RIPPON, Ted

Ted Rippon came to Essendon from Cheltenham via the Carlton Reserves. Although he was a handy follower, he lacked balance and was known as "Autumn Leaves" because of the time he spent falling to the ground. Despite this, he was a good mark and kick.

He won Essendon's Most Serviceable Player award in 1935.

After leaving Essendon, Rippon played 17 games with St Kilda in 1944 and 1945.

He later returned to Essendon and served as vice-president from 1950 to 1956. He also became well-known as a newspaper columnist and as a radio and television football commentator.

But perhaps Rippon's greatest contribution to Essendon was keeping John Coleman at the Club. The champion full-forward was keen to secure his post-football future and in 1953 he had the chance of a well-paid job in Perth so Rippon offered him an even better paid position in his hotel. Coleman enjoyed the work so much that he decided to stay in the industry and became licensee of the Essendon Hotel in late 1954.

A policeman like team-mate, "Syd" Slater, Rippon later spent many years in the hotel industry before succumbing to health problems.

He died on 12th December, 1991.