Australian Football

After making his senior League debut for Carlton in round two of the 1906 season Doug Gillespie went on to round off the year in style as a member of the Blues’ winning grand final team against Fitzroy. Lining up in his customary position of full back Gillespie earned prominent mention among his team’s best performers on the day.

In 1907 he had the satisfaction off playing in two straight premiership-winning sides as Carlton accounted for the grand final challenge of South Melbourne. As a key member of the side he would have been expected to take part in a third straight victorious grand final in 1908 but he was prevented from doing this by injury.

The 1910 season ended in a welter of controversy at Carlton with Doug Gillespie one of a group of three players accused of ‘playing dead’ in the Blues’ semi final loss to South Melbourne. Only Gillespie was exonerated, and he duly took his place in Carlton’s challenge final team to face Collingwood, a match which the Magpies won. Presumably feeling he was persona non grata at Princes Park, however, Gillespie spent the 1911 season playing in the VFA with Brunswick. He then returned for one last season with the Blues in 1912 taking his final tally of VFL games to 90. He failed to kick a goal.

Doug Gillespie’s twin brother Dave also played briefly for Carlton and for a longer spell at Brunswick.

Author - John Devaney