Keith Shea

Keith Sylvester Shea (10 August 1914 – 27 February 1951) was an Australian rules footballer who played at high levels in both Victoria and Western Australia. His senior playing career spanned from 1932 to 1945, although it was interrupted by the war.

Keith Shea
Personal information
Full name	Keith Sylvester Shea
Date of birth	10 August 1914
Date of death	27 February 1951(1951-02-27) (aged 36)
Place of death	Albury, New South Wales
Original team(s)	Bacchus Marsh
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	78 kg (172 lb)
Playing career
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1932–1937	Carlton	91 (101)
1938–1939	Subiaco	37 (69)
1940	South Fremantle	17 (14)
1945	Hawthorn	8 (8)
Coaching career
Years	Club	Games (W–L–D)
1940	South Fremantle	22 (16–6–0)
1945–1946	Hawthorn	39 (9–30–0)
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Shea was a half forward and played with Carlton from 1932 to 1937. He polled well in the Brownlow Medal, the closest he came to winning was in 1934 where he fell 2 votes short with an equal 3rd placing. Shea finished 3rd again the following season and equal fourth in 1937.

He represented Victoria on 10 occasions during his time at Carlton. It was playing for Victoria in the 1937 Perth Carnival where he caught the eyes of the Subiaco Football Club recruiters who signed him up for the 1938 season. During his stint with Subiaco he played interstate football with Western Australia. He was appointed coach of South Fremantle for the 1940 season.[1]

In 1941 Shea had returned to Melbourne. He accepted the coaching position at North Melbourne but Carlton wouldn't give him a clearance. He was still legally tied to South Fremantle whom themselves wouldn't clear him back to Victoria. Shea was fined while as Publican of the Notting Hill hotel was selling alcohol out of hours.[2]

Shea returned to the VFL in 1945 as coach of Hawthorn on a three year deal. When injuries got the better of him during the season he became a non playing coach.,[3] He retired as a player at the season's end but staying on as coach in 1946.

In 1947 he coached Rupanyup in the Wimmera Football League,[4] then moved to Albury the following year when he coached North Albury to win the premiership of the Ovens and Murray Football League. In 1950 he coached Griffith (South West FL) N.S.W., to a losing grand final. He was reappointed coach of North Albury for the 1951 season but died.

Keith who was a hairdresser by trade, died in hospital following an operation in February 1951 in Albury, New South Wales, He had been ill for some time.[5]