MONKS, Ian

Ian Monks was a rover and wingman who came from Essendon High School Old Boys. He won the award for Best and Fairest in the Essendon District League in 1950.

Monks started at Essendon in the Seconds in 1951, and had difficulty getting a regular Senior game. He played 12 games in 1953, did not play at all in 1954 and played a further four games in 1955. He was a reserve in the Seconds premiership team in 1952 and played in the forward pocket in the team which lost the 1953 semi-final to Footscray. He was, however, third top goalkicker in 1953.

He played 14 games with South Melbourne in 1956 and 1957 and then went to Port Melbourne from 1958 to 1963. In 1964 he captained Caulfield and played there until 1969.

Monks was also a fine cricketer who was close to Victorian shield selection and he captained Essendon to its first district pennant.

He died on 7 January 2009.