Considine

Patrick John Considine was a quick and capable rover recruited from West Melbourne late in 1898. Carlton was stuck on the lower rungs of the 8-team VFL ladder by then, and busy turning over its playing list. Considine was the 23rd new face to be given an opportunity at senior level that year, when he was named in a forward pocket in the team to play South Melbourne at the Lake Oval in the last match of the season.

Although the Blues were beaten by 25 points, Considine did enough on debut to be invited back to Princes Park the following year, and repaid that faith by becoming one of Carlton’s most consistent and valuable performers over the ensuing three seasons. Although his team stayed anchored near the foot of the ladder throughout, Considine was one of those who never dropped his head, never shirked a contest and rarely missed a game. It is not known why he gave the game away at his peak, but he had not yet turned 26 when his career ended as it had started; with a defeat by South Melbourne at Princes Park in round 17, 1901.

Considine would have ended up with one extra match to his credit had he not been involved in an odd incident on the morning of round 9, 1899. On that occasion, Pat and his team-mate Len Morrison were waiting for a train on the platform at North Melbourne station, looking forward to that afternoon’s match against Geelong.

The train duly arrived, but didn’t stop – and two dumbfounded Blues watched it steam past and disappear down the tracks. The next train was hours away, so Carlton was forced to make two late changes to the team, and lost by 30 points.

The Herald April 25 (p2) 1902 reported, "Considine, one of the prominent old players, has gone to Bendigo."

He died on June 20, 1934 aged 58.

Image: From August 24 1899 Punch.