Australian Football

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Key Facts

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)

Ken McGregor


ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
West AdelaideSANFL1954-195858841.45
Total1954-195858841.45

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

Footnotes

1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 155.
2. Ibid., page 266.

Sources

Full Points Footy's SA Football Companion

Footnotes

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