Full Name: KEVIN JOHN GLEESON
Date of Birth: 18/09/1930
Date of Death: 18/9/2010
Height: 183 cm ( 6-0 )
Weight: 83 kg ( 13-1 )
Guernsey: 16
Debut: 30/05/1953, Round 6, Collingwood
Last Game: 30/05/1953, Round 6, Collingwood
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1953
Total Games: 1
Total Goals: 0
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons: 1953
Total Games: 17
Total Goals: 40
Honours:
Leading Goalkicker 1953
BIOGRAPHY
Kevin, the right-foot full-forward, became the first Rutherglen player to kick 100 goals in a season, when as a 21 year old, in his debut season, he kicked 106 goals in 1952. That effort alerted many VFL clubs, and Gleeson was already coming to Melbourne in January 1953 for postal school training in Flinders Lane.
No fewer than 3 VFL clubs eyed off Gleeson. Hawthorn offered 100 pounds (interview with Rhett Bartlett 2002), Melbourne and Collingwood were also interested. But Gleeson was living in Richmond at the time, and the club swooped and was signed on 18 January 1953 by Maurie Fleming and Harry Dyke who paid him 75 pounds. (RB 2002). HIs permit was approved in late April.
All set to debut in the first game of 1953, he injured his ankle in one of the last practice matches, while playing on Lloyd Brewer (it turned out it was a jarred ankle) (RB 2002) . Gleeson was trialled at full-forward, Jack O'Rourke was tested out at full-back to try and replace Don Fraser who had moved onto Port Melbourne.
In Round 6 1953 vs Collingwood, Richmond debuted a new full-back (Jeff Patterson), as well as Tom Hafey, and a new full-forward - Kevin Gleeson. Gleeson debuted because of an injured Jack O'Rourke, and out of form Peter Schofield, and with Ray Poulter unavailable.
For the majority of the 1953 season Gleeson played for the Richmond Reserves and finished winning the club goalkicking.
After one year at Richmond, Gleeson was transferred to Benalla by the Postal Department in Feb 1954, and left Tigerland.
His best effort was 18 goals for Rutherglen, against Corowa in 1952.
He later played with Balmain and represented New South Wales before returning to Melbourne and playing with Coburg. He was an active member of the Richmond Former Players and Officials Association, as Treasurer.
Kevin was also a Life Member of the AFL/VFL Former Players Association.
PRE RICHMOND
Benalla 1946-51 ( 1946 Captain North East Schoolboys) (1951 Club Leading Goalkicker, 51 goals)
Rutherglen 1952, 1954, 40 Games, 188 Goals (1954 Premiership, 1952 Competition Leading Goalkicker, 106 Goals. 1954 Club Leading Goalkicker, 82 Goals).
Ovens and Murray League vs NSW - 1952 (9 goals)
POST RICHMOND
Thornton Captain/Coach 1955, Games 18 ;
Balmain 1956-57, Games 30 ( Honours - NSW Representative Team Games 4 ) ;
Ganmain Captain/Coach 1958 , Games 18, Goals 92 ( Honours - Club Leading Goalkicker 1958 ) ;
Coburg 1959, Games 20, Goals 5 ;
Kensington Socials 1960 ;
West Chelsea 1960 ;
Corryong Federals 1962.
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