Australian Football

Originally from Cohuna, Doug Farrant was a capable all round footballer who kicked well and marked strongly. He commenced his senior career with North Melbourne in 1968, having been at full forward in the reserves' grand final win over Richmond the previous year. Between 1968 and 1971 and in 1973 Farrant went on to play a total of 70 VFL games and kick 110 goals for the Kangaroos, topping their goal kicking list with 35 goals in his debut season.

In 1974 Farrant was one of a group of four players (the others were Phil Doherty, David Pretty and Mike Redenbach) off-loaded by North to Perth as part of the deal which saw champion rover Barry Cable heading in the opposite direction. Farrant, who was the only member of the quartet to enjoy an extended stay in the west, promptly emulated his 1968 feat by topping his new club's goal-kicking list at the first time of asking, this time with 55 goals. He remained with Perth until 1979, playing a total of 119 WANFL games which included the victorious Grand Finals of 1976 against East Perth and 1977 against East Fremantle.

Author - John Devaney