BARING, Fred

Fred Baring was one of the greatest ruckmen-defenders ever to play with Essendon. He played 13 seasons for Essendon in a career spanning 15 years and interrupted by the Great War.

Baring debuted in Round 8, 1910, and played all remaining 12 games for the year.

In his second season, 1911, Baring played 18 games and played in his first premiership for the Club in a six point win over Collingwood.

He was again a key player in 1912 and starred in the 1912 Grand Final win over Melbourne, kicking a memorable goal in the last quarter to put the game out of Melbourne’s reach.

He represented Victoria in 1911, 1913 and 1919 and in 1913 he won the Holstein Lager Company trophy, as their choice as the best League player of the year.

Baring was captain in 1918 before stepping down through an illness which kept him out for much of 1919.

In the twilight of his career Baring played few games but his four games in 1923 included a premiership and likewise his five games in 1924 saw him feature in his fourth Essendon premiership win.

As well as being a champion footballer, Baring was also a state cricketer. In 1914, he was chosen in the Australian XI to tour South Africa but the tour was cancelled because of the outbreak of World War I.

He died on 10th December, 1961.

Fred Baring was named at number 24 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).