Jim Cleary (Australian rules footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jim Cleary was an Australian rules football
er who played for South Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Cleary played as a fullback and won two best and fairest
awards for South Melbourne, in 1942 and 1944. His reputation was marred somewhat by his involvement in what is referred to as the 1945 VFL Grand Final
'bloodbath'. For his part in the incident he was suspended for 8 matches.
He left the club in 1948 and went on to become captain and coach of Port Melbourne. After a successful stint with Port he continued his coaching career at both Brunswick
and Dandenong. He remained involved in the game even after retiring as a coach, becoming a panelist on a TV show called 'World of Sport'.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL).
Cleary played as a fullback and won two best and fairest
Bob Skilton Medal
The Bob Skilton Medal is awarded to the Sydney Swans player adjudged the Best and Fairest over the home and away season. It is named after Bob Skilton, who won the award a record nine times from 1958 to 1968.-List of winners:...
awards for South Melbourne, in 1942 and 1944. His reputation was marred somewhat by his involvement in what is referred to as the 1945 VFL Grand Final
1945 VFL Grand Final
The 1945 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the South Melbourne Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at Princes Park in Melbourne on 29 September 1945. It was the 49th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers...
'bloodbath'. For his part in the incident he was suspended for 8 matches.
He left the club in 1948 and went on to become captain and coach of Port Melbourne. After a successful stint with Port he continued his coaching career at both Brunswick
Brunswick Football Club
Brunswick Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA from 1897 until 1990. They were originally nicknamed the Pottery Workers before being renamed the Magpies and were based in Brunswick, Victoria. The club wore black and white guernseys...
and Dandenong. He remained involved in the game even after retiring as a coach, becoming a panelist on a TV show called 'World of Sport'.