TORNEY, Hugh

Hugh Torney was one of Essendon's greatest-ever ruckmen. He joined Essendon from Patchewollock, and prior to that had played with Dering.

He had complete mastery in the ruck and would skilfully palm the ball out, providing good supply to his rovers. He was left-handed and left-footed and his marking was feature of his game.

Torney was vice-captain between 1940 and 1943. He was also Essendon's Best and Fairest in 1940 and runner-up in the award in 1939 and 1941. He was amongst Essendon's best players in the 1942 premiership team. He won Essendon's Most Improved Player award in 1935, the Best All-round Player award in 1938 and the Best Clubman award in 1942.

Torney was runner-up in the Brownlow Medal in 1940 with 24 votes, the most votes for a runner-up to that time and won theMacdonald Cup as Essendon's highest vote scorer. He was also second top vote scorer in the Medal count at Essendon in 1937, 1938 and 1939 and equal second in 1941. He was Essendon's third top goalkicker in 1933.

He played for Victoria in 1937, 1939 and 1941.

He later played with Williamstown in 1945.

Like many other Essendon players of the time, Torney was a fireman, and he spent thirty five years in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

He was selected as one of Essendon's Top 60 players in 1994 and was named at number 26 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Hugh Torney died on 10th February, 2000, aged 90. In his honour the Essendon team played in black armbands during their successful Ansett Cup night series.