Happy 70th birthday to John Comben today.
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Career: 1963 – 1966
Debut: Round 1, 1963 v Fitzroy, aged 18 years, 311 days
Carlton Player No. 751
Games: 38
Goals: 11
Last game: Round 18, 1966 v Geelong, aged 22 years, 75 days
Guernsey No. 25
Height: 175cm
Weight: 70kg
DOB: 13 June, 1945
The younger brother of Carlton legend Bruce ‘Bugsy’ Comben, John was a fine footballer in his own right, but one who inevitably suffered from comparisons with his champion sibling in his four seasons at Princes Park. He was recruited from Werribee South.
While ‘Bugsy’ began his career as a rover before making the back pocket his domain, John played all of his football on a wing. Wearing guernsey number 25, he kicked 11 career goals in his 28 games. He crossed to Melbourne in 1967, but managed just one more senior game.
The oldest of the Comben boys Bill Comben played U/19’s football for Carlton back had to retire almost as soon as it started due to the growth of the family grocery business in Melbourne’s western suburbs.