Footballer by day, gangster by night. Jack Broadstock, Richmond’s premiership hero of 1943 was a colourful character

Broadstock was described by Jack Dyer as ‘the most talented player I had seen.’ and he first crossed swords with him during a state game between Victoria and SA in 1940. Broadstock (from West Adelaide) was a genius on the field whose use of handball and style of play was years ahead of its time. SA footy legend Fos Williams named him at centre half-forward in his greatest ever 20. He was a troublemaker off the field and his involvement in gambling led to a life of misadventure. As a cop, Dyer had to look sideways several times to allow Broadstock to play on Saturdays. It took years but the Vice Squad finally caught up with him in the 1960s using an elaborate sting to catch him.

The book tells the story of his life and times – mining towns, shipyards, SP bookmaking, Adelaide in the Depression and Melbourne during the war.

This softback is signed by the author