Don Lindner

[rod_rooster]

Still coming to terms with the news. The football world and the world in general is lesser for his passing. RIP Don, a true gentleman both on and off the field.

[whatever]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html


Renowned for his spectacular high marking, Lindner kicked 257 goals in 289 games for North Adelaide between 1954 and 1970. In 1998 he was retrospectively awarded the 1967 Magarey Medal which, at the time, he had lost on a countback.

Lindner represented SA 16 times and was an All-Australian in 1961.

He captained North Adelaide from 1963 to 1969, coached from 1963 to 1966, was best-and-fairest three times and vice-captain and centre half-forward in the club Team of the Century.

[SABRE]

From 'The Advertiser', 12/9/70
'LEAPING LINDY' FOLDS WINGS

by Merv Agars

Don Lindner, the 'astronaut' of SA football for 17 years, yesterday announced his retirement from league football.

Lindner, 35, veteran of 284 league games with North......said it had been a problem to decide when to quite league football. "I didn't think I was playing well enough to go on. People come to expect a certain standard from you after a long time in the game and I wasn't playing up to that standard. I guess I could have gone on to reach 300 games if it had been as important to me as it was to some other North supporters," said Lindner.

An easy going, good natured country boy, Lindner has never fitted the dedicated, ruthless image of the present day league footballer. "It has always been a game to me - even when I was coaching," he said yesterday. "That's another reason for giving up. They expect you to be a bit business-like about it these days."

Lindner - often known as 'Leaping Lindy' or 'Daredevil Don', but more commonly as 'Butch' - is easily the most sensational high mark in league football since World War Two. I was......lucky enough to see him in action at the peak of his career in the 1961 Brisbane carnival when he turned a game for SA with his breathtaking marking. SA lost to Victoria and then, playing WA, trailed by 20 points at three quarter time and looked a beaten side after having been outscored 9.14 to 4.2 in the preceding two quarters. Then Lindner, opposed to 6ft 4in (193cm) 17 stone (108kg) WA giant Ray Gabelich, cut loose with the most electrifying burst of marking I have seen. His inspiring play (plus 2 fine goals) and the ruckwork of Bill Wedding lifted SA to a thrilling 2 point win.

Lindner took one mark at full stretch with his foot wedged against the upright Gabelich's neck. His hands must have been close to 14ft (4.3 metres) from the ground when he grabbed the ball. Victoria's coach, the late Len Smith......described Lindner's effort that day as "out of this world".

Lindner said he thought his peak years had been the late 1950s and early 1960s. His most rewarding year was in 1963 when he took North from 6th in 1962 to the grand final (it lost to Port) in his first year as playing coach. "I was also in the SA side which beat the Vics in Melbourne that year."

When it was pointed out his best year for votes was 1967 when he won 'The Advertiser' Trophy and lost the Magarey Medal To Trevor Obst on a countback (see footnote 1), Lindner said: "Aha - that was the year I was switched to the ruck, resting in defence. It just shows what might have happened if I had got away from the clutches of those centre half backs a little earlier in my career."

Lindner will rank with the unforgettable. He is already a legend among North supporters (see footnote 2).


Footnotes
1. In 1998, the SANFL decided to award retrospective Medals to all players who had initially lost either on countback - such as Lindner - or the casting vote of the league chairman. Return to Main Text

2. Besides his retrospective Magarey Medal, Don Lindner won North Adelaide's premier award in 1958, 1962 and 1967, topped the club's goal kicking list in 1955 with 36 goals, was a member of the 1960 premiership-winning side, was named an All Australian in 1961, and made a total of 16 appearances for South Australia.

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Goodbye to a great 'Croweater' - Don Lindner - R.I.P.

[Dogwatcher]

Sad news.
Don Lindner - a true SA footy icon.

[blueandwhite]

Very sad news. One of the sanfls all time greats and one of the players who you must really question as to why he never won a Magarey . Having seen him play he was unscrupuously fair,a really great high mark, a master of those long raking droppies and a pleasure to watch. Vale Don Lindner.

[drebin]

Very sad news. One of the sanfls all time greats and one of the players who you must really question as to why he never won a Magarey . Having seen him play he was unscrupuously fair,a really great high mark, a master of those long raking droppies and a pleasure to watch. Vale Don Lindner.

He did win a MM - retrospectively awared the 1967 MM with Trevor Obst.

[wycbloods]

RIP Don and condolences to his family.

[offensive_Line]

A true legend and gentleman,

Thanks for accepting our offer to come to breakfast on the morning of the 2007 Grand Final, wasn't the result we wanted at footy park but to have breaky with you and Jan made the day worth while.

RIP Don.

[sturtpeter]

My deepest condolences to both Don's Family and the NAFC.

Had the privilege to see him play towards the end of his stellar career.

Knew his brother Hank through my late father.

The SANFL Community is poore for Don's passing.

Vale! Don Lindner.

[SDK]

I think the "screamer" was named with Don Lindner in mind. Those knees and legs were all over the place too, very spectacular mark was Don.
Maybe the " speckie " was named after him too !
Very, very sad to hear of his passing, my earliest memories of NAFC are of Don Lindner and Barry Barbary...both played in THE 1963 victory against the Vics at MCG.

[smithy]

Graham Cornes pays tribute to the great Don Lindner.

Cornesy's tribute

and for a gallery of Don Lindner in picture..... Don LIndner Gallery

[Wedgie]

Great article by Cornsey.

[Ron Burgundy]

Cornesys finest work.

Couldnt imagine Don going out in any other way.

[drebin]

"Studley's" article was first class and a credit to him and a fitting tribute to Don Lindner from another great of the SANFL. Well done Cornesy!

[Punk Rooster]

"Studley's" article was first class and a credit to him and a fitting tribute to Don Lindner from another great of the SANFL. Well done Cornesy!

yep, I agree 100%.

[Big Phil]

Yeah, I'm not really a fan of Graham's article but I read his piece today on Don and thoroughly enjoyed it, thought it was a very fitting tribute.

Well done Studley...

[sturtpeter]

Ditto BP.

[Thiele]

Well done Studley an excellent article today

[A Mum]

Very good article.
Brought tears to my eyes.

[CK]

Beautifully written piece that brought emotion to me also. Never had the privilege of seeing him play but have heard from more than enough people about the wonderous things he did on the field. Another of football's true greats joins the never-ending match being played in Heaven.