Kelvin Templeton
Encyclopedia
Kelvin Templeton is a former Australian rules football
er. At sixteen years of age Templeton kicked 100 goals for Traralgon in the 1973 Latrobe Valley FL season. He was the second man and still the youngest to kick 100 goals in a season in that competition.
Footscray, within whose country zone Traralgon was located, eyed Templeton continuously from that point, and he joined the club for the 1974 season
at a time when the club had been desperately short of matchwinning goalkickers ever since Jack Charles Collins retired in the 1950s. His debut against Collingwood
was a sensation, for Templeton kicked six goals at full forward. However, it was felt Templeton was too skinny at around 81.5 kilograms (179.7 lb), and it was only when he did major weight training that he really began to excel. In 1976 Templeton kicked 82 goals, with a best of nine against South Melbourne
After an injury-ruined 1977, Templeton came back to head the goalkicking table for 1978
with 118, including a career-best performance of 15 goals against St Kilda on 1 July. During this match Templeton set a record of 24 scoring shots (15 goals nine behinds). Footscray kicked a then-record score of 33 goals fifteen behinds (213 points) in this match and his combined total with Ian Dunstan
of 22 goals is a record for two players on one side in a VFL/AFL match. Despite this phenomenal feat, Footscray finished eleventh of twelve teams with only six other wins for the year.
Templeton was the league's leading goalkicker
for the second consecutive year but after an appalling start to the 1980 season with eleven consecutive losses coach Royce Hart
moved Templeton to centre half-forward in order to bring him closer to the action. The move worked so well that Templeton became the first forward to win the Brownlow Medal
and still kicked over seventy goals.
In 1981, however, Templeton could play only six games due to a serious knee injury, and nagging injuries reduced his effectiveness during his last year with Footscray in 1982. Melbourne
bought Templeton as part of a buying spree for 1983
but the injuries did not abate and he played only 34 games for the Demons before announcing his retirement in April 1986.
Later, he would become the CEO
of the Sydney Swans
as they started to become a power in the Australian Football League
.
In 1980 Templeton covered the song "Who's Sorry Now" for the album Footy Favourites – a collection of songs sung by VFL players.
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. At sixteen years of age Templeton kicked 100 goals for Traralgon in the 1973 Latrobe Valley FL season. He was the second man and still the youngest to kick 100 goals in a season in that competition.
Footscray, within whose country zone Traralgon was located, eyed Templeton continuously from that point, and he joined the club for the 1974 season
1974 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1974.-Premiership season:In 1974, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus two substitute players, known as the 19th man and the 20th man...
at a time when the club had been desperately short of matchwinning goalkickers ever since Jack Charles Collins retired in the 1950s. His debut against Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
was a sensation, for Templeton kicked six goals at full forward. However, it was felt Templeton was too skinny at around 81.5 kilograms (179.7 lb), and it was only when he did major weight training that he really began to excel. In 1976 Templeton kicked 82 goals, with a best of nine against South Melbourne
After an injury-ruined 1977, Templeton came back to head the goalkicking table for 1978
1978 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1978.-Grand final:Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne 18.13 to 15.13 , in front of a crowd of 101704 people...
with 118, including a career-best performance of 15 goals against St Kilda on 1 July. During this match Templeton set a record of 24 scoring shots (15 goals nine behinds). Footscray kicked a then-record score of 33 goals fifteen behinds (213 points) in this match and his combined total with Ian Dunstan
Ian Dunstan
Ian Dunstan is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League ....
of 22 goals is a record for two players on one side in a VFL/AFL match. Despite this phenomenal feat, Footscray finished eleventh of twelve teams with only six other wins for the year.
Templeton was the league's leading goalkicker
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...
for the second consecutive year but after an appalling start to the 1980 season with eleven consecutive losses coach Royce Hart
Royce Hart
Royce Desmond Hart is a former Australian rules football player and coach who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League between 1967 and 1977, and coached Footscray between 1980 and 1982.Hart was a supremely gifted, determined player who was acknowledged by all in his...
moved Templeton to centre half-forward in order to bring him closer to the action. The move worked so well that Templeton became the first forward to win the 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...
and still kicked over seventy goals.
In 1981, however, Templeton could play only six games due to a serious knee injury, and nagging injuries reduced his effectiveness during his last year with Footscray in 1982. 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....
bought Templeton as part of a buying spree for 1983
1983 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1983.-Attendance:A total of 3,631,042 people attended VFL matches during the 1983 season, an average of about 26,312 per game . A combined total of 420,439 attended finals matches in 1983, an average of 70,073 per finals match...
but the injuries did not abate and he played only 34 games for the Demons before announcing his retirement in April 1986.
Later, he would become the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Sydney Swans
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...
as they started to become a power in the Australian 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...
.
In 1980 Templeton covered the song "Who's Sorry Now" for the album Footy Favourites – a collection of songs sung by VFL players.