LANE, Gordon

A true Essendon local, Gordon Lane was a great centre half-forward who came from Essendon United in the Essendon District League.

Known to everyone as "Whoppa", he was the most dangerous key forward in the game before his career was interrupted by a bad knee injury in early 1948 when he had surgery to remove a cartilage.

Lane was a superb high-mark, but his most remarkable asset was his outstanding ability to score goals from snap shots with either foot and from long range.

He kicked six goals from centre half-forward in the 1942 premiership win over Richmond, and was best on ground at centre half-forward in the 1946 Grand Final with seven goals against Carlton, equalling the most goals by an Essendon player in a Grand Final.

Lane was a reserve in the 1949 premiership team. He also played in the 1941 and 1943 losing Grand Finals, and, in total, played in 16 finals games, kicking 39 goals. Only Matthew Lloyd and Dick Reynolds have kicked more goals for Essendon in finals.

He was runner-up in Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1946 but surprisingly never represented Victoria.

Lane was second top goalkicker in 1941, 1942 and 1943 and third top in 1944. He also booted seven goals twice in 1941.

He also won the Most Serviceable Player award in 1942 and the Best Utility Player award in 1945.

Lane was unable to re-capture form after his injury in 1948 and actually resigned but returned to play seven more games in 1949, including the Grand Final, which gave him his third premiership.

He went to South Melbourne as captain-coach in 1950 and played 47 games between then and 1952. He was South's leading goalkicker in 1950 and 1952.

He was also an accomplished cricketer and scored a hat trick in his first game for the Fire Brigade team. Legend says that when the fieldsmen gathered round the batsman, preparing for the hat trick ball, Lane said "Don't worry. I'll just clean bowl him." And he did! He also played district cricket for Essendon.

He was named at number 51 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Gordon Lane died on 21st July,1973, after having worked most of his life as a fireman.