BIO

Donald Laurence “Don” Davies was born on 7th June 1925 and attended Prince Alfred College where he played at centre half-forward in the school football team. 

He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 16 July 1943 shortly after his eighteenth birthday and was discharged on 27th November 1945.  He then studied architecture at the University of Adelaide playing football for University in the South Australian Amateur Football League. His coach was Harold Page who had played 140 games for Norwood from 1929 to 1939. Don was an Amateur League State representative in 1947 and 1949.
Amongst his University and State team mates were Don Brebner AM and Max Basheer AM, future presidents of the South Australian National Football League and members of the SANFL Hall of Fame.

After graduating in 1950 he turned out with Norwood in 1951 joining his good friend Don Brebner. He would be Brebner’s best man when he married in November 1952. At 5ft 10ins (178 cms) and 12st 3lbs (78 kg) respected football reporters Ray Barber and Jeff Pash both thought that he was a likely prospect and would become a valuable player.

After being named in the best players in the Association (Reserves) match against South Adelaide on 16th June 1951 he made his league debut against Glenelg on 23rd June 1951.

Unfortunately for Don he was unable to cement a regular place in the Norwood side over the next two seasons. Of some consolation would have been his selection in the State Association team in 1952.

In 1953 he returned to Amateur League football playing for Prince Alfred Old Collegians and again won State selection in 1953 and 1954.

Don Davies passed away on 10th May 2015 aged 89.

G Williams April 2016