WALSH, Paddy

Walsh was an excellent ruckman with great natural ability. He came to Essendon from Ledgerwood in Northern Tasmania and he had also played a couple of games with City FC in Launceston in 1926.

He was a new breed of more mobile, fast moving, rugged big men that Essendon had. He was big and powerful with plenty of dash and was good on the ground. A left-footer, he played the game vigorously and was a reliable mark and could be devastating on his day.

He won the Most Promising Player award in 1927 and the Most Improved Player award in 1928.

Walsh won the Club's Best and Fairest award in 1933. He also won He scored equal most Brownlow Medal votes at Essendon in 1929.

He was selected in the State side in 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932 and 1933 although he missed 1930 because he couldn't get leave from his work as a fireman. Only five Essendon players have played more interstate years and only four have played more than his 12 interstate games.

Walsh's career was affected by a knee injury that put him out for most of 1934 and he retired at the end of 1937.

He retired from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in January 1967 as the Brigade's longest serving fireman after 36 years service.

His daughter, Elaine Alford, played cricket for Victoria.

He was named at number 54 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Paddy Walsh died on 3rd August, 1988.