Australian Football

Sydney Anderson, typically referred to as ‘Sid’ in contemporary sources, spent three seasons in Melbourne’s seconds before forcing his way into the seniors in round seven, 1939. Thereafter, he established himself as a key player, and was a member of the club’s 1939, 1940 and 1941 premiership teams. In the 1939 grand final defeat of Collingwood he was listed high among Melbourne’s best players. A centre half forward at the outset of his career, he was shifted later to a wing, a position to which his exceptional pace arguably made him better suited. From 1939 to 1941 he played 52 VFL games and scored 12 goals.

Having enlisted in the RAAF, Sid Anderson lost his life during combat in Wewak, New Guinea on 20th May, 1944.

The award for second place in Melbourne’s annual best and fairest is named the Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy in his honour.

Author - John Devaney