Brian Gleeson (footballer)

This article is about the Australian footballer. For the Irish actor, see Brian Gleeson (actor).

Brian Gleeson (born 3 November 1934) is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL.

Brian Gleeson
Personal information
Date of birth	(1934-11-03) 3 November 1934
Original team(s)	Berrigan
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	81.5 kg (180 lb)
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1953–1957	St Kilda	70 (47)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1957.
Career highlights
St Kilda Best and Fairest 1957 Brownlow Medallist 1957 Victorian state representative four times
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Gleeson attended St Patrick's College, Ballarat and later played with St Kilda at Centre half-forward initially. He developed into a skilful and agile ruckman, winning the Brownlow medal in 1957. In the Melbourne evening paper The Herald, 29 August 1957 Gleeson said: "We are just like a family at St Kilda," he said. "We depend on teamwork and we bring each other into the game. Coach Alan Killigrew is responsible for that and the officials and supporters have given us encouragement and confidence."

Appointed club captain in 1958, he injured a knee in a practice match and never played VFL football again.

Gleeson and 1961 Brownlow Medal winner John James, (who also finished third to Gleeson in 1957), played in the same school team.

References

• St Kilda Hall of Fame Profile
• School reference.
• Herald quote
• Saints honor roll

External links

• Brian Gleeson's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• St Kilda Players Encyclopedia