A key forward despite his small stature, he kicked 27 goals in 1961 to finish third in Footscray's goal-kicking. He played all 21 games that year, including the 1961 VFL Grand Final loss, where he played at centre half-forward. When Ted Whitten was away playing interstate football, Ion captained Footscray in their round 13 fixture against North Melbourne - he was only 20 years old at the time.
Ted Whitten
Ion