Australian Football

A powerful and resolute defender, Peter Marquis was something of a hero among Melbourne supporters during his VFL career because of his penchant for smashing his way through packs with little apparent regard for his (or anyone else's) safety. He was a key figure on the last line of defence in three Melbourne premiership teams, and played the last of his 99 VFL games in the losing 1958 Grand Final against Collingwood.

Originally from Devonport, Marquis won that club best and fairest award in 1951. Popularly known as "runk" he played a total of 36 games for the Magpies, and was also chosen to represent the NWFU. After his six-season stint with Melbourne he returned to Tasmania and joined North Hobart, where he rounded off his career with a further 94 league games, plus membership of the 1961-2 premiership teams. He was one of the most highly regarded TANFL players of his era, finishing as a runner-up in the Leitch Medal voting on no fewer than three occasions.

Peter Marquis played interstate football for both Tasmania and the VFL, and in August 2000 was selected in the unplaced official North Hobart team of the Twentieth Century.

Author - John Devaney