Euroa resident Les Reed was recently presented with a premiership medal by the AFL for playing in the 1951 Geelong premiership team.

Les was recruited by Geelong in 1951 from Euroa Football Club, playing four games for the season. The last of these was in the grand final against Essendon. The Cats were the victors by 11 points to take out the premiership.

Payment for the victory was £5 ($10) and Les was also presented with a pewter mug.

Les continued to play with Geelong for the next two years and in 1953 again played in a grand final, this time against Collingwood.

He was selected to play on the wing in front of 90,000 people at the MCG. On this occasion, however, the Cats were beaten by 12 points.

At the conclusion of the 1953 season Les returned to Euroa to help his father in the family's sawmill which was battling tough economic times. He never returned to Geelong to play and once again lined up for the Euroa Magpies.

In 1954 he married “Mickey”, a sales girl in the shoe department of Burton Stores in Euroa. Next week the couple will celebrate 55 years of marriage.

After a long and distinguished career with Euroa football and cricket clubs, Les was awarded life memberships by both.

For many years he coached both cricket and football teams and still takes a keen interest in local sports and currently enjoys lawn bowls with Euroa club.

Footnote: Les and Mickey enjoyed Geelong's 2009 premiership and are now looking forward to next season.