Frank McGrath
Carlton and Melbourne
AFL career
10 games4 goals
- Debut
- R1 1944 v RCH6 May 1944
- Most recent
- R16 1945 v STK4 Aug 1945
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Boort in the Victorian Mallee, Frank McGrath was the older brother of Melbourne premiership captain Shane McGrath. His football journey was significantly interrupted by World War II service in both the Army and RAAF, restricting him to just two games for the Demons while stationed at Point Cook. Unable to secure a regular spot in Melbourne's strong lineup, he transferred to Carlton in 1945 where he found a niche as a ruckman and forward. McGrath played eight games during the Blues' premiership season but was denied a place in the historic "Blood Bath" Grand Final side. A leg injury sustained late in the year—allegedly caused by a kick from Collingwood's Lou Richards which led to a blood infection—saw him sidelined on the eve of the finals, prompting his retirement from VFL football to captain-coach country side Charlton.
Profile
- Born
- 22 Aug 1917
- Died
- 27 May 2008 (aged 90y 279d)
- Birthplace
- Lake Marmal, VIC
- Height
- 185 cm
- Weight
- 87 kg
Teams
Family
- Brother:J. Shane McGrath
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Boort in the Victorian Mallee, Frank McGrath was the older brother of Melbourne premiership captain Shane McGrath. His football journey was significantly interrupted by World War II service in both the Army and RAAF, restricting him to just two games for the Demons while stationed at Point Cook. Unable to secure a regular spot in Melbourne's strong lineup, he transferred to Carlton in 1945 where he found a niche as a ruckman and forward. McGrath played eight games during the Blues' premiership season but was denied a place in the historic "Blood Bath" Grand Final side. A leg injury sustained late in the year—allegedly caused by a kick from Collingwood's Lou Richards which led to a blood infection—saw him sidelined on the eve of the finals, prompting his retirement from VFL football to captain-coach country side Charlton.