Lou Armstrong
Essendon
AFL career
107 games109 goals
- Debut
- R1 1908 v UNI2 May 1908
- Most recent
- R9 1914 v FIT13 June 1914
Stats
Bio
Lou Armstrong was a unique forward who defied his physical stature to become a central figure in Essendon’s back-to-back premiership era. Originally a VFA premiership player with West Melbourne, he arrived at Essendon in 1908 after his former club merged with North Melbourne. Despite standing just 170cm—a height typically reserved for rovers—Armstrong frequently operated as a key forward. He relied on deceptive strength and clever positioning to outpoint much larger defenders, proving that a "big man's game" could be influenced by a smaller, craftier competitor.
His impact peaked during the club's golden run, where he played a vital role in the 1911 and 1912 premiership victories. Armstrong topped Essendon's goalkicking with 35 majors during the 1911 flag campaign, often lining up alongside his younger brother Bert to form a dangerous sibling duo in attack. After contributing over a century of goals and games to the club, he departed midway through the 1914 season to return to the VFA with Essendon Association.
Profile
- Born
- 08 Feb 1885
- Died
- 30 Aug 1926 (aged 41y 203d)
- Birthplace
- Sandhurst, VIC
- Deathplace
- Carlton, VIC
- Height
- 170 cm
- Weight
- 70 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership(2×) 1911, 1912
Family
- Brother:Bert Armstrong
Bio
1 revisionLou Armstrong was a unique forward who defied his physical stature to become a central figure in Essendon’s back-to-back premiership era. Originally a VFA premiership player with West Melbourne, he arrived at Essendon in 1908 after his former club merged with North Melbourne. Despite standing just 170cm—a height typically reserved for rovers—Armstrong frequently operated as a key forward. He relied on deceptive strength and clever positioning to outpoint much larger defenders, proving that a "big man's game" could be influenced by a smaller, craftier competitor.
His impact peaked during the club's golden run, where he played a vital role in the 1911 and 1912 premiership victories. Armstrong topped Essendon's goalkicking with 35 majors during the 1911 flag campaign, often lining up alongside his younger brother Bert to form a dangerous sibling duo in attack. After contributing over a century of goals and games to the club, he departed midway through the 1914 season to return to the VFA with Essendon Association.