MANTON, Glenn

Glenn Manton was born and bred in Essendon and came up through the Club's Under 19s. While with the Under 19s, he underwent micro-surgery on his elbow which he had injured by putting it through a plate glass window at a nightclub. He was told he'd never play football again but he dedicated the summer to extensive rehabilitation and the following season he became captain of the Under 19s and ran second in the Morrish Medal (for best and fairest in the AFL Under 19s).

Manton had plenty of ability and showed enough promise but failed to secure a regular senior spot. He played the last four home-and-away games in 1993 and was unlucky to miss playing in the finals, including the 1993 Grand Final through a hamstring injury.

He'd had a troubled adolescence and at times felt he wouldn't make it in League football. But Essendon former player and committeeman Alec Epis mentored the young Manton, meeting with him weekly for extra sessions and provided guidance and support for him.

Manton was one of the best players in the 1994 Fosters Cup premiership side, playing mainly in defence. He played a further 12 games in 1994, but was released at the end of the year. He was picked up by Carlton where he enjoyed an excellent career, playing 157 games, including in the 1995 premiership team.

A man of many interests, Manton has undertaken a diverse range of projects since retiring from football. He completed a degree in education, wrote a number of books and founded the Whitelion Foundation, which provides assistance to young people in the juvenile justice system. He has also developed a public profile, becoming a radio commentator and speaker at a variety of functions. He was a director of the Melbourne Fringe Festival and even did a stand-up routine at the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He also spent several years racing on the World Cup circuit as part of the Australian bobsleigh team.