Percy Ogden

Northcote born and bred, Percy Ogden was one of the area’s first football stars. He joined Northcote at age 16 and quickly established himself as a leading player at the club. After starring in a representative match in 1905, he was transferred to Collingwood. His initial spell in League football was not successful however and Ogden joined Preston, in the VFA, starring for them from 1906 to 1908. 

His performances had caught the eye of Essendon, who recruited him for the 1909 season. Ogden went on to star in the 1911-12 Premiership teams. He returned to Preston, then playing in the VJFA in 1916 when Essendon went into recess due to the First World War. After the war Ogden returned to Essendon as captain in 1919 then acting as captain coach in 1920-21. With Essendon, Percy Odgen established himself as one of the competition’s finest rovers, with great strength and speed features of his game.

Ever modest, Percy Ogden felt his form was no longer of League standard, and he returned to Northcote to captain coach the ‘Brickfielders’ in 1922. After just one season, Ogden felt ready to return to the League and Essendon were keen to have him back. However new VFL rules regarding residential qualification precluded Ogden, still a resident of Northcote, from playing for Essendon despite his 161 games with the club. He instead turned out for Preston for three more years, two as playing coach, before retiring at age 40.

Later Percy Ogden’s three sons would all play League football, most notably his son Gordon played 138 games for Melbourne and later coached Williamstown to the 1939 VFA Premiership.

Membrey, Brian (2003)? The pubs, the parks and the Rose. Unpublished manuscript.

Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim. (2002). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: Every AFL/VFL player since 1897, Melbourne: Crown Content.