Australian Football

Of almost elfin stature and appearance, Len Lapthorne had an impish disposition to match, and “always seemed to be fleeing from justice”. His career straddled World War II and involved 220 games with South Adelaide including 15 with the Sturt-South Adelaide combine which operated between 1942 and 1944.

A quick-thinking and agile rover, Lapthorne was especially damaging when resting in a forward pocket, and overall bagged an impressive tally of 365 goals. He topped South Adelaide’s goal kicking list on four occasions, and captained the club in 1949-50. His two interstate appearances for South Australia came at the 1947 Hobart carnival.

Len Lapthorne was included on the interchange bench in South Adelaide’s official ‘Greatest Team’.

Author - John Devaney