Australian Football

Arguably the finest VFL rover of his generation, Ernie Cameron's name would undoubtedly be much more famous today had he not been forced into premature retirement after breaking a leg during Essendon's semi final win over South Melbourne in 1912. At the time, he was only twenty-three years of age. Quick, tenacious, brave and resourceful, he had arguably been the dominant player in the competition for the previous two seasons. During the 1911 carnival in Adelaide, he stood head and shoulders above every other player in the VFL side, while in 1912 he featured almost weekly in Essendon's best and fairest player listings. In both years he was voted Essendon's best and fairest player. Cameron's 113 VFL appearances for the Same Old included a starring role in the club's 5.11 (41) to 4.11 (35) defeat of Collingwood in the 1911 premiership decider. He also played in the losing Final of 1908 against Carlton. For much of his career, Cameron combined with Alan Belcher and Fred Baring to give Essendon one of the most damaging and effective first ruck combinations in football history. After his enforced retirement as a player, Ernie Cameron served for several years on the VFL Umpires Board. He was also heavily involved in cricket, managing the Australian team that toured England in 1919, and acting as secretary of the North Melbourne Cricket Club.

Author - John Devaney