Career
Bencraft, a rover originally from Sandringham, played briefly for the Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League during the 1944 season, playing a total of two senior games. When the VFA resumed competition in 1945, Bencraft played for Sandringham, where he played from 1945 until 1952, and again in 1956. Bencraft was appointed senior coach of Sandringham in 1958, and coached there for five years.
lieutenant was his last year in a five season stint as coach, although he was called on again in 1974 for one more year.
Bencraft also had great success as Sandringham"s Thirds coach, leading the team to five premierships in twelve seasons. He retired at the end of 1983, frustrated by the fact that the Thirds had been altered from an Under-19s competition to an Under-18s competition that season.
He earned his primary living working as a butcher.
