Australian Football

Ernie McIntyre was a useful ruckman who marked well and knew how to use his body, both in ruck clashes, and when shepherding for team mates, which he did with almost religious diligence. He began his senior career with Sandringham in 1939 and remained there until midway through the 1940 season when he joined St Kilda. Throughout his 80-game, 57-goal VFL career with the Saints he played as an amateur, and his adherence to the amateur ideal of good sportsmanship ultimately brought about his undoing. On one occasion he helped his Melbourne opponent Don Cordner to his feet, and on another he applauded a mark taken by Richmond's Bill Morris. Such behaviour was too much for the St Kilda committee, who made no secret of their dissatisfaction.

Feeling himself persona non grata, Ernie McIntyre quit the club part of the way through the 1948 season and crossed to Collingwood. He spent the remainder of 1948 and the whole of the following year with the Magpies, where he added a final 13 VFL games and 17 goals. In 1952 he made an abortive comeback with Sandringham, taking his final tally of VFA games to 20, and the number of goals kicked to 22. Although not quite in the top echelon among the ruckmen of his generation, in 1945 he was considered good enough to be selected to represent the VFL against South Australia in Adelaide.

Author - John Devaney