TATE, Greg

Greg Tate, known as "Spudda", was a forward pocket and rover from the North Essendon Methodists where he had played after returning from the War.

He was speedy and elusive and liked to work in short bursts at top speed. He was part of Essendon's "mosquito fleet" of the 1940s. He possessed one of the most penetrating stab kicks in football, and had good balance and surprising kicking power for his size.

Tate had an unlucky record in Grand Finals. He was unfortunate enough to miss playing in the 1949 and 1950 premiership teams through injury, but played in the losing Grand Final teams of 1947 and 1951.

He was Essendon's third top goalkicker in 1950 and 1951 and he kicked seven goals in a game in 1951. He also won the Most Improved Player award in 1949 and 1950.

He became captain-coach of Rutherglen from 1952 to 1955, winning the flag in 1954, and then of Chiltern from 1956 to 1960 winning premierships in 1957 and 1958. After this, he coached the Kerang Thirds from 1967 to 1971 and Yackandandah from 1972 to 1974.

Tate died on 27th May, 2010.