AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Michael Clingly
Known as
Mick Clingly
Born
18 April 1932
Died
16 August 2004 (aged 72)
Senior clubs
West Torrens
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
West Torrens | SANFL | 1951-1959 | 156 | 219 | 1.40 | — | — | — | — | — |
Total | 1951-1959 | 156 | 219 | 1.40 | — | — | — | — | — |
Michael Clingly of West Torrens was a solidly built centre half forward or centre half back whose play was "a nice blend of strength, aggressiveness, and great skill"¹. Well liked by Torrens supporters, and highly respected by those of opposition teams, he played a total of 156 SANFL games for the blue and golds between 1951 and 1959, amassing the highly creditable total of 219 goals in the process. He topped the club’s goal kicking list on three occasions, and was best afield - playing in the unaccustomed position of back pocket - when Torrens defeated Port Adelaide by seven points to annex the 1953 premiership (reviewed here). In a game against Glenelg in 1956, during which he booted 12 goals, Clingly became the last player in SANFL history to use a place kick.
Author - John Devaney
1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 88.