Syd Anderson

DOB: January 3, 1918
Died: May 20, 1944

Debut: Round 7, 1939 against Fitzroy at Brunswick Street
Last Game: 1941 Grand Final against Essendon at MCG

Games: 52
Goals: 12
Career Statistics

From: South Port

Number: 36 1939-1941

Honours:
Premiership Player - 1939, 1940, 1941

Anderson's father played in the VFA with Port Melbourne, and the VFL with South Melbourne. Both were talented cricketers and once had a century partnership while playing for Port Melbourne.

The pacy, six foot winger forced his way into the senior side as a 21-year-old after starting his career with three and a half seasons in the reserves. He started as a centre-half forward but was moved to a wing and presented an award for the best first season senior player from the Second 18.

His career was short, but Anderson was a premiership player in each of his three seasons. He was named the "Most Improved" player in 1940, "Most Consistent" in 1941. Despite returning to the club to train in March 1944, Anderson could not play another game due to his RAAF commitments.

Having attained the rank of Flying Officer, Anderson was lost during combat in Wewak, New Guinea on 20 May, 1944 when the survivors of a fallen plane were killed by Japanese forces.

The second place award for Best and Fairest is named the Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy in his honour.

Lists
Players who died during war

Links
Wikipedia profile