Graham Donaldson

Career : 1955 – 1962
Debut : Round 4, 1955 vs St Kilda, aged 19 years, 321 days
Carlton Player No. 689
Games : 106
Goals : 85
Last Game : Grand Final, 1962 vs Essendon, aged 27 years, 101 days
Guernsey No. 13
Height : 192 cm (6 ft. 3 in.)
Weight : 92.5 kg (14 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : June 20,1935
Club Captain: 1961, 1962
Victorian Representative 1959, 1960

Vying with Jack ‘Chooka’ Howell and Mil Hanna as the most accomplished player to have worn the number 13 guernsey for Carlton, Graham Donaldson was a star for the Blues for eight seasons.

A country boy who learned his football at Clunes, and later at East Ballarat, he was the son of a local policeman. Throughout his teenage years he was an imposing centre half-forward, but when Ken Hands was appointed Carlton coach in 1958, he sent Donaldson into the ruck, where his career took off. While he could appear lackadaisical at times, Donaldson was a gifted, perceptive player; a superb mark and a powerful running drop kick. And he soon developed into one of the most versatile tap ruckmen of his era.

He represented Victoria in 1959 and 1960, and was appointed captain of Carlton in 1961 and ’62. Unfortunately for Donaldson, and indeed the Carlton squad of that time, there was little real success on the field. He played seven finals matches in his 106 games, for just two wins and a draw - highlighted by the Blues’ 1962 Grand Final loss to Essendon. After that match, Donaldson stunned the club and its supporters by announcing his retirement from league football at the age of just 27.

He then went on to coach Morwell, taking the Latrobe Valley Tigers into the finals four years running before winning a Premiership at last in 1966. During this time he was influential in recruiting a number of future stars for Carlton, including Bryan Quirk, Garry Crane, Vin Waite, Bill Bennett, Bob Edmond and Ted Hopkins.

Throughout his stay at Morwell, Donaldson was employed as a branch manager for the State Savings Bank of Victoria, where he was one of the instigators of the SSB Little League. In its first year, the Little League gave some 700 children aged 11 or less, representing nine VFL teams, the chance to play at half time in a senior game. Now, more than forty years after its inception, the Little League (or Auskick) continues to grow, giving hundreds of youngsters each week the thrill of chasing a footy in front of big crowds at all league matches. At the same time, Donaldson also became an author when his book, "Manual of Physical Training for Footballers" was first published in 1963.

Donaldson returned to Princes Park in 1967 as Reserves coach, and assistant to Ron Barassi, a position he held through to 1970. It was the dawn of the rebirth of the Blues, and Carlton’s talented list found that Donaldson’s relaxed demeanour was a good foil to the intense disciplines demanded by Barassi. Together, they finally broke Carlton’s 21-year Premiership drought with a dogged 3-point Grand Final victory over Essendon.

Two seasons later, they did it again in Carlton’s finest hour. While the Blues trailed Collingwood by more than seven goals at half time in the 1970 Grand Final, Barassi would not concede defeat. He demanded a supreme effort from his team in the second half, and told them to back themselves; to run and carry, and handball, handball, handball. Somehow, the tenacious Blues clawed their way back into the match and went on to a fabulous victory by 10 points. At the many post-match celebrations, Barassi was lavish in his praise for his players, but also acknowledged Graham Donaldson’s contribution at every opportunity.

In 1971, Donaldson accepted a lucrative offer to coach Fitzroy, but in four seasons at Brunswick St was unable to lift the Maroons from the lower rungs of the ladder. He returned to Princes Park soon after and was a popular guest at club functions and team reunions for many years afterward. He was deeply mourned when he passed away on August 31, 2001.

Milestones

50 Games: Round 13, 1958 vs North Melbourne
100 Games: Round 13, 1962 vs Richmond

Footnote

Fitzroy played Carlton, June 5 1971 at Princes Park. The two opposing coaches Graham Donaldson and Ron Barassi, with League approval, agreed to experiment with a 50 yard centre square which limited the numbers of players at the centre bounce. This was to counter-act the unsightly over-crowding of the centre, which was a tactic which had been introduced into the game by Hawthorn's John Kennedy. The League would at first introduce a diamond in 1974, but it was later altered to a centre square.

Video

Links

Blueseum: Stat Shot for Graham Donaldson | Career Breakdown for Graham Donaldson

Gallery

Graham Donaldson.
1962 prelim G.Donaldson blueseum..jpg
Graham Donaldson.
Graham Donaldson in the change rooms.
Graham Donaldson at training.
Graham Donaldson at a club function.
An injured Graham Donaldson.
Graham Donaldson stretches one-handed for a mark.
Graham Donaldson marks strongly.
Graham Donaldson.
Graham Donaldson; part of Carlton's coaching panel.
Graham Donaldson battles for the footy.
Graham Donaldson in a marking contest at the MCG.
Graham Donaldson.
Graham Donaldson & Richmond's Crowe.
Graham Donaldson the bank employee.
Graham Donaldson puts pressure on the kicker.
1962 Final Series Dad & Cal
1962 Grand Final - Graham Donaldson.
1968 GF - Ron Barassi & Graham Donaldson on the bench.Pic; Football Life.
1969 - Graham Donaldson & the Little League (page 4 of 4).
1969 - Graham Donaldson & the Little League (page 3 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1969 - Graham Donaldson & the Little League (page 2 of 4).
1969 - Graham Donaldson & the Little League (page 1 of 4).
1971 - Ex Blue & Fitzroy Coach Graham Donaldson.
1971 - Ex Blue & Fitzroy Coach Graham Donaldson.Pic: Football Life.
1971 - Ex Blue & Fitzroy Coach Graham Donaldson.Pic: Football Life.
1971 - Ex Blue & Fitzroy Coach Graham Donaldson.Pic: Football Life.
1972 - Ex Blue Graham Donaldson (page 3 of 3).Football Life - May 1972.
1972 - Ex Blue Graham Donaldson (page 2 of 3).
1972 - Ex Blue Graham Donaldson (page 1 of 3).Football Life - May 1972.
1972 - Graham Donaldson.Pic: Football Life.
1967 - SSB Little League Comp. starts today (13/05/67).Football Record - 13th May 1967.
1962 Rd 5 - Match Preview Vs Essendon.Football Record - 19th May 1962.
1960 Big V Squad for WA Clash (Donaldson & Comben).Football Record - 18th June 1960.
1960 - Big V Match Results (Donaldson WA game & Comben Tas game).Football Record - 18th June 1960.
1972 Rd 4 - Ex Blue Graham Donaldson.
1973 - Ex Blue & Fitzroy Coach Graham Donaldson.Pic: Inside Football.
1970 GF - The Siren sounds.Pic: Out of the Blue.
1970 GF - Big Nick & Barassi after the final siren. Pic: Inside Football.
Graham Donaldson passes away (2001).
1962 Prelim. Final - Match Preview Vs Geelong.
GD1The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), Saturday 7 May 1955, page 48
Graham DonaldsonGraham Donaldson
1974 - Former Blue & Fitzroy Coach Graham Donaldson with Farnham.
1959 Rd 2 - Graham Donaldson in ruck with Graham Gilchrist (28).
1962 Grand Final - Team Line-ups.
1960 Rd 13 - Graham Donaldson.
1962 1st Semi - Match Preview.
1966 - Morwell FC; ex Blues G.Donaldson & B.Williams & future A.Ruscukic.
1957 G. Donalson Age August 10 Capture
1962 Grand Final Pemnnats
1963 Graham Donaldson Refers Young Ruck To The Blues (21 MAR).
1963 Graham Donaldson Cleared To Morwell (13 Mar)