The 1951 Team

The 1951 'Sporting Life' Team of the Year

by Peter Argent

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Backs	John Marriott (Norwood)	Ian McKay (North Adelaide)	Charlie Sutton (Footscray)
Half Backs	Harold McDonald (Port Adelaide)	Brian Faehse (West Adelaide)	Fred Buttsworth (West Perth)
Centres	Arthur Hodgson (Carlton)	Bob Rose (Collingwood)	Lyall Griffin (North Adelaide)
Half forwards	Bob Davis (Geelong)	Ron Clegg (South Melbourne)	Jim Deane (South Adelaide)
Forwards	Alan Crabb (Glenelg)	John Coleman (Essendon)	Foster Williams (Port Adelaide)
1st Ruck	Bill Morris (Richmond)	Jack Whelan (Brunswick)	Bill Hutchison (Essendon)

The 1951 'Sporting Life' All Australian side, was the last that the publication would name in specific positions. In this side South Australian had eight representatives, the VFL notched up the same amount, while Western Australia and the VFA had a solitary selection each.

At full back, North Adelaide captain and 1950 Magarey Medallist, Ian McKay was selected. A high marking , dashing defender, he captained the Roosters to two premierships in the SANFL in 1949 and 1952, along the way impressing against the best forwards in the game either at club or state level.

A part of what was to become one of the best back lines in the VFL, Charlie Sutton was selected for a fourth consecutive time, this year, as in this first two selections, as a back pocket.

In the opposite back pocket was 1951 Magarey Medallist, John Marriott, who was picked for a second time, on this occasion for the second followers duties. A first timer was West Adelaide’s strongman, and a player who would record 222 league games in 12 seasons as well a represent the state with pride and distinction, Brian Faehse. He collected the important centre half back position.

Fred Buttsworth, brother of Essendon star of the forties, Wally, in his Sandover Medal winning year, was given the guernsey on one half back flank. His season for West Perth was exceptional, and as a frequent state selection, he was in the West’s best players in both outings that winter.

The corresponding half back was Port Adelaide’s Harold McDonald. A freakish natural player who was seldom beaten, he was Magpies club champion in 1953, and later would be Woodville's inaugural league coach in the SANFL in 1964.

"To admire (Brian) Faehse is to admire not violence in football, but a great heart." (Jeff Pash)

A second North Adelaide player, Lyall 'Wicker' Griffin was selected for the first time. Known for his balance and prolific ball getting ability, this midfielder was a captain of the Roosters during the mid fifties as well as winning the best and fairest at the club in the premiership year of 1952. Carlton's Arthur Hodgson for a second consecutive year retained his position on the other wing.

Chosen as the centre man was Collingwood great Bob Rose. A legend at Victoria Park, he played from the season after the war until 1955, notching up 152 games and four club best and fairests, including a trifecta starting in this season. As well as his tremendous playing ability, he will also be remembered around football circles as the coach who oversaw the start of his beloved club's notorious 'Collywobbles' era.

After being first selected in 1949, South Melbourne's Brownlow Medal runner-up in this VFL winter, Ron Clegg, was picked as the centre half forward. A player who could play anywhere , he would go on to captain the Swans for six years, before Bob Skilton took over the reins.

The indefatigable Bob Rose, of Collingwood.

VFL premier Geelong’s only selection was the man who epitomised the Cats, Bob Davis. For the second season he kept his position on a half forward flank. Another South Australian to gain his initial selection was South Adelaide’s left footed legend Jim Deane.

Fred Buttsworth, the first man to play both state football and Sheffield Shield cricket for Western Australia.

John Coleman and Foster Williams both retained their positions on the full forward line, with Coleman achieving his third selection in a row. For Williams this season would bring the first of nine flags as the leader of the South Australian Magpies. The first six were as captain-coach, including the 1955 season when he won all the club's playing awards, while the last three were overseen from the side lines.

Glenelg ruckman Allan Crabb was picked as the change big man, in the corresponding forward pocket. Collecting a retrospective Magarey Medal at league level in 1949 following a Tomkins Medal in the under 19s (then known as Thirds) competition some eight years earlier, he was regarded as fearless and, for a big man, skilful.

The first ruck from 1950 was unchanged for this season, with Bill Morris and Brunswick’s Jack Whelan as the followers, and the Essendon great Bill Hutchison as first rover.

Where now?

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