DOB: 8 September 1920
Died: 15 May 2002
Debut: Round 2, 1939 against Essendon at Windy Hill
Last Game: Semi Final 1950 against Geelong at MCG
From: Eaglehawk/YMCA/State Savings Bank
Number: 30 (1939-1950)
Honours:
Premiership Player - 1939, 1940, 1948
Grand Final player - 1946
Best and Fairest - 1948
Victorian state player - 1948
150 Heroes selection
Life Member - 1948
Games: 131
Goals: 142
Career Statistics
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
| 84 | 1 | 46 | 64.12 |
Statistical categories led:
Most goals in jumper 30
One of the smallest players of his era, Rodda compensated with pure toughness. He had travelled to Melbourne to play for State Savings Bank in the amateurs where he came to the notice of Melbourne's recruiters as a 16-year-old. His club was in South Melbourne's territory, and Rodda had to move to an unallotted district so he could instead join the Demons. They finally signed him in August 1936. He remained with State Savings Bank through 1938.
Rodda was one of ten new players to join the Redlegs in 1939. He was so impressive that he retained his position through to the finals and ended his rookie year with a premiership victory.
Brilliant in the wet during the 1940 Grand Final, Rodda helped deliver the Demons second consecutive premiership. He could have played in the 1941 edition as well, but missed nearly the entire season with injury after breaking his leg in Round 4.
Entering the Air Force and serving in the 7 Transport & Movements Office, Rodda played when he could over the next two years. He managed 8 games in 1942, not helped by a shoulder injury, and three in 1943 before returning in 1946. That year he played 16 games, including the 1946 loss. In 1944 he captained an Force team
Winning the Best and Fairest in 1948, Rodda played in both grand finals and won his third premiership. He was lucky to make the Grand Final Replay after suffering a heavy blow to the chest in the first game. He was made vice-captain in 1950 but at the end of that year left to captain-coach Myrtleford. He later captain-coached Bright in the twilight of his career before retiring at the end of 1957.
Rodda's nephew Keith trained with North Melbourne in 1951 but did not play seniors, and his son Bill appeared with Melbourne in the 1960 pre-season but was not signed.
| Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
| 1939 | 9 | 14 | 1 |
| 1940 | 16 | 22 | 0 |
| 1941 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 1942 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
| 1943 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1946 | 16 | 19 | 1 |
| 1947 | 18 | 23 | 10 |
| 1948 | 21 | 23 | 11 |
| 1949 | 19 | 15 | 3 |
| 1950 | 18 | 10 | 3 |
| Match | Charge | Sanction | |
| Round 7, 1946 | Striking | Not Guilty | |
| Round 9, 1946 | Attempted Striking | 4 matches | |
Lists
Amateur players
Players who served during war
Notes
Some sources have him aged 15 when Melbourne signed him
Some sources say he broke his leg in the Lightning Premiership competition, but the injury happened before. May not have played for Eaglehawk.
It was also claimed that South allowed him to play for Melbourne as it was his brother who died in the war's wish that if Rodda played league football it would be with the Demons.
Shown in Record as playing for a club called Boundary Rovers. May have been with them first, then moved to Eaglehawk and back to the city. They are also shown as Montague Rovers, and may be the YMCA team shown above.
May have returned to State Savings Bank during his first season afer retaining his amateur status.
Media
Argus - 26/08/1936
Herald - 08/07/1938
Sporting Globe - 27/04/1940
Football Record R5 1941
Sporting Globe - 17/04/1941
Argus - 09/06/1942
Australasian - 24/06/1944
Argus - 04/10/1948
Record - 09/10/1948
Age - 11/10/1950
Argus - 25/10/1950
Argus - 02/04/1951
Western Mail - 30/07/1953
Age - 30/10/1957
Age - 16/03/1960
Border Mail - 05/06/2008
Links
Boyles Football Photos
Demonwiki image gallery
War Record
Wikipedia profile