Australian Football

Best remembered for his feat in kicking a record equalling seven goals in the 1965 Grand Final, Essendon's Ted Fordham endured something of a topsy-turvy league career that was ultimately brought to a somewhat premature end by injury. The Bombers recruited him from Essendon Baptists-St John's, and he made his senior debut in 1961. Used either as a half back flanker or follower early in his career, he lacked consistency, and did not become a regular senior player until coach John Coleman had the idea of trying him at full forward late in the 1964 season. Despite the fact that his kicking could sometimes be wayward, his immense power coupled with a strong work ethic helped him to make a success of the role. In one on one marking duels with the full back he was extremely difficult to dislodge, and when he hit top form during the 1965 finals he became a major reason behind Essendon's eventual premiership success. In addition to the aforementioned seven-goal haul against St Kilda in the Grand Final, Fordham booted six in the preliminary final defeat of Collingwood. He topped the club's goal kicking list in 1965 with 54 goals, while his tally of 76 the following year was good enough to head the league's list as well.

In 1967 and 1968, Fordham was used as a utility player mainly because new coach Jack Clarke was less tolerant than Coleman had been of his sometimes errant kicking for goal. In the losing Grand Final of 1968 against Carlton he started in a forward pocket and did not have a noteworthy game. Injuries restricted him to a handful of appearances in the 1969 season and he opted to retire at the end of the year. He later served on the Dons committee between 1974 and 1983, and was chairman of selectors between 1976 and 1979.

Author - John Devaney