Australian Football

Described as “a more than competent full forward”,¹ Albert Armstrong commenced his career with North Melbourne in the VFA at a time when the club was not a force in the competition, finishing second last in both 1907 and 1908. Hungry for success, he crossed to VFL club Essendon in 1909 but although he proved serviceable, when the Same Old went top in 1911 and 1912 he was not selected for either grand final.

Nevertheless, Armstrong was good enough to top the club’s goal kicking list in 1910 with 30 goals, and overall managed the creditable total of 76 goals in 61 matches between 1909 and 1912. One possible reason for his exclusion from finals teams was that it was apparently a recognised ‘fact’ that the worse the weather the better he played. Finals, of course, tend to take place in predominantly clement conditions (although needless to say there are always exceptions).

Author - John Devaney