Australian Football

A handy full forward early in his career, David Walsh later became a highly rated full back, a transformation by no means as uncommon as might be imagined.

Walsh commenced his senior playing career in 1918 with Essendon and performed consistently well over the ensuing couple of seasons. He was the Dons’ top goal kicker in 1919, albeit with what might nowadays be viewed as a meagre tally of 15 goals. Then, after just one game of the 1920 season, bringing his total to 25, he quit the club, surfacing a few months later at Essendon Association. It was at this point in his career that his priorities underwent a reversal, and it soon became obvious that while he had certainly been serviceable at the goal front he was genuinely outstanding as a full back.

The last phase of Walsh’s career was far and away the most noteworthy. From 1922 to 1927 he played for North Melbourne, initially in the VFA and then from 1925, after the club’s elevation, in the VFL. His high rating was endorsed by interstate selection in 1925-6-7, and had it not been for a career-ending knee injury there is no telling what he might have achieved.

Author - John Devaney