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Albert Hartkopf (1889–1968): a great-all-rounder

Hartkopf in 1915 in the
University Football Club,
then part of the VFL.
Photo from Football Australia
(Sept 1994), p. 21

Hartkopf was a giant in the world of schoolboy sport but was unappreciated as a Test cricketer for Australia

In 1909, Albert Ernest Victor Hartkopf was a prefect. And Captain of Cricket. And Captain of Football. And rowed in the 1st Crew. And a member of the 1st Aths team, winning the 100 yards (setting a new record), 220 yards, 440 yards (new record), shot put, and long jump (new record).

He was Captain of Cricket the year before, too, and indeed played in the First XI in every year from 1903 to 1909: seven years in a row! He captured more than 100 wickets and made more than 1000 runs. In six matches in the years 1907–09 he took 11, 12 or 13 wickets per match. His batting average, over fifty innings, was 25.8.

He became a successful all-round cricketer for Victoria over many seasons, scoring 1,758 runs (average 34.47) and taking 121 wickets at 30.79. He played one Test for Australia, against England at Melbourne in 1925. Batting at No. 8, he made 80. However, Australia was not short of runs and Hartkopf had been chosen to bowl leg-breaks: his match figures of 1 for 134 were not what they wanted and he was never picked again. This was hard luck as the wicket-keeper is said to have dropped two catches.

Some Hartkopf trophies in 1908 and 1909

His span in the 1st XVIII was a mere six years 1904–1909. Later, he was the leading goal kicker of the University Football Club which was one the VFL teams from 1908–1914.

Hartkopf became a doctor, with a general practice in Northcote.

He was a man of commanding physique. He was also a wonderful pianist. When he was aged 14 his professor asked him if he was going to continue and become a concert pianist or play sport, says his son Leigh (1953). ‘Dad said sport, so that was the end of that.’ GS

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013