Ron Clegg

People - C


Born: 17-Nov-1927
Died: 23-Aug-1990¹
Height: 183 cm (AFL Tables)

Career

Player
Melbourne Boys League²
South Melbourne (VFL) 1945-60
Brunswick (VFA) 1961

Coach
Brunswick (VFA) 1961-62

Comment

One of South Melbourne’s greatest-ever players, Clegg played 231 games and kicked 156 goals for the Swans from 1945-54 and 1956-60. He played both ends of the ground, at centre-half-back and centre-half-forward. He won the 1949 Brownlow Medal and was runner-up to Bernie Smith in 1951. Clegg won the club’s best and fairest award three times - 1948, 1949, and 1951 - and was captain 1953-54 and 1956-60. He captain-coached the Swans 1958-59.

LEAGUE FOOTBALLERS OF 1950 - CENTRE HALF-FORWARDS – Percy Taylor

Argus 10-Jun-1950 p6 Weekend Magazine

UNTIL the last four or five games of 1949 RON CLEGG was the permanent centre half-for- ward for South Melbourne. Then he was given the task of subduing rival centre half-forwards, and played even better in that position. Ron opened this season as centre half- back, and it was confidently expected that he would hold down that job in the carnival games in Brisbane in July. Unfortunately, Ron broke a bone in his wrist in that game, and will have to look on for many weeks.

Ron, tall, fair, and with a cheery manner, was a very popular winner of the Brownlow Medal for best and fairest player in the League last sea- son. He himself says that the change to centre half-back in* those last few games just clinched the vote for him. He might be right, too, but he certainly played some grand games for South at centre half-forward.

Ron is a beautifully balanced player, with high marking ability, long kicking, and great pace, anticipation, and judgment his greatest assets. He was playing with the South Melbourne boys when his ability was dis- covered, and he had his first senior game in 1945, when he was 17 years.

South Melbourne had some anxious moments when V.F.A. clubs sought the services of their star. Most attractive offers were made to him before the 1949 season, but Ron was persuaded to remain with South. He is probably happy about Iris decision now, as, in addition to winning the Brownlow Medal, he won two separate awards for £100 each, plus several other amounts, and some handsome trophies.

Football is Ron's first love, but lie has played for South Melbourne first eleven at cricket, too.

Ron was married a few months ago, and is a traveller.

Related Pages

• 122_063 - South Melbourne Players visiting a young boy in hospital
• Clegg, Ron - ITB
• Clegg, Ron (DG_050)
• Clegg, Ron (SLV 122_013)
• Clegg, Ron (SLV 125_007)
• Reference_ 1945 VFL Grand Final - The Bloodbath
• Reference_ 1949 Sporting Life Magazine - Team of the Year
• Reference_ 1951 Sporting Life Magazine - Team of the Year
• Reference_ Australian Football Hall of Fame
• Reference_ Brunswick Captains
• Reference_ Brunswick Coaches
• Reference_ South Melbourne Best and Fairest
• Reference_ South Melbourne Captains
• Reference_ South Melbourne Coaches
• Reference_ Swans Team of The Century
• Reference_ VFL - Brownlow Medal
• Reference_ VFL - Brownlow Medal - Runners Up
• Reference_ VFL_AFL Tribunal 1950
• Reference_ VFL_AFL Tribunal 1956
• South Melbourne Senior Team 1946 (SLV 122_097)
• South Melbourne Senior Team 1946 (SLV 122_230)
• South Melbourne Senior Team 1947 R12 - ITB
• South Melbourne Senior Team 1949 (SLV 122_229)
• South Melbourne Senior Team 1951 R04 (DG_059)
• South Melbourne Senior Team 1953 (SLV 122_032)

Other Photos

Ron Clegg - 1954 Coles Victorian Footballers - Source: Australian Rules Football Cards

Ron Clegg - 1954 Argus Football Swap Cards Source: Australian Rules Football Cards

Ron Clegg - 1954 Kornies Champion Footballers - Source: Australian Rules Football Cards

Ron Clegg - 1953 Argus Football Portraits - Source: Australian Rules Football Cards

More Photos

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External Links

AFL Tables - Ron Clegg
Wikipedia - Ron Clegg

Footy history: Clegg’s Match
http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/footy-history-cleggs-match/
retrieved: 22-Nov-2012

Sources

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