Fred Fanning
Encyclopedia
Fred Fanning is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL). He was a strongly built forward who stood at 193 cm and weighed 102 kg and, prior to the Coleman Medal
, topped the league's goal kicking charts in 1943 (62 goals), 1944 (87) and 1945 (67).
Fanning made his debut in 1940 and played in that year's Grand Final victory over the Richmond Tigers. Five years later he won the Best and Fairest
award.
In Round 19, 1947 he kicked 18 goals, 1 point in a game against St Kilda which is a record for most goals in a VFL/AFL match, still standing to this day. This would ultimately be Fanning's final appearance in a VFL match. He kicked 97 goals for the 1947 season, the highest in his VFL career.
Fanning joined the Hamilton Football Club
in the Western District Football League as captain-coach in 1948, after being offered three times the salary he was received at Melbourne.
In September 1939, playing for Melbourne Seconds against Richmond
in the Seconds' Grand Final — Melbourne 22.12 (144) to Richmond 17.13 (115) — Fanning kicked 12 goals for the victors.
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 Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
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). He was a strongly built forward who stood at 193 cm and weighed 102 kg and, prior to the Coleman Medal
Coleman Medal
The Coleman Medal is awarded yearly to the Australian Football League player who kicks the most goals in regular-season matches in that year...
, topped the league's goal kicking charts in 1943 (62 goals), 1944 (87) and 1945 (67).
Fanning made his debut in 1940 and played in that year's Grand Final victory over the Richmond Tigers. Five years later he won the Best and Fairest
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal
The Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Melbourne Football Club player judged Best and Fairest for the season.It is named in honor of Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, a former dual premiership player and World War II fighter ace killed in 1943....
award.
In Round 19, 1947 he kicked 18 goals, 1 point in a game against St Kilda which is a record for most goals in a VFL/AFL match, still standing to this day. This would ultimately be Fanning's final appearance in a VFL match. He kicked 97 goals for the 1947 season, the highest in his VFL career.
Fanning joined the Hamilton Football Club
Western Border Football League
The Western Border Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Lower South East region of South Australia, and south-western border region of Victoria. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League and the Victorian Football League...
in the Western District Football League as captain-coach in 1948, after being offered three times the salary he was received at Melbourne.
In September 1939, playing for Melbourne Seconds against Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
in the Seconds' Grand Final — Melbourne 22.12 (144) to Richmond 17.13 (115) — Fanning kicked 12 goals for the victors.