Ray Biffin

DOB: 6 May, 1949
Debut: Round 12, 1968 against Fitzroy at Princes Park
Last Game: Round 22, 1979 against Collingwood at Victoria Park

Games: 170
Goals: 131
Career Statistics (external link)

Wins	Draws	Losses	Winning %
62	1	107	36.47

From: North Launceston

Number: 40 1968, 19 1969-1979

Honours
Leading Goalkicker - 1976
150 Heroes selection
Life Member
Reserves Premiership Player - 1970

The definition of "tough and uncompromising" Biffin was recruited from North Launceston and could play at either end of the ground. At 15 he had already been playing against men, and had been selected to represent North Tasmania in 1966 as a 17-year-old. He crossed to Victoria to field offers from Fitzroy and St. Kilda before Jim Cardwell managed to win his signature.

He began his career with the Demons at full-forward, but after suffering a broken ankle during a pre-season intra-club game Biffin broke another ankle five games into his career and saw his 1968 season ruined. He returned the next year as a defender and eleven games that season were followed by a horror 1970 where he didn't make it to the park until Round 21 - just in time to boot 6 goals in a narrow loss to the Cats at Kardinia Park.

The next year he was firmly entrenched in his side's defence, and though he could roost the ball into the centre circle from deep in defence there was a crushing inevitability that it would come straight back again. The side won their first five games of the year but faltered late in the year and finished 7th. Biffin was voted Most Improved Player for the year.

1972 saw the toughman battle through the year and play 20 games despite needing an operation to fix a hernia. In 1973 he was one of the main agitators in a players revolt after the sacking of Ian Ridley. Biffin briefly announced that he would be leaving the club before being convinced to return.

Thrown forward later in his career Biffin was Melbourne's leading goalkicker in 1976, and no matter which end of the ground he was at Biffin was renowned for his toughness. Peter Hudson, who held a career average of more than five goals a game, never managed more than four against Biffin. It might have had something to do with his habit of planting a kiss on opponents to psyche them out.

Interested in coaching he nearly took a job with the VFA side Dandenong in 1977 but stayed with Melbourne. His 1978 campaign was ruined by a mystery stomach complaint which caused him to miss seven weeks in the middle of the season.

He announced his retirement after Round 2, 1979 and moved to the position of reserves coach but was lured back in Round 14 and played out the rest of the season before finally giving the game away. He had been through four knee operations and ankle surgery throughout his career.

Also a handy cricket, Biffin played for Tasmania in a first-class cricket game during the 1968/69 season, taking two wickets. He later earned selection in the Brunswick club's team of the century despite only playing four seasons.

Biffin was an assistant to Carl Ditterich in 1979 before coaching Dandenong in the VFA, and Hawthorn Under 19's. He also spent time on the Demons selection committee.