FRASER, Ken

Ken Fraser was a champion centre half-forward, a fine Essendon captain and an ornament to the game. In his 11 seasons he rarely missed a game.

Fraser came from Essendon Baptists-St John's and went straight into the seniors, playing his first game at centre half-forward, aged only 18. He was a brilliant high-mark and moved around the forward line with speed and precision. He was also good on the ground and a superb team player.

Fraser won the Club's Best First Year Player award and Best Under 21 Player in 1958 and the Outstanding Services award in 1960 and 1965.

He was Essendon's captain from 1965 to 1968 after being vice-captain in 1964.

Fraser was a member of the 1962 premiership side and then among the best afield when he captained the Club to the 1965 premiership win over St Kilda in his first season as captain. In 1968, he was ruled out of the Grand Final with a leg injury and his loss was a devastating blow to Essendon, who lost to Carlton by only three points.

Fraser won Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1963 and 1964 and was runner-up in 1965 and third in 1962. He was also twice runner-up in the Brownlow Medal, in 1962 with 19 votes and in 1964 also with 19 votes.

Fraser was Essendon top Brownlow Medal vote scorer on four occasions.

He represented Victoria in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965 and 1966 and captained the State side in 1966.

In 1967, Fraser was chosen to play Gaelic football in Dublin and New York as well as an exhibition of Australian Rules in London.

After leaving Essendon, he was captain-coach of Yarrawonga from 1970 to 1973.

He returned to Essendon as assistant coach and coach of the Reserves from 1975 to 1979, then served on the Committee for several years. He was chairman of the Hall of Fame committee and instrumental in its establishment. He spent many years as a tour guide of the Hall of Fame and Windy Hill.

He was principal of Templestowe Secondary College for many years.

Fraser was ranked 7th in the Champions of Essendon (2002), was an inaugural Legend of the Hall of Fame and selected at centre half-forward in the Club's Team of the Century (1997). He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

His son, Mark, played 65 games for Essendon after 45 games at Collingwood. His younger son, Darren, played for Essendon's Reserves before moving to Port Adelaide (SANFL), where he played in their 1999 premiership.