The 1954 Team

The 1954 'Sporting Life' Team of the Year

by Peter Argent

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Backs	Wally Donald (Footscray)	Ken Caporn (Claremont)	John Marriott (Norwood)
Half Backs	Noel McMahen (Melbourne)	Laurie Kettlewell (Subiaco)	Jim Gallagher (Footscray)
Centres	Jack Lynch (West Adelaide)	Ted Whitten (Footscray)	Keith Harper (Perth)
Half forwards	Jim Deane (Richmond)	John Brady (North Melbourne)	Bob Rose (Collingwood)
Forwards	Neil Mann (Collingwood)	John Collins (Footscray)	Peter Pianto (Geelong)
1st Ruck	Ken Hands (Carlton)	Roy Wright (Richmond)	Bill Hutchison (Essendon)

In the 'Sporting Life' All Australian team of 1954, 13 members were from the VFL competition, Western Australia had three new awardees, and two South Australians who had been selected in previous seasons were chosen.

Collingwood champion Bob Rose was selected for the fourth consecutive time and, as was by now expected, Essendon’s Bill Hutchison was picked again. Ruckmen Roy Wright (Richmond) and Ken Hands (Carlton) were selected for a third and second time respectively. For Wright this would be the year of his second Brownlow Medal.

Richmond’s import from South Adelaide, Jim Deane, collected his fourth guernsey in his first season in the VFL, while Geelong rover Peter Pianto was called up for a second consecutive time.

Four members of Footscray’s premiership side were rewarded for their efforts in 1954. The first was this year’s VFL Leading goal kicker, Jack Collins, who had again achieved selection after being first rewarded the winter before. He had only moved to full forward after being dropped from the carnival side of 1953. Against Carlton, not fully fit, while the rest of the state side was away he kicked seven goals and thereafter predominantly remained in the goal square for the rest of his playing days.

Mr. Football.

The other three Bulldogs players selected formed half of one of the best defensive sixes the game had to offer. At centre half back was 'Mr. Football', E.J. 'Ted' Whitten, tough and uncompromising, highly skilled, with a good mark - a genuine champion throughout his 321 game VFL career. The heart and soul of Melbourne's western suburbs, he was a hero to a multitude of fans, whether in the tri-colours of Footscray or proudly wearing the Victorian jumper, which he did on many occasions with distinction.

Wally Donald in action at Glenferrie.

Two of Ted’s lieutenants were also selected this year, half back Jim Gallagher, and back pocket Wally Donald. Gallagher was a noted stopper of top line players, being tough and reliable. Donald was a close checking player, who also had good anticipation, being able to launch attacks from defence. Both would play state football during their times with Footscray.

Melbourne’s fearsome defender Noel McMahan was selected for his only 'Sporting Life' All Australian team in 1954. He was a triple premiership player with the Demons, captaining the first two of the clubs three in a row between 1955 and 1957, before taking a coaching job in the country after a 175 game, decade-long career that flourished once he was moved into defence.

North Melbourne's John Brady and future Collingwood captain Neil Mann were the other first time selections from the VFL. Brady was a superb key forward, who collected the club's best player trophy this year, playing at state level in the current season as well as 1957 and 1959. A great team man and brilliant mark, he captained the 'Shinboners' in his last three years in league football. Mann led the first ruck in the Magpies' 1953 premiership side and was voted the club's best and fairest player this winter. He was also third and second over these years in the Brownlow Medal counts. Starting as a forward, he moved into ruck as other Magpies legends retired.

As mentioned previously, both the South Australian players selected by 'Sporting Life' had been picked previously, big ruckman John Marriott for the fourth time since 1950, and West Adelaide’s wingman Jack Lynch for his second year in a row.

From the west, three players were selected for their first and only times. Perth’s 1955 premiership captain and wingman Keith Harper, Subiaco’s 18 year old utility Laurie Kettlewell, and Claremont’s full back Ken Caporn all made the team of 1954. Each would play over a dozen state games during their respective careers and would be stalwarts of the WAFL competition, with all collecting more than 200 games. Kettlewell started off as a backman but would also play many fine games as his career progressed in the central forward positions.

Ken Caporn who, in addition to being a superb footballer, was a prominent surf life saver..

Where now?

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