Denis Cordner


George Denis Pruen Cordner was an Australian rules footballer, industrial chemist and diplomat.

Early years

Cordner was the third of four sons to Edward "Ted" Cordner and Margaret Constance née Pruen. Like his father, Cordner and his brothers Ted, Don and John were also notable sportsmen. All of them represented Melbourne Grammar School, University Blacks and in Australian rules football.
Cordner made his senior football debut in Round 5 of the 1943 VFL season against at Punt Road Oval while on leave from the Royal Australian Navy. It would be the only time he lined up with his older brothers Don and Ted. Cordner was flattened five seconds into the match, but recovered and went on to kick two goals in a losing cause. His next VFL game would be five years later, in the famous 1948 VFL Grand Final.
Cordner was also a capable cricketer, known for his bowling. In an Intervarsity match at the University Oval in Sydney in 1949, he took nine wickets for the match to help Melbourne beat Sydney.
Cordner played in the ruck in the Melbourne premiership teams in the 1948, 1955 and 1956.
In September 1981, Cordner was appointed Australian Consul-General in New York. He took up the post in March 1982. Cordner's wife Pat was mugged on her first day out in New York city. In March 1984, Cordner was asked to return to Australia within three months.
Cordner died of coronary heart disease on 17 October 1990 at his home in East Kew, and was buried in Point Lonsdale Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and two daughters
He was posthumously named in the Melbourne's "Team of the Century" in 2000 as the starting ruckman.