Donald Charles Bauer (17 May 1922 – 15 January 1996) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Bauer, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War, was from Chilwell in Geelong but could not play for his local VFL club in 1943 as they were in recess.The Advocate, "Geelong Will Provide Fast Dashing Football", 5 September 1947, p. 7 He instead made 10 senior appearances for Footscray. A defender, Bauer joined Geelong midway through the 1945 season and from then until 1949 was a regular fixture in the team. Bauer joined City in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association at the end of the 1949 VFL season, as captain-coach.The Examiner, "Bauer's Appointment", 11 January 1951, p. 8S He had been offered the job a year earlier but was refused a clearance by Geelong.The Mercury, "D. Bauer Refused Transfer To City", 27 November 1948, p. 24 In his only season, Bauer guided City to the grand final, which they lost to North Launceston by 30 points.The Mercury, "N.T.F.A. Premiership To North Launceston", 2 October 1950, p. 13
In 1951 he left Tasmania and became captain-coach of Ballarat Football League side Geelong West. He remained in the role for two years. He was senior coach of Newtown & Chilwell in 1958.
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