PLUMMER, Elton

Elton "Duffy" Plummer came to Essendon from Preston where he played in 1932 and 1933. He started as a centreman although he didn't become a star until he went into defence.

Plummer became an excellent back pocket for Essendon, with superb judgment and plenty of courage. He was rugged and fit and a good mark and kick. He weighed only 62 kg and had thin legs.

In his first game in 1934, Plummer played on the wing and incredibly went through the whole game without touching the ball. Then, in 1935 he was vice-captain of the Seconds and didn't get a Senior game.

He was the Seconds Best and Fairest in that year.

Plummer became vice-captain in 1944 and, in fact, he acted as captain-coach for seven weeks while Dick Reynolds was sidelined with appendicitis.

He was in the back pocket in the 1942 premiership team.

Plummer played 98 consecutive games between 1939 and 1944 and only four Essendon players have bettered this. He also won the Best Utility Player award in 1940, the quaint Most Attentive to Training Award in 1941, the Best Clubman award in 1943 and the Most Unselfish Player award in 1944.

After leaving Essendon, Plummer became captain-coach of Brunswick in 1945 and 1946 and then Coburg in 1947 before becoming coach of East Brunswick.

His older brother, Henry, played three games for Essendon in 1934. His nephew, John "Killer" Kirby, was a legendary trainer and mentor at Essendon. "Killer" began as a trainer with the Essendon Under 19s in 1968 and progressed through the Reserves to the seniors in 1984. His 50+ years of service were acknowledged when the John Kilby Trainers and Staff Award was established in 2016.

Elton Plummer retired in 1977 as a Station Officer after thirty-nine years in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

He died on 30th May, 1988.