Australian Football

Hailing originally from Bendigo Football League club South Bendigo, Eric Fleming was a tall, wiry ruckman who gave Geelong solid and intermittently spectacular service in 105 VFL games between 1922 and 1928, during which he booted 112 goals. The occasionally spectacular aspects of his play were his high marking, and his kicking - both drop kicks and, more especially, torpedo punts - which could be prodigious. Fleming was first ruckman in the Cats' 1925 premiership team, and represented the VFL in the interstate arena half a dozen times. In addition to the ruck he could also perform serviceably across half forward, where his above average ground skills came to the fore. In 1929 he crossed to Oakleigh which was making its debut in the VFA, and went on to star at centre half forward in the club's 1930 and 1931 premiership teams. He played a total of 103 senior games for the Purple and Golds, whom he captained in 1933.

Author - John Devaney