Vale John McIntosh

[1965 Saint]

Reported in WA that John McIntosh has passed away.

[spert]

Sad to hear- he was a top ruckman for us, but I think knee injuries might have eventually ended his career

[SteveStevens66]

He was one of the most elegant players to play the game. Sheer poetry in motion. Sadly, his career was cut short by knee injuries.

[scallopsroe]

Wonderful player, could kick either side. Losing him in the 1971 Preliminary Final against ruined our 1971 GF hopes

[Trev from the Bush]

He was an outstanding footballer. StKilda first signed him on a form 4 in 1966 but we did not get him to Moorabbin until 1970. I recall he had a very ordinary first few games with us before Jeans accepted he was not a traditional rotating ruckman of the era. Once he started playing as a half-forward and ruck-rover his absolute class shone through. In 1971, his second tear with us, he tied as runner-up with Peter Hudson and Barry Davis behind, ahem, sorry (cough) Ian Stewart. Great effort in the season Hudson kicked 150 goals.

All was going extremely well for him in 1971 until he injured his knee in the 1971 second semi-final. I agree that his absence may have cost us the premiership. And it was the beginning of the end of his career. With a similar injury ending Barry Pascoe's career a year earlier we can only wonder what might have been. The Sains have been truly cursed,

Of all his attributes it was his ability to turn on his left foot and hit a team mate on the chest with a bullet-like 50 metre pass. His kicking ability with either foot was something only smaller statured players, such as triple Brownlow champs Skilton and Stewart could match. Of bigger built players only the G-Train, a natural left footer, has reminded me of Mac's piercing left foot kick. He was some player.

R.I.P. John McIntosh and thanks for the memories.

[Wayne42]

RIP John, great player for the Saints, too bad injuries cut short his career.

[CarlD]

RIP John McIntosh. Superb player. One can only wonder where the Saints could have gone if the knee problem hadn't cut short his career.

[saynta]

RIP John McIntosh. Superb player. One can only wonder where the Saints could have gone if the knee problem hadn't cut short his career.

RIP mate. Great footballer great bloke. At one point rated one of the best three footballers in Australia.

[PADDLEPOP1001]

RIP Big fella I remember seeing his left foot kicks at training only to learn he was a right foot kick,an absolute classic footballer who was in the top 10 saints I’ve seen (since 68)possibly top 5 should have been in our team of the century,Runner up in the Brownlow in his 2nd year & I believe 4th or 5th in his first year all class!Also played for Victoria in those 2 years!

[George27]

He only played about 50 games for us, but is comfortably in my team of the best Saints’ players I ever saw. Amazing talent .

[bergsone]

Great player,that knee may have cost us a couple of flags RIP

[B.M]

And cost us his son Ashley

Why the hell didn’t we pick him up - he was a gun!!!

[Gershwin]

A fine footballer. RIP.

[Trev from the Bush]

RIP Big fella I remember seeing his left foot kicks at training only to learn he was a right foot kick,an absolute classic footballer who was in the top 10 saints I’ve seen (since 68)possibly top 5 should have been in our team of the century,Runner up in the Brownlow in his 2nd year & I believe 4th or 5th in his first year all class!Also played for Victoria in those 2 years!

The top 10 in the 1970 Brownlow:
1. Peter Bedford, 25 votes
2. Gary Dempsey, 21 votes
3. Alex Jesaulenko, 20 votes
4. Barry Cable, 19 votes
=5. Barry Price, 17 votes
=5. John McIntosh, 17 votes
7. Francis Bourke, 16 votes
8. Bill Goggin, 15 votes
=9. Peter Hudson, 14 votes
=9. Daryl Griffiths, 14 votes

Any of those you wouldn't love to have in your team?

John McIntosh, in only two full seasons with StKilda, finished equal 5th and equal 2nd in the Brownlow Medal and polled 35 votes. After playing the first four games of 1972 and his career was over. Two more votes, in his final game, gave him a total of 37 votes in just 48 games. His average of 0.77 votes per game is third only to Harold Bray's *0.88 (Bray's 106 votes from 121 games means he was some player) and Ian Stewart 0.79. Fourth is Darrell Baldock 0.64 and fifth Robert Harvey 0.59.

Of current players Jack Steele aveages 0.51, 51 votes from 100 games.

Just in case you encounter some ninny playing down John McIntosh's greatness run those figures past them. You cannot rewrite history but I believe Allan Jean's would have been a multiple premiership coach long before he went to Hawthorn had McIntosh stayed sound.

* I have excluded Brodie Atkinson (1.0, 2 votes from only 2 games).

[Wayne42]

Regarding the knee injury that finished McIntosh's career at St Kilda, how long would he miss if he was playing in this era and did the same injury ?

[B.M]

Did he go back to WA after 71

Because he still is on Scanlon footy cards for 72 & 73

[CarlD]

Did he go back to WA after 71

Because he still is on Scanlon footy cards for 72 & 73

John injured his knee playing for the Saints early in the 1972 season and retired from football. Not sure how he would end up on 1973 cards though.

[B.M]

I thought he did it in a final in 71

Did he re-injure it?

Some really sad stories for us in that era, even though it was a successful era

Probably held us back from at least two more flags from 60 - 73

John unfortunately being a huge out… would have easily won 71 if he plays

[CarlD]

I thought he did it in a final in 71

Did he re-injure it?

Some really sad stories for us in that era, even though it was a successful era

Probably held us back from at least two more flags from 60 - 73

John unfortunately being a huge out… would have easily won 71 if he plays

Yes, hurt a knee in the 1971 semi and then again early in 1972.

[kosifantutti]

https://www.saints.com.au/news/1026199/ ... n-mcintosh

[SaintPav]

Fascinating story.

What player from today would you compare him too?

[SaintPav]

Fascinating story.

What player from today would you compare him too?

[Trev from the Bush]

Fascinating story.

What player from today would you compare him too?

None in my mind. There are plenty of "small" midfielders taller than him these days but none of them would be capable of having a crack at playing CHF, CHB and in the ruck. And none of them would dare be confident enough to consistently kick on their opposite foot for fear of fluffing it.

I rated his son Ashley as a truly great player during West Coast's golden era. But I rated his father a class above him. Think of the truly great West Australian players that played VFL during the 60's and 70's and, quite rightly, Polly Farmer, Barry Cable and Graham Moss would top most lists. An injury free John McIntosh would sit comfortably alongside those three.

[bergsone]

Fascinating story.

What player from today would you compare him too?

None in my mind. There are plenty of "small" midfielders taller than him these days but none of them would be capable of having a crack at playing CHF, CHB and in the ruck. And none of them would dare be confident enough to consistently kick on their opposite foot for fear of fluffing it.

I rated his son Ashley as a truly great player during West Coast's golden era. But I rated his father a class above him. Think of the truly great West Australian players that played VFL during the 60's and 70's and, quite rightly, Polly Farmer, Barry Cable and Graham Moss would top most lists. An injury free John McIntosh would sit comfortably alongside those three.

Good summary that Trev,I cant think of anyone either

[bangaulegend]

Fascinating story.

What player from today would you compare him too?

None in my mind. There are plenty of "small" midfielders taller than him these days but none of them would be capable of having a crack at playing CHF, CHB and in the ruck. And none of them would dare be confident enough to consistently kick on their opposite foot for fear of fluffing it.

I rated his son Ashley as a truly great player during West Coast's golden era. But I rated his father a class above him. Think of the truly great West Australian players that played VFL during the 60's and 70's and, quite rightly, Polly Farmer, Barry Cable and Graham Moss would top most lists. An injury free John McIntosh would sit comfortably alongside those three.

I was only 6 or 7 at the time so I don't remember much of him but my old man was a big fan & he had a similar opinion that if he had of played in the 1971 GF Saints would have won & won easily that's how good he thought he was. Unfortunately my old man & John have both left our world & it's poorer place RIP John