Gordon Coventry
Encyclopedia
Gordon "Nuts" Coventry was an Australian rules football
er who played for Collingwood Football Club
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL). With 1,299 goals over 18 seasons, Coventry remains one of the greatest full forwards the game has ever seen. As well as holding the AFL/VFL all time goalkicking record for over six decades, Coventry became the first player to kick 100 goals in a season in 1929
, the first to reach 300 games, the first to kick 1,000 goals and the only player to kick 50 goals or more on 13 successive occasions. He was Collingwood's leading goalkicker every year from 1922
to 1937
and won the league goalkicking 6 times, 1926–1930 and 1937. In 2009, The Australian
nominated Coventry as one of the 25 greatest footballers never to win a Brownlow Medal
.
, Coventry was the eighth child of Victorian-born parents Henry Coventry and Jane Henrietta. Gordon, or "Nuts" as he was known by his family due to a disproportionately large head as a child, attended Diamond Creek Primary School.
in the Heidelberg District Football League as well as working for his father's orchard. While playing in the local league he established himself as a champion centre-half-forward before being asked to train at Collingwood by club officials in 1920.
was also be welcomed at the club, in 1922
. Gordon had kicked 32 goals in those first two seasons, but played in his prime position in the losing grand final side of 1920
where he kicked more than half of Collingwood's score. In 1922
Coventry moved closer to goals and as the team continued its dominance, Coventry became a focal point, and in 1923
would win the club's goal kicking with 42 goals. Coventry did not possess the phenomenal skills of his predecessor Dick Lee
or the aerial prowess of his successor Ron Todd
, but relied on tremendous strength and a vice-like grip when marking the ball, a combination that made him almost unstoppable once he had front position.
By 1923
Coventry was one of the most consistent full forwards in the league and would remain the club's leading goal kicker for the next five seasons, as well as playing in three losing grand final sides. In 1926
he would win his first league leading goal kicking title
with 83 goals. When his brother became captain of the side in 1927
, success came to the club in more ways than ever achieved. Coventry played in the four consecutive premierships between 1927
and 1930
, and in the same years would continue his league dominance, being the finest goal kicker in the league. In the 1928
Grand Final he would kick 9 goals, a league record, and in 1929 he became the first player to kick 100 goals in a season, where he kicked 124 goals, a feat he followed up in 1930 with 118 which included a personal best bag of 17 goals against Fitzroy. Coventry would continue being Collingwood's leading goal kicker during the years 1931–1934, and would win his first and only, Copeland Trophy
in 1933
, where he kicked another 108 goals for the season.
In 1935
Coventry played in his fifth premiership, kicking four goals to get his side across the line. He would, however, miss the 1936 VFL Grand Final
due to suspension, where he was found guilty of striking Richmond defender Joe Murdoch
. Coventry played the match against the Tigers with a crop of painful boils on his neck, and when Murdoch repeatedly struck his neck, Coventry retaliated and was subsequently suspended for eight matches. It was his first report in 280 appearances for the Magpies. Nevertheless Collingwood went on to win the premiership without their champion full forward. Coventry retired after the 1937 season
, winning his sixth league leading goal kicker award, and his 16th consecutive club leading goal kicker award. Coventry also represented Victoria
on 25 occasions for a total of 100 goals.
in the VAFA for a number of years. Coventry kicked 1299 goals in VFL football, a record that stood for more than six decades. He was also the first player to play 300 VFL/AFL games.
In 1996 Coventry was inducted into the inaugural Australian rules football hall of fame and was elevated to "Legend" status two years later. In 1998 he was named at full forward in Collingwood's team of the century. The Gordon Coventry Trophy is awarded to Collingwood's leading goal kicker each year. The southern end of the Docklands Stadium is named the "Coventry end".
Coventry died in 1968 of heart disease at his property in Diamond Creek, survived by his wife and four children.
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 Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
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). With 1,299 goals over 18 seasons, Coventry remains one of the greatest full forwards the game has ever seen. As well as holding the AFL/VFL all time goalkicking record for over six decades, Coventry became the first player to kick 100 goals in a season in 1929
1929 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1929.-Premiership season:In 1929, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume...
, the first to reach 300 games, the first to kick 1,000 goals and the only player to kick 50 goals or more on 13 successive occasions. He was Collingwood's leading goalkicker every year from 1922
1922 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1922.-Premiership season:In 1922, the VFL competition consisted of nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their...
to 1937
1937 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1937.-Premiership season:In 1937, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
and won the league goalkicking 6 times, 1926–1930 and 1937. In 2009, The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
nominated Coventry as one of the 25 greatest footballers never to win a Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
.
Early years
Born in Diamond Creek, VictoriaDiamond Creek, Victoria
Diamond Creek is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 23 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik...
, Coventry was the eighth child of Victorian-born parents Henry Coventry and Jane Henrietta. Gordon, or "Nuts" as he was known by his family due to a disproportionately large head as a child, attended Diamond Creek Primary School.
Junior football
He played his early football for Diamond Creek Football ClubDiamond Creek Football Club
The Diamond Creek Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in Diamond Creek – an outer north-eastern suburb of Melbourne.-History:Formed in 1904, the club was a founding member of the Whittlesea District Football Association...
in the Heidelberg District Football League as well as working for his father's orchard. While playing in the local league he established himself as a champion centre-half-forward before being asked to train at Collingwood by club officials in 1920.
Playing career at Collingwood
Later that year, Coventry was selected to play his first senior game for Collingwood against St Kilda. He did not make an immediate impact and at times looked clumsy, but did enough to ensure he kept his spot after two valuable seasons. His brother, Syd CoventrySyd Coventry
-St Kilda:Originally from Diamond Creek, Victoria, Coventry journeyed across the Bass Strait after the First World War to work in the mines at Queenstown, Tasmania, taking with him a reputation as a fine footballer...
was also be welcomed at the club, in 1922
1922 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1922.-Premiership season:In 1922, the VFL competition consisted of nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their...
. Gordon had kicked 32 goals in those first two seasons, but played in his prime position in the losing grand final side of 1920
1920 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1920.-Premiership season:In 1920, the VFL competition consisted of nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their...
where he kicked more than half of Collingwood's score. In 1922
1922 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1922.-Premiership season:In 1922, the VFL competition consisted of nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their...
Coventry moved closer to goals and as the team continued its dominance, Coventry became a focal point, and in 1923
1923 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1923.-Premiership season:In 1923, the VFL competition had nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their place on...
would win the club's goal kicking with 42 goals. Coventry did not possess the phenomenal skills of his predecessor Dick Lee
Dick Lee (footballer)
Walter Henry "Dick" Lee was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League ....
or the aerial prowess of his successor Ron Todd
Ron Todd (footballer)
Ronald Walford Todd was an Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Victorian Football League in the 1930s, and with Williamstown in the Victorian Football Association in the 1940s. Todd was an acrobatic and pacy forward, possessing a strong overhead mark...
, but relied on tremendous strength and a vice-like grip when marking the ball, a combination that made him almost unstoppable once he had front position.
By 1923
1923 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1923.-Premiership season:In 1923, the VFL competition had nine teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their place on...
Coventry was one of the most consistent full forwards in the league and would remain the club's leading goal kicker for the next five seasons, as well as playing in three losing grand final sides. In 1926
1926 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1926.-Premiership season:In 1926, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume...
he would win his first league leading goal kicking title
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...
with 83 goals. When his brother became captain of the side in 1927
1927 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1927.-Premiership season:In 1927, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume...
, success came to the club in more ways than ever achieved. Coventry played in the four consecutive premierships between 1927
1927 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1927.-Premiership season:In 1927, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume...
and 1930
1930 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1930.-Premiership season:In 1930, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
, and in the same years would continue his league dominance, being the finest goal kicker in the league. In the 1928
1928 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1928.-Premiership season:In 1928, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume...
Grand Final he would kick 9 goals, a league record, and in 1929 he became the first player to kick 100 goals in a season, where he kicked 124 goals, a feat he followed up in 1930 with 118 which included a personal best bag of 17 goals against Fitzroy. Coventry would continue being Collingwood's leading goal kicker during the years 1931–1934, and would win his first and only, Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
in 1933
1933 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1933.-Premiership season:In 1933, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
, where he kicked another 108 goals for the season.
In 1935
1935 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1935.-Premiership season:In 1935, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
Coventry played in his fifth premiership, kicking four goals to get his side across the line. He would, however, miss the 1936 VFL Grand Final
1936 VFL Grand Final
The 1936 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Collingwood Football Club and South Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 2 October 1936. It was the 40th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to...
due to suspension, where he was found guilty of striking Richmond defender Joe Murdoch
Joe Murdoch
Arthur 'Joe' Murdoch was an Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL in between 1927 and 1936 for the Richmond Football Club....
. Coventry played the match against the Tigers with a crop of painful boils on his neck, and when Murdoch repeatedly struck his neck, Coventry retaliated and was subsequently suspended for eight matches. It was his first report in 280 appearances for the Magpies. Nevertheless Collingwood went on to win the premiership without their champion full forward. Coventry retired after the 1937 season
1937 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1937.-Premiership season:In 1937, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
, winning his sixth league leading goal kicker award, and his 16th consecutive club leading goal kicker award. Coventry also represented Victoria
Victoria Australian rules football team
The Victorian Australian rules football team, also known as the Big V is the representative side of Victoria, Australia in the sport of Australian rules football....
on 25 occasions for a total of 100 goals.
Legacy
Coventry left Collingwood and coached CollegiansCollegians Football Club
Collegians Football Club is the oldest club in the VAFA, formed in 1891. Their home ground is the Harry Trott Oval in the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park....
in the VAFA for a number of years. Coventry kicked 1299 goals in VFL football, a record that stood for more than six decades. He was also the first player to play 300 VFL/AFL games.
In 1996 Coventry was inducted into the inaugural Australian rules football hall of fame and was elevated to "Legend" status two years later. In 1998 he was named at full forward in Collingwood's team of the century. The Gordon Coventry Trophy is awarded to Collingwood's leading goal kicker each year. The southern end of the Docklands Stadium is named the "Coventry end".
Coventry died in 1968 of heart disease at his property in Diamond Creek, survived by his wife and four children.