MAHER, Frank

Frank "Danny" Maher was a great rover in Essendon's famous "Mosquito Fleet". He was only 170cm tall but this didn't stop him, and his anticipation and ball handling skills were superb. He was also a fine, accurate kick.

He won the Military Medal in World War I while serving with the 2nd Australian Machine Gun Company. The citation reads: "During the operation at Broodseinde Ridge east of Ypres on 4th to 11th October 1917, this N.C.O. was in charge of a machine gun. He was wounded but refused to leave his post. His gun position was blown in by shell fire and he showed great coolness and ability in constructing a new position under very heavy shell fire and in getting his gun and men forward into it. His conduct throughout was splendid and his cheerful behaviour and fine exhibition of courage and endurance were a great example to his men and no doubt prevented the weaker ones from giving way under the continual strain."

He was recommended for a commission and sent to Officers' Training Corps at Cambridge University where he won several athletic events and was commissioned as a lieutenant. It was during this overseas service that he first became interested in football.

On his return, he played with Shepparton and Lilydale before training with Carlton. However, it was found that he was residentially bound to Essendon - a win for the Dons. Ironically, his first game for Essendon was against Carlton.

He starred as first rover in the 1923 premiership win and again on the half-forward flank in the 1924 premiership victory. His team-mates voted him best player in 1923 and in 1927 he won the Club's Best and Fairest award.

Maher created a League record by playing 118 consecutive games between 1922 and 1928. Only Jack Jones at Essendon has played more consecutive games (133). He was Essendon's equal second top goalkicker in 1927 and third top in 1921, 1922 and 1925.

Maher was captain-coach from 1925 to 1927 and then stepped down as coach but remained captain in 1928 when Charlie Hardy became coach. He was also vice-captain in 1924.

In 1925, he was third in the Brownlow Medal award with 4 votes and he was also Essendon second top vote scorer in 1927.

Maher was chosen in the State side in every 1921 and 1928 except in 1924, and only Bill Hutchison, Dick Reynolds and Jack Clarke at Essendon have played more interstate years. Only eight Essendon players have played more than his nine State games. He captained Victoria against NSW in 1927 and in 1928 against the Ovens & Murray League.

He also won Essendon's Most Consistent Player award in 1927.

Maher became captain-coach of Oakleigh from 1929 to 1931 for what was a huge fee for the time. They won the premiership under him in 1930 and 1931.

He later became coach of Fitzroy in 1932 and 1933, before returning to Oakleigh in 1934. He then returned to the League and coached Carlton in 1935 and 1936. He coaching career ended when he was transferred to Sydney through his employment with the Commonwealth Statistician.

Maher first joined General Motors-Holden in 1928 and rose to become head of the War Demands Division and later, Victorian Sales Manager.

In 1962, he was appointed to the League Appeals Board. He was president of the Essendon Past Players and Officials Association from 1958 to 1968.

He was named at number 27 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Frank Maher died on 7th November, 1976.