It’s not hard to see why Bill Mohr was such a beloved figure at St Kilda Football Club.
As a prolific goal kicker he had that special mystique that surrounds a champion full-forward. But more than that it was his unassuming nature and sportsman-like behaviour which endeared him to Saints fans. One of his game day rituals was to meet a youngster at the entrance gate and pay him threepence to carry his bag to the rooms.
The 1930s were marked by constant arguments within the St Kilda committee room and despite being asked to get involved and stand for the committee , Bill Mohr always stayed clear of the quarrels. That was just his way.
Many years after Bill died, his wife remembered that he did not display the medals and trophies he been awarded over the years.
Jules Feldmann wrote of him:
Feldmann continued: “With russet hair characteristically parted in the centre, he caught the eye of the shrewd judges. He could pass with unerring accuracy and had the ability to mark cleanly overhead in a fashion that suggested star qualities. Beautifully built, he was quiet and reserved even on the training track, but very inch a classic mover."
His brilliance made him a target for snide, cheap shots from opposing defenders, and an early report said “...From what I have seen of St Kilda he generally has to get his goals by sheer hard work. When Bill goes for the ball he is generally the subject of an onslaught.”
In later years doctors told him his arthritis was the result of being knocked about on the field .
Keith Miller, a star for St Kilda on the football field and a champion Test cricketer said: “He was like a cat, sleeping in the sun, and all of a sudden he would pounce on the ball.”
A beautifully balanced player Mohr had natural goal sense, was a sure mark, and above all was a superbly accurate kick for goal whether the shots were by a drop kick or the snap shot which became his trademark.
Collingwood’s Gordon Coventry was for many years the League’s highest goalkicker. He was lavish in his praise of Mohr. He could remember that his brother and Magpie captain Syd Coventry observed after Mohr’s first game against Collingwood that he would go a long way and kick many goals. Gordon Coventry continued in his praise: “He could ride a bump and was master of the 'stagger run' that gets him out of difficulties, while his ground work and aerial work were on a par. I envied Mohr’s ground work which was my weak point."
By 1941, Bill was to be tried in defence after years of being buffeted in attack. But after one game the ankle and knee problems had taken their toll and he reluctantly announced his retirement. He had kicked 735 goals in 195 games
He is 17th highest League goalkicker of all time. He kicked more than five goals in a game 68 times, was St Kilda’s leading goalkicker 12 times - every one of his completed years - and kicked more than 50 goals in a season on eight occasions.
Coventry’s teammate Jack Regan – regarded as the prince of full-backs – bracketed Mohr with Bob Pratt and North’s Sel Murray as the best full-forwards he encountered.
Collingwood was the dominant team of the time and Mohr rose to the occasion when playing against the Magpies. He was even accorded a special tribute when he booted 10 goals out of 14 in a losing side at Victoria Park. For the next encounter later in the year, the traditionally ruthless Collingwood had the ball mounted and presented to the 20-year-old Mohr on the ground at the start of the game.
His best game tally was a then club record of 11 against Collingwood in 1931 and North Melbourne in 1936 which would not be surpassed until Tony Lockett came upon the scene.
In 1936, he entered the final home-and-away round needing seven goals for the magical 'ton' and had five on the board by half-time. He brought it up in typical style with a snappy pick up and a smart shot from close range. His 101 goals meant that he became the first ever Saint to hit three figures. His accuracy was evident in the scoreline of 101 goals and 55 behinds which represented 39 per cent of St Kilda’s scoring. His accuracy was 64 per cent.
Mohr came from a strong football family. He and brother Jack played at the club where their dad was club president.
The 1930s were the greatest era for full-forwards with the names of Bob Pratt (South Melbourne), Gordon Coventry (Collingwood), Harry ‘Soapy’ Vallence (Carlton) and Jack Titus (Richmond) being dominant performers. It said a lot for Mohr’s exceptional talent that in this golden era he was selected for the Victorian side 18 times, and kicked 70 goals.
He may well have reached stratospheric heights in a 1934 match against South Australia. His day began well with three goals in the first quarter as the Vics had South Australia on the back foot from the start. But he had to leave the field at quarter-time due to broken fingers and the famed Laurie Nash was switched to full-forward in his place. Nash then proceeded to boot a record 18 goals in the next three quarters.
Mohr came from the Federals team in Wagga which were the predecessors of Wagga Tigers and joined the Saints in 1929 along with his brother Jack. It is family folklore that the Mohr brothers had originally been courted by Carlton.
An injury to Jack and another Saint prompted the Saints to move Bill to shore up the defence. That plan would last a couple of months but by Round 12 the selectors had him back at full-forward where he had performed most often in country football. He booted five goals that day and never returned to the backline again
Bill worked for club President Bill McKechnie’s printing business as a sales representative, and continued there for a long time after his playing career. Not surprisingly he was respected for his honest committed approach.
In life and football Bill Mohr knew no other way.
