At a time when the worlds gaze is firmly fixed on the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, we thought there was no better opportunity to delve into the archives and look at the intriguing career of a St Kilda Olympian.
Peter Bennett was a remarkable sportsman from a bygone era, where it was possible to juggle multiple pursuits at the same time.
Not only did Bennett excel as a full forward for St Kilda across more than 100 games in the 1940s and 1950s, he also represented Australia in water polo at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki and the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.
Prior to joining the Saints in 1944, Bennett developed his game at the prestigious Wesley College, before impressing recruiters with dominant displays for Melbourne High School Old Boys.
In his VFL debut for St Kilda, Bennett’s career hit a massive hurdle when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in bizarre circumstances.
“Peter did his knee after he landed awkwardly and caught his foot in an uncapped sprinkler hole, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season and put on hold his career before it had even got started,” said St Kilda historian Russell Holmesby.
In his time out of the game, Bennett decided to join the Australian Army whilst also pursuing his other athletic passion, water polo.
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Once he left the Army in 1947 he chose to resume playing football with Collegians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, where he attracted the attention of St Kilda again due to his goal kicking feats. But before long he was caught up in controversy.
“He caused a major stir in the build up to the 1948 Olympic Games in London when he turned his back on an opportunity to represent Australia in water polo, preferring to play for St Kilda,” Holmesby said.
“And what made this even more enthralling was the fact that his father, Horrie, was the president of the Australian Swimming Union at the time.”
Bennett’s stint in the Army exacerbated his knee injury and it never full allowed him to fulfil his potential in the VFL. Although he did finish with 259 goals from 103 games, winning the Saints goal kicking prize on five occasions.
In an era where Essendon champion John Coleman was also cut down in his prime due to a severe knee injury, Bennett slotted in next to the legendary full forward in the Victorian team on multiple occasions.
While still playing for St Kilda, Bennett went to the 1952 Olympics in Finland, before retiring in 1954 to focus solely on water polo. At the 1956 Olympics he captained the Australian water polo side, leading them to a ninth placed finish.
Peter Bennett is our only known Olympian, do you know of any others?
