Eric Tonkin
Melbourne
AFL career
20 games19 goals
- Debut
- R1 1919 v STK3 May 1919
- Most recent
- R9 1920 v GEE26 June 1920
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Sturt in the SAFL, Eric Tonkin arrived in Victoria via a convoluted pathway after his initial transfer to Carlton during World War I was blocked by South Australian administrators. After serving a forced two-year absence from the game and a brief stint with North Melbourne in the VFA, he finally made his VFL debut with Melbourne in 1919. Tonkin immediately established himself as a high-pressure rover with exceptional stamina, providing a rare avenue to goal during the club's infamous winless season where he kicked 14 majors in 14 games. Despite his individual form, his time at league level was short-lived, and he departed after just two seasons to play for Brighton and later the fledgling Canberra competition.
Profile
- Born
- 11 Jan 1894
- Died
- 10 Dec 1958 (aged 64y 333d)
- Birthplace
- Parkside, SA
- Deathplace
- Little Bay, NSW
- Height
- 170 cm
- Weight
- 70 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Sturt in the SAFL, Eric Tonkin arrived in Victoria via a convoluted pathway after his initial transfer to Carlton during World War I was blocked by South Australian administrators. After serving a forced two-year absence from the game and a brief stint with North Melbourne in the VFA, he finally made his VFL debut with Melbourne in 1919. Tonkin immediately established himself as a high-pressure rover with exceptional stamina, providing a rare avenue to goal during the club's infamous winless season where he kicked 14 majors in 14 games. Despite his individual form, his time at league level was short-lived, and he departed after just two seasons to play for Brighton and later the fledgling Canberra competition.