Political football

[swans9605]

As I was scrolling through old newspapers on microfilm at the library for past footy scores and news, I was thinking to myself "How many of our politicians have played junior or senior football?"

So I thought it'd be interesting if I set up a thread dedicated to politicians who have played this great game of ours in this beautiful island home.

Obviously the late and great Darrel "Doc" Baldock who pretty much everyone knows as St Kilda's only premiership captain in 1966, and also played for and coached East Devonport and Latrobe, the latter to four flags in a row in the NWFU, as well as having a very brief coaching stint at New Norfolk in the TFL, was a Labor MHA from 1972 to 1987 as well as a minister from 1975 to 1982, and in his own words "could have been the premier of Tasmania".

Other names that spring to mind include current Liberal Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein who played for East Launceston in the old NTFA, Ray Groom (former Liberal premier) initially played for Cooee before playing 96 games for Melbourne from 1963 to 1968 (given the honour of wearing No. 31 after Ron Barassi defected to Carlton), Jim Wilkinson (current Labor MLC I think) who played for South Melbourne from 1970 to 1972 and I think played for Sandy Bay as well, plus being an ABC TV commentator for TFL matches in the 80s and 90s, and Bob Cheek (former Liberal leader) who played for Clarence in his heyday as well as being a commentator for the TANFL broadcasts and expert panellist on the TVT-6 World Of Sport program.

Any other politicians that have played footy here in Tassie?

 

[Gibbke]

David O'Byrne at East/South. Played for Southern Districts too...?

 

[GreyBudgie]

John Devine ALP Denison 1979 - 1984

Geelong 1960-1966 118 games
Premierships: 1963
Coach:1986-1988

North Hobart 1967-1971, 1974 102 games
Captain & Coach: 1967 - 1971
Coach: 1974, 1975, 1981
TFL and Tasmania Representative Games: 6
Premierships: 1967, 1969, 1970, 1974
State Premierships: 1969, 1974
Lefroy Medal: 1968

 

[GreyBudgie]

Peter Gutwein

Raised at Nunamara, Peter Gutwein attended Myrtle Park Primary School followed by Queechy High School in Launceston. A keen sportsman, Peter represented Tasmania as a junior footballer and played senior football in both Tasmania and Western Australia.

The OP said he played at East Launceston any info on games etc plus any Idea who he played for in West Australia ?
The blurb above was from his website

 

[GreyBudgie]

A Politician/ Footballer who played in Tasmania but was a politician interstate
The Late Great Trevor Sprigg
Liberal Party Member of the Western Australian Parliament
for Murdoch 2005 –2008
East Fremantle: 1965 -1970, 1976-1977 152 games
1965 premiership
Glenorchy: 1971-1975 92 games
Captain/Coach: 1971-1974
William Leitch Medallist: 1975
Team of the century
10 Games for Tasmania
Premierships:1975
State Premierships:1975

 

[gtrxuone]

Peter Gutwein

Raised at Nunamara, Peter Gutwein attended Myrtle Park Primary School followed by Queechy High School in Launceston. A keen sportsman, Peter represented Tasmania as a junior footballer and played senior football in both Tasmania and Western Australia.

The OP said he played at East Launceston any info on games etc plus any Idea who he played for in West Australia ?
The blurb above was from his website

Peter played 11 games for Swan Districts in 1986.The year before the Eagles started..Sadly for the Wafl players like Peter left the Wafl when the Eagles formed.

 

[Gersman]

Bob Cheek! Liberal opposition leader from 2001 to 2002, ran against Jim Bacon at that year's state election and not only was it a smashing for the Libs by ALP but Cheek himself was the first opposition party leader to lose his seat at a Tasmanian election since aroumd 1903.
Later went on to build up the Zap Fitness chain post politics and recently sell it for $50 million.
Cheek played in Clarence's 1970 TFL premiership and also played for Penguin and Queenstown amongst other teams. Played state rep footy from 1969 to 1975.