GRIFFITH, Billy

Billy Griffith was a great Essendon player who excelled in the unusual combination of full-back and rover. He had a long and successful career and his 185 games stood as an Essendon record for 30 years, until eclipsed by Dick Reynolds in 1944.

He was only 16 years of age when he came to Essendon from the Essendon District. He starred as a rover in the 1901 premiership victory and he was later full-back in the 1911 and 1912 premiership teams. He also played in the losing 1902 Grand Final.

He became captain of the Club from 1907 to 1909 and had been in the State side in 1901 and 1902.

Griffith had his share of controversy during his career. In 1905 he unsuccessfully sought a clearance to Carlton. Then, in 1909, he clashed with star defender Len Bowe and withstood a committee request for him to resign the captaincy. In 1912 he was dropped from the team over a demand for more money but returned in Round 13 and played out the rest of the year, including the Grand Final.

When he left Essendon he became captain-coach of Essendon 'A' in 1915.

In his later years he worked on the gate at Windy Hill.

He was named on the interchange bench in the Team of the Century (1997) and then at number 32 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Billy Griffith died on 7th May, 1949.