Ron Bywater

Ron Bywater
Personal information
Full name Ronald Charles Eric Bywater
Date of birth 8 January 1919
Place of birth Moonee Ponds
Height/Weight 183 cm / 83 kg
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1942-1950 South Melbourne 58 (39)
1 Playing statistics to end of 1950 season .

Ronald Charles Eric "Ron" Bywater (born 8 January 1919) was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]

A key position player, Bywater missed many games early in his career due to his war service.[2] He made just two appearances from 1942 to 1945.[3] During the 1946 season, in July, Bywater announced his retirement, due to heart problems.[4] 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.[3] As a result of a broken ankle, Bywater was out of action for much of the 1948 season.[5] He was used up forward in 1949 and kicked 25 goals from his 16 appearances.[3] 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.[6]

References

  1. ^ Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785. 
  2. ^ "WW2 Nominal Roll". Government of Australia. http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=A&VeteranID=541984. 
  3. ^ a b c AFL Tables: Ron Bywater
  4. ^ The Argus,"R. Bywater Retires From Football", 18 July 1946, p. 17
  5. ^ The Argus,"Essendon Refuse Bushby Clearance", 7 April 1948, p. 16
  6. ^ The Argus,"Ron Bywater transfers to N.S.W. club", 21 June 1950, p. 15