Percy Beames was an Australian rules football player and coach for the Melbourne football club during the 1920’s and 1930’s. He was born on March 7, 1908, in Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia, and passed away on August 17, 1970 at the age of 92. Percy Beames was an amazing athlete and all round sportsman and was not only a legend of the sport of Australian rules football but was also good enough to play first class cricket for Victoria in the Sheffield Sheild. After his days at the Melbourne football club, he then became one of Melbourne’s most distinguished sports journalists, and for more than 30 years was the chief football and cricket writer for The Age newspaper in Melbourne.
Beames was known for his versatility as a player, often playing as a wingman or half-forward flanker. He was highly skilled and renowned for his ability to kick with both feet. In his first two seasons for Melbourne he polled well in the Brownlow Medal, finishing equal fifth on both occasions. Beames had a successful playing career, representing Victoria in interstate matches and winning Melbourne Football Club’s best and fairest award in 1931 and 1933. He lead the team to four consecutive premiership grand finals from 1939 to 1942 and won three of these grand finals in a row from 1939-1941.
After retiring as a player, Percy Beames became a coach (captain coach) and coached the Melbourne Football Club from 1942 to 1944.
Percy Beames is remembered as a significant figure in Australian rules football, both as a player and a coach, particularly for his contributions to the Melbourne Football Club.
Playing career
1931-1944
Games
213
Goals
323
Player honours
- Captain-coach 1942-1944
- Premierships 1939, 1940, 1941
- Melbourne Team of the Century
- Victoria (10 games, 26 goals)
Coaching record
Melbourne 1942-44 (48 games, 19 wins, 29 losses)
