Career: 1956-1967
Games: 178
Goals: 71
Brownlow Medal: 65 career votes
Guernsey numbers: 2
Height: 188cm
Weight: 98kg
DOB: 2 January 1938 (Debut: 18y 103d , last game: 29y 236d)
So much about this man, so wisely recruited from Daylesford in the mid-1950's, epitomised the North Melbourne Football Club's 50-year struggled from its entry into the VFL in 1925 to its first League premiership in 1975 - much talent, tremendous commitment, but belated recognition. All these three elements were contributing factors in his long wait to have his name deservedly inscribed among the greats of Australian Football.
Another experience mid-way through his 12-year career with the Kangaroos resembled North's struggle with extinction in the mid-1930's. In one match, he and team-mate, Ken Dean, had a head -to-head collision, which caused him serious injury, and had him near death's door in St Vincent's Hospital for several days.
His great fighting spirit prevailed, and he came back as dedicated as ever. He even took on the added responsibility of the captaincy, leading North to back-to-back night premierships in 1965 and 1966., and topping the Brownlow voting with Ian Stewart, in the first of those seasons. Following the accident, on doctors' advice he always wore a specially designed head guard that protected him across the temple area, and that came to be known around the club as "Teaser's Turban".
He was tall and extremely strong, with versatility a hallmark of his play. A follower with superb rucking skills, he was also invaluable to his side, playing a loose man in defence, and dragging down marks almost at will. In the light of all this, it is not surprising that he won the Syd Barker Medal in four successive years, 1963 to 1966, a feat as yet unequalled. He also holds the highest honour that the club can bestow - life membership.
It wasn't only North that recognised his enormous talent however, the Victorian selectors called on his services no less than 19 times.
He was at Arden Street from 1956 to 1967, he played in 178 games and managed to put through 71 goals, and it was an absolute delight to everybody at the club when his long wait was rewarded with a retrospective Brownlow Medal in 1989.
VFL/AFL: 6644th player to appear
North Melbourne: 472nd player to appear
Profile from 'The North Story'
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