NOONAN, Alan

Alan "Lurch" Noonan came to Essendon from Warragul with a big reputation as a top young centre half-forward and full-forward. He was chased by nine clubs but was convinced to join Essendon when coach John Coleman visited him at his home in Warragul. He fulfilled that early promise by being the recruit of the year in 1966. He won Essendon's Best First or Second Year Player award in 1967.

He was a fine high-mark and an excellent, accurate kick as well as being a fast lead to the ball.

Noonan held the record for leading Essendon's goalkicking in most seasons until passed by Matthew Lloyd in 2004. He was Essendon's leading goalkicker seven times: in 1967 with 40 goals, in 1968 with 51 goals, in 1969 with 43 goals, in 1971 with 31 goals, in 1973 with 63 goals, in 1974 with 77 goals, and in 1975 with 48 goals. He was second top in 1972.

The only years that he didn't feature in the goalkicking were 1970 where he missed most of the year with a shoulder injury and his Army service, and 1976 when, in the twilight of his career, he spent some time in defence.

He was called up for National Service in 1969, which threatened to seriously interrupt his career, but he was able to play when he was encamped close to Melbourne and missed more games through injury than through his Army service.

In 1970, while doing his National Service, he was one of the best players in a game between the Army and North Melbourne.

Noonan booted eight goals in a game in 1969 and held the record at Essendon for the equal most goals kicked in Round 13 with seven goals in 1973. He also kicked seven goals in 1973, in 1967 and twice in 1974.

He was vice-captain at Essendon in 1974 and 1975, and was selected in the State side in 1967, 1968, 1972 and 1973.

Noonan was also equal second top poller at Essendon in the Brownlow Medal in 1974.

He was centre half-forward in the losing 1968 Grand Final side and won the Best Team Man award in 1972. Essendon supporters still believe he should have been awarded a free kick in the goal square in the last minutes of the Grand Final which, if given, meant that Essendon would almost certainly would have won instead of losing by three points.

He was vice-captain from 1974 to 1975 and acted as captain several times.

In 1976, he was tried out at full-back in the twilight of his career with limited success and he was cleared to Richmond in 1977 where he played 11 games. He then joined Coburg in 1978 and finished his career playing with Keilor in 1979 and 1980.

He was vice-president from 1994 to 1995

He had a long and successful career as a much-loved primary school teacher, but died on the 13th April 2011, aged only 64, after a long battle with cancer.

Alan Noonan was named at number 60 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).