WALSH, Kevin

Kevin Walsh was a tall and deceptively quick defender from North Ringwood. He won the EDFL's Under 17 Best and Fairest award, the John Coleman Memorial Medal, in 1979. He also won the Reserve Grade Best First Year Player in 1981.

He was gangly rather than athletic, which made any mistakes he made look worse, and he was often the supporters' scapegoat for the team's bad play. However, Kevin Sheedy persisted with him and Walsh repaid his faith by becoming an important member of the 1984 and 1985 premiership teams.

Walsh played for Victoria in 1985, 1986 and 1987, and won the E. J. Whitten Medal as best afield against South Australia in 1986. He also earned All-Australian honours in 1986.

He will be remembered as a solid, reliable defender who was rarely beaten by his forward opponents. He received his life membership in 1992.