Australian Football

An energetic, bullocking ruckman and occasional defender, Noel Teasdale was one of the most noteworthy identities in the history of the North Melbourne Football Club. Recruited from Daylesford, he played a total of 178 VFL games for the 'Roos between 1956 and 1967, kicking 71 goals. A clear indication of his class is that he also represented the VFL no fewer than 19 times in an era replete with top line ruck men.

A clash of heads with teammate Ken Dean in 1964 produced a serious head injury, and when 'Teaser' returned to the fray he was wearing the padded head guard that was to become his trademark. The head guard did nothing to undermine his effectiveness, however; in 1965 he finished runner-up, on a countback, in the Brownlow voting to St Kilda's Ian Stewart (he was later awarded a retrospective Medal), and the following season saw him achieve All Australian honours after the Hobart carnival. Teasdale also won North's best and fairest award in both years to make it an unprecedented four such wins in succession. He captained the Roos from 1965-7.

In 1968 Noel Teasdale was appointed captain-coach of Woodville but his four seasons at the helm - the last of these in a non-playing capacity - produced an overall success rate of just 29.6%. On an individual note, however, Teasdale continued to perform with distinction as a player, adding a total of 47 SANFL games, winning the 'Peckers' best and fairest award in his debut season, and representing South Australia twice. In 1975-6 he returned to football as senior coach of West Torrens, but was unable to help the Eagles avoid the wooden spoon in both years.

There would have been little surprise when, in 2003, it was announced that Noel Teasdale had been selected to lead the first ruck in the North Melbourne Kangaroos official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney