Australian Football

One of a rare group of footballers to have played in excess of 100 V/AFL games at two different clubs, Earl Spalding, nicknamed 'The Duke', was a fine all round sportsman as a youngster when he attended Wesley College. In 1983 he commenced his league football career with Perth and he went on to play 63 games and kick 79 goals over the course of a four season stint at the club.

Solidly built at 198cm and 110kg Spalding was excellent overhead but his kicking style was awkward and lacking in both accuracy and penetration. Nevertheless, he was a solid performer for Melbourne, whom he joined in preference to VFL debutant West Coast, in 109 V/AFL games from 1987 to 1991, registering 63 goals. It was while with Carlton though where he played 102 games and kicked 106 goals between 1992 and 1997 that he produced his best football. He arguably reached his peak during a 1995 season which was crowned with participation in a Blues premiership.

A thoroughly unselfish player, his value to the team was immense, and he could always be relied upon to provide a contest whether aerially or at ground level. Together with fellow tall Stephen Kernahan and elusive goalsneak Brad Pearce he gave Carlton one of the most damaging forward set-ups in the club’s history.

Spalding finished his playing career at East Fremantle where his 32 games in 1998-9 included the winning grand final of 1998 against West Perth.

Since retiring as a player Earl Spalding has spent time as coach of both of the WAFL clubs for which he played, Perth and East Fremantle, and he also had a long stint as assistant coach at Fremantle.

Spalding is the son of former Perth player George Spalding and the brother of Scott Spalding, who played one game for Carlton as well as enjoying a long WAFL career with Perth and East Fremantle.

Author - John Devaney