Howard Abbott

By 1936, South was entering our worst years in performance ever beneath the impending shadow of World War Two. But despite the lack of team success, a "double-act" emerged to become our only shining light. Just like Lockett and Winmar, South fans flocked to see the great Eddie Mahoney - and his new offsider, a young star named Howard Abbott.

Abbott first debuted for Gawler Centrals in 1934 before transferring to South in 1937 where he would captain us in 1938 before moving to play league football with Port Adelaide.

In 1936, when Eddie Mahoney won the first of his three Mail Medals, Abbott was the club's leading goalkicker, second in the GFA with his 67 goals Resisting the temptation of league footy, Mahoney then went on to win the 1937 and 1938 association best and fairest awards, assuming the capataincy of the club until 1940, after Abbott was lured to Port Adelaide where he became an outstanding full forward.

When he passed away in 1968, The Bunyip the Bunyip described Abbott as "The most brilliant schoolboy footballer ever to come out of Gawler".

The mind boggles to think what Mahoney and Abbott may have achieved if they hasd stayed together in a more successful team.