Among the plethora of tales on Ollie Wines’ win of the 2021 Brownlow Medal, a standard theme occurred. Almost all articles identified his hero worship of Echuca’s native boy, Andrew Walker.
Walker was the son Rob Walker, a extremely regarded participant within the GVFL. Andrew was chosen as second choose within the 2003 National draft by Carlton after the Western Bulldogs had chosen Adam Cooney, and Walker lived as much as all expectations, debuting in Round 5, 2004 in opposition to West Coast and gaining a powerful 26 disposals.
At this time, Ollie Wines was 9 and to have a neighborhood hero enjoying within the AFL would have been great. However, Andrew Walker was little question impressed by different Echuca gamers who had preceded him:
In 1911, Albert Cowley arrived at Princes Park from Echuca and performed two video games for the navy blues. His first recreation (Round 9) was in opposition to Melbourne and he performed the subsequent spherical in opposition to Essendon. Both video games the Blues received, however “Bert” by no means performed one other VFL recreation.
William “Bill” Kyme who performed at Essendon the subsequent yr did barely higher, enjoying in three rounds in a row (Rounds 14-16) and likewise kicking two objectives.
George Ogilvie performed 2 video games at Richmond in 1920 and seemed set to play within the finals till Essendon raised questions on his eligibility, claiming he was sure to them. Ogilvie gave up his League profession and selected to play VFA
After that, it was a a gradual exodus to the large smoke within the late Twenties that resulted in a single crew gaining three champions who – even in the present day – seem within the membership’s Top 100 recreation gamers and aim scorers.
Bert Foster performed for Richmond from 1928 till 1936, and was joined in 1930 by Kevin O’Neill who performed on on the Tigers till 1941.
Also in 1930, W. Henry.J.”Harry” Comte was recruited by St Kilda, and gave the Saints good service for the subsequent eight years, profitable a Best and Fairest earlier than enlisting and being killed in motion in World War 2. Another casualty of the struggle was Wallace Mills who managed one recreation for the Saints in 1937.
However 1934 ushered in three many years that produced three champions for the Demons who mixed performed in 13 premierships and who all function in Melbourne’s Top 100 recreation gamers and Top 100 aim kickers of all time. Jack Mueller performed for the Echuca Imperials earlier than beginning his profession at Melbourne.
In his first yr he suffered a piece accident and misplaced two fingers above the knuckles. Unperturbed, he returned subsequent yr carrying a protecting glove and continued on his profession for one more 16 years, enjoying 216 video games and scoring 378 objectives.
Ollie Wines (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Five years after Mueller retired, Frank “Bluey” Adams arrived on the scene. An actual speedster, Adams was a nationwide champion skilled sprinter. Adams received the 1957 Gift at Cobram then per week later received the Lilydale Gift (130 yds) earlier than operating second within the 1957 Bendigo Thousand (130 yds).
After operating second within the Maryborough Gift, Adams received the 1958 Ararat Gift . He rounded off the yr profitable the South Melbourne and Canberra Gifts.
Adams received the 1959 Australian dash title earlier than retiring from athletics on the age of 25.
He was finest identified for his sickening collision with Collingwood’s Des Healy within the 1955 Grand Final. The accident fractured Healy’s jaw and ended his VFL profession. Adams suffered concussion however returned to play in 5 extra premierships.
The last determine within the trio of Melbourne champions recruited from Echuca was John Lord. Lord was a giant man who might play ahead or defence and figured in 4 of the premierships with Adams.
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