Des Tuddenham

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Des Tuddenham
Personal information
Birth January 29, 1943,
Recruited from
Height and weight 180 cm / 84 kg
Playing career¹
Debut 1962, Collingwood vs. , at
Team(s) Collingwood (1962-71) (1976-77)
  • 182 games 251 goals

Essendon (1972-75)

  • 69 games, 66 goals

Total - 251 Games, 317 Goals

Coaching career¹
Team(s) Essendon (1972-75)
  • 90 games, 47 wins, 43 losses

South Melbourne (1978)

  • 22 games, 9 wins, 13 losses

Total - 112 Games, 56 Wins, 56 Losses

¹ Statistics to end of 1978 season
Career highlights

Desmond Vincent Tuddenham (born January 29, 1943) is a former Australian rules footballer who played during the 1960's and 70's. He was a half forward flanker.

Tuddenham was recruited from Ballarat made his VFL debut in 1962, playing for the Collingwood Magpies. His brand of football was fearless and tough, with a habit of grasping the football to his chest with his elbows sticking out dangerously (as South Melbourne's Bob Skilton can attest, due to the severe facial fractures he sustained in 1968, preventing him from playing for the entire 1969 season).

In recognition of his superior abilities he was made captain in 1966.

In 1970 he was stood down from this leadership position after he and his vice-captain Len Thompson refused to play for the Magpies, striking to protest unfair salaries being paid to interstate players.[1]

He stayed with the club for a further season before moving to then cellar-dwellers the Essendon Bombers as captain-coach.

He played four seasons for the Bombers before returning to Collingwood for his final two seasons.[1]

In his 252 games career he played in three narrow grand final losses, to Melbourne in 1964, a famous 1 point defeat to St Kilda in 1966, and to Carlton in 1970.

In 1978 he was the senior coach of South Melbourne for a season, replaced by Ian Stewart when he failed to take the club to the finals.

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Preceded by
Murray Weideman
Copeland Trophy winner
1963
Succeeded by
Ian Graham
Preceded by
John Birt
Essendon Football Club coach
1972-1975
Succeeded by
Bill Stephen
Preceded by
Ian Stewart
South Melbourne Football Club coach
1978
Succeeded by
Ian Stewart