Bruce Andrew
Encyclopedia
Cyril Bruce Andrew was an Australian rules football
er, who played for Collingwood Football Club
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL) before becoming a football administrator and television commentator.
He was famous for his immaculate hairstyle, with its signature centre-parting: "[his] hair was parted so emphatically down the centre that it was claimed he used a theodolite
" (Ross, 1996, p220).
His services to the VFL were honoured by the awarding of VFL Life Membership, and his subsequent induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
.
; the match report in The Argus noted that "the new man, Andrew, from the second eighteen, fully justified his inclusion".
He played from 1928 to 1932; and, then, as Club Vice-President, he returned to the football field at the end of the 1934, playing 4 games because the team was depleted due to injuries to the regular 1934 players. He played a total of 62 senior games in his VFL career.
He was a member of the 1928 Collingwood premiership team; he played on Stan Judkins
and received six free kicks. In October 1928, after the 1928 season had finished, he badly damaged his neck whilst bathing at Mornington. He dived too deeply, and struck his head on the bottom. The injury was serious enough for the doctor who examined him at Mornington, to have him taken immediately by ambulance from Mornington
to St Vincent's Hospital
at Fitzroy
.
He only played four senior games in 1929.
In October 1930, having been dropped from the team for the previous week's Preliminary Final match against Geelong — which Collingwood lost, 9.11 (65) to Geelong's 12.19 (91) — he was selected on the wing for the 1930 Grand Final
against Geelong and, playing on Jack Carney
was one of the best on the ground for the Collingwood team that won 14.16 (100) to 9.16 (7), despite the absence of its coach Jock McHale due to illness (he had pleurisy
). Noting that Collingwood had awarded its trophy for the champion player of the match to half-forward Bob Makeham, The Argus described Andrew as "invincible" on the wing.
On one occasion his individual brilliance and intelligent initiative was his downfall. Collingwood coach Jock McHale
always insisted that his players remained in their position's set location at all times. Twice during one match, Bruce Andrew raced away from his position on the wing, and ran deeply into the forward line to kick two scintillating goals. Rather than being congratulated, he was immediately taken off the field by McHale; which meant, in those days, before the concept of "interchange", that Andrew was off the ground for the rest of the match. McHale told him "We've got bloody forwards to do that!".http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/collingwood_(2).htm#19a
Andrew served in the Royal Australian Air Force
from 3 July 1940 to 3 Aug 1945, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
He served at the R.A.A.F.'s Overseas Headquarters in London.
he played in the R.A.A.F. Cricket team in England.
On Saturday, 11 September 1943, he played in a cricket match R.A.A.F. vs. R.A.F. at Lord's Cricket Ground
.
On 8 January 1944, he was captain of the R.A.A.F. H.Q. team that played against the R.A.A.F.No.10 Squadron team that included the former Footscray footballer Sergeant Alfred Birch Sampson (418304).
The H.Q. team won the match 12.7 (79) to 5.4 (34), with Andrew kicking seven goals for the H.Q. team.
on Saturday 23 October 1943.
He expressed some reservation about what his famous Collingwood coach, Jock McHale might think of his "conversion" to rugby union. When approached by The Argus for comment, McHale was not at all astonished at his instant success at rugby union:
His administrative career spanned 43 years and included:
In 1957, he worked as a co-commentator with Ron Casey in the football broadcasts from 3DB.
He was also, again with Ron Casey, a panellist on 3DB's sister television station, HSV-7
's sporting programme, World of Sport
from 1960–1980; and, especially, he was the judge of the show's long-kicking competitions.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, who played for Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL) before becoming a football administrator and television commentator.
He was famous for his immaculate hairstyle, with its signature centre-parting: "[his] hair was parted so emphatically down the centre that it was claimed he used a theodolite
Theodolite
A theodolite is a precision instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Theodolites are mainly used for surveying applications, and have been adapted for specialized purposes in fields like metrology and rocket launch technology...
" (Ross, 1996, p220).
His services to the VFL were honoured by the awarding of VFL Life Membership, and his subsequent induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
.
Collingwood
Bruce Andrew was light framed wingman, and the 321st player to play for Collingwood's senior team. He was considered to be one of the fastest wingmen in the competition, and had good all round skills, although he was rather injury prone. He played his first senior game for Collingwood, on the wing, against Fitzroy in round 13 of the 1928 season on 14 July 1928, having been promoted from the Seconds to replace an out of form Jack BeveridgeJack Beveridge
John Robert "Jack" Beveridge was an Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Victorian Football League and West Perth in the Western Australian National Football League ....
; the match report in The Argus noted that "the new man, Andrew, from the second eighteen, fully justified his inclusion".
He played from 1928 to 1932; and, then, as Club Vice-President, he returned to the football field at the end of the 1934, playing 4 games because the team was depleted due to injuries to the regular 1934 players. He played a total of 62 senior games in his VFL career.
He was a member of the 1928 Collingwood premiership team; he played on Stan Judkins
Stan Judkins
Stan Judkins was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League between 1928 and 1936. He became the first Richmond player to win the game's most prestigious award, the Brownlow Medal.Judkins played his junior football as a rover for...
and received six free kicks. In October 1928, after the 1928 season had finished, he badly damaged his neck whilst bathing at Mornington. He dived too deeply, and struck his head on the bottom. The injury was serious enough for the doctor who examined him at Mornington, to have him taken immediately by ambulance from Mornington
Mornington, Victoria
Mornington is a sea side town on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, located 57 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. It is in the Local Government Area of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula....
to St Vincent's Hospital
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne is the major hospital in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.It is operated by the St Vincent's Health service, previously known as the Sisters of Charity Health Service, Melbourne...
at Fitzroy
Fitzroy, Victoria
Fitzroy is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra. Its borders are Alexandra Parade , Victoria Parade , Smith Street and Nicholson Street. Fitzroy is Melbourne's...
.
He only played four senior games in 1929.
In October 1930, having been dropped from the team for the previous week's Preliminary Final match against Geelong — which Collingwood lost, 9.11 (65) to Geelong's 12.19 (91) — he was selected on the wing for the 1930 Grand Final
1930 VFL Grand Final
The 1930 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Collingwood Football Club and Geelong Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 11 October 1930. It was the 34th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
against Geelong and, playing on Jack Carney
Jack Carney
Jack Carney was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and Carlton in the VFL during the 1930s....
was one of the best on the ground for the Collingwood team that won 14.16 (100) to 9.16 (7), despite the absence of its coach Jock McHale due to illness (he had pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of pleurisy....
). Noting that Collingwood had awarded its trophy for the champion player of the match to half-forward Bob Makeham, The Argus described Andrew as "invincible" on the wing.
On one occasion his individual brilliance and intelligent initiative was his downfall. Collingwood coach Jock McHale
Jock McHale
James Francis "Jock" McHale, was an Australian rules football player and coach for the Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League in a marathon career that extended from 1903 to 1949....
always insisted that his players remained in their position's set location at all times. Twice during one match, Bruce Andrew raced away from his position on the wing, and ran deeply into the forward line to kick two scintillating goals. Rather than being congratulated, he was immediately taken off the field by McHale; which meant, in those days, before the concept of "interchange", that Andrew was off the ground for the rest of the match. McHale told him "We've got bloody forwards to do that!".http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/collingwood_(2).htm#19a
War service
During the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Andrew served in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
from 3 July 1940 to 3 Aug 1945, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
He served at the R.A.A.F.'s Overseas Headquarters in London.
Cricket
Along with Keith MillerKeith Miller
Keith Ross Miller MBE was an Australian Test cricketer and a Royal Australian Air Force pilot during World War II. Miller is widely regarded as Australia's greatest ever all-rounder. Because of his ability, irreverent manner and good looks he was a crowd favourite...
he played in the R.A.A.F. Cricket team in England.
On Saturday, 11 September 1943, he played in a cricket match R.A.A.F. vs. R.A.F. at Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...
.
Australian Rules Football
He played football for the R.A.A.F. on many occasions.On 8 January 1944, he was captain of the R.A.A.F. H.Q. team that played against the R.A.A.F.No.10 Squadron team that included the former Footscray footballer Sergeant Alfred Birch Sampson (418304).
The H.Q. team won the match 12.7 (79) to 5.4 (34), with Andrew kicking seven goals for the H.Q. team.
Rugby Union
In 1943, Andrew became known as "the Rugby sensation of the year". Whilst stationed in the U.K. Andrews attended a rugby match to support a R.A.A.F. team. The team was a man short; and the team's management coerced Andrew to play. Although Andrew had never played rugby before, he was an outstanding success; and, from that time on, was an automatic selection— e.g., he played at right wing for the R.A.A.F. team (captained by Flight Lieutenant J.B. Nicholls) against R.N.Z.A.F. at the Richmond Athletic GroundAthletic Ground, Richmond
The Athletic Ground, Richmond, is a rugby ground home to National League 2 South side Richmond F.C. and the RFU Championship side London Scottish...
on Saturday 23 October 1943.
He expressed some reservation about what his famous Collingwood coach, Jock McHale might think of his "conversion" to rugby union. When approached by The Argus for comment, McHale was not at all astonished at his instant success at rugby union:
-
- "Bruce is a player likely to make good in any sport. He can pick up a ball with either hand while running at full pace, and can turn in his track faster than any man I know. He knows all the football tricks, and should make an excellent Rugby player. I wish him success."
After football
Once his playing career was over, and his war service was over, Andrew enjoyed an illustrious career as a football administrator and journalist with The Sporting Globe.His administrative career spanned 43 years and included:
- Collingwood vice-president 1933–1940 (unusually, he served as vice-president whilst still a player);
- Australian National Football Council (ANFC) field director 1949–1976 (his initial appointment was for five years, at an annual salary of ₤1,000, plus expenses); and
- ANFC Secretary 1950–1976;
In 1957, he worked as a co-commentator with Ron Casey in the football broadcasts from 3DB.
He was also, again with Ron Casey, a panellist on 3DB's sister television station, HSV-7
HSV-7
HSV is a television station in Melbourne. It is part of the Seven Network, one of the three main commercial television networks in Australia, and its first and oldest station, having been launched in time for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne....
's sporting programme, World of Sport
World of Sport (Australian TV series)
World of Sport was an Australian sports program that was broadcast live by HSV 7 in Melbourne from 1959 to 1987 on Sundays between 11am and 2pm...
from 1960–1980; and, especially, he was the judge of the show's long-kicking competitions.