Laurie Dearle

Laurence Dearle (16 October 1919 – 25 October 1979) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1940s.

Laurie Dearle
Personal information
Full name	Laurence Dearle
Date of birth	16 October 1919
Place of birth	Fremantle, Western Australia
Date of death	25 October 1979(1979-10-25) (aged 60)
Place of death	Broome, Western Australia
Original team(s)	East Fremantle
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	76 kg (168 lb)
Position(s)	Centreman
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1940	East Fremantle	16 (19)
1942–47	Essendon	76 (42)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1947.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Dearle started his career with East Fremantle and in 1942 arrived at Essendon under a war time service permit.

A premiership player in his debut season with Essendon, Dearle kicked two goals as a centreman in the 1942 Grand Final win over Richmond. He appeared in another Grand Final the following season and finished on the losing team. In 1944 he kicked 23 goals for the year, over half of his final tally of career goals.

References

• Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
• Laurie Dearle's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Laurie Dearle's playing statistics from WAFL Footy Facts