22 Facts About Fred Swift

Frederick Norman Swift was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League.

Fred Swift played first grade cricket with the Eaglehawk Cricket Club in the Bendigo and District Cricket Association.

Fred Swift was murdered during a home invasion at his farm at Lockwood, near Bendigo, Victoria, at the age of 44.

Fred Swift was recruited as a utility player from the Sandhurst Football Club in the Bendigo Football League.

Fred Swift played with their senior team, coached by Kevin Curran, from the time he was seventeen and, at 19, he was the youngest player ever to win the club's best and fairest award.

Fred Swift played in two practice matches with Richmond in 1957 but was not given a full, extended clearance; and he consequently returned to Sandhurst for the 1957 season.

In early March 1958, Richmond were able to come to an agreement with Sandhurst and Fred Swift was allowed to travel to Melbourne to train with Richmond.

Fred Swift was picked on the half-forward flank for his first senior game, in round 1, against South Melbourne.

Richmond unexpectedly beat South Melbourne, and Fred Swift kicked one goal.

Fred Swift did not play his first match with the seconds until the round 16 match against Carlton at Princes Park on Saturday, 24 August 1963, by which time he had already played 83 senior games.

Fred Swift played on the half-back flank in the first match against Tasmania on 19 July 1961, until he injured his ankle and was replaced; Victoria won by 61 points: 23.30 to 12.17.

Fred Swift played at full-back, and was best on the ground.

Fred Swift's knee was badly injured in the last quarter of the round 4 match against Collingwood, and it was feared that he might not play again that season.

Fred Swift was selected at full-forward, and he kicked 5 goals.

Fred Swift ended his career at full-back, having played as a half-forward flanker and ruck-rover for his last few seasons, and only moving to full-back in the last half of his last season, in place of the injured Mick Erwin.

Fred Swift raced back towards the goal square, just in time to intercept a kick from Colin Eales and, to add insult to injury, ran across the face of goal, bounced the ball, with Wade in hot pursuit, and calmly passed the ball to John Perry.

Fred Swift played on, and his clearing drop-kick almost hit the centre.

Richmond did all it could to induce Fred Swift's to stay in the following week, but he was adamant that he would not change his mind, and they parted on friendly terms.

In 1968, Fred Swift was appointed captain-coach of the Corowa Football Club.

Corowa beat North Albury in the first semi-final, beat Myrtleford in the preliminary final 11.19 to 8.13, and went to beat the hot favourite team Wodonga in the Grand Final 14.11 to 12.16, with Fred Swift playing at full-back.

Fred Swift is vividly remembered for his happy, smiling face, his rolling gait, and his gentle friendliness to all and sundry.

The "Fred Swift Medal" is awarded in his honour each season to the player who finishes fourth in Richmond's best and fairest count.