History FLASHBACK #2...Des Healey and that 1955 grand final

[joffa_the_man_in_gold]

Des Healey cannot remember his last moments as a league footballer.He knows they came late in the 1955 grand final against melbourne.
He has read often enough that he had grabbed the ball on MCG members wing with a virtual open paddock in front of him.
Healey has been told that he set off at his usual pace, eyes scanning upfield for a team mate to whom he could pass the ball.
He's also been told that Melbourne's Frank Adams suddenly appeared on the ground from the reserves bench,and sprinted at des from his blindside to intercept him.Then the lights went out and poor Des Healey never knew what hit him.
It has been recorded as one of the most sickening things ever seen in grand final history two crumpld bodies lying prostrate and unconscious on the MCG turf,the impact of the collision having thrown them metres apart,Healeys nose was broken in 5 places and his skull fractured and he was still suffering dizzy spells weeks later.
Healeys sudden departure from football and collingwood was at the time considered a great football disaster.

FIRST PLAYED ROUND ONE 1948
LAST PLAYED GRAND FINAL 1955

Games played 149, 6 interstate games
COPELAND TROPHY 1955
RUNNER UP COPELAND TROPHY 1951,1954
THIRD IN COPELAND TROPHY 1953
ALL AUSTRALIAN 1953.

This weeks HISTORY FLASHBACK SALUTES..Des Healey