Australian Football

Full forward George Goninon began his senior career with Essendon Stars before joining Burnie in the NWFU, where his 67 goals in 1947 was good enough to top the competition's goal kicking list. Recruited by Essendon the following year he found it hard to establish himself because of the presence of John Coleman, and he managed just nine senior VFL games (for 11 goals) in three seasons before crossing to Geelong. 

Given the responsibility of spearheading the Cats' attack, Goninon came into his own, and in four and a half seasons he accumulated 278 goals from 78 games. Favouring the then somewhat unfashionable drop punt when kicking for goal, he was renowned as one of the most accurate kicks in the league. He topped the VFL goal kicking list with 86 goals in 1951 and was a member of Geelong premiership teams both that year and the next.

Author - John Devaney