Lester Ross Explained

Lester Ross
Fullname:Lester Ross
Birth Date:27 August 1936
Originalteam:Prahran, Moe
Height:177 cm
Weight:72 kg
Statsend:1968
Years1:1959
Club1:St Kilda
Games Goals1:10 (0)
Years2:1961–1962
Club2:Norwood
Games Goals2:27
Years3:1963–1967
Club3:South Adelaide
Games Goals3:72
Years4:1968
Club4:Subiaco
Games Goals4:1

Lester Ross (born 27 August 1936) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Ross, who started his senior football career at Victorian Football Association club Prahran, spent the 1958 season with Moe and won the Latrobe Valley Football League "Best and Fairest" award.[1]

He was granted a clearance to join St Kilda in 1959 and the centreman is credited with having outperformed Footscray's Ted Whitten in his very first game.[1] [2] After playing in the opening ten rounds of the season, Ross was demoted to the seconds, causing a dispute which would see him walk out on the club.[3]

Norwood secured his services in 1961 and he spent two seasons with them, in the South Australian National Football League.[1] In his first season, he finished third in the Magarey Medal, even though he had missed five games.[1]

He played the next five years with South Adelaide, after joining the club in 1963. Playing mostly as a half forward flanker, he was a good performer for South Adelaide and was a member of their 1964 premiership team.[1]

His final destination was Subiaco in Western Australia but he played only one senior game.[1] After his debut, Ross seriously injured his arm when he unwittingly smashed it through a window. The injury required 60 stitches and ended his career.[1]

Ross had sons who were also good footballers; Lester junior who played with Norwood and Jonathon who played at both Norwood and Adelaide.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Full Points Footy: Lester Ross (Prahran, St Kilda, Norwood, South Adelaide, Subiaco) . 12 April 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090402112819/http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/r.htm#Lester%20Ross%20%28St%20Kilda,%20Norwood,%20South%20Adelaide,%20Subiaco%29 . 2 April 2009 . dead .
  2. Web site: Lester Ross. AFL Tables.
  3. The Age, "Ross Turns Out", 24 February 1960. p. 13
  4. Book: Holmesby. Russell. Main. Jim. The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. 2007. 978-1-920910-78-5.