Russell Renfrey
Encyclopedia
Russell 'Hooker' Renfrey (born 11 August 1923) is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Geelong
in the VFL
.
Russell Renfrey played 202 games for Geelong in a career spanning 1946-56.
Renfrey at 182 cm and 83.5 kg was an important team member of that era playing Ruck Rover in a team that boasted many great players.
He was a vital member of the Geelong side which won back to back premierships in 1951 and 1952. Over the 1952 and 1953 seasons Renfrey was the only player to play in all 26 wins without loss that is a record that stands to date.
Renfrey represented Victoria in the interstate football during the 1948 season.
Renfrey joined Geelong in 1946 with his only football experience in matches played during his stint in the Army. He was selected immediately in the Geelong Senior team and never played in the second eighteen, although was the 19th man in his 152nd match.
Renfrey claims to have been the first ever Ruck Rover in league football playing second fiddle to George Card when he first started, then Tom Morrow and Bill McMaster. He believes that the football scribes who consider Ron Barassi to be the first Ruck Rover must have memory loss.
Even though he was giving away height to his opponents, Renfrey made sure they earned every kick as he was a very determined and aggressive player. He was the leading goal kicker for Geelong in his debut year (1946) with 38 goals. He has said he owes a lot to his first coach Tommy Quinn and the legendary Reg Hickey who was not only a great coach but a great friend.
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 Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Russell Renfrey played 202 games for Geelong in a career spanning 1946-56.
Renfrey at 182 cm and 83.5 kg was an important team member of that era playing Ruck Rover in a team that boasted many great players.
He was a vital member of the Geelong side which won back to back premierships in 1951 and 1952. Over the 1952 and 1953 seasons Renfrey was the only player to play in all 26 wins without loss that is a record that stands to date.
Renfrey represented Victoria in the interstate football during the 1948 season.
Renfrey joined Geelong in 1946 with his only football experience in matches played during his stint in the Army. He was selected immediately in the Geelong Senior team and never played in the second eighteen, although was the 19th man in his 152nd match.
Renfrey claims to have been the first ever Ruck Rover in league football playing second fiddle to George Card when he first started, then Tom Morrow and Bill McMaster. He believes that the football scribes who consider Ron Barassi to be the first Ruck Rover must have memory loss.
Even though he was giving away height to his opponents, Renfrey made sure they earned every kick as he was a very determined and aggressive player. He was the leading goal kicker for Geelong in his debut year (1946) with 38 goals. He has said he owes a lot to his first coach Tommy Quinn and the legendary Reg Hickey who was not only a great coach but a great friend.