Herb Sawatzky

Erhard Cornelius Sawatzky (24 October 1933 – 14 February 1999) was a former Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]

Herb Sawatzky
Personal information
Full name Erhard Cornelius Sawatzky
Date of birth (1933-10-24)24 October 1933
Place of birth Jaffa, Mandatory Palestine
Date of death 14 February 1999(1999-02-14) (aged 65)
Place of death Lilydale, Victoria, Australia
Original team(s) Mitcham (ESFL)
Debut 22 May 1954, Richmond
vs. Hawthorn, at Punt Road Oval
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 92 kg (203 lb)
Position(s) Follower / Ruckman
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1954–55 Richmond 7 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1955.
Career highlights

VFA

Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life and junior football

After leaving to come to Australia, Sawatzky and his family where placed in the Rushworth Internment Camp in Victoria during World War II. Inside the camp Sawatzky was exposed to Australian rules football for the first time. Sawatzky's family relocated to Rutherglen, Victoria, where Sawatzky was schooled and learnt to speak English, before relocating again to Mitcham, Victoria.[2] Sawatzky played for the Mitcham U16's team in 1949 and was voted Best & Fairest the same year before playing for Box Hill Technical School in 1950. He later played for Mitcham seniors during 1951–52 playing 36 games and winning a premiership, before moving to Richmond under coach Jack Dyer.[3]

VFL career

He made his VFL debut in Round 6 of the 1954 VFL season against Hawthorn at home in a one goal loss 10.12 (72) – 11.12 (78). He played just four games in his debut season. In his second and last season with Richmond seniors he played only three games. He played 52 games and kicked 43 goals for the Richmond reserves side during his short term there from 1953–55.[4][5] In addition he won two premierships with the Richmond reserves in 1954 and 1955 and was 1955 Best & Fairest. After moving on from Richmond he played his football for Box Hill during 1956–61 playing 78 games and kicking 83 goals before playing 16 games for Bennettswood in 1962.

Statistics
Statistics are correct as of 2017.[6]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1954 Richmond 2440
1955 Richmond 2430
Career 7 0

Honours

Team

Individual

References
  1. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 787. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
  2. Kerville, Ben (2 June 1954). "War Gave Tigers This Big Club". The Sporting Globe. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. Brown, Alf (15 August 1951). "European Ruckman a "Tiger"". The Herald. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  4. "Herb Sawatzky". Boyles Football Photos. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  5. "Herb Sawatzky Tigerland Archives". Tigerland Archives. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  6. "Herb Sawatzky statistics". AFL Tables. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
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