Gordon Coventry: Australian Football
Gordon Richard Coventry (25 September 1901 – 7 November 1968) was an Australian Rules football player who represented the Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League. During his youth, he played football for the Diamond Creek Football Club in the Heidelberg District Football League (HDFL). In 1920, he debuted for Collingwood and was playing alongside his brother two years later, Syd Coventry.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Gordon Coventry led VFL’s goal kicking each year from 1926 to 1930. In 1929, he scored a total of 124 goals, which made him the first player in the league to kick over 100 goals in a season. Coventry is Collingwood’s 16-time leading goal kicker, from 1922 until 1937. He was awarded the Leading Goal kicker Medal six times – 1926 until 1930 and 1935. Gordon Coventry was a five-time Collingwood Premiership player, received the Copeland Trophy and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame with a legend status.
Why Was He So Good?
Gordon Coventry will never be forgotten for being a one-man record-making engine. He is a traditional instance of a footballer who made the most of his power and authority for him to be successful. He overshadowed his brother’s role as captain due to his scoring feats and greatest full-forwards. Coventry utilized his brain as a replacement for the usual full forward qualities of swiftness and smooth expertise to get hold of the ball.
What You May Not Know
- He was suspended for eight matches in 1936 when he retaliated after being struck on boils on the back of his neck.
- After being the top goal kicker of VFL in 1937, he then retired the sport and had a retirement party at Melbourne’s ANZAC House.
- Coventry coached Collegians in the VAFA (Victorian Amateur Football Association).
- His record of 1299 goals in VFL football stood for more than six decades (broken by Tony Lockett).
- Coventry was the first player to play 300 VFL/AFL games.
Was he a legend?
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Related Pages
- More Australian Football legendary players
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of Australian Football
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