Kevin Coghlan (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Kevin "Skeeter" Coghlan (born 14 October 1929) is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Collingwood
and Hawthorn
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Coghlan, said to have been the smallest player of his era, earned his nickname of "Skeeter" when during a junior high jump competition he successfully made it over a target which was three inches above his height. Not surprisingly, Coghlan played his football as a rover. He won a Gardiner Medal
in 1949 for his efforts in the league seconds.
He took a while he establish himself in the Collingwood senior side, with just four appearances from his first two seasons. Over the next two years however he played 27 games. Collingwood went on to win the premiership in 1953, but Coghlan was at Hawthorn, having applied for and been granted a clearance to the Hawks.
Coghlan was the leading goal-kicker for Hawthorn in three successive seasons from 1953 to 1955. His tally of 19 goals in 1953 remains the lowest ever total to top the Hawthorn goal-kicking.
After retiring, Coghlan worked as a football journalist and taught at Melbourne High School
and at Northcote High School
. He was also a television and radio football commentator.
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 with Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
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).
Coghlan, said to have been the smallest player of his era, earned his nickname of "Skeeter" when during a junior high jump competition he successfully made it over a target which was three inches above his height. Not surprisingly, Coghlan played his football as a rover. He won a Gardiner Medal
Gardiner Medal
The Gardiner Medal was an Australian rules football award, formerly awarded to the best and fairest player in the VFL Reserves competition.Officially named the Seconds prior to 1959 and the Reserves from 1959 onwards, the competition ran from 1919 until 1999 and the medal was first awarded in...
in 1949 for his efforts in the league seconds.
He took a while he establish himself in the Collingwood senior side, with just four appearances from his first two seasons. Over the next two years however he played 27 games. Collingwood went on to win the premiership in 1953, but Coghlan was at Hawthorn, having applied for and been granted a clearance to the Hawks.
Coghlan was the leading goal-kicker for Hawthorn in three successive seasons from 1953 to 1955. His tally of 19 goals in 1953 remains the lowest ever total to top the Hawthorn goal-kicking.
After retiring, Coghlan worked as a football journalist and taught at Melbourne High School
Melbourne High School
Melbourne High School is a selective entry state school for boys in years 9 to 12 located in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra. Being a selective school, it is known mainly for its strong academic reputation...
and at Northcote High School
Northcote High School
Northcote High School is a co-educational, state high school in Northcote, Victoria, Australia. It is situated at the southern end of the City of Darebin, on St Georges Road.Teaching from Year 7 through 12, the school has a population of around 1,450 students...
. He was also a television and radio football commentator.