Australian Football

Arguably the most famous name in the post-war history of the South Adelaide Football Club, Jim Deane won the 1953 Magarey Medal and was runner-up on a countback in 1957¹, claimed half a dozen club best and fairest awards, was an automatic selection in South Australian interstate teams (15 appearances, and 12 goals), and yet never played in a single major round match in a league career stretching twelve seasons, which included a two year stint at Richmond. 

His reputation transcended state boundaries, and in the early 1950s he was widely regarded as the best half forward flank specialist in Australia, a status which was endorsed by his consistent selection in that position, during both the South and Richmond phases of his career, in the prestigious "Sporting Life" Teams of the Year.

As a player, Deane possessed all the attributes necessary to succeed in the tough and frenetic world of the VFL: powerful and resilient, no matter how heavy the traffic he almost always seemed able to get his hands on the ball and off load it purposefully. Whereas contemporaries like Bob Hank or Lindsay Head were masters at dodging and pirouetting their way out of trouble, Jim Deane seemed almost to glory in confronting it head on. He picked up numerous injuries as a result, but this eschewing of personal safety in the interests of the team arguably made him a more effective and valuable player than the Torrens pair.

After his league career came to an end in 1957, Deane continued as a player in country football for the better part of another decade. He captain-coached Myrtleford in the powerful Ovens and Murray Football League from 1958-62, winning the Morris Medal for best and fairest in the competition twice. He spent his final seasons as a player in Port Pirie.

In 1971, Jim Deane returned 'Home' to South Adelaide as non-playing coach, but in two seasons in charge he was unable to lift the side above second from bottom on the ladder.

Having passed away in 2010, Jim Deane was posthumously inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Author - John Devaney