Ron Bywater | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Ronald Charles Eric Bywater | ||
Date of birth | 8 January 1919 | ||
Place of birth | Moonee Ponds | ||
Date of death | 18 May 1975 | (aged 56)||
Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Weight | 83 kg (183 lb) | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1942–1950 | South Melbourne | 58 (39) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1950. | |||
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Ronald Charles Eric Bywater (8 January 1919 – 18 May 1975) [1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). [2]
A key position player, Bywater missed many games early in his career due to his war service. [3] He made just two appearances from 1942 to 1945. [4] During the 1946 season, in July, Bywater announced his retirement, due to heart problems. [5] He however returned the following year and in what was his first full season came within five votes of winning the 1947 Brownlow Medal, finishing equal third [4] and was runner up to Bill Williams in the 1947 club best and fairest award. [6]
As a result of a broken ankle, Bywater was out of action for much of the 1948 season. [7] He was used up forward in 1949 and kicked 25 goals from his 16 appearances. [4] Only Dick Jones kicked more goals for South Melbourne that year.
Bywater left South Melbourne midway through the 1950 season and joined Corowa, a club which he would later coach? He was reunited with former teammate Billy King, the then captain-coach. [8]
Bywater transferred to the Rutherglen Football Club in 1951. [9]