Graham Ion
Encyclopedia
Graham Ion is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Footscray
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Ion made his league debut at just 17 years of age, against Melbourne
at Western Oval in 1958. It was his only game of the season, but he was a regular member of the team from 1959.
A key forward despite his small stature, he kicked 27 goals in 1961 to finish third in Footscray's goal-kicking. He played all 21 games that year, including the 1961 VFL Grand Final
loss, where he played at centre half-forward
. When Ted Whitten
was away playing interstate football, Ion captained Footscray in their round 13 fixture against North Melbourne
- he was only 20 years old at the time. His brother, Barry Ion
, was also in the Footscray side that day.
In 1962 he again played every game for Footscray, and also kicked three goals in an appearance for the VFL representative team which defeated Western Australia.
He played 14 games in 1963, but just nine the following season as he was out of action for eight weeks due to an appendix operation.
His final season, in 1965, was interrupted by a four week suspension for striking Geelong's Ian Scott
, but they were the only games he missed that year.
After leaving Footscray he became a captain-coach and was involved with various clubs in the Riverina
, including Deniliquin
and Turvey Park.
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 Footscray
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
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).
Ion made his league debut at just 17 years of age, against 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....
at Western Oval in 1958. It was his only game of the season, but he was a regular member of the team from 1959.
A key forward despite his small stature, he kicked 27 goals in 1961 to finish third in Footscray's goal-kicking. He played all 21 games that year, including the 1961 VFL Grand Final
1961 VFL Grand Final
The 1961 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Footscray Football Club and Hawthorn Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 23 September 1961. It was the 65th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to...
loss, where he played at centre half-forward
Centre half-forward
In Australian rules football, the centre half-forward is a position on the half-forward line of a football field. The directly opposing player is a Centre-Half-Back....
. When Ted Whitten
Ted Whitten
Edward James "EJ" Whitten was an Australian rules football player and media personality. He played a then-record 321 Victorian Football League games for the Footscray Football Club between 1951 and 1970...
was away playing interstate football, Ion captained Footscray in their round 13 fixture against North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
- he was only 20 years old at the time. His brother, Barry Ion
Barry Ion
Barry Ion is a former Australian rules footballer and radio personality. He played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League , Yarraville in the Victorian Football Association , and Woodville in the South Australian National Football League...
, was also in the Footscray side that day.
In 1962 he again played every game for Footscray, and also kicked three goals in an appearance for the VFL representative team which defeated Western Australia.
He played 14 games in 1963, but just nine the following season as he was out of action for eight weeks due to an appendix operation.
His final season, in 1965, was interrupted by a four week suspension for striking Geelong's Ian Scott
Ian Scott (Australian rules footballer)
Ian Scott is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the VFL during the 1960s.Scott played in the back pocket for Geelong and was a premiership player in his first season at the club.-External links:...
, but they were the only games he missed that year.
After leaving Footscray he became a captain-coach and was involved with various clubs in the Riverina
Riverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
, including Deniliquin
Deniliquin Football Club
The Deniliquin Football Club, nicknamed the Rams, is an Australian Rules Football club playing in the Murray Football League.The club is based in the town of Deniliquin located in the Riverina district of New South Wales....
and Turvey Park.