Australian Football

A much-travelled footballer, Lou Daily enjoyed notoriety and success in three competitions. He began his senior career with Subiaco in 1931 and rapidly established himself as one of the finest defenders in the WANFL. Next he headed for the VFL, where he played seven games for Collingwood in 1933, and 19 for Geelong the following year. Although primarily a defender, in his first match for the Cats he booted 10 goals.

Daily returned to Subiaco in 1935 a much better all round player, a fact he emphasised by promptly winning both the club fairest and best award and the Sandover Medal (jointly with Swan Districts' George Krepp). He also made the first of an eventual seven interstate appearances for Western Australia. His good form continued in 1936 and 1937 when he won two further Subi fairest and best awards. He spent most of this phase of his career playing at full back, where he combined strength in the air, superb kicking, and a keen awareness of when to leave his man and chase the ball, and when to stay firmly at 'home'.

In 1938, after 92 WANFL games, Daily crossed to Mines Rovers in the GNFL as captain-coach, where he continued to play excellent football, winning a league fairest and best trophy in 1939. He also captained a goldfields representative side to a memorable win over Port Adelaide that same year.

Although his playing career was comparatively short, there can be little doubt that, for three or four seasons at least, Lou Daily was one of the finest footballers of his generation. At his peak, he was often compared, in terms of technique and ability, to the great Jack Regan - and full backs dhave arguably nevert come any better than the erstwhile Collingwood champion.

Author - John Devaney