McKENZIE, Don

Don McKenzie was a top-class ruckman who stepped up quietly from the Reserves but gradually improved to become the Club's leading follower. He was probably the best ruckman for his inches in the League during his heyday.

He began playing football in 1957, and the following year, playing at Essendon Baptists-St John's, he won the award for Best and Fairest in the Essendon District League.

McKenzie was tough and aggressive, had terrific stamina and could ruck all day. Because he had to give away an inch or two, he had a tremendous leap and could take a strong high-mark.

He was Essendon's captain in 1969 and was vice-captain in both 1968 and 1970. He lost the captaincy to Barry Davis in 1970 shortly after joining four other senior players who resigned over pay and conditions at the start of that year. The controversy was soon resolved and all five players were selected in the second game of the season. The Club also decided to establish a testimonial fund for players to access on their retirement.

McKenzie played 94 consecutive games between 1965 and 1969. He was in the back pocket and ruck in the 1962 premiership team and was one of Essendon best as first ruck in the 1965 premiership win.

He won Essendon Best and Fairest player award in 1966.

In 1963, he became the first Essendon player to be charged with striking an umpire. The charge laid by a boundary umpire was dismissed in four minutes.

McKenzie was selected in the State side in 1967, and in 1968 he became the third Essendon player to play Gaelic football overseas.

In 1968, he unsuccessfully applied for the job of captain-coach at Essendon when Jack Clarke was appointed.

McKenzie won the Most Consistent Player award in 1967, the Best Team Man award in 1969 and the Most Courageous Player award in 1972.

He finally retired in his middle thirties at the end of 1974. Then in 1978, at the age of 39 he made a comeback to play a season in the Reserves.

In 1981, McKenzie returned to Essendon as a committeeman and served as Vice President from 1981-96. In 1997 and 1998 he was chairman of the football sub-committee.

He was initially employed as an inspector of interstate transport vehicles and their drivers by the Victorian Country Roads Board, but later had his own bus company.

McKenzie was named at number 43 in the Champions of Essendon (2002) and depicted as "Pride" in the Spirit to Win mural at Windy Hill.