| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth | 5 November 1921 |
| Recruited from | Coburg Juniors |
| Height and weight | 193cm (6'4") / 102 kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Team(s) |
Melbourne (1940–47)
|
| ¹ Statistics to end of 1947 season | |
Fred Fanning (born 5 November 1921) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was a strongly built forward who stood at 193 cm and weighed 102 kg and, prior to the Coleman Medal, topped the league's goal kicking charts in 1943 (62 goals), 1944 (87) and 1945 (67).[1]
Fanning made his debut in 1940 and played in that year's Grand Final victory over the Richmond Tigers. Five years later he won the Best and Fairest award.
In Round 19, 1947 he kicked 18 goals, 1 point in a game against St Kilda which is a record for most goals in a VFL/AFL match, still standing to this day.[2] This would ultimately be Fanning's final appearance in a VFL match. He kicked 97 goals for the 1947 season, the highest in his VFL career.
Fanning joined the Hamilton Football Club in the Western District Football League as captain-coach in 1948, after being offered three times the salary he was received at Melbourne.
In September 1939, playing for Melbourne Seconds against Richmond in the Seconds' Grand Final — Melbourne 22.12 (144) to Richmond 17.13 (115) — Fanning kicked 12 goals for the victors.[3]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Norm Smith |
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist 1945 |
Succeeded by Jack Mueller |
| Preceded by Norm Smith Jack Mueller |
Melbourne Football Club Leading Goalkicker 1942–1945 1947 |
Succeeded by Jack Mueller Lance Arnold |
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