Des Healey
Collingwood
AFL career
149 games37 goals
- Debut
- R1 1948 v NTH17 Apr 1948
- Most recent
- GF 1955 v MEL17 Sept 1955
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Preston YCW, Des Healey served a dedicated apprenticeship in the reserves before establishing himself as one of the VFL's premier wingmen. Once he broke into the senior side, he became a vital component of a famous centreline alongside Thorold Merrett and Bill Twomey. A natural left-footer with blistering pace and elite evasive skills, Healey was renowned for his ability to baulk opponents at top speed and deliver pinpoint passes to leading forwards. His brilliance was instrumental in Collingwood's 1953 premiership victory, a standout season that also saw him earn All-Australian selection.
Healey's time in the VFL was cut short by a severe collision during the 1955 Grand Final against Melbourne. In the dying minutes of the match, he was involved in a heavy clash with Melbourne's Frank 'Bluey' Adams that left both players unconscious and resulted in Healey suffering a fractured skull and a broken nose. The injuries were significant enough to force his immediate retirement at just 28 years of age. In a bittersweet conclusion to his career, he was awarded the Copeland Trophy as the club's best and fairest player that same year, cementing his legacy as one of the finest wingmen to wear the black and white.
Profile
- Born
- 05 Sept 1927
- Died
- 18 Mar 2009 (aged 81y 194d)
- Height
- 168 cm
- Weight
- 69 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Preston YCW, Des Healey served a dedicated apprenticeship in the reserves before establishing himself as one of the VFL's premier wingmen. Once he broke into the senior side, he became a vital component of a famous centreline alongside Thorold Merrett and Bill Twomey. A natural left-footer with blistering pace and elite evasive skills, Healey was renowned for his ability to baulk opponents at top speed and deliver pinpoint passes to leading forwards. His brilliance was instrumental in Collingwood's 1953 premiership victory, a standout season that also saw him earn All-Australian selection.
Healey's time in the VFL was cut short by a severe collision during the 1955 Grand Final against Melbourne. In the dying minutes of the match, he was involved in a heavy clash with Melbourne's Frank 'Bluey' Adams that left both players unconscious and resulted in Healey suffering a fractured skull and a broken nose. The injuries were significant enough to force his immediate retirement at just 28 years of age. In a bittersweet conclusion to his career, he was awarded the Copeland Trophy as the club's best and fairest player that same year, cementing his legacy as one of the finest wingmen to wear the black and white.