Henry Young

Who was Henry Young?

Henry "Tracker" Young was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League.

Young was an outstanding ruckman who was allegedly never beaten in a game. Tracker was recruited from Wellington, a local team and first played in the Victorian Football Association days. A successful participant in numerous sports he was master of them all. He commanded respect whether it was on the football field, the boxing ring, riding in the Melbourne to Warrnambool road race, or rowing on Corio Bay.

A supremely athletic and fit person, it allowed him to ruck for four quarters, often brilliantly and with a dominating effect on his opponents, such was the consistency of his play the opposing rovers tried to feed off his hit outs. Strong and courageous, and a magnificent high mark he displayed a cool temperament and always at the forefront of protecting his teammates with effective shepherding.

Tracker sustained serious injury problems in 1898 and 1899, which precluded him from playing 200 games, however he made a strong comeback and throughout his career provided tremendous service and was inspirational to his teammates as club captain.