OGDEN, Percy

Percy Ogden, known as "Butcher", was one of Essendon's greatest-ever rovers. He was cool and resourceful, with a rare combination of pace and endurance. He was also a prodigious kick with a fine goal sense. In 1918, the Weekly Times remarked on his “dashing cleverness, quick judgement and resourcefulness.”

He began his career at Collingwood where he played four games late in 1905. He accepted an offer from Preston after being omitted from Collingwood's team which played the Grand Final against Fitzroy.

He became a star at Preston then moved to Essendon 'A' in 1909. He returned to League ranks when he joined Essendon in 1910.

Ogden was a star in both the 1911 and 1912 premiership teams as a rover. He represented Victoria in 1912, 1913 and 1914. In an era of low scores, he kicked four goals in a match twice in 1910 and 1911.

He returned to Preston when Essendon withdrew from the League between 1916 and 1917, but returned as good as ever in 1918. He was named as the best rover in the League by The Sporting Globe in 1920. He represented Victoria in 1919, 1920 and 1921, and captained the State team against South Australia in 1920. Only five Essendon players have played more interstate games.

Ogden was vice-captain in 1918 and captained the Club in 1919. He became captain-coach in 1920 and 1921. When he took over as coach he had a big task to improve the Club's performance and he led Essendon in their last game at the East Melbourne ground in 1921.

When he finally left Essendon he became captain-coach of Northcote in 1922. After this, he again went back to Preston from 1923 to 1925 and he was captain-coach in 1924 and 1925.

His son, Gordon, played 134 games for Melbourne between 1928 and 1937, represented Victoria five times and later captain coached Williamstown to a premiership in 1939. His other son, Terry, played Reserves for Essendon but couldn't make the senior team, so he joined his brother at Melbourne. He played three senior games for Melbourne in 1932 but again couldn't maintain his place, although he did play in the Reserves premiership team in 1933. He moved to Carlton and played 15 games in 1934. He died of septicaemia in February 1935, which probably resulted from an injury sustained during pre-season training.

Ogden's great-grandson, Craig Nankervis, played Under 19s for Essendon in 1980.

He was named at number 38 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Percy Ogden died on 13th July, 1967.