Australian Football

Marcus Boyall made his VFL debut with Collingwood in 1935 but did not become a regular in the side until two years later. In 1936 he won the Gardiner Medal for best and fairest in the VFL reserves competition.

Strong overhead, and deceptively dashing for one who appeared so angular and uncoordinated, Boyall made the centre half back position his own in 1937-8, but in 1939 he accepted an offer to join Glenelg, much to the ire of the Magpie committee, which refused to clear him. Boyall was forced to stand out of football for the whole of the 1939 season, but quickly made up for lost time by performing heroically when finally cleared the following year. Boyall spent part of the 1940 season as Glenelg captain-coach only to resign mid-season when things were not going well. With the coaching burden removed he began to play better than ever, and this stellar form continued during a 1941 season which saw him land both a Bays best and fairest award and South Australian football's most prestigious individual honour, the Magarey Medal.

Boyall once again played for Collingwood while stationed in Melbourne on war service in 1944-5, but in the latter year he courted further controversy by crossing to VFA club Camberwell without a clearance. He gave the Tricolours excellent serviced over the next three seasons, winning a best and fairest award during a 1947 season that saw him replaced as senior coach half way through the year by Harry Collier, and later achieving selection on a half back flank in Camberwell's official "Team of the Century"

Marcus Boyall's last season in top level football, 1948, was spent with Glenelg, although as he was actually based at Whyalla at the time he only managed to front up occasionally. His final tally of league games with the Tigers was 49. He also played 50 games for Collingwood, and 54 for Camberwell.

Author - John Devaney