Albert Sawley
St Kilda · “Pongo”
AFL career
11 games2 goals
- Debut
- R8 1939 v NTH10 June 1939
- Most recent
- PF 1939 v COL23 Sept 1939
Stats
Bio
A highly decorated South Australian legend, Albert "Pongo" Sawley arrived at St Kilda in 1939 after transferring to Victoria for employment. Already established as a star with Norwood, the silky-skilled rover and forward was forced to serve a frustrating 13-week residency qualification before he could debut, which restricted his VFL career to a single season. Despite the brief stay, he demonstrated his class by breaking into the side to play in the Saints' Preliminary Final loss to Collingwood. Sawley returned to Adelaide the following year, where he served in World War II and cemented his status as an SANFL icon, playing in multiple premierships for the Redlegs and eventually earning selection in their Team of the Century.
Profile
- Full name
- Albert G. Sawley
- Born
- 27 Oct 1915
- Died
- 13 Aug 1983 (aged 67y 290d)
- Birthplace
- Norwood, SA
- Height
- 182 cm
- Weight
- 66 kg
Teams
Family
- Brother:Gordon Sawley
Bio
1 revisionA highly decorated South Australian legend, Albert "Pongo" Sawley arrived at St Kilda in 1939 after transferring to Victoria for employment. Already established as a star with Norwood, the silky-skilled rover and forward was forced to serve a frustrating 13-week residency qualification before he could debut, which restricted his VFL career to a single season. Despite the brief stay, he demonstrated his class by breaking into the side to play in the Saints' Preliminary Final loss to Collingwood. Sawley returned to Adelaide the following year, where he served in World War II and cemented his status as an SANFL icon, playing in multiple premierships for the Redlegs and eventually earning selection in their Team of the Century.