Terry O'Neill (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Terry O'Neill is a former Australian rules football
player who played with the South Melbourne
and Fitzroy
Football Clubs in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
After two modest seasons, which brought him just 11 games, O'Neill was one of South Melbourne's best players in 1977. Despite having never played as a defender previously, O'Neill spent the season as a full-back. O'Neill kept Peter Hudson
to three goals on the two occasions they met that year, which was impressive considering the Hawthorn full-forward kicked 110 goals for the season. He polled well in the Brownlow Medal count, with 14 votes, to finish as his club's second top votegetter, behind only the winner Graham Teasdale
. Originally from Narrandera, he also played every VFL game during the season and didn't miss a game again in 1978.
O'Neill played just once in 1980 and instead spent the season in the VFA
with Port Melbourne
. He was the full-back in Port's premiership team that year.
He returned to the VFL in 1981 as a Fitzroy player and took part in their finals campaign that season. His first appearance in 1983, against Footscray
at Waverley Park
, was his 100th league game and he played just one more time for Fitzroy.
In 1984 he was a member of Queensland club Coorparoo's premiership team and played in another premiership two years later. He also coached Coorparoo, in 1987 and 1988. State captain in 1988, O'Neill represented Queensland at interstate football on 25 occasions.
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...
player who played with the 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...
and Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
Football Clubs 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).
After two modest seasons, which brought him just 11 games, O'Neill was one of South Melbourne's best players in 1977. Despite having never played as a defender previously, O'Neill spent the season as a full-back. O'Neill kept Peter Hudson
Peter Hudson
Peter John Hudson AM is a former Australian Rules Football player, considered one of the greatest full-forwards in the game's history....
to three goals on the two occasions they met that year, which was impressive considering the Hawthorn full-forward kicked 110 goals for the season. He polled well in the Brownlow Medal count, with 14 votes, to finish as his club's second top votegetter, behind only the winner Graham Teasdale
Graham Teasdale
Graham Teasdale is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Richmond Football Club in the VFL between 1972 and 1975, for the South Melbourne Football Club from 1975 to 1981 and then for the Collingwood Football Club from 1982 to 1984....
. Originally from Narrandera, he also played every VFL game during the season and didn't miss a game again in 1978.
O'Neill played just once in 1980 and instead spent the season in the VFA
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...
with Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
. He was the full-back in Port's premiership team that year.
He returned to the VFL in 1981 as a Fitzroy player and took part in their finals campaign that season. His first appearance in 1983, against Footscray
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
at Waverley Park
Waverley Park
Waverley Park was an Australian rules football stadium in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian based Victorian Football League/Australian Football League clubs. However, during the 1990s it became the home ground of...
, was his 100th league game and he played just one more time for Fitzroy.
In 1984 he was a member of Queensland club Coorparoo's premiership team and played in another premiership two years later. He also coached Coorparoo, in 1987 and 1988. State captain in 1988, O'Neill represented Queensland at interstate football on 25 occasions.