BESANKO, Neil

Neil "Stallion" Besanko was a half-back flanker who came from from St Kilda where he played 149 games from 1968 to 1977. Prior to that he played with Mentone.

With a fine professional footrunning background, he had great pace and also was an effective stopper with great concentration. Hamstring injuries over his last couple of seasons with Essendon prevented him from showing his best form.

He won Essendon's Best Clubman award in 1979.

Besanko left Essendon for Central Districts in South Australia in 1982.

His brother, Barry, also played for Essendon (three games, 1980).