Clarrie Lethlean
Quick Facts
Biography
Clarence Lloyd "Clarrie" Lethlean (12 July 1900 – 18 July 1969) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Lethlean, who started his career at Oakleigh, made nine appearances for Melbourne in the 1921 VFL season. He switched clubs during the 1922 season, joining Hawthorn in the Victorian Football Association. In 1925 he made a return to the VFL, with Hawthorn entering the competition. An in-and-out 1925 season as a forward turned around when Lethlean was placed in defence and used as a relief follower. His bulk, guile and tenacity made him well suited to the role, and he became a key contributor over the next few seasons. Lethlean was elected captain of the side in 1927, where he gave good service as a ruckman during an injury crisis, despite missing four games through suspension. The 1927 VFL season was his final year at Hawthorn.
Clarrie Lethlean married Elva Margaret Roemus in 1925 and they had three sons together. In 1928 they moved to Perenjori, Western Australia to become farmers, but returned to Victoria about five years later after his brother's tragic shooting death. Lethlean worked as a public servant after his return to Victora and was living in East Malvern at the time of his death in 1969.