Australian Football

A nephew of Magpie legend Bill Proudfoot, Norm Crewther spent several seasons with Collingwood from the late 1930s after being recruited locally from Abbotsford. A six-foot full-back/back pocket Crewther was predominantly a seconds player, but he turned out for the senior side in 14 games, once in 1941, and 13 times over the following two seasons. 

Crewther was among the Magpies' best in their victory over Carlton in the 1940 VFL Seconds Grand Final. He finished equal third in Collingwood's reserves best-and-fairest count in that season (won by coach Jock McHale's son John). 

In 1945 Crewther was cleared to VFA side Coburg, where he gave solid service over the next six seasons, initially in the firsts and later the seconds, seeing out his playing career with a four-goal, best-on-ground performance in the Lions' six-point win over Williamstown in the 1950 VFA Seconds Grand Final.

An inaugural member of the Collingwood Football Club's Past Players Association when it was formed in 1950, Crewther served on its committee for more than 40 years.

Author - Andrew Gigacz