Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Roy McConnell

Known as
Roy McConnell

Born
21 August 1927

Died
24 July 2003 (aged 75)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 21y 287d
Last game: 28y 356d

Height and weight
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 76 kg

Senior clubs
Essendon

Jumper numbers
Essendon: 25

Roy McConnell

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
EssendonV/AFL1949-195613500.0065%12.00—2.503
Total1949-195613500.0065%12.00—2.503

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 5,906th player to appear, 1,585th most games played, 11,708th most goals kickedEssendon: 621st player to appear, 100th most games played, 1,091st most goals kicked

Standing 188cm tall, but weighing in, on average, at just 76 kg, Roy McConnell combined aerial prowess of the highest order with tremendous agility at ground level and a formidable turn of speed, attributes which made him ideally suited to a key defensive position. For much of his 135-game VFL career between 1949 and 1956 he was Essendon's centre half back, in which position he starred in the club's 1949 and 1950 premiership triumphs. Following Bill Brittingham's retirement at the end of the 1952 season, McConnell stepped into the former champion's shoes at full back, where he proved equally successful.

A comparatively late starter, McConnell spent a long period in Essendon's reserves side, finishing second in the Gardiner Medal in 1948, the season before his elevation to league ranks. He won the club's best first year player award in 1949, and was named most consistent player in his second to last season. In 1956 he was the senior team's vice-captain.

After retiring as a player Roy McConnell served in a variety of capacities on the Essendon committee.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

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