Wally Lock
Encyclopedia
Walter Albert "Wally" Lock (born 22 January 1917) is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
, Lock began playing for Melbourne in 1936 as a half forward falnker and was known as the "Bunton
" of Melbourne in his early years. In 1939, Lock missed out in playing in the Demons' premiership, due to being suspended. In 1940, Lock again missed being a part of Melbourne's premiership team, after being injured in the preliminary final. He was, however, one of Melbourne's best players, his performance described as "outstanding", in their 1941 premiership
side.
In 1942 Lock enlisted in the Australian Army
to serve in World War II. He held the rank of corporal
and served in the 4th Field Ambulance. He was discharged on 4 January 1946 after the conclusion of WWII.
After being discharged from the Army, Lock began playing for Melbourne again in 1946. He was Melbourne's best and fairest
in 1947. He was also named in the Sporting Life "Team of the Year" in 1947. In 1948 Lock injured his knee in a semi final and again missed out on playing in a Melbourne premiership. After playing only four games in 1949 due to the knee injury suffered in 1948, Lock retired in the 1950 pre-season when he found out the knee was "not likely to respond to treatment".
. Barassi described Lock as someone who "combined strength with guile and football intelligence" and "was dashing and played with flair". He was named on the interchange bench in Melbourne's official 'Team of the Century'.
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 Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
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).
VFL career
Recruited from MaryboroughMaryborough Football Club
The Maryborough Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Bendigo Football League.They are based in the town of Maryborough, Victoria.-History:...
, Lock began playing for Melbourne in 1936 as a half forward falnker and was known as the "Bunton
Haydn Bunton, Sr.
Haydn William Bunton was an Australian rules football player and coach. He is regarded by some historians and observers of Australian rules as its greatest-ever player.-Playing career:...
" of Melbourne in his early years. In 1939, Lock missed out in playing in the Demons' premiership, due to being suspended. In 1940, Lock again missed being a part of Melbourne's premiership team, after being injured in the preliminary final. He was, however, one of Melbourne's best players, his performance described as "outstanding", in their 1941 premiership
1941 VFL Grand Final
The 1941 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Melbourne Football Club and Essendon Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 1941. It was the 45th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
side.
In 1942 Lock enlisted in the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
to serve in World War II. He held the rank of corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
and served in the 4th Field Ambulance. He was discharged on 4 January 1946 after the conclusion of WWII.
After being discharged from the Army, Lock began playing for Melbourne again in 1946. He was Melbourne's best and fairest
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal
The Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Melbourne Football Club player judged Best and Fairest for the season.It is named in honor of Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, a former dual premiership player and World War II fighter ace killed in 1943....
in 1947. He was also named in the Sporting Life "Team of the Year" in 1947. In 1948 Lock injured his knee in a semi final and again missed out on playing in a Melbourne premiership. After playing only four games in 1949 due to the knee injury suffered in 1948, Lock retired in the 1950 pre-season when he found out the knee was "not likely to respond to treatment".
Legacy
Lock was made a life member of the Melbourne Football Club in 1946. Lock was a boyhood hero of Ron BarassiRon Barassi
Ronald Dale Barassi, Jr AM is a former Australian rules football player and coach. During a long and decorated career, Barassi has been one of the most important figures in the history of Australian football. His father, Ron Barassi, Sr., was the first Australian footballer killed at Tobruk during...
. Barassi described Lock as someone who "combined strength with guile and football intelligence" and "was dashing and played with flair". He was named on the interchange bench in Melbourne's official 'Team of the Century'.