Australian Football

Despite standing a mere 177 cm in height, and weighing just 76 kg, Sturt’s 1923 Magarey Medallist was particularly renowned for his feats of aerial brilliance, frequently out-marking opponents who dwarfed him physically. Unfairly regarded as inconsistent, he actually gave the Double Blues many fine displays during his 10-season, 122-game league career between 1921 and 1930. If the Medal was the undoubted highlight of that career, there were other noteworthy features as well, not least his telling performance against North Adelaide in the 1926 Challenge Final, won by Sturt, and his 20 appearances for South Australia. 

Hardly surprisingly, Horrie Riley, who was actually born in Victoria but moved to South Australia as a youngster, is a member of Sturt’s official ‘Team of the Century’.

Author - John Devaney