GRIGGS, Les

Les Griggs was a fine centreman and later centre half-forward with outstanding ability. Strong and fast, he came straight to Essendon from Warragul High School and made his debut aged just 19 years 28 days.

His career at Essendon was interrupted by transfers in his school teaching employment. In 1935, he was posted to the country and he was captain-coach of Kenmare in 1936 and 1937 winning a premiership in 1936 and then captain-coach of Jeparit in 1938 and early 1939 before rejoining Essendon.

Griggs was centre half-forward in the losing 1941 Grand Final team, and won Essendon Most Serviceable Player award in 1940 and 1941 and the Most Consistent Player award in 1944.

He also missed the 1943 season when he again went to the country to teach and he travelled from Bairnsdale to play in 1944.

He was coach for one game in 1941 for a win against Footscray at Windy Hill.

After finally leaving Essendon, Griggs was captain-coach of Kerang from 1945 to 1949 and then captain-coach of Mildura from 1950 to 1956. He also coached the Sunraysia League team.

He was a players' advocate on the League Tribunal in 1966 and 1867 and was President of the Past Players Association at Essendon in 1969 and 1970.

Griggs was a vice-president at the Club from 1971 to 1976.

He retired from the Education Department in 1979, having spent the last eight years as Principal of Essendon High School.

Griggs died on 28th May, 1990.