Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Les Griggs

Known as
Les Griggs

Born
6 May 1914

Died
28 May 1990 (aged 76)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 28d
Last game: 30y 140d

Height and weight
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 80 kg

Senior clubs
Essendon

Jumper numbers
Essendon: 19, 33, 20

Les Griggs

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
EssendonV/AFL1933-1935, 1939-1942, 194499520.5352%10
Total1933-1935, 1939-1942, 194499520.5352%10

AFL: 4,052nd player to appear, 2,463rd most games played, 1,985th most goals kickedEssendon: 454th player to appear, 178th most games played, 171st most goals kicked

Les Griggs was a quick, strong, purposeful footballer who played in the centre for Essendon early in his career before developing into a fine centre half forward. Originally from Warragul High School he debuted for the Dons in 1933 but then spent the period from 1936 to 1938 teaching in the country meaning he was unable to continue his VFL career for that time. Instead he captain-coached Kenmare in 1936 and 1937 and Jeparit in 1938 and early 1939. On resuming with Essendon part way through the 1939 season he quickly showed that he had lost none of his prowess. He was at centre half forward in the losing grand final of 1941 against Melbourne and won his club's most serviceable player award in 1940 and the most consistent player award in 1944.

After missing the 1943 season because he was again teaching in the country Les Griggs returned to play one last season with the Bombers, taking his final tally of league games played to 99 and number of goals kicked to 52.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby & Jim Main; Those Magnificent Men 1897-1987 by Michael Maplestone

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.