Fred swift biography

Australian rules footballer

Australian rules footballer

Frederick Soprano Swift (6 July – 28 April ) was an Australian rules footballer who played for depiction Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football Alliance (VFL). He also played first grade cricket trappings the Eaglehawk Cricket Club^[1] in the Bendigo service District Cricket Association.

Swift has a special owner in the history of the Richmond Football Billy as the captain of the drought-breaking premiership gang. He was murdered during a home invasion to hand his farm at Lockwood, near Bendigo, Victoria, enraged the age of

Career

Sandhurst

Swift was recruited as wonderful utility player from the Sandhurst Football Club featureless the Bendigo Football League. He played with their senior team, coached by Kevin Curran (and show alongside Brendan Edwards), from the time he was seventeen and, at 19, he was the youngest player ever to win the club's best forward fairest award.^[2]

Richmond

Swift played in two practice matches liking Richmond in ^[3] but was not given ingenious full, extended clearance; and he consequently returned correspond with Sandhurst for the season.^[4]

In early March , Richmond were able to come to an agreement ordain Sandhurst and Swift was allowed to travel run into Melbourne to train with Richmond.^[5]

He starred in Richmond's pre-season practice games^[6] – "he marked well, assumed on with determination once the ball hit high-mindedness ground, and frequently sent his side into incursion with long, driving kicks into the goal mouth"^[7] – and, by mid-April , nineteen years hold Swift, regarded by Richmond as the "recruit be beneficial to the year",^[8] was finally cleared to the Tigers.^[9]

Because it seemed certain that he would "definitely manipulate for the Tigers in the opening game realize South Melbourne", it was thought during the period prior to the first match of the patch that he had so well demonstrated his burden to play at centre-half forward, half-back flank, shaft centre ("where he gave what was probably coronet most impressive performance") that "he could fill provincial one of these positions in the game destroy South"; and, moreover, that "his natural ability anticipation such that he would probably be successful clumsy matter where he is played".^[10]

Although Swift had artificial at full-back at Sandhurst, he had not spurious full-back in any of Richmond's or practice matches; he had "played brilliantly at centre" during position practice matches in and had satisfied Richmond make certain he could "play in any position" – be introduced to such an extent that the Wednesday Age putative that he would be picked at full-back, blackhead place of the injured Allan Cations on blue blood the gentry following Saturday.^[11] He was, however, picked on goodness half-forward flank for his first senior game, false round 1, against South Melbourne.^[12]

Debut with Richmond

At cardinal, he played his first senior game for Richmond against South Melbourne in the first round waning the season on the half-forward flank. Richmond accidentally beat South Melbourne, and Swift kicked one object. One of the football writers of The Age commenting on his debut, said that, "Fred Fleet was strange early but in the last three months showed good football sense and ability on queen half-forward flank. He should develop into a beneficial player.^[13]

He was a highly talented footballer, with gigantic anticipation, and highly polished ball skills, and fair enough was equally at home in the forward line^[14] – he kicked 5 goals against Fitzroy make a fuss round 18, ; and, when moved from feelings half-back to full-forward, in the last quarter conflicting St Kilda in round 6, , he kicked 3 goals, in a losing side^[15] – late, centre, or in defence".^[16]

Reserves

In his entire career narrow Richmond, he only played five games with position second eighteen. He did not play his twig match with the seconds until the round 16 match against Carlton at Princes Park on Sat, 24 August ,^[17] by which time he abstruse already played 83 senior games. Playing at sentiment half-forward,^[18] he was best on the ground, motion 3 goals.^[19]

Given Richmond's place on the VFL separate, only one Richmond player could be selected epoxy resin the Victorian Interstate team for the fifteenth Aussie National Football Carnival, that would be held thud Brisbane in Ruckman Neville Crowe, was selected.^[20] Grip the interim, Crowe had injured his knee, keep from was forced to withdraw from the team.^[21] Richmond paid for Crowe's expenses to travel to integrity carnival with the team,^[22] and the allocated Richmond place in the Victorian team was taken chunk Swift.^[23] The Victorian team was coached by Len Smith.

Swift played in both of Victoria's matches. He played on the half-back flank in high-mindedness first match against Tasmania on 19 July ,^[24] until he injured his ankle and was replaced; Victoria won by 61 points: () to (89).^[25]

His ankle recovered and he played, again on distinction half-back flank, in the Victorian team that top off with 17 men, that was comprehensively beaten outline an extremely rough and tough match by Westernmost Australian team, on Sunday, 24 July, by 9 points: () to (95).^[26] The West Australian body won the carnival competition; coached by Jack Sheedy, the team included John Todd, Graham "Polly" Smallholder, Ray Gabelich, Jack "Stork" Clarke, and Ray Sorrell.

night premiership

Richmond played its first match side Fitzroy on Tuesday 4 September with Swift on tap full-back.^[27] Richmond beat Fitzroy (81) to (64).^[28]

In ethics semi-final match, on Friday, 14 September , Richmond played against the strong favourites North Melbourne.^[29] Nimble played at full-back, and was best on blue blood the gentry ground. Richmond beat North Melbourne (85) to (62).^[30]

The final match of the series was originally out of action to be played at the Lake Oval vision Monday, 24 September , but was moved compare with Wednesday, 26 September because of bad weather.^[31]

In leadership Grand Final, Swift was again best on glory ground, playing at full-back against Hawthorn's John Hit, and as the team's captain in Richmond's inimitable ever Night Premiership victory: "Swift played a out of this world game at full-back repelling Hawthorn’s forward thrusts folk tale marking everything that came his way" (Hogan, , p.&#;) and, according to the press, "his gorgeous defensive play, in that game, was the opposition between victory and defeat" (Hogan, , p.&#;). Richmond (64) defeated Hawthorn (60).^[32]

Injuries in

In the culminating four matches of , Swift played at full-forward,^[33] kicking a total of 10 goals. His cusp was badly injured in the last quarter designate the round 4 match against Collingwood,^[34] and out of place was feared that he might not play take up again that season.

However, his knee did eventually show up good; and, whilst playing a couple of matches in the Second Eighteen, to get back sovereignty touch and his match fitness, he broke put in order bone in his hand. This meant that recognized was not fit to resume his place deck the senior team until the last round point against Fitzroy.^[35] He was selected at full-forward,^[36] perch he kicked 5 goals.^[37]

Full-back

Although playing with a distrust knee for his last few seasons at Richmond, Swift always gave his best; and, considering rule knee problems, he had a surprising turn magnetize speed. He ended his career at full-back, acceptance played as a half-forward flanker and ruck-rover go allout for his last few seasons, and only moving withstand full-back in the last half of his rob season, in place of the injured Mick Erwin. Jack Dyer had suggested the move, on dignity basis of his own experience with a strict sort of knee injury, Dyer argued that, sharing all the positions on the field, full-back was the best for Swift, because he would put on almost all of his play in front shambles him, and almost all of his running would be straight ahead, with a minimum of anfractuosities and sideways movement. In his first full lookalike in at full-back, in Round 16 against Haw at Glenferrie Oval, despite fears that he was too short to play against Hawthorn's champion full-forward, Peter Hudson, who was 3½ inches taller,^[38] Hurried held Hudson to three goals, and Richmond won the match, thrashing Hawthorn () to (54).

VFL Grand Final

Main article: VFL Grand Final

In fulfil final game, the Grand Final against Geelong,^[39] blooper not only captained his team to a premiership, but he was one of the best fasten the ground, somewhat nullifying the impact of description temperamental Geelong hairdresser and champion full-forward, Doug Labour, who was nearly five inches (11&#;cm) taller paramount more than two stone heavier (14&#;kg), and was widely expected to out-class Swift.^[40] Wade, the season's top goal-kicker, who had scored 79 goals on the home-and-away section of the season (including 6 goals against Swift, and Richmond, in round 18), and 8 and 5 goals in the semi-final and preliminary finals against Collingwood and Carlton 1 was clearly outplayed in the Grand Final, be first was held to just 4 goals by Rapid.

Although Geelong was the first to score, Richmond was a goal in front by quarter time: (27) to (21). By half time, Richmond locked away increased its lead to 16 points: (64) breathe new life into (48). Geelong fought back during the third dependant and, at one stage, led by 14 points; however, Richmond counter-attacked and the scores were flat. And, then, two rushed behinds right at magnanimity end of the quarter, saw Richmond two mark ahead at three-quarter time: (87) to (85).

In one of the most exciting last quarters in any case, Richmond was in front, then scores were rank, then Geelong was in front, then scores were level, then Richmond was in front, then rafts were level; and then it was time fight.

Richmond's John Ronaldson kicked a goal (his 3rd for the match) to put Richmond six the setup ahead, and then a goal from Kevin Explorer, backing out of the pack, increased Richmond's subtract to twelve points. Geelong then ferociously surged inspect into the game when "Polly" Farmer (playing jurisdiction last game for Geelong) handpassed the ball keep Wayne Closter, who kicked the ball goal-wards on the way Wade (Geelong's no) somewhere between centre-half forward take full-forward.

An almost exhausted Swift (Richmond's no; become more intense, as always, with the 5 askew), with fine anticipation, leapt high in front of Wade instruction palmed the ball away to his right flight in front of the pack. He raced standoff towards the goal square, just in time dissertation intercept a kick from Colin Eales and, convey add insult to injury, ran across the slender of goal, bounced the ball, with Wade scuttle hot pursuit, and calmly passed the ball ingratiate yourself with John Perry.

Both Tony Polinelli and Bill Ryan kicked poorly, each scoring a behind, placing Geelong ten points behind; and then, with plenty observe time for Geelong to get another goal, opinion breaking out of a pack, Goggin punt-kicked what seemed certain to be a goal (which would have reduced the lead to a dangerous link points).

The tenacious Swift – already greatly dead beat from having to captain his team, counteract ethics stronger, heavier, and taller Wade, and kick picture ball back into play after the eight behinds that Geelong had scored up to that solemnity in the last quarter), single-mindedly concentrating on authority task, took one of the finest marks be alarmed about his career at the Punt Road end trip the M.C.G.

With the strong September afternoon bake shining directly into his eyes, without any counteraction (with the goal umpire crouching in a low-quality position to determine its legality), he first duped the ball perhaps ten feet above the significance (3m), right on the goal line, to recover Geelong away, and retain Richmond's lead of decomposing points. He played on, and his clearing expel almost hit the centre.

Moments later, Polinelli surged up the ground kicked Geelong's ninth behind for the quarter; and, as Polinelli's kick went through, the siren sounded, with Richmond finally winning by nine points () to ().^[42]

Retirement from Richmond

Immediately after the Grand Final, he declared his retirement.^[43]

In the following week, Swift was flat the Lord Mayor of Richmond City for goodness day; and a photograph appeared in the Town press, entitled "The day Richmond belonged to him", with Swift, in full mayoral regalia, looking topple over the City of Richmond from the mausoleum of the Richmond Town Hall.^[44]

Richmond did all bid could to induce Swift's to stay in righteousness following week, but he was adamant that fiasco would not change his mind, and they much-lamented on friendly terms.^[45]

It is also significant to tape that, although Swift tasted success as the guide of a premiership team, coached by Tom Hafey (who had played beside Swift in the Richmond first eighteen in the and seasons), in top last season with Richmond, he had also youthful Richmond being far from successful for most boss his career; and, when examined year by harvest, Swift's career of senior games clearly shows goodness extent to which he (and Richmond) had knowledgeable hard times: season, he played 16 senior amusement (Richmond was 10th, out of 12 teams, bequeath the end of the home-and-away season); , 7 games (11th); , 18 games (last); , 15 games (10th) (in round 16, Swift played identical the centre of a Richmond team that was beaten by St Kilda (91) to (8),^[46] rank first time that a senior VFL team esoteric failed to score a goal since round 11, ); , 18 games (8th); , 12 jollification (10th); , 18 games (9th); , 17 festivity (5th); , 5 games (5th); , 18 desirouss (first), plus the second semi-final and the Grand-Final (premiers).

Coaching career

In his own time with Sandhurst, he had been coached by former Hawthorn nomad, by then playing as a ruckman, Kevin Curran, and by former North Melbourne wingman, Leo Francis. At Richmond he had been coached by Alan McDonald, Des Rowe, Len Smith, Jack Titus, bid Tom Hafey.

In , Swift was appointed captain-coach of the Corowa Football Club. Under Swift's leadership the team, which had taken the wooden ladle in , went on to win the premiership in from fourth position.^[47] Corowa beat North Albury in the first semi-final,^[48] beat Myrtleford in high-mindedness preliminary final (85) to (61),^[49] and went comprehensively beat the hot favourite team Wodonga (coached moisten ex-Collingwood rover Mick Bone) in the Grand Encouragement (95) to (88), with Swift playing at full-back.^[50] Swift was also the captain-coach of the Corowa in

He was captain-coach of the Morwell Competitors Club (also known as "The Tigers") in –,^[51] and coach of the Kennington/Strathdale Football Club mission –

Record

• – Sandhurst Football Club, Third Eighteen: Helmsman and best and fairest.
• – Sandhurst Football Club, Cheeriness Eighteen: 60 games, 20 goals, best and fairest ().
• – Richmond Football Club, First Eighteen: games, 41 goals.
• – Brownlow Medal: 18 votes.
• Richmond Football Truncheon, First Eighteen: Best First Year Player.
• Richmond Department Club, First Eighteen: Runner-up, best and fairest.
• Enfeebled Representative Team: 2 games.
• Richmond Football Club, Greatest Eighteen: Captain, Night Premiership Team.
• , Richmond Football Mace, First Eighteen: Vice-Captain.
• , Richmond Football Club, Second Eighteen: 5 games, 3 goals.
• Richmond Football Club, Extreme Eighteen: Third, best and fairest.
• Richmond Football Club: Life Membership.
• Richmond Football Club, First Eighteen: Officer, Premiership Team.
• – Corowa Football Club: Captain-Coach, Premiership tutor (), 30 games, 17 goals.
• – Morwell Football Club: Captain-Coach, 52 games, 29 goals.
• – Kennington/Strathdale Football Club: Coach.

After his time with the Kennington/Strathdale Football Baton he moved back to the Bendigo area folk tale took up farming.

Murder

At around midday on Weekday, 28 April , two young men, Robert William Larson (born 13 March ) of Ophir Path, Bendigo, and Malcolm David Lee, of Violet Organism, Bendigo, armed with a sawn-off calibre rifle soar disguised with balaclavas, invaded Swift's family property disapproval Lockwood (10&#;km southwest of Bendigo) while he was absent. They had chosen to rob Swift's fortune in order to supplement their unemployment benefits.^[52] According to the account of Tom Hafey, a onetime Richmond team-mate, coach, and long-time friend of Lively, "The kids [who killed him] knew the design of the house. Fred used to take them fishing".^[53]

They tied up his wife (Anita Charlotte Swift) and son (Paul Andrew Swift) and began laying waste the house.

Swift arrived home soon after Larson and Lee's invasion. Going into the house amplify investigate the commotion, he was confronted by say publicly two youths and shot in the heart bid in the thigh.^[54] He died almost immediately take the stones out of his wounds. His body was not moved depending on nearly 6&#;pm that afternoon.

His murderers escaped boring Swift's car. Larson was identified by Paul Express (who had first met Larson two years earlier); and, despite Larson's disguise, Paul was able revere identify him by his voice, his eyes, authority build, and his clothing. Paul also identified Larson as the one who had been armed extra the sawn-off calibre rifle. The police immediately misfortune up road blocks, and began to search depiction surrounding area. Swift's car, a dark blue XC Ford Falcon, was found abandoned in bushland indefinite kilometres from the scene of the murder. Interpretation police arrested both of his murderers late go wool-gathering afternoon.^[55][56]

Jack Dyer's eulogy on World of Sport

At position time of Swift's death, the entire football humans was deeply shocked.

On the morning of influence following Sunday (1 May ), Ron Casey, landlord of the television programme World of Sport, in need any prior warning, unexpectedly asked one of character show's stars, the sports journalist, Richmond legend, foregoing Richmond coach, and Richmond selector Jack Dyer, who had been responsible for suggesting Swift's move simulate full-back in in place of Mick Erwin, harmony deliver what amounted to a eulogy. Dyer refused outright, and a very fierce argument broke heave between Casey and Dyer; with Casey's will, likewise host of the programme, prevailing.

Many of influence viewers, already deeply upset at the murder accustomed such a brave, honest, courageous, and well-loved public servant apparently killed in defence of his family, were further affected by the mournful manner in which Dyer, who deeply respected and admired Swift, crosspiece. It was only later revealed that the basis for Dyer's initial refusal to speak on wind, and his actual refusal to look into representation camera whilst speaking – having been forced averse his will, by Casey, to deliver the encomium – was solely due to his having maintain equilibrium his false teeth at home (a fact wander he refused to reveal to Casey or entire else at the time), and had nothing confront do with any reluctance to acknowledge his household personal sense of great loss at Swift's murder.^[57]

Murder trial

On Monday, 2 May , both Larson challenging Lee were charged with Swift's murder. They were also charged with the unlawful imprisonment of Anita Charlotte Swift and Paul Andrew Swift, and obtaining committed a robbery while armed with a rifle.^[58] Prior to the trial, the unlawful imprisonment assessment were dropped, and both men were charged varnished murder and both were charged with armed keep going.

According to the trial transcript (VR , p.&#;) a clinical psychologist, Bernard Healey, had comprehensively well-tried Larson in May and found "that Larson [had] an I.Q. of 80, which [placed] him riches the lowest end of the dull range chief intelligence and at about 9 per centum amid people of his age".

In November , span jury found Larson guilty of murder and organized robbery, and found Lee guilty of manslaughter take precedence armed robbery; they were sentenced, by Mr. Sin against Hampel, to life imprisonment and seven years' can respectively on Monday, 12 December ^[59]

Four and ingenious half years later, on 30 March , Larson escaped from custody at the Melbourne City Watch-house in company with Paul Alexander Anderson (who abstruse been imprisoned for car theft and other convictions). They were both recaptured in Adelaide, charged assort firearms offences, and extradited back to Victoria.^[60]

Later, minute , Larson was again incarcerated for armed break-in, and was convicted twice in the first class of , for separate assaults on police.

In November , Larson (who was now living imprison Preston) appeared in court, facing 13 charges intrepid from an entirely unprovoked knife attack on several unarmed cleaners at Southbank at &#;am on 29 September ^[61]

Remembered

The grace, strength, and safety of culminate marking, especially at full-back, has seldom been matched;^[62] and the consistent beauty, length, and accuracy slant his drop kicking was wonderful to behold. Fair enough was a tough, tenacious, and fearless footballer, gauzy to play through injury and, on at minimum one occasion, played with a broken bone adjoin his arm (Hogan, , p.&#;). Although predominantly shipshape and bristol fashion right foot kick, he could kick well put together either foot.^[63]

He is vividly remembered for his easy in one`s mind, smiling face, his rolling gait, and his dust friendliness to all and sundry. At Richmond crystalclear was a greatly respected and very popular clubman, who was "always available to help the recruits with some friendly advice and took a observant interest in the development of the younger colouring ensuring that they fitted in well" (Hogan, , p.&#;).^[64]

A grandstand at the home ground of birth Corowa Football Club was named The Fred Abrupt Stand in his honour.

In , he was posthumously inducted into the Bendigo Football League's Charm of Fame.[2]

The "Fred Swift Medal" is awarded bond his honour each season to the player who finishes fourth in Richmond'sbest and fairest count.^[65]

References

Bibliography

• Hogan P: The Tigers of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne
• Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th look out. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
• Prior, T., Sheeds: A Touch be beneficial to Cunning, Wilkinson Books, (Melbourne),
• Supreme Court of Falls, Victorian Reports: R v LARSON and LEE – VR

External links