Ernie Coward
Essendon
AFL career
118 games20 goals
- Debut
- R2 1939 v MEL29 Apr 1939
- Most recent
- R20 1945 v NTH1 Sept 1945
Stats
Bio
Recruited from West Perth in the WAFL, Ernie "Sonny" Coward endured a complicated entry into Victorian football. In a move that demonstrated significant resolve, he—along with fellow West Australian Wally Buttsworth—was forced to sit out of football entirely for the 1938 season to force a clearance to Essendon. Once eligible in 1939, he wasted little time establishing himself, quickly becoming a vital component of the "Mosquito Fleet" during the Bombers' wartime dominance.
On the field, Coward was a pacy, consistent wingman who offered drive through the midfield and reliable delivery to the forwards. His time at Windy Hill coincided with a golden era under captain-coach Dick Reynolds, seeing him play in three consecutive Grand Finals and earning a premiership medallion in the 1942 victory over Richmond. Far from just a role player, his quality was recognised with a runner-up finish in the club's best and fairest in 1944 and Victorian state selection in 1945. After leaving the VFL, he extended his career as a captain-coach for Maryborough and later Scottsdale in Tasmania.
Profile
- Born
- 27 Jan 1916
- Died
- 05 Apr 1985 (aged 69y 68d)
- Birthplace
- Broomehill, WA
- Height
- 170 cm
- Weight
- 67 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1942
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from West Perth in the WAFL, Ernie "Sonny" Coward endured a complicated entry into Victorian football. In a move that demonstrated significant resolve, he—along with fellow West Australian Wally Buttsworth—was forced to sit out of football entirely for the 1938 season to force a clearance to Essendon. Once eligible in 1939, he wasted little time establishing himself, quickly becoming a vital component of the "Mosquito Fleet" during the Bombers' wartime dominance.
On the field, Coward was a pacy, consistent wingman who offered drive through the midfield and reliable delivery to the forwards. His time at Windy Hill coincided with a golden era under captain-coach Dick Reynolds, seeing him play in three consecutive Grand Finals and earning a premiership medallion in the 1942 victory over Richmond. Far from just a role player, his quality was recognised with a runner-up finish in the club's best and fairest in 1944 and Victorian state selection in 1945. After leaving the VFL, he extended his career as a captain-coach for Maryborough and later Scottsdale in Tasmania.