Australian Football

Paul Bagshaw, who was the son of a former Sturt player in Hartley Bagshaw, was one of the most skilful players ever to appear in South Australian league football. During a 17-season career which began in 1964 Bagshaw played a total of 374 games (360 club and 14 state), kicked 258 goals, and was voted Sturt’s best and fairest player on five occasions. He took part in each of the Double Blues’ seven ‘Oatey era’ premierships.

Although the majority of his football was played as a ruck-rover, Bagshaw was just as effective as a key position player or centreman, and indeed while playing mainly as a full forward he topped the club’s goal kicking list with 74 goals in 1978. One of the game’s last truly great exponents of the drop kick, he was also a master of handball, a superb mark, and had that rare champion’s ability of always seeming unflustered, even when under the most intense pressure. A knack for achieving the seemingly impossible in tight or intimidating situations gave rise to the nickname ‘Mr. Magic’, and when you consider that the Sturt teams in which Bagshaw appeared were undoubtedly some of the most unequivocally magical in the history of the SANFL that is high praise indeed.

Author - John Devaney