Guy Stephens

(1911 -  1915 & 1919 -  1927)

Born on 5 November 1891 at Mt. Torrens, Guy Rupert Stephens went to the same school as another well-known Norwood footballer, R.J.B.Townsend.
In fact, it was Townsend with the help of Guy's elder brother Victor, who eventually persuaded Guy to move to Norwood, after having played his early football at Birdwood and Gumeracha.
 
Guy played his first League game on the Adelaide Oval on May 13 1911 and was destined to become one of the club's longest serving, and most consistent footballers. He was named in a forward pocket, brother Vic at centre-half back, and Townsend at centre-half forward. While Guy ended up playing in all positions bar wing, his early days were mainly spent up forward, and he was the club's leading goal-kicker in 1914 and 1915. However, it was as a half-back flanker that he really made his mark. Guy re-called that after a game against Sturt, when he kicked 1.15 on the Unley Oval, that the decision was made for him to play in the backlines. He became an integral part of the all-conquering Norwood half-back line of Sid White, "Wacka" Scott and  Guy Stephens.
 
His individual awards reflected the type of footballer he was :  most unselfish player in 1919, most consistent in 1921 and 1923, best placed man in 1922 and 1925, and best user of the ball in 1924 and 1926. Playing at half-back, Guy was high in Norwood's best players in its Premiership wins of 1922, 1923 and 1925. Guy rated  the 1922 Norwood team as the best he played in. Scrupulously fair, he was noted for his excellent disposal, coolness under pressure and reliability.
 
He donned the state jumper on 7 occasions, and in 1916 represented Norwood in the Patriotic League. He toured Western Australia with the Norwood team that played against East Fremantle, South Fremantle and a combined West Australian team in 1914. Guy was also prominent in high profile interstate club games versus Carlton (1921) and East Perth (1922).
 
Respected by team-mates and opponents alike, he played very good football right to the end of his career. Initially a bad ankle injury had forced him to retire at the end of the 1926 season. He did manage to return in the middle of 1927, but a serious arm injury in his comeback match saw him hang up his boots for good.
 
Like his brother Vic, he made his Norwood debut against West Adelaide, and finished his career against the same club. He was awarded Norwood Football Club and SANFL Life Memberships.

We proudly welcome Guy Rupert Stephens as Norwood's 60th Hall of Fame inductee.

Guernsey Number: 16, 17
NFC Games: 156
NFC Goals: 60
Premierships: 1922, 1923, 1925
NFC Life Member
Leading Goalkicker: 1914, 1915
South Australian Games: 7

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