The death of Barney Grecian
Barney Grecian - ONE OF ESSENDON'S CRACKS - A GREAT FOOTBALLER
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Only those who came into contact with him either as a player for Essendon or West Perth, realise what a great footballer Australia had lost by the death recently of Barney Grecian, who passed away in the Perth Public Hospital at the age of 45 years¹.
It was when Grecian was about 17 years of age that the Essendon Club noticed him as a coming champion, and he was given a game as a half-back in the crack Victorian team. But it was not as a back that he made his name, for shortly afterwards Grecian was played as centre man. Through his wonderful dash, clean play and his dodging with the ball, he soon became conspicuous and was afterwards recognised as the most brilliant centre man of the day.
The stab kick was not in existence in those days, but Barney, when kicking the ball, made the nearest approach to It yet seen at the time. He was somewhat of a stripling in his build, being short and wiry. The nearest approach to his play may be seen when "Nipper" Truscott is playing in the centre, for Truscott's play reminds one very much of Barney.
It was in 1897 that Grecian came to the West and joined the crack team—West Perth—with whom he played until 1899². Prominent amongst those who were playing for Essendon in Grecian's time, are Dr. "Ned" Officer, Tracker Forbes, Minnie Palmer, and the late champion Thurgood. Barney Grecian was a worthy opponent, and was known as the fairest of men, and when "Dolly" Christy saw him play, he was loud in his praises of him as the crack centre of the day.
Footnotes
1. Grecian was in fact 47 when he died.
2. Grecian's final season with West Perth was actually 1900.
Title: Barney Grecian - One of Essendon's cracks - A great footballer
Publisher: Westralian Worker (Perth, WA : 1900 - 1951)
Date: Friday 13 June 1919, page 8
Link: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14902078...
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