CARRUTHERS, Bruce

Bruce Carruthers was a half-forward and rover, able to kick with both feet, who came to Essendon from Bendigo.

He encountered several obstacles to his VFL career. First, he was involved in a clearance dispute in 1923 when he applied for a clearance from South Bendigo to Rochester, where he was working, but withdrew it and played with South Bendigo. Rochester protested but lost and he continued to play with South Bendigo.

Ironically, he ended up playing with Rochester in 1924 and was their captain-coach in early 1925. His work took him back to Bendigo midway through the season so he returned to his old club and played in their 1925 premiership.

His next problem came in 1926. He had trained with Essendon early in the year and applied for a permit to play with them but it was refused when he admitted that he had accepted money from Richmond several years earlier. He returned to South Bendigo. but came back to Essendon and played in the Reserves in the second half of the season.

However he was able to return in 1927 and finally played his first League game in Round 1 in a win over Footscray. He kicked four goals in that first game and seemed destined for a great career, but a shouldr injury disrupted his year. He only managed one game early in 1928.

He joined Coburg in the VFA late in 1928 but business again intervened and he missed the rest of the year.

He moved to Launceston in Tasmania and played as captain-coach in 1930 and 1932.

Carruthers retired in 1967 from his job as a telegraphist with the Post Office.

He died on 8th March, 1988.