Australian Football

Ron Hartridge joined St Kilda from South Melbourne Technical College and he made his senior VFL debut in 1938. Capable of occupying any key position, he struggled to have an impact with the Saints, managing just 15 games and 11 goals in three seasons. In 1941-2 he did not play league football and when he resumed in 1943 it was South Melbourne. During his time with South he played mainly as a forward, and in 1944 he topped the club’s goal kicking list with 31 majors. The following year he actually managed one goal more, but the goal kicking award went to Laurie Nash, with 56. Hartridge played every match of the season in 1945, but several were as a reserve, including the infamous ‘Bloodbath’ grand final in which South lost to Carlton.

After playing a couple of matches early in the 1946 season Hartridge crossed to Coburg in the VFA, where he finished his playing career. His Bloods stint had seen him make 50 senior appearances and score 71 goals, while he would add a final 17 games and 45 goals in just under three seasons with the Lions.

Author - John Devaney