Les Meek
Australian rules footballer
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Leslie John "Les" Meek (21 July 1918 – 5 May 1971) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Ballarat, Victoria
Ganmain, New South Wales
| Les Meek | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Leslie John Meek | ||
| Born |
21 July 1918 Ballarat, Victoria | ||
| Died |
5 May 1971 (aged 52) Ganmain, New South Wales | ||
| Original team | Ararat | ||
| Height | 177 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1941–1947 | St Kilda | 49 (11) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1947. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Biography
Meek, who was born in Ballarat, came down from Ararat to play for St Kilda.[1][2]
He was selected for the opening round of the 1941 VFL season on the back of a nine-goal haul in a practise game, but played most of his football at St Kilda across half-back.[2][3] In round two he appeared in the first ever VFL game held at Kardinia Park.[4][5]
His VFL career was interrupted by war service, while he played 37 games from 1941 to 1943, he missed the entire 1944 and 1945 seasons.[4][6] He returned in 1946 and made 11 appearances, although he had to sit out eight weeks through suspension, for kicking Melbourne player Jack Mueller in round nine.[4][7]
In 1947 he played in only one game before leaving early in the season for New South Wales, as the new playing coach of Ganmain.[4][8] He coached Ganmain to back to back South West Football League (New South Wales) premierships in 1948 and 1949.[9][10]