| Neil Bencraft | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Neil C. Bencraft | ||
| Date of birth | 8 December 1924 | ||
| Original team | Sandringham Colts | ||
| Height/Weight | 165 cm / 64 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Rover | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1944 1945–52 |
Melbourne Sandringham |
2 (3) 140 (227) |
|
|
1 Playing statistics to end of 1952 season .
|
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Neil C. Bencraft (born 8 December 1924) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Bencraft, a rover, made his league debut in a 16 point win over Carlton at Princes Park. He also played in a 13 point victory against Geelong the following week. It would be his only two appearances in the VFL and from 1945 until 1952 he played with Sandringham. He kicked the winning goal in the 1946 Grand Final, which gave Sandringham their maiden VFA premiership. Appointed coach in 1958, Bencraft steered them to another premiership in 1962. They won the Grand Final by one point, after trailing Moorabbin by 44 points at three quarter time. It was his last year in a five season stint as coach, although he was called on again in 1974 for one more year.