GERLACH, Darryl

Darryl Gerlach was a fine back pocket who came to Essendon from Strathmore.

He held several positions after breaking into the side in the centre, but he found his niche on the back line and by 1968 he was the League's best back pocket player.

Gerlach was a dependable defender with speed and good judgment as well as fine marking ability. He was also a good, long clearing kick. He was runner-up in Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1966 and won the award in 1970. He was selected in the Victorian state side in 1967, 1968 and 1969.

He was in the back pocket in Essendon's 1965 premiership side. He wore no. 2 instead of no. 17 in the 1965 Grand Final when the VFL was forced to make last-minute changes to some guernsey numbers worn by the Essendon team because some members of the public had endeavoured to sabotage the official edition of the footy record by printing a ‘rogue’ version (EFCPP&OA Newsletter, April 2022). He returned to 17 the following year.

He scored second top Brownlow Medal votes at Essendon in 1967 and was third top in 1968. He also won Essendon's Outstanding Services award in 1966 and the Most Courageous Player award in 1971.

In 1970, he was one of the five senior players who sensationally went on strike at the start of the year over pay and conditions. Their stand-off with the Club was soon resolved but the long-term effect was more significant as it led to the formation of the VFL Players Association.

Gerlach was transferred to Canberra with his work and joined Eastlake (ACT) in 1973 for two years as captain-coach. He represented the ACT in 1973 and 1974.

He then returned to Essendon in 1976 as a recruitment and development co-ordinator and he became a Club committeeman in 1987. He served on a number of committees and was vice-president for 12 years. He has also been an active member of the Essendon Football Club Past Players & Officials Association.

He was inducted as a member of the Club's Hall of Fame in 2013.