STAEHR, Howard

Howard Staehr was a follower who came from Horsham to the Under 19s in 1973. In a very successful year, he won the 1973 Best and Fairest Player award and the Best First Year Player award. In 1974, he won the Reserves Most Courageous Player award.

He made his senior debut in Round 13 in a win over South Melbourne. He played the next game but only had one possession and didn't play any further games that season.

He did not play a senior game in 1975 because of a broken leg but returned in 1976 to play three more games.

After leaving Essendon, he played with Brunswick in mid-1977 and 1978 and then with Hawthorn Reserves in 1979.

Staehr was also a fine professional runner and he won the back markers' race at Stawell in 1980.

He later served on the Essendon Past Players and Officials Association committee.