FORBES, Charlie

Charlie "Tracker" Forbes was the first of great Essendon ruckmen. He was already 32 years old when the VFL was formed and had played 140 games for the Club in the VFA from 1889-1896.

He was tall and lean and dominated the ruck during the early years. He starred in the four consecutive Essendon premiership teams in the Association between 1891 and 1894.

His combination with partner Fred Ball and rover Colin Campbell was superb during the 1890s and he won the Association Champion of the Colony award in 1891. He also played in the intercolonial side in 1893 and 1894.

Forbes was bold and fearless and a splendid mark and was regarded as a great comedian. On one occasion he is reported to have become so irritated by St Kilda rover 'Curly' Jones, that he deposited him on a seat outside the fence.

He played in Essendon's first League game and was a star in the 1897 premiership victory, making him a five-time premiership player. He also played in the losing 1898 Grand Final but only played five games in 1901, so missed out on a sixth premiership.

When he retired at the end of 1902, he had played a massive 194 games for Essendon, first in the VFA then in the VFL. He remained with the Club as a committeeman until 1909 and was a Club patron in 1910.

Off the field, Forbes's kind-hearted nature was legendary. When he was working in a factory where other workers were being retrenched, he volunteered to leave to save a married man his job.

Charlie Forbes died on 20th June, 1922. In a gesture that demonstrated his standing, the Club raised 135 pounds for "a suitable monument over the last resting-place of our departed comrade" and placed a large granite slab over his grave at the Melbourne Cemetery.