Francis Vine | Demonwiki (original) (raw)

DOB: 1 October <1904>
Died: 6 October <1960>

Debut: Grand Final 1926 against at
Last Game: Round 18, 1934 against at

From: Old Melburnians

Number: 23 (1926-1934)

Honours:
Premiership Player - <1926>
Captain - <1932> - <1933>
150 Heroes selection
Life Member - <1945>
Victorian state representative - <1931>

Games: 105
Goals: 41
Career Statistics

Nicknamed "Pop", Vine was one of the few players in history to debut in a Grand Final side. He had been scheduled to make his debut in the Round 18, 1926 match against , but didn't line up and instead was called up to the Grand Final a few weeks later on just a day's notice as a replacement for Bob Corbett.

He got an early goal in the Grand Final, the Redlegs won their first premiership since <1900> and 'Pop' rarely let his side down after that, becoming a reliable centre half-back who was an excellent high mark even in wet weather. While he played most as a key defender he also appeared in other positions on the ground, everywhere except the wing.

His next four years were injury interrupted - including three weeks missed during <1931> with the after effects of a burn to his leg - but when available Vine was a first choice player. That year he represented Victoria against South Australia, but missed another against Tasmania because of injury.

After playing 18 games in <1932> he was named captain the next year but missed the start of the year with influenza, and relinquished the job after being held to nine games for the year. Vine played fifteen games in <1934> season before retiring early the next year due to a knee injury. He played his career as an amateur, saying he liked to play for the sport's sake, and as a sideline from his business.

After his career ended Vine stayed involved with the club by hiring many of the younger players - including Norm Smith in at his business. It was in Pop Vine's factory that a young Jack Mueller lost two fingers in a machine accident - an injury which didn't stop him being one of the best forwards of the era.

In <1999> he was named in the Melbourne Grammar Team of the Century.

Notes
Some sources say Vine was captain in <1932> and show Warne-Smith as "non playing coach". He came out of retirement after the first month of the season but was not 'captain'. Also shown as from Melbourne Grammar.

Lists
Amateur players
Last game of the season debuts

Media
Football Record R18 1926
Argus - 14/05/1930
Herald - 03/07/1931
Herald - 12/07/1934
Sporting Globe - 15/09/1934

Links
Australian Football profile
Boyles Football Photos
Demonwiki image gallery
Wikipedia profile