Gordon Rattray
Encyclopedia
Gordon Kitchener Rattray (born 19 October 1898 - 1964) was an Australian rules football
er who played with and coached Fitzroy in the VFL
.
The son of Bruce Rattray (?-1932), Gordon Kitchener Rattray was born on born 19 October 1898 at Shepparton. He was educated at Wesley College
.
He was the first to use the torpedo punt
.
A half forward flanker, Rattray debuted for Fitzroy in 1917 but his progress was stalled when he missed the following season due to military service. Rattray came back to the club in 1919 and won their best and fairest trophy. He won it again in 1921 and was a premiership player in 1922. In 1923 he became club captain and led them to the Grand Final
which they lost to Essendon.
He left Fitzroy after the 1924 season and joined Brighton
in the VFA as a playing coach and twice took the club to the decider. In 1928 he returned to Fitzroy and played what would be his final season, as captain-coach. During his career he represented Victoria at interstate football 5 times.
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 with and coached Fitzroy in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
The son of Bruce Rattray (?-1932), Gordon Kitchener Rattray was born on born 19 October 1898 at Shepparton. He was educated at Wesley College
Wesley College, Melbourne
Wesley College, Melbourne is an independent, co-educational, Christian day school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1866, the college is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia. Wesley is the largest school in Australia by enrolment, with 3,511 students and 564 full-time staff...
.
He was the first to use the torpedo punt
Torpedo punt
The torpedo punt, similar to a punt in American Football, is a kicking technique implemented in Rugby League, Rugby Union and Australian rules football to enhance the distance the ball is kicked....
.
A half forward flanker, Rattray debuted for Fitzroy in 1917 but his progress was stalled when he missed the following season due to military service. Rattray came back to the club in 1919 and won their best and fairest trophy. He won it again in 1921 and was a premiership player in 1922. In 1923 he became club captain and led them to the Grand Final
1923 VFL Grand Final
The 1923 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and Fitzroy Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 20 October 1923. It was the 26th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the...
which they lost to Essendon.
He left Fitzroy after the 1924 season and joined Brighton
Brighton Football Club
Brighton Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA. The club was based in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton and were nicknamed the Penguins...
in the VFA as a playing coach and twice took the club to the decider. In 1928 he returned to Fitzroy and played what would be his final season, as captain-coach. During his career he represented Victoria at interstate football 5 times.