong.  He was an excellent ball handler, a capable mark and a reasonable kick, though he was sometimes criticised for punting the ball high into forward line rather than using low, direct passes.  Overall, his skills, combined with his forceful play, helped make him one of the most competitive centremen in the League.  (See footnote 1)

He brought the same intelligent approach to the coaching sphere in which he took his bows in 1912, while still very much a player, and although it would probably be fair to observe that it took him some time to find his feet, once he had retired as a player he took the coaching art to new heights.

Between 1912 and 1949 Jock McHale coached the Magpies in a total of 714 VFL premiership matches, of which 467 were won, and 10 tied, giving an overall success rate of 66.1%.  Collingwood contested no fewer than seventeen premiership deciding matches, whether grand finals or challenge finals, during that time, winning eight of them, including a VFL record four in a row between 1927 and 1930.  McHale's legacy to the club he loved transcended mere statistics, however; for half a century he was part of the essential fabric which made Collingwood what it was, and every Collingwood coach since has been forced, to a certain extent, to operate in his shadow.

In terms of style McHale's approach to coaching in many ways pre-figured that of the modern game, whilst in other ways it was classically and quintessentially of its era.  Football, to McHale, was basically a simple game, which hinged on the physical contests between individuals; the team whose players won the majority of these individual contest would emerge victorious from the match - it was as simple as that.  Neither was McHale much given to concocting complicated strategies and team moves; his role, as he saw it, was primarily to inspire and motivate his players.  However, where he verged more closely on the modern approach to coaching was in his employment of a range of assistants, each of whom would specialise in a different aspect of the game.  It was down to these assistants to address the nitty gritty elements of team training and planning, leaving McHale free for what he perceived as the more important duties of breathing fire and brimstone, and overseeing team selection.

For much of Jock McHale's reign this formula worked to a tee; indeed, with minor modifications the McHale approach to coaching has, until comparatively recently, been successfully adopted by numerous other coaches, not just in Australian football, but in a wide range of other sporting activities.

During Jock McHale's coaching career the Collingwood Football Club became Australian football's, and indeed Australian sport's, most famous and instantly recognisable club.  He gave the club not only unparalleled success, but also a unique aura.  Since his retirement in 1950, the success has all but evaporated, but the aura still, to a certain extent, remains, testimony more than anything else to the indefatigable contribution of one man.

Footnotes

1.  A Century of the Best: the Stories of Collingwood's Favourite Sons by Michael Roberts, page 178.  Return to Main Text

Russell McIndoe (Brighton)

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Recruited from Brighton Technical School Old Boys, McIndoe actually made his senior debut with the Penguins in 1940, but after a handful of games he signed up for military service with the navy.  On his return after the war he developed into a quick, intelligent rover, who certainly knew where the goals were.  In 1947, for example, he booted 51 goals for a team that failed to contest the finals.

Undoubtedly one of the most important players in Brighton's history, there can nevertheless be little doubt that Russ McIndoe only fulfilled a modicum of his potential.  Had he been able to play football rather than having to serve his country during his early twenties there seems every reason to believe he could have won another Liston Trophy, or perhaps even carved out a successful career in the VFL.  

In 1951, after just 109 VFA games, McIndoe joined country team Heywood, where he ended his days as a player.

Garry McIntosh (Norwood)

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In South Australia, the absolute quintessence of this kind of exception was manifest in Norwood's hyper-aggressive and formidably talented centreman Garry McIntosh.  Not even the admission to the expanded VFL competition - re-named 'the Australian Football League' in 1990 - of a local club, the Adelaide Crows, could persuade 'Macca' to compromise his principles.  As Mike Coward eloquently observed,

McIntosh is an anachronism, given that he was a product of the avaricious and uncaring 1980s.  While his unremittingly hard and distinctive style of play is well suited to the 1990s, his football philosophy belongs to another time.  He is not driven by the prospect of fame and fortune but by a deep and abiding love for his club.  He is a loyalist who will not be compromised; cannot be bought, as Neil Craig once observed.  As the man who led Norwood into the 1990s he symbolised solidarity; the unshakeable cornerstone of the playing staff at an uncertain time in the evolution of the game in South Australia.  (See footnote 1)

If McIntosh, who made his league debut for the Redlegs in 1982, and went on to amass a club record 371 games over the course of the next seventeen seasons, ultimately became synonymous with Norwood, there was nevertheless an element of paradox about the inextricable association which developed between the working class, plain speaking, belligerently unkempt former Hope Valley junior and the arch 'blue-bloods' of the Parade.

If he looked somewhat out of place alongside the well-groomed likes of Michael Aish, Danny Jenkins, Phil Gallagher and Tom Warhurst, Macca's impact on the team was every bit as pronounced, and was apparent right from the start.  In his debut season he was a key contributor - indeed, in the view of many observers, the best player afield - as the Redlegs overwhelmed Glenelg on grand final day to the tune of 62 points.  Two years later he was again conspicuous as Norwood overcame its arch nemesis Port Adelaide by 9 points after battling its way through to the decisive match of the season from the elimination final. 

As staunchly committed to South Australia as he was to the Redlegs - somewhat ironically, given that his father was a New South Welshman - McIntosh was often at his best in interstate matches, of which he would undoubtedly have played many more than his final tally of 12 had the state of origin selectors not elected, with dubious logic, to discount SANFL-based players from consideration following the arrival on the scene of the Crows.  One reason for suggesting that the state selectors' logic was 'dubious' was that, during the mid-1990s, Garry McIntosh produced probably the finest football of his career, on a par with virtually anything on show in the AFL at the time.  Magarey Medallist in 1994 and '95, he would undoubtedly have derived much greater satisfaction from leading his beloved Redlegs to a comprehensive premiership triumph in 1997 over the team that had dominated the SANFL for much of the preceding decade, Port Adelaide.

After retiring as a player in 1998, McIntosh fulfilled another ambition when he replaced Neville Roberts as senior coach of the club in 2002.  When, two years later, it was announced, following the team's worst run for over thirty years, that his contract would not be renewed, he demonstrated trademark loyalty and maturity by agreeing to remain in post until the end of the season.

Over twenty years after Garry McIntosh made his senior playing debut with the Redlegs, the football landscape has altered substantially and irrevocably, in some cases for the better, in others emphatically not.  One way in which the game has irreversibly deteriorated is that it is extremely doubtful if it will ever again permit a player of the principles, attitude and qualities of Garry McIntosh to emerge, let alone to flourish and entertain for the better part of two decades. 

Footnotes

1.  Men of Norwood: the Red and Blue Blooded by Mike Coward, page 127.  Return to Main Text

John McIntosh (Claremont & St Kilda)

Early in his career McIntosh displayed considerable versatility, playing in more or less any key position, or on the ball.  Gradually, however, he began to be used almost exclusively as a ruckman, and it was playing in that position that he gained a reputation as one of Western Australia's finest players.

Twice a Claremont best and fairest player, McIntosh also excelled on the interstate front, winning a Simpson Medal at the 1966 Hobart carnival, earning All Australian selection in both 1966 and 1969, and representing Western Australia a total of 17 times.

VFL club St Kilda was keen to procure McIntosh's services as early as 1966, but in common with all his carnival team mates that year he pledged to remain in Western Australia until at least the end of the 1968 season.  As it transpired, McIntosh stayed with Claremont until 1970, when he was finally wooed to Moorabbin to form one of the most dynamic and formidable following divisions in football, along with 'Big Carl' Ditterich and Bryan Mynott.

John McIntosh was a success in the VFL, polling well in the Brownlow in both 1970 and 1971, but a knee injury sustained in the 1971 2nd semi final meant that he missed the grand final against Hawthorn, a match he may have been able to help St Kilda win.

Another knee injury incurred early in the 1972 season ultimately forced his retirement from football.

Such were the sublime and varied nature of John McIntosh's skills that it was said of him that "small men envied his pace, medium sizers his touch and he could mark with the tallest players" (see footnote 1).   

John McIntosh's son Ashley maintained the three generation family tradition by playing successfully with both Claremont and West Coast.

Footnotes

1.  The Encyclopedia of League Footballers by Jim Main and Russell Holmesby, pages 284-5.  Return to Main Text

Merv McIntosh (Perth)

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Powerfully and athletically built, McIntosh combined strength and determination with a formidable football brain.  However, he rarely made illegitimate use of his strength, regarding football as essentially a game rather than the all out war facsimile into which it was gradually evolving in Victoria.  Indeed, it was alleged that he could "short pass as daintily and turn as nimbly as any footballer of more reasonable proportions" (see footnote 1).  The fact that his impact and reputation transcended state boundaries was emphasised as early as 1947 when the 'Sporting Globe' nominated him as Australia's leading footballer.

Perth was a powerful club, contesting the finals almost annually, throughout Merv McIntosh's 218 game league career, but a flag proved elusive.  To the delight of a large proportion of the 41,659 spectators who turned up at Subiaco Oval for the 1955 grand final, the breakthrough finally arrived in the nick of time.

Subsequent Western Australian rucking greats like Jack Clarke, 'Polly' Farmer and Graham Moss perhaps enjoy more auspicious reputations, but 'Big Merv' was arguably the template on which all of them, to some extent, were based.

Footnotes

1.  The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 257.  Return to Main Text

Norman McIntosh (South Fremantle, Richmond, Claremont-Cottesloe)

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His final involvement in league football came as non-playing coach of his old club, South Fremantle, where he had two separate, single season stints in charge, steering the side to a losing grand final against arch rival East Fremantle in 1929, and to 5th place, missing the finals only on percentage, four years later.

Don McIntyre (Carlton)

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Ernie McIntyre (Sandringham, St Kilda, Collingwood)

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Don McIvor (Windsor)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Scott McIvor (Wilston-Grange, Fitzroy, Brisbane)

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In ten seasons with the Bears McIvor developed into a recognisable stalwart of the club.  Despite never winning the club's best and fairest award, he was almost invariably in the running, while his leadership qualities were recognised with his appointment as club vice captain in 1990.  Several times a Queensland state of origin representative, he also enjoyed the peculiar distinction of being chosen to play for Victoria in 1989, at a time when Victoria's desperation to re-claim interstate superiority seemingly allowed it carte blanche access to any players whatsoever it wanted to select.

When Brisbane assimilated Fitzroy after the 1996 season, McIvor was retained, but an injury beset 1997 saw him draw the curtain on his outstanding career twelve months later.

Footnotes

1.  Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club Yearbook 1997, page 35.  Return to Main Text

David McKay (Carlton)

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Hec McKay (South Melbourne)

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Ian McKay (St George & North Adelaide)

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McKay's senior football career began in 1943 when, stationed in Sydney, he played for a St George side almost entirely populated by players from the southern states.  Playing as a forward for the only extended period in his career McKay kicked 70 goals for the season in a side which defeated South Sydney for the premiership.

In 1946 McKay began his ten season 164 game career with North Adelaide.  In his debut year, playing at centre half back, he gained state selection and was named South Australia's best player in a 37 point loss against the Vics in Adelaide.

By the second half of the 1949 season, however - partly through force of circumstance, given dual Magarey Medallist Ron Phillips' irrepressible form at centre half back - McKay had found his true niche lining up against the opposition full forward.  In 1950 he became the first full back to win a Magarey Medal, in addition to representing South Australia in all 4 of its matches at the Brisbane carnival.  He also won the North Adelaide best and fairest award.

McKay's athleticism and tremendous leaping ability meant that he was ideally suited to taking on Victoria's champion goalsneak John Coleman, a task he consistently performed with distinction.  In fact, it was the opinion of many observers that the South Australian interstate team's better than average performances against the 'Big V' during the early 1950s was in large measure attributable to Ian McKay's ability to negate the Bomber legend.

Quiet and unassuming off the field, McKay was nevertheless an excellent on field leader: he captained North during all bar his first two seasons in league football, leading the club to premierships in 1949 and 1952.  He played a total of 14 interstate matches for South Australia, and was state captain twice.

Footnotes

1.  The mark was described by Harry Kneebone in 'The Advertiser' thus:

McKay, while on the ball, provided the thrill of the match with the highest mark in the memory of most who saw it.  A perfectly judged approach behind the Norwood ruckman Hall enabled the North captain to get the utmost height from his leap.  At the top of his bound, with his knees in the region of Hall's shoulder blades, McKay obtained another jet-propelled upward surge and he clamped the ball above the head of the 6' 3" (191cm) opponent.  To cap a brilliant effort McKay, from a long way out on the left half forward flank, sent a perfect screw punt through the goal.

Return to Main Text

Richard McKay (Fitzroy, St Kilda, South Melbourne)

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Roy McKay (Williamstown, Footscray, Brunswick)

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William McKay (Sydney - original)

Guy McKenna (Claremont & West Coast)

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Guy McKenna spent the 2003 season as coach of Claremont, steering his side as far as the first semi final.

Peter McKenna (Collingwood, Devonport, Carlton, Port Melbourne, Geelong West, Northcote)

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Whatever the underlying reasons or causes, although Peter McKenna was by no means an overnight sensation, he had, by the start of his second season in senior football, begun to capture the imagination of Collingwood fans with the obvious range of his natural football ability.  In round 1 1966 he booted 12 goals in a match-winning effort against Hawthorn, and by the following year such feats were becoming almost commonplace. 

Many full forwards are quick on the lead, but the truly great ones seem to know instinctively how to get the maximum advantage from their leads by timing them to perfection.  In this particular skill, Peter McKenna has had few peers, and once he had gained possession of the ball he almost invariably finished things off with consummate precision, typically using a kick on which the jury, at the time, was still out - the drop punt.

McKenna topped the Magpies' goal kicking list for the first of eight consecutive times in 1967, booting 58 goals.  Over the ensuing seasons he gradually improved, getting within 2 goals of the elusive 'ton' in 1969, before amassing an incredible tally of 143 the following year.  What was even more incredible was that it was not sufficient to top the VFL's goal kicking list; Hawthorn's Peter Hudson, with 3 goals more, did that, as indeed he did in 1971, with a record-equalling 150 goals compared to McKenna's 'modest' tally of 134.

Moderately disappointing though this doubtless was, what was almost certainly of more concern to McKenna was his failure to contribute towards a Collingwood premiership.  The Magpies reached the grand final twice during his career, losing to St Kilda by a point in 1966, and then squandering a half time lead of 44 points against Carlton four years later.  In the latter game, McKenna's misfortune in sustaining a head injury after accidentally colliding with team mate and captain Des Tuddenham during the second term undoubtedly contributed greatly to Collingwood's second half demise.  Nevertheless, he finished the game with 6 goals, more than anybody else on the ground.  (A full match report can be viewed here.)

Peter McKenna finally managed to head the VFL's list of goal kicking with 130 goals in 1972, a season which also saw him achieve All Australian selection after booting 19 goals in 3 games at the Perth carnival.   The following year McKenna's total of just 86 goals was sufficient for him to claim pole position on the VFL's list for a second time.

In 1975, McKenna's form began to deteriorate, and after being dropped to the reserves he sustained a serious kidney injury that brought his season, and his Collingwood career, to a sad conclusion.  The following year saw him lining up with NWFU side Devonport which, like Collingwood, played in black and white, and was known as the Magpies.  McKenna enjoyed a solid, confidence-boosting season in Tasmania, booting 79 goals in 17 games, and in 1977 he returned to the mainland for another stab at the 'big time'.  Sadly, at least as far as McKenna was concerned, Collingwood was loathe to pay big money for its former star, and with some reluctance he opted to front up with arch-rival Carlton instead.  In what was by no means an ignominious comeback, McKenna managed 36 goals in 11 games, but it seemed clear to all parties concerned that he was some way past his best.  As a result, he opted to call it a day, at least as far as VFL football was concerned, although he did round off his career by giving good service to VFA clubs Port Melbourne (as playing coach in 1979), Geelong West and Northcote.

At his peak, Peter McKenna could lay claim to being the most popular footballer in the VFL - and, indeed, given the burgeoning impact of the mass media, almost certainly the most popular footballer ever in Australia up to that point.  Not only was he a highly successful full forward playing for the nation's most popular sporting club, he possessed a Beatle-esque 'look' which, by the standards of the time, was an adman's dream.  He even made a pop record, and appeared regularly on television, but no doubt if you were to ask him today, he would happily agree to trade all such glamour and notoriety in for the quintessential 'Holy Grail' of every footballer - participation in a premiership. 

A. Stan McKenzie (Collingwood, North Melbourne, Hawthorn)

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Alec McKenzie (Geelong)

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Don McKenzie (Essendon)

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The last of Don McKenzie's 267 senior VFL appearances came in 1974 when he was aged thirty-five.  Four years later he played a season in the Bombers' reserves, and he later served on the club committee.

Jack McKenzie (Brunswick, Essendon, Essendon Association, Melbourne)

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'Dookie' McKenzie was a supremely skilled footballer renowned for his 'one grab' marking ability and the crisp accuracy of his foot passing.  After beginning his senior career with Brunswick, he joined Essendon in 1901 and, after a sensational debut during which he played tirelessly on the ball all day, his already auspicious reputation was enhanced. 

After two years with Essendon, McKenzie headed across the Nullarbor to the goldfields region of Western Australia, and spent the 1903 season playing with GFA club White Feather.  The 1904 season saw him back at Essendon, and two years later his continually improving performances saw him widely acknowledged as one of the pre-eminent footballers in the state.

Prior to the 1907 season McKenzie received an attractive offer to take over as captain-coach of Essendon Association, which had spent the first seven years of its existence struggling near the bottom of the ladder, and was determined to do whatever it cost to improve.  'Dookie' duly agreed to the offer, and under his aegis the Dreadnoughts finally began to emerge as a force, finishing a creditable 5th in 1907 at the outset of what would prove to be a halcyon period for the club.  Not that 'Dookie' McKenzie would be there to enjoy it: in 1908, he was the recipient of an even more attractive offer from Brunswick, and returned home determined to propel his former club to its first ever VFA flag.  This he duly did, overseeing a 22 point grand final defeat of Prahran in 1909 after the side had reached the premiership play off, only to lose to Footscray, the previous year.

McKenzie's last port of call as a player was Melbourne in 1915.  Appointed captain-coach of the Redlegs, he managed to steer them to their first finals appearance in fifteen years, and although he was now in the veteran stage as a player, and had clearly lost at least a yard of pace, he still played consistently well enough to attract numerous plaudits. 

Had Melbourne continued in 1916, 'Dookie' McKenzie might well have played on, but as things transpired, the Redlegs' decision to go into temporary mothballs simultaneously heralded the end of the career of one of the early twentieth century's finest footballers.

Keith McKenzie (North Melbourne & Moorabbin)

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In 1995, at the age of almost seventy-two, McKenzie accepted the senior coaching role at newly formed VAFA club Swinburne University, where he remained in charge for two seasons.

Robert McKenzie senior (Melbourne)

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Having been forced to sit out the 1954 grand final, which Melbourne lost Footscray, through suspension, McKenzie more than made amends the following year, his last in league football, when he contributed a couple of goals from his customary half forward flank to the Demons' 28 point grand final defeat of Collingwood.

McKenzie's son, Robert McKenzie junior, played 42 VFL games for Melbourne between 1969 and 1972.

William A. McKenzie (Melbourne)

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William L. McKenzie (North Adelaide)

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Corey McKernan (North Melbourne/Kangaroos, Carlton, Port Melbourne)

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Recruited from Westmeadows, McKernan made his AFL debut with North Melbourne in 1993 and went on to play 197 games and kick 250 goals with the club over the course of two stints which ended in 2005.  He was a member of the Kangaroos' 1996 and 1999 premiership teams, and achieved AFL All Australian selection in 1996.  He spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons with Carlton, playing 41 games and kicking 60 goals, besides winning the club's best and fairest award in his first year.  Unable to break into the strong Kangaroos' line-up during his last season as an AFL registered player McKernan spent the year performing impressively for Port Melbourne in the VFL.

Tom McKinley (Williamstown & Footscray)

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Stewart McLatchie (Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick)

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Hugh McLaughlin junior (South Melbourne)

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Hugh McLaughlin senior (South Melbourne & Footscray)

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Ian McLean (Melbourne)

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Michael McLean (Nightcliff, Footscray, Brisbane)

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A member of the Territory's triumphant 1988 Division Two carnival team, McLean was one of 3 'top enders' selected as All Australians.

After being de-listed by Footscray at the end of the 1989 season, McLean's career was resurrected 2 years later when he was drafted by Brisbane.  He won the Bears' club champion award in his debut season with the club, and again in 1993, and went on to play a total of 182 V/AFL games (95 with Footscray, 87 with Brisbane).

Blessed with matchless ball handling skills, McLean also excelled in many of the unglamorous facets of the game, and was highly prized by the coaching staff at Brisbane for his on field leadership qualities.

Harold 'Lal' McLennan (Fitzroy)

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Noel McMahen (Melbourne & South Melbourne)

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In the year 2000 Noel McMahen was selected on a half back flank in Melbourne's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

David McMahon (Preston & Fitzroy)

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Kevin McMahon (North Melbourne)

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Cyril McMaster (Geelong)

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Brendan McMullen (Coorparoo)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Dave McNamara (St Kilda & Essendon Association)

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At a time when the VFA was desperately trying to provide a viable counter-attraction to a VFL that was becoming stronger and more popular by the year, Essendon Association's acquisition of a number of top quality league stars represented something of a major coup.  Jack 'Dookie' McKenzie, Percy Trotter and Mick Madden crossed over in 1907, but arguably the most noteworthy signing was that of former St Kilda champion Dave McNamara two years later.  Renowned as the longest kick in football at the time - indeed, possibly, of all time (see footnote 1) - the powerfully built, 193cm tall McNamara was regarded in his day as a veritable giant.  Playing chiefly at centre half forward with an occasional run in the ruck, he was well nigh unstoppable, and the biggest single reason for Essendon Association's emergence from almost a decade in the doldrums to perennial flirtation with the flag.  After finishing 3rd in 1909 and 1910, the side won back to back premierships in 1911-12 with McNamara contributing 81 goals in the former year, and an almost unbelievable, for the time, 107 in the latter.   In one game against Melbourne City in 1912 he booted a then VFA record 18 goals.

In 1913, McNamara indicated that he wished to return to St Kilda, but a protracted clearance wrangle forced him to sit out of football for a year, and he had to watch in turmoil from the sidelines as the Saints enjoyed their best VFL season to date, only to lose a premiership deciding clash with Fitzroy by 2 goals.  In 1914, however, Dave McNamara resumed in the VFL where he demonstrated that, if anything, he had improved still further as a player, representing the VFL with distinction at the Sydney carnival.  Whilst in Sydney for the carnival he participated in, and won, a long kicking contest against legendary rugby league player 'Daily' Messenger.

Although McNamara did not finally retire as a player until 1923, the loss of two seasons owing to the war (St Kilda did not compete in 1916-17), coupled with a succession of injuries, limited his total number of VFL appearances to just 122 in 13 seasons.  He maintained his interest and involvement in football once his League and Association days were over, including serving as playing coach of amateur club Ormond (having applied for, and been granted, reinstatement as an amateur) during its early days in the VAFA.

Footnotes

1.  Reports vary as to the maximum distance managed by McNamara and, in any case, records of this kind are virtually impossible to verify.  Nevertheless, the fact that he was able to boot the ball a prodigious distance - chiefly with his favoured place kick - is indisputable. Return to Main Text

Laurie McNamara (West Perth)

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Craig McRae (Glenelg & Brisbane)

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Henry McShane (Geelong & Carlton)

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Jim McShane (Geelong)

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William McSpeerin (Fitzroy)

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Kevin McSporran (West Torrens & Woodville)

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Charles McSwain (Carlton, Northcote, Preston)

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