Australian Football

Originally from Spotswood in the Footscray District Football League, Alby Linton was an energetic and clever rover who scouted the packs well and loved to kick a goal. He went from Spotswood to his local VFL club, Footscray, and played a total of 53 league games and kicked 46 goals between 1947 and 1952. He was the club's top goalkicker (jointly with Charlie Sutton) in 1951 when he booted 23 goals.

Linton's best football came during his time with Williamstown, however, where he moved in 1953. During a four-season stint with the 'Gulls, he played a total of 87 games and kicked 226 goals, besides establishing himself as arguably the finest rover in the VFA. Williamstown was a force to be reckoned with during the 1950s, and Linton had the good fortune to appear in the club's 1954, 1955 and 1956 premiership teams. His form in 1955 was especially impressive and saw him secure the club's best and fairest award as well as head the Association's goal kicking ladder with 84 goals. He rounded off the season in style, too, with a six-goal, best afield performance in the Grand Final as the Seagulls came from 25 points down at three quarter time to beat Port Melbourne 13.19 (97) to 13.10 (88).

Despite the comparative brevity of his time at the club Alby Linton produced football of such consistently high quality to earn inclusion, as first rover, in Williamstown's official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney