CARSTAIRS, Jim

Jim Carstairs was a consistent follower who arrived at Essendon from Essendon Baptists-St John's at the end of 1950.

After being told at the start of 1952 that he was no longer required, he stayed at Windy Hill determined to prove the selectors wrong, which he did by playing another 55 games over the next five seasons.

In 1950 Carstairs was a member of the Seconds premiership team. In 1953 he was runner-up for the Gardiner Medal, the best player in the League's Seconds competition, and in 1954 was the Club's Most Improved Player. In 1955 he was Essendon's third top Brownlow Medal vote getter.

He retired in 1957 after playing 71 games.

Jim Carstairs later joined the Club committee where he served from 1960 to 1973. He was unfortunate to have been chairman of selectors in 1972 and 1973 during an unsuccessful period in the Club's history. His health suffered and he retired after this.

Jim Carstairs died on 7th July, 1996.