Australian Football

Harry Haughton began his senior playing career with VFA side Northcote but made his name in the VFL with Carlton. As versatile as he was accomplished, he played in most positions on the field during the course of his 113-game, 49-goal VFL career with the Blues which ran from 1912 to 1919. Strong overhead, and extremely aggressive and determined, he was on a half back flank, and one of the best players afield, when Carlton downed South Melbourne by a goal in the 1914 Challenge Final. In 1915, the Blues went back to back, beating Collingwood in the Challenge Final by 33 points, with Haughton playing a supporting role to Charlie Hammond in the ruck. The roles were reversed in the 1916 Challenge Final, with Haughton assuming the principal ruck duties, but he was unable to prevent a shock loss to Fitzroy.

A VFL interstate representative in 1913 and at the 1914 Sydney carnival, Haughton returned to the VFA, this time with Williamstown, once his VFL career was over. After serving as captain-coach in 1920, he rounded off his career in style the following year by starring at centre half forward in the Seagulls' 8.9 (57) to 5.9 (39) Challenge Final defeat of Footscray, a result that was considered a major shock in that the Tricolours had only tasted defeat once during the home and away rounds, while Williamstown had just scraped into the finals in fourth place.

Author - John Devaney