Shane McGrath

DOB: 6 June, 1919
Died: 1 November, 1974

Debut: Round 5, 1940 against Collingwood at MCG
Last Game: Semi Final 1950 against Geelong at MCG

Games: 118
Goals: 3
Career Statistics

From: Boort

Number: 22 1940-1950

Honours:
Premiership Player - 1941, 1948
Grand Final team - 1946
Captain - 1950
150 Heroes selection
Victorian state representative - 8 times

Actually called John, but universally referred to as Shane, McGrath made the Melbourne list in 1939 but chose to stay in Boort instead. He debuted the next year with four games and in 1941 won a premiership at full back.

After the premiership victory McGrath enlisted with the army and served in New Guinea. He missed the next two full years before managing two games in 1944 while in Melbourne on leave. Service then kept him out of 1945 before he returned to the side for 20 games in the 1946 Grand Final season.

Full back in the Sporting Life "Team of the Year" of 1947, 1948 and again in 1949, with his defensive partner Don Cordner alongside him in a back pocket. Made captain in 1950, he also captained Victoria that year before retiring back to Boort and buying the Commercial Hotel.

Despite missing time in the army McGrath is still regarded as one of the Demons best ever full-backs.

His brother Frank McGrath played two games for the Demons.

Lists
Family

Media
The Argus - 29/03/1951