Australian Football

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In a sign of things to come, Colin Hebbard went straight from junior football (with Mt Hawthorn) in Western Australia to the VFL, although he had to stand out of football for the better part of a year before securing a clearance. He made his Essendon debut in 1957, and went on to play 85 games for the Dons over the course of the next five seasons, initially mainly as a half forward, and later as a defender. Quick, courageous and spectacular, he occasionally overdid things, but overall was highly effective and consistent.

In 1962, Hebbard returned home to Western Australia and joined West Perth. Over the course of five seasons and 92 games he was a distinguished performer for the Cardinals in what, on the whole, was a comparatively undistinguished time for the club. For some of his time at West Perth he was joined in the team by brothers Neville and Robert, and on one notable occasion in 1965 the trio comprised the entire Cardinals centreline.

Colin Hebbard represented Western Australia on half a dozen occasions, including all four games at the 1966 Hobart carnival. After retiring as a player he served for a time as West Perth's chairman of selectors, and later as Essendon's West Australian recruiting officer.

Author - John Devaney