Tuddenham was recruited from Ballarat made his VFL debut in 1962, playing for the Collingwood Magpies. His brand of football was fearless and tough, with a habit of grasping the football to his chest with his elbows sticking out dangerously.

In recognition of his superior abilities he was made captain in 1966.

In 1970 he was stood down from this leadership position after he and his vice-captain Len Thompson refused to play for the Magpies, striking to protest unfair salaries being paid to interstate players.

He stayed with the club for a further season before moving to then cellar-dwellers the Essendon Bombers as captain-coach.

He played four seasons for the Bombers before returning to Collingwood for his final two seasons.

In his 252 games career he played in three narrow grand final losses, to Melbourne in 1964, a famous 1 point defeat to St Kilda in 1966, and to Carlton in 1970.

In 1978 he was the senior coach of South Melbourne for a season, replaced by Ian Stewart when he failed to take the club to the finals.

References

External links

• Tuddenham receives suspended jail term for drink driving and leaving the scene of a road accident
• AFL Statistics: Des Tuddenham
• Full Points Footy Profile: Des Tuddenham
• Collingwood's Team of the Century
• Collingwood's Hall of Fame