Ronald Charles Eric Bywater (8 January 1919 – 18 May 1975)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[2]
A key position player, Bywater missed many games early in his career due to his war service.[3] He made just two appearances from 1942 to 1945.[4] During the 1946 season, in July, Bywater announced his retirement, due to heart problems.[5] He however returned the following year and in what was his first full season came within five votes of winning the 1947 Brownlow Medal, finishing equal third [4] and was runner up to Bill Williams in the 1947 club best and fairest award.[6]
As a result of a broken ankle, Bywater was out of action for much of the 1948 season.[7] He was used up forward in 1949 and kicked 25 goals from his 16 appearances.[4] Only Dick Jones kicked more goals for South Melbourne that year.
Bywater left South Melbourne midway through the 1950 season and joined Corowa, a club which he would later coach? He was reunited with former teammate Billy King, the then captain-coach. [8]
Bywater transferred to the Rutherglen Football Club in 1951. [9]
References
- ^ "Ron Bywater – Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
- ^ "WW2 Nominal Roll". Government of Australia.
- ^ a b c "AFL Tables: Ron Bywater". afltables.com.
- ^ The Argus,"R. Bywater Retires From Football", 18 July 1946, p. 17
- ^ "1947 - Football". The Age. 3 December 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ^ The Argus,"Essendon Refuse Bushby Clearance", 7 April 1948, p. 16
- ^ The Argus,"Ron Bywater transfers to N.S.W. club", 21 June 1950, p. 15
- ^ "1951 - Rutherglen v Benalla". Trove Newspapers. Benalla Ensign.
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