Australian Football

Charles Gaudion enjoyed a fine and varied career at four clubs. A strongly built, versatile footballer, he began with Footscray in 1926, and over the ensuing four seasons went on to play a total of 63 VFL games and kick seven goals. He also played interstate football for the VFL. After spending the 1930 season with VFA side Coburg he resumed in the VFL the following year with North Melbourne, where he played 77 games and kicked nine goals in seven seasons.

Gaudion's ability to play equally well in almost any key position ensured that he was one of the most highly regarded footballers of his time, as his evidenced by his selection in 'Big V' interstate sides every year between 1932 and 1936. He captained the VFL in 1936. In 1940, after two seasons out of league football, he accepted the position of coach at West Adelaide, steering the side to six wins and a draw from 17 matches (with the draw effectively causing the side to miss the finals). He also made one final senior appearance as a player. Gaudion's last involvement in top level football came in 1956 and 1957 when he coached his former club North Melbourne to twelfth and eighth place finishes. Among his charges in the second of those seasons was his son, Michael Gaudion.

Author - John Devaney