Des Healey
{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Des Healey
| image =
| fullname = Desmond Jules Healey
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1927|9|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Victoria, Australia
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|3|18|1927|9|5|df=y}}
| death_place = Melbourne, Australia
| originalteam = Preston YCW
| debutdate = 1948
| debutteam = Collingwood
| debutopponent = North Melbourne
| debutstadium = Arden Street Oval, North Melbourne
| height =
| weight =
| position =
| statsend = 1955
| years1 = 1948–1955
| club1 = Collingwood
| games_goals1 = 149 (37)
| careerhighlights = * Collingwood premiership side 1953
- Collingwood best and fairest 1955
- Collingwood 2nd best and fairest 1951, 1954
- Collingwood 3rd best and fairest 1953
- Victorian Team 1949, 1953
- All-Australian 1953
}}
Desmond Jules Healey (5 September 1927 – 18 March 2009) was an Australian rules footballer, who played in the VFL/AFL with the Collingwood Football Club, and was also a first-grade cricketer with the Collingwood Cricket Club.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23167827 The Argus, (Tuesday, 11 March 1952), p.8]; [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71694957 State Squad Chosen, The Argus, (Tuesday, 13 September 1955), p.16.]
He married the daughter of Jack Bisset.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22834768 Taylor, P., "League Footballers of 1950—Wing Men", The Argus, (Saturday, 10 June 1950), p.6]; [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71696185 The Argus, (Monday, 19 September 1955), p.20.]
VFL career
After spending 3 years in the reserves team, Healey finally broke into the senior side in 1948. He played every game in 1948 and missed only one in 1949 when he won interstate selection.
The combination of Healey, Thorold Merrett and Bill Twomey, Jr., gave Collingwood a lethal centre line. Healey was a great mark for his size and dazzled the crowd with his evasive ground work and polished skills. He always had great control of the ball and was the master of the pinpoint pass.
Healey was one of the heroes of Collingwood's 1953 Premiership victory and was rated by many as one of the best players on the ground that day. He won All-Australian selection in the same year.
Essendon's great full-forward John Coleman once named Healey as the best wingman he had ever seen. "He is clever, has that wonderful tenacity of all good Collingwood players, and is tireless".
Healey is perhaps best known for his last moments as a League footballer. In the 1955 grand final Healey had a sickening collision with Melbourne's Frank 'Bluey' Adams. They were both stretchered off, with Healey's nose broken in five places and his skull fractured. He never played League football again.[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/bump-that-still-shocks/story-e6frf9if-1225691746274 Herald Sun 20 March 2009]
Post VFL
Healey was appointed as captain / coach of the Wodonga Football Club in 1956{{cite web |title=1955 - Magpies find another Rosie! |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71787547 |website=Trove Newspapers |publisher=The Argus |access-date=23 December 2020 |pages=23 |date=21 December 1955}} and won their best and fairest award in 1957.
Healey left Wodonga and accepted a two year coaching job in Junee.
In 1966 he was the coach of Camberwell in the VFL. At the time he was the Sports master at the Jordanville Technical School. Des Healey coach of Camberwell, Chadstone Progress, April 5,1966
He coached the Collingwood Under 19s to the premiership in 1974.
Healey also played 52 games of senior Melbourne District Cricket with the Collingwood Cricket Club.
Footnotes
{{reflist}}
References
- [http://premier.cricketvictoria.com.au/files/3/files/player-register-career-stats/Register%20D-H.pdf Register of V.C.A. 1st XI Pennant, District & Premier Cricketers: 1889-90 to 2016-17: D to H: Healy, Desmond Jules]
External links
- {{AFL Tables|ref=D/Des_Healey.html}}
- {{AustralianFootball|ref=des%2Bhealey/7666}}
{{1953 Collingwood premiership players}}
{{Copeland Trophy}}
{{1949 'Sporting Life' Team of the Year}}
{{1953 'Sporting Life' Team of the Year}}
{{1955 'Sporting Life' Team of the Year}}
{{1953 All-Australian team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Healey, Des}}
Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)
Category:Collingwood Football Club players
Category:Collingwood Football Club premiership players
Category:Copeland Trophy winners