AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Kenneth Bruce McGregor
Known as
Ken McGregor
Born
2 June 1929
Place of birth
Adelaide, SA (5000)
Died
1 December 2007 (aged 78)
Occupation
Tennis pro
Height and weight
Height: 191 cm
Senior clubs
West Adelaide
State of origin
SA
Family links
Bruce McGregor (Father)Ken McGregor (Grandson)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
West Adelaide | SANFL | 1954-1958 | 58 | 84 | 1.45 | — | — | — | — | — |
Total | 1954-1958 | 58 | 84 | 1.45 | — | — | — | — | — |
Probably best remembered for his exploits on the tennis court, Ken McGregor, son of dual Magarey Medallist Bruce McGregor, was also an accomplished footballer who gave fine service to West Adelaide in an all too brief 58-game league career which began in 1954 and ended with a near best afield performance in the losing Grand Final team of 1958 against Port Adelaide. He also played four state games for South Australia, kicking six goals.
Agile for a big man, and superb overhead, his kicking was described by no less an authority than Jeff Pash as “perfection itself”.¹ Moreover:
I have no doubt that, without that career in big tennis, he would have been the outstanding footballer of his time. How rare it is to see a really tall player give himself enough room to swing at a drop kick, and how awkwardly he stumbles over the short ones. Not McGregor; only Lindsay Head has as handsome a drop kick as he, and that specially designed screw punt with the low trajectory belongs to no one else.²
McGregor’s best and most consistent season on the football field was 1958 when he was rewarded with both the Advertiser and News-Ampol Trophies.
Author - John Devaney
1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 155.
2. Ibid., page 266.