ELLIS, John

John Ellis was a fast moving, creative centreman who could pass beautifully with either foot and was cool and deliberate. He started with the Reserves in 1966 after coming from Keilor.

He didn't miss a game in 1968 and was Essendon's second top Brownlow Medal vote-getter in that year. He played in the centre in the losing Grand Final side. He was also third top goalkicker and won Essendon's Most Improved Player award.

Ellis's promising career was cut short by a knee injury he suffered in 1969 and he played only 16 games between 1969 and 1971.

Ellis was disappointed when Essendon told him he wasn't required and he went to Footscray Seconds in mid 1971. Later in 1971 he joined Perth and played there until 1973. He then became captain-coach of Sandgate in Queensland from 1974 to 1976 winning the premiership in 1974. He was runner-up in the Grogan Medal for Best and Fairest in the Queensland League in 1976.

Ellis then joined Cooee in Tasmania in 1977 and represented the NWFU in that year. He then became captain-coach of Dandenong in 1978. In 1979 he joined Watsonia and won the award for Best and Fairest in the Diamond Valley League and he then played with Keilor in 1980 followed by Greensborough from 1981 to 1983.