BIO

Davey was an Essendon junior who failed to impress in his one senior game with Norwood, against Adelaide early in the 1886 season.

Because of a dispute between the SA Cricket Association and the three major football clubs, Norwood, South Adelaide and Port Adelaide, the match was played in the North Parklands instead of at Adelaide Oval.

Fresh from a good win over South in the opening round, Norwood was too fast and cohesive for Adelaide, winning 5.9 to 1.4 through the fine efforts of old players and new.  Davey was not among them.  ‘Goalpost’ wrote in The Adelaide Observer: “Davey, the Essendon man, who has thrown in his lot with the East Torrens team this season, was not a success.”

A week later, Davey kicked a goal for the Norwood Colts in their 3.8 to 2.7 win over Ariels.  He is not mentioned in newspaper reports after that.

Adelaide recovered from its loss to Norwood and capped the 1886 season with its only premiership.  Norwood finished in second place for the third season in a row but then won premierships in 1887, 1888 and 1889.

P Robins April 2022