Australian Football

A product of Caulfield Juniors, Norman Rippon would almost certainly be remembered today as an out and out champion had his determination to succeed matched his undoubted talent. As it was, he gave VFL crowds occasional glimpses of his audacious ability, but that was all. He joined Melbourne in 1898, but played just one game for the year before deciding that top level football was not for him. He had another stab at the big time in 1901, this time with South Melbourne, and, as hinted at above, there were occasions when he seemed capable of taking his football to another plane. Ultimately, however, his tally of 36 VFL games in four seasons, playing mainly as a centreman, must be seen as representing a dismal underachievement for someone of his capabilities.

Author - John Devaney