FORBES, Keith

Keith Forbes was one of Essendon's greatest and most decorated players who unfortunately never tasted premiership success. He was quick, skilful and an excellent mark, despite being only 171 cm tall. Although primarily a rover, he was capable of playing in a number of different positions.

He first mentored and then formed a brilliant partnership with the young Dick Reynolds. They actually ran first and second in the Club's Best and Fairest awards in 1934, 1935 and 1936.

He was also an excellent kick for goal and his average of goals per game (2.73) ranks him in the top three goal kicking rovers in VFL/AFL history.

Forbes came to Essendon without a clearance from Coburg in 1928 after playing in their 1927 premiership side. Prior to that, he played with South Melbourne Districts. He had tried out with South Melbourne but was told he was too small.

He finished first or second in the Club's Best and Fairest Player awards five times in his ten seasons. He won in 1930 and 1935 and was runner-up in 1929, 1934 and 1936. He was also runner-up in the Brownlow Medal in both 1930 and 1935.

His goalkicking record is equally impressive, never finishing lower than third. In his ten seasons, he was the Club's leading goalkicker four times - in 1929 (equal), 1930, 1935 and 1937. He was second top in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1936, and third in 1928.

Forbes kicked nine goals in a game in 1936 and eight goals in 1929 and 1934. He also kicked seven goals in 1933 and six goals on three occasions. His nine goals is equal most kicked by an Essendon player in the 16th round. He became the first Essendon player to reach 200 goals, when he reached that milestone in late 1932.

He was also a great leader, captaining Essendon in 1934 and 1935 before standing down for Jack Baggott. He again took over as captain in 1937.

Forbes played interstate football in 1929, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936 and 1937 and was vice-captain of the State side against South Australia in 1934.

He won Essendon's Most Serviceable Player award in 1931 and 1933 and the Best Position Player award in 1937.

When he left Essendon, he became captain-coach of North Melbourne in 1938 and 1939 and then in 1940 he played four games with Fitzroy.

During World War II, he served with a field workshop in Benghazi and Haifa and spent more than three years in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. He was on leave from Tobruk when it was surrounded by the Germans, leading his comrades to regard him as "lucky" and would stand near him in dangerous situations, believing they would be safe.

On his return, he was captain-coach of Welshpool in 1948 and 1949 and then of Yarram in 1950 and 1951. After this, he coached at Drouin for some years.

Forbes became a member of the West Gippsland Hospital Board, the Drouin South Hall Committee, the RSL and he was involved with the Drouin Bowling Club.

He ran a dairy farm until 1971 and died on 7th September, 1996.

Keith Forbes was named at number 16 in the Champions of Essendon (2002), he was selected as an interchange in the Club's Team of the Century (1997) and inducted into the Club's Hall of Fame in 2011.