CAINE, Frank

Frank "Silver" Caine was a mobile forward with a booming long kick who came to Essendon after playing 80 games with Carlton between 1905 and 1909 and then spent two years with North Melbourne (VFA). He had started his football career at Minyip.

He had been a key member of the Carlton premiership teams in 1906 and 1907 and only missed a third flag in 1908 through injury. He was also Carlton's leading goalkicker in 1905 and 1907.

Despite his spectacular success Carlton coach, Jack Worrall, fell out with the club and he resigned in 1909, although he stayed on as club secretary. However, the unrest continued and he resigned in 1910

Carlton controversially sacked its legendary coach, Jack Worrall, in 1910, and Caine left in protest and joined North Melbourne (VFA). His great form continued at his new club and he played in their 1910 premiership team. He was also the Association's leading goalkicker that year.

Meanwhile, Worrall had become coach at Essendon and asked Caine to join him, which he did in 1912. Playing at centre half-forward, he had another successful year and was a star in Essendon's 1912 premiership victory, giving him four premierships in seven years.

Injury restricted him in the following years and, after playing five games early in the 1914 season, he returned to North Melbourne where he played one last game.

In October 1910, he had had a narrow escape from drowning when he and a friend tried to cross the swollen Deep Creek (near Lancefield) in a light jinker but the horse lost its footing and they were all swept downstream. Luckily for Essendon, the horse managed to struggle to the river bank and so they all survived.

He shared a curious experience with team-mate Jim Martin, and two others, when they played as "ring-ins" for the Darraweit Guim Football Club in August 1911.

Caine was the owner of the Town Hall Hotel in Bank St, South Melbourne and he died there on 19th January, 1930. He was only 48 years old.