John James Leonard

PLAYER-COACH: 1922-46

GAMES: 183: Subiaco 146; South Melbourne 12; WA 25

PREMIERSHIPS: Subiaco 1924; coach West Perth 1934-35, Claremont 1938-40

HONOURS: Sandover Medal 1926, 29; Subiaco fairest and best 1926-30; AFL Hall of Fame

John Leonard could legitimately have been nominated for the Hall of Fame by any one of three clubs.  The diminutive rover was one of the greatest players of the 1920’s before becoming on of the greatest coaches in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  He was captain-coach of South Melbourne in 1932 where he is credited with building the team which went on to win the 1933 premiership, the club’s last.  He coached West Perth for three seasons and won two premierships before securing a hat-trick at Claremont in 1938-40.  He coached his last season following World War II in 1946.