Harold Ball

DOB: 29 May, 1920
Died: 9 February, 1942

Debut: Round 1, 1939 against Richmond at MCG
Last Game: Grand Final 1940 against Richmond at MCG

Games: 33
Goals: 33
Career Statistics

From: Merbein

Number: 11 1939-1940

Honours:
Premiership Player - 1940

Ball had been lucky to be recruited to the Demons. Scouts had travelled to Merbein to sign Ian Giles and decided to have a look at the 189cm ruckman while they were there. Giles played just six matches, but in Ball the Redlegs found a premiership ruckman/defender.

Named Best First Year Player award in his first year, Ball rounded out his first year with a premiership triumph. Enlisting for the armed forces during his second year, Ball gave up his second job as a groundsman at the MCG and travelled to Melbourne by train three times a week to continue playing VFL football.

Lucky for the reds that he did, as it was Ball's 15 marks in the wet during the 1940 Preliminary Final which helped earn his side the chance at back-to-back flags. His marking was again a highlight in the Grand Final where he was named amongst the best players in Melbourne's triumph.

Ball left for active duty in Singapore in February of 1941. He captained a side in an army exhibition game against Fitzroy champion Wilfred "Chicken" Smallhorn, but when the Japanese attacked Singapore Ball and three colleagues were captured by the invading forces and killed.

The Best First Year Player award was subsequently named in his honour.

Lists
Players who died during war

Links
Wikipedia profile