HISKINS, Fred

Fred Hiskins was one of Essendon's leading forwards and goalkickers in the Club's early years.

He debuted late in 1900 with three goals against South Melbourne and a fortnight later kicked four in a huge win over Carlton.

In 1901 Hiskins became the second Essendon player, after Thurgood, to head the VFL goalkickers, with 34 goals and their combined 55 goals were key to the Club's success that year.

He was second top goalkicker, again behind Thurgood, in 1902 and his five goals against Geelong in Round 2 were the most by an Essendon player that year.

Hiskins was selected in the State side in 1902, then left Essendon at the end of 1902 and went to Western Australia for three years.

On return, he emerged from an injured-forced retirement in Round 7, 1906 to help the side cover other injured players and continued to play well.

He had played one game for his home town, Wahgunyah, in June 1906 before returning to play at Essendon for the rest of the season. He then returned to Victoria's north-east in 1907 to play for his old club, Rutherglen, and won the Ovens and Murray League premiership that year.

Hiskins was part of a remarkable football family stretching over generations. He was the oldest of nine boys, three others also played League football: Arthur 185 games for South Melbourne (1908-1915, 1919-1923), Rupe 74 games for Carlton (1920-1924), and Stan 66 games for South Melbourne (1913-1914, 1919-1921).

His son, Jack, played 16 games for Essendon (1934-1935). His grandson, Barry Richardson, played 125 games for Richmond (1965-1974), and his great grandson, Paul McCormack, played 14 games for Carlton (1992-1994).

Fred Hiskins died on 25th November, 1946.