Keith Batchelor


Keith Batchelor was a former Australian rules footballer, who played in the Victorian Football League for Collingwood and in the 1950s. He made his senior debut in the 1952 VFL Grand Final.

VFL career

Batchelor arrived at Collingwood in 1949 as a forward from the suburban club Murrumbeena. Unable to secure a game with the Pies he asked for a clearance to and spent time on the Blues list but was unable to get a game. In 1952 he was cleared back to Collingwood. Injuries late in the season allowed the selectors to play him as a defender in the reserves. A strong dose of form and injuries to senior players caused the Collingwood selectors to surprisingly pick him at full back in the Grand Final, so he made his debut there – a feat that was not replicated until Richmond's Marlion Pickett did so in 2019. George Goninon kicked five goals against him as the strolled away with the premiership.
In the 1953 Grand Final Batchelor was playing at Full Forward and kicked 4 goals in the victorious Collingwood side.
He later was cleared to in 1956 and stayed for two years.