While on leave in May 1942, Flight Lieutenant Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott once again found himself the centre of attention. The Australian ace and footy star had already established himself as a living legend when he returned to the starting line-up as honorary captain for the Melbourne Football Club.
Known for his aggressive style of play and wavy red locks (hence the nickname), Truscott emerged from the players’ tunnel to the roar of an enraptured crowd. A few days later, the stocky half-forward saw his former headmaster from Melbourne High School, who asked him how he had enjoyed his return to Aussie Rules Football. ‘Not for me,’ Truscott answered. ‘Too dangerous!’
The homegrown talent made his senior debut in 1937, and became an immediate fan favourite with the powerhouse team. He kicked 31 goals in his first four seasons and earned two Premierships (league titles) with the Demons, before setting his sights on becoming a combat pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). His decision to enlist mid-season in July 1940 created a massive publicity storm, with the popular sportsman leaving behind far more than an empty stall in the locker room.
WAR CLASSICS – Barbarossa: The Russian-German Conflict 1941-45