Ray Wartman

DOB: 29 January, 1915
Died: 2008
Debut: Round 1, 1935 against Essendon at MCG
Last Game: Round 1, 1942 against Essendon at Windy Hill

Games: 125
Goals: 61
Career Statistics

From: Whorouly/Camberwell

Number: 23 1935-1942

Honours:
Premiership Player - 1939, 1940, 1941
Best First Year Player - 1935
150 Heroes selection
Life Member - 1980

Originally from country Victoria, Wartman was recruited from Camberwell at twenty, played 18 games in his first season and was voted the Best First Year Player. The tall, pacy winger followed up with 20 games in a much improved 1936 Melbourne side.

In 1937 Wartman suffered injury and after playing the first eight matches of the season, managed just one more. The next year he proved his durability by playing every match, but Melbourne disappointed by missing out on the top four. The Redlegs bounced back in 1939, and with Wartman missing just two games and playing on a wing in the Grand Final they won the first title of a glory era. He stood on the wing again in the 1940 triumph - though a crunching bump by Jack Dyer put him out of the match at quarter time - before moving to the half-forward flank for the 1941 Grand Final.

Retiring after playing in the first game of 1942, Wartman stayed involved with the club. He worked as a jeweller and donated 20 pounds to the 1948 premiership side in a supporters collection which made 200 pounds in total.

Media
"Grand Final snapshots" - The Age 12/10/1948