I hadn’t heard the name John Ronaldson until Tom Hafey passed away this week, and the talk turned to the young men who he had taken along with him to four flags. He kept a bond with them throughout their lives. I don’t know anything about John beyond this clip and his bare stats – he played in 2 premierships and I suppose that was commonplace enough around Richmond in those days. If the historians among us can tell me anything else, particularly his nickname (for the Duffle Coat) I’d be much obliged.
John was our third ruck man, behind Neville Crowe and Mike Patterson. He got a game in the 67 grand final after Crowey was rubbed out for 4 weeks for “slapping” Nichols who took the biggest dive in VFL history. John wasn’t a great player, but a serviceable ruck man. When he took that first mark in front of the MCC members stand, we thought no way would he kick it as he wasn’t the best of kicks. He drilled it and to prove it wasn’t a fluke, repeated the feat from the opposite pocket. His son played NBL basketball and although we tried, we could’t get him down to Punt Rd.
Thanks Alan. I saw he only played 6 games in 1967 so I guess he was a fringe player. Very impressive composure. Must have been a wonderful day to be there to see the drought break.