Australian Football

After playing for Camberwell in the VFA from 1932 to 1934 Ray Wartman crossed to Melbourne where impressed from the start. A tall, fleet-footed wingman or flanker, he was a key factor in the Demons’ re-emergence as a VFL power after more than a decade of under-achievement. The improvement was chrystallised in 1939 as Melbourne broke through for a long overdue premiership, and in doing so heralded the onset of the most auspicious era in the club’s history up to that point. Wartman was on a wing and one of the best players afield in the 1939 grand final defeat of Collingwood and he again lined up a year later when Richmond was vanquished. His involvement in the 1940 grand final was rather fleeting though as he was heavily felled by Jack Dyer in the first term and had to leave the fray.

The 1941 season brought a third consecutive premiership triumph, this time at the expense of Essendon. Wartman played on a half forward flank on this occasion and contributed a couple of goals to the Demons’ tally.

The opening round of the 1942 season saw Wartman making the last of his 125 league appearances, in which he registered 61 goals. A fine all round sportsman, he enjoyed success as a runner alongside his football career, including winning the 1937 Castlemaine Gift. He was also a very good golfer.

Author - John Devaney