Les Hardiman
Les 'Splinter' Hardiman (1 April 1911 – 29 June 1962)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the VFL during the 1930s.
| Les Hardiman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 1 April 1911 | ||
| Date of death | 29 June 1962 (aged 51) | ||
| Original team(s) | Chilwell (GJFA) | ||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1929-1937 | Geelong | 135 (236) | |
| 1938–1941 | Subiaco | 57 (122) | |
| 1947 | Yarraville | ? (?) | |
| Total | ? (?) | ||
| Coaching career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (W–L–D) | |
| 1947 | Yarraville | 22 (7–15–0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1941. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Hardiman was nicknamed 'Splinter' and was a key position player for Geelong. A premiership player with the club in 1931 and 1937, he also won their best and fairest award Theo Lewis Cup in 1933.
He represented Victoria 5 times in interstate football and was named on Geelong's interchange bench in their official 'Team of the Century'.
In 1938, Les Hardiman joined Haydn Bunton senior and Keith Shea in transferring to Subiaco, where he added a further 69 league games over the next four seasons. In 1938 he played two games for his adopted state against South Australia, two years later he won the Maroons' 1940 fairest and best award and was also the leading goal scorer with 46 goals.
In 1962, Hardiman was killed in a car accident.[2]
In 1996 Les Hardiman was named on the interchange in the Geelong Football Club team the century.
References
- "Les Hardiman - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- The Age, "May Pay Tribute to Les Hardiman", 4 July 1962, p. 5