All involved with the Melbourne Football Club were saddened to hear of the passing of 1956 premiership player, Jim Sandral.
An acclaimed defender from the Ovens and Murray League, and a legend of the Corowa Football Club, Sandral overcame his hesitation to head to the city when he was recruited by Melbourne. Playing his first games for the Demons in 1956, he came into the Grand Final side for the injured Geoff McGivern. The premiership win was Sandral’s fifteenth game, and the review of his performance by the club showed the value of his contribution, stating that:
Jim gave of his best and concluded a very successful first year with a thrilling game against Collingwood when coming on at half-time as 19th man; he galvanised the crowd with his intrepid play. Jim is a fine player and an equally fine lad.
Following the 1957 season, Sandral returned to Corowa, having played 22 games and scored two goals in two packed seasons with Melbourne. Back home, he won three Morris Medals as the Ovens and Murray League’s Best and Fairest between 1959 and 1965. As captain-coach of Rennie between 1965 and 1970, Sandral had further success, with the team winning a premiership in his last game. In 2013, he became the fourth Legend in the Ovens and Murray League’s Hall of Fame.
At the end of 2023, Jim Sandral was recognised as a Life Member of the Melbourne Football Club for having played in the 1956 premiership.
We will long remember him as one of a special group – the ‘Olympic Premiers’ of 1956 – and offer our most sincere condolences to Jim’s family, friends and former teammates.
Black armbands will be worn by the team to honour Jim Sandral in the Round 19 game against Fremantle.
The funeral for Jim Sandral will be held at St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 23 Parade Place, Corowa (NSW), this Thursday (18 July), starting at 10 am.
