Tom Calder
Encyclopedia
Thomas Charles "Tom" Calder (born 17 December 1917) was an Australian rules football
er who played with South Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL). He is a member of the Queensland Football Hall of Fame.
Although born in Victoria, Calder played his early football in Tasmania and started his senior career at North Hobart in 1935. While with North Hobart, Calder suffered a serious on-field injury and had a have a kidney
removed.
A centre-half back, he made his way to Queensland Australian National Football League club Ascot in 1940 and joined the Royal Australian Air Force
in the same year, serving as a pilot during the war.
Calder was posted at Melbourne
in 1945 and was joined VFL club South Melbourne, with whom he would make five successive appearances from round 14. Although the club went on to make the grand final, Calder wasn't selected in any finals fixtures.
When Calder returned to the QANFL in 1946, it was with Mayne
, but after just one season he crossed to Coorparoo as captain-coach. He represented Queensland at interstate football regularly post war, until 1953, including matches in the 1947 Hobart
and 1950 Brisbane Carnival
s. In 1948 he was captain-coach of Queensland and had his most successful season with Coorparoo, winning the league's Grogan Medal
. Calder won the award once more in 1950 and after retiring continued his involvement in Queensland football as an administrator.
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 South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
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 is a member of the Queensland Football Hall of Fame.
Although born in Victoria, Calder played his early football in Tasmania and started his senior career at North Hobart in 1935. While with North Hobart, Calder suffered a serious on-field injury and had a have a kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
removed.
A centre-half back, he made his way to Queensland Australian National Football League club Ascot in 1940 and joined 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...
in the same year, serving as a pilot during the war.
Calder was posted at Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1945 and was joined VFL club South Melbourne, with whom he would make five successive appearances from round 14. Although the club went on to make the grand final, Calder wasn't selected in any finals fixtures.
When Calder returned to the QANFL in 1946, it was with Mayne
Mayne Australian Football Club
Mayne Australia Football Club are an Australian rules football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Enoggera. Their club colours are black and yellow and they are nicknamed the Tigers....
, but after just one season he crossed to Coorparoo as captain-coach. He represented Queensland at interstate football regularly post war, until 1953, including matches in the 1947 Hobart
1947 Hobart Carnival
The 1947 Hobart Carnival was the tenth edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition.North Hobart Oval hosted the matches during the carnival, most of them under heavy rain...
and 1950 Brisbane Carnival
1950 Brisbane Carnival
The 1950 Brisbane Carnival was the 11th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition. It was the first carnival to be hosted in Queensland....
s. In 1948 he was captain-coach of Queensland and had his most successful season with Coorparoo, winning the league's Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
. Calder won the award once more in 1950 and after retiring continued his involvement in Queensland football as an administrator.