Barry Lawrence

Barry K. Lawrence (born 13 February 1946) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and for Longford in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA).

Barry Lawrence
Personal information
Date of birth (1946-02-13) 13 February 1946
Original team(s) Longford (NTFA)
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 87 kg (192 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1969–1976 St Kilda 126 (80)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1976.
Career highlights
  • St Kilda captain 1974–1975
  • Victorian state representative 1972
  • Victorian state B side captain 1973
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Barry played as a forward for Longford in Tasmania and signed to play with Hawthorn in 1967 but he decided to stay in Tasmania for two more years. He had development a big reputation a footballer. He decided to join St Kilda, replacing champion Darrel Baldock who had decided to return to Tasmania. The Saints supporters thought he was a ready made replacement for the "Doc" but Barry found the VFL a tough competition to adjust to. His early games as a forward were a struggle for him to adjust to the tempo, and resulted in a loss of confidence, the coach decided to play him out of the back pocket. Here his form returned and he started to play good consistent football.

He played a great game on Peter Hudson in the 1971 Grand Final after Bob Murray was injured[1] and he is famously remembered for touching the ball as Hudson was kicking to break the VFL goalkicking record.[2]

He was selected as a back pocket in the St Kilda Team of the Century[3] and on the half back flank in the Tasmanian Team Of The Century.[4]

Later he returned to the forward line, using his skills of judgement and strength to good effect.

He is the father of former St Kilda and Brisbane player Steven Lawrence.

References
  1. "Lawrence best on ground". The Age. 27 September 1971. p. 20.
  2. "Long hard day for Hudson". The Age. 27 September 1971. p. 20.
  3. "St Kilda Team of the Century".
  4. "Shaw honoured in Tasmanian Team of Century". 28 June 2004.
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