Clarrie Lethlean

Clarrie Lethlean
Personal information
Full name	Clarence Lloyd Lethlean
Date of birth	12 July 1900
Place of birth	Port Melbourne, Victoria
Date of death	18 July 1969 (aged 69)
Place of death	Melbourne, Victoria
Original team(s)	Oakleigh
Height/Weight	182 cm / 84 kg
Playing career^1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1921 1925–1927 Total	Melbourne Hawthorn	09 0(0) 43 (18) 52 (18)
^1 Playing statistics correct to end of 1927 season.

Clarence Lloyd "Clarrie" Lethlean (12 July 1900 – 18 July 1969) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Lethlean, who started his career at Oakleigh,^[1] made nine appearances for Melbourne in the 1921 VFL season.^[2][3] He switched clubs during the 1922 season, joining Hawthorn in the Victorian Football Association. In 1925 he made a return to the VFL, with Hawthorn entering the competition.^[3] An in-and-out 1925 season as a forward turned around when Lethlean was placed in defence and used as a relief follower. His bulk, guile and tenacity made him well suited to the role, and he became a key contributor over the next few seasons. Lethlean was elected captain of the side in 1927, where he gave good service as a ruckman during an injury crisis, despite missing four games through suspension. The 1927 VFL season was his final year at Hawthorn.^[4]

Clarrie Lethlean married Elva Margaret Roemus in 1925^[5] and they had three sons together. In 1928 they moved to Perenjori, Western Australia to become farmers,^[6] but returned to Victoria about five years later after his brother's tragic shooting death.^[7] Lethlean worked as a public servant after his return to Victora and was living in East Malvern at the time of his death in 1969.

References

1. "LEAGUE FOOTBALL.". Table Talk (Melbourne: National Library of Australia). 9 June 1927. p. 40.
2. Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
3. AFL Tables: Clarrie Lethlean
4. Lovett, Michael (2004). AFL 2004 – The Official Statistical History of the AFL. AFL Publishing. ISBN 0-9580300-5-7.
5. "Family Notices.". The Argus (Melbourne: National Library of Australia). 11 April 1925. p. 1.
6. "SEASON'S PREPARATION'S.". The Argus (Melbourne: National Library of Australia). 30 March 1928. p. 4.
7. "THE MOROWA TRAGEDY.". The Daily News (Perth: National Library of Australia). 1 December 1931. p. 1.