Doug Tassell, a talented half-back flanker from Ararat, showed great promise in his football career. He played nine consecutive games from Round 7 to Round 15 in 1969 but returned to Ararat at the season’s end. He had established a home there for his wife and son and was unsure about his future in football.
In 1970, he made a comeback and played eleven games from Round 1 to Round 11 before sustaining an injury during the match against St Kilda. Unable to play in the next game, he was traveling back to Ararat with two friends when their car veered off the road and collided with a tree, resulting in the tragic deaths of all three individuals.
His sudden passing sent shockwaves through the football community, and fans were deeply moved, observing a minute’s silence in his honor before the game at Windy Hill that same day.
The 1970 Annual Report documented that the Committee had established a Benefit Fund for his wife and child, appointing Clive Ward, Bill Hutchison, and Dick Reynolds as organizers. Donations were collected at matches, and numerous events were held, raising a total of $5319.49.
Doug Tassell passed away on June 26, 1970, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him and the football world as a whole.
