BIO
Edward (Teddy) Cammiss graduated from Norwood Colts. He was described as small of stature and a speedy wingman. In 1946 he played in Norwood’s senior trials and was consequently selected in the Association (Seconds) squad but made a good enough impression to be invited to train with the league squad.
Cammiss played the whole season with the seconds but made a good enough impression to be selected in the combined Association side that played against the Upper Murray Association at Renmark. He was also named as an emergency for the league sided against Sturt in June.
After the 1947 trials Teddy was again included in the Seconds squad. His pathway to a league birth was very challenging. Norwood was the reigning premier and no players had retired. Many new players from inter-state and country areas had appeared in the trials. The greatest challenge for an aspiring wingman was in the form of the two incumbent wingmen; Doug Olds and Sam Gallagher. Both were to become club icons.
Teddy did manage three league games in 1947 but was selected each time as a reserve and spent those games watching the action from the bench.
The 1948 season started badly when Cammiss injured a wrist in a trial game and missed early games. He did return to complete the season with the seconds.
He added to his league games in May 1949 when he was again chosen on the reserve bench against Port Adelaide. On this occasion he did replace Brumby at three quarter time and playing at half forward kicked two goals. He made, “A useful last half contribution,” said one report but Norwood went down by nine goals and Cammiss was omitted.
His fifth and final league game came against West Adelaide in late August. Both Olds and Gallagher were unavailable due to injury which gave Teddy an opportunity to take his place in the starting line-up.
Despite a promising start Norwood went down by six goals. With Olds and Gallagher recovering from injury Cammiss returned to the seconds. Although never able to gain a permanent league position, Teddy’s persistence and club loyalty was never in doubt
B Ridge August 2020