ASLING, Frank

Frank Asling was a follower who came to Essendon from Collingwood where he played five games in 1934. Prior to that, he had played with Belgrave.

He transferred to Essendon in mid-1935 and played seven games in 1935 before joining Hawthorn in 1936, meaning he played with three different League clubs in three successive years.

He played two games at Hawthorn before retiring from League football and returning to Belgrave. He played at Belgrave for a number of years and is acknowledged as one of their greatest players.

League football presented difficulties for him as he had to ride a horse from his family farm to catch a train to attend games.

He enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps (the Home Guard) on the 16th January 1942, giving his occupation as fruiterer and greengrocer and his address as Ferny Creek. He was discharged on the 24th September 1944. Just three days later, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and served until the 14th January 1946.

He retired in 1977 from his job with the Department of Agriculture.

Asling died on 16th August, 1990.