Fred Heintz


Frederick John Heintz was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League. He was killed at Ambon in World War II.

Family

The son of Ernest John Heintz, and Cath Heintz, née Noonan, Frederick John Heintz was born in Carlton on 22 July 1913. He married Annie Mavis McCartney in 1933. They had four children, Mavis Heintz, Frederick Heintz, Coral Heintz and Lois Heintz.

Football

Fitzroy

Strictly speaking, he made his VFL debut for Fitzroy, against Collingwood, on 18 July 1931, when he was selected as 19th man; however, in those days, the 19th man in a VFL team only took the field to replace an injured player — and, because there were no Fitzroy injuries, Heintz, although selected, never took the field. He was selected, for a second time, in the Fitzroy team, on the half-forward flank, against Footscray, on 22 August 1931; he did play that day, and that's why some records show it as his debut, and others show it as his second game.

Oakleigh

In 1934 he was cleared, by Fitzroy, to the VFA club Oakleigh, on the understanding that Oakleigh would release him back to Fitzroy if ever he was required there.
Fitzroy requested his return in 1937, just after the second VFA round of the season; yet, notwithstanding Fitzroy's request, Heintz did not play for Fitzroy again and, although missing seven VFA matches, he resumed playing for Oakleigh in round 9 of the 1937 season.
In all, he played 57 games for Oakleigh, over five seasons, scoring 116 goals.

Military service

He joined the Second AIF in June 1940. He died in active service.

Footnotes