Australian Football

After playing 16 games for South Melbourne in 1902 and 1903 Ted Alley (some sources refer to him as 'Ned') crossed to Williamstown and became a key contributor to that club's gradual emergence as a power in the VFA. After qualifying for the finals for the first time in 1905, the Villagers contested their first premiership decider two years later. Reigning premier West Melbourne provided the opposition, but Williamstown, which had finished the season as minor premier, proved too strong. 

A key reason for this was the display of Alley who, in the absence of regular captain Paddy Noonan, was skippering the side. In those days, a club's captain was tantamount to a coach, and Alley made all the right moves in masterminding an opening term burst by his charges that effectively finished the game as a contest. The Villagers led 4.4 to 0.2 at the first change, and went on to win by 18 points, with Alley's place in history, as Williamstown's first ever premiership captain, thereby secured. He continued with the club until 1915, playing a total of 151 VFA games and scoring 19 goals.

Author - John Devaney