Harry Vallence
Encyclopedia
Harry "Soapy" Vallence (4 June 190525 July 1991) was a champion Australian rules football
er in the Victorian Football League
(VFL) and the Victorian Football Association
(VFA). He played at full forward for the VFL's Carlton Football Club in the 1930s, and in the 1940s for the VFA's Williamstown
and Brighton Football Club
s
Originally from Bacchus Marsh
, in 1926 he came to Carlton as a half-forward. He soon moved to full forward where he became known for his safe hands and mighty kick. He kicked 11 goals in a match on four occasions – twice in finals. In 1937 he left Carlton to play with Williamstown Football Club
in the Victorian Football Association as captain-coach. His dispute with Carlton arising when he returned from representing Victoria in an interstate match to find himself selected at centre halfback in the seconds grade. He was lured back to Carlton for the 1938 season, helping to secure the Blues first premiership 23 years.
Returning again to Williamstown in 1939, he topped that competitions goalkicking with 133 goals, and helping them to a premiership. In 1940 he kicked 111 goals for Williamstown. He resumed playing in the VFA after World War II, as the captain-coach at Brighton, where he played his last game in 1946 (kicking 11 goals).
Vallence played 204 games and kicked 722 goals for Carlton in his career; the latter was a club record until broken by Stephen Kernahan
in 1997. He scored a further 337 goals for Williamstown, 88 for Brighton, and 19 in representative games for Victoria, for a career total of 1166 goals.
He died on 25 July 1991 of Alzheimer's disease
in Geelong Hospital
.
In 1996 Vallence was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
.
Player honors:
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 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) and the Victorian Football Association
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFA). He played at full forward for the VFL's Carlton Football Club in the 1930s, and in the 1940s for the VFA's Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
and Brighton Football Club
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...
s
Originally from Bacchus Marsh
Bacchus Marsh, Victoria
Bacchus Marsh is an urban centre and suburban locality in Victoria, Australia located approximately west of Melbourne and west of Melton. The population of the urban area is estimated at over 17,000 people, while the central locality is home to 5,566 people...
, in 1926 he came to Carlton as a half-forward. He soon moved to full forward where he became known for his safe hands and mighty kick. He kicked 11 goals in a match on four occasions – twice in finals. In 1937 he left Carlton to play with Williamstown Football Club
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
in the Victorian Football Association as captain-coach. His dispute with Carlton arising when he returned from representing Victoria in an interstate match to find himself selected at centre halfback in the seconds grade. He was lured back to Carlton for the 1938 season, helping to secure the Blues first premiership 23 years.
Returning again to Williamstown in 1939, he topped that competitions goalkicking with 133 goals, and helping them to a premiership. In 1940 he kicked 111 goals for Williamstown. He resumed playing in the VFA after World War II, as the captain-coach at Brighton, where he played his last game in 1946 (kicking 11 goals).
Vallence played 204 games and kicked 722 goals for Carlton in his career; the latter was a club record until broken by Stephen Kernahan
Stephen Kernahan
Stephen Scott Kernahan is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his career with the Carlton Football Club of the Australian Football League and the Glenelg Football Club of the SANFL from 1981 until 1997...
in 1997. He scored a further 337 goals for Williamstown, 88 for Brighton, and 19 in representative games for Victoria, for a career total of 1166 goals.
He died on 25 July 1991 of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
in Geelong Hospital
Geelong Hospital
The Geelong Hospital is an Australian public hospital located in Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria. The hospital is part of Barwon Health, Victoria's largest regional health care provider, which has 21 sites. It is the largest hospital in regional Victoria and the only tertiary hospital outside of...
.
In 1996 Vallence was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
.
Career highlights
Playing career:- Carlton 1926–1938 (Games: 204 Goals: 722)
Player honors:
- VFL Leading goalkicker Medal 1931 (86 goals)
- Carlton leading goalkicker 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938
- Carlton premiership 1938
- Carlton Team of the Century
- Victorian representative (4 games, 17 goals)