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THE FIRST TASMANIAN FOOTBALL LEGEND

FRED MCGINIS

(Click picture to enlarge)

Fred McGinis - A Tasmanian Football Legend Fred McGinis was born in Hobart, originally learning his football at the City School under the tutelage of Mr T.R.Marsden. He played his first senior football with the City club under the guidance of a wonderfully clever and astute captain T.P.Ryan. Tasmanians never saw McGinis at his best because, like a lot of fit young men, he was tempted to roam once visiting clubs had seen his style of play. McGinis, Leonard Webb and George Vautin were a trio of Hobart footballers who did their island state credit on the football field, as was Dr Colin Campbell.  Fred McGinis arrived from Tasmania in 1889 to play for the Melbourne Football Club. He had represented Tasmania on several occasions and when he first came to Melbourne, intended joining fellow Tasmanians George Vautin and Colin Campbell at Essendon.
The Dons did not think him good enough but Melbourne had no hesitation in signing him. He was a rover and was described as being determined in getting the ball, and cool and quick in passing it on to team mates. he was renowned for his splendid drop kicking and half distance passing.
In one game in 1895 McGinis was so outstanding that he was regarded as having won the game off his won boot, inflicting Essendon's fourth loss in five seasons. Melbourne won the match 5.9. to 1.1.
He was named champion of the colony in 1897.
"Markwell", writing in the Melbourne Argus newspaper on "Some Famous Footballers between 1858-1900" paid the following tribute to McGinis: " To Tasmania belongs the honour of having produced the first artist among Melbourne's cracks of fairly recent years. In McGinis the club was blessed with a born footballer. I remember seeing him make his first appearance in the Melbourne team, when he astounded and charmed me with his display. He simply dropped into his place as if he were made for it. He picked his men like one who had played with them for years, and he was the personification of cool cleverness and resource. And all that he showed himself on that first day he remained up to the time when unfortunately, his light went out literally and he could no longer see to play."

Fred McGinis was a hero of the Melbourne 1900 premiership side.

Failing eyesight forced his premature retirement and return to Tasmania in 1902 after 84 games. His eyesight continued to deteriorate and a benefit match was held to raise funds for him.
McGinis' personal calibre can be seen from an incident that took place in 1901. He was injured by a kick to the ankle that laid bare the bone. After the game Collingwood's Robert Rush went to the Melbourne rooms and apologised for unwittingly causing the injury.
McGinis replied " That's alright, old chap. I know it was an accident." As Rush was leaving McGinis remarked to his team mates that Rush was 'one of the fairest men in football'.

Fred McGinis pictured as an official of Cananore in 1922.

 

 

 

 

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Fred McGinis - A Tasmanian Football Legend
 

To find out more about football in Tasmania today 
go to these websites. SFL ; NTFL

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