John E. O'Connell
Encyclopedia
John E. O'Connell is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Claremont
in the Western Australian National Football League
(WANFL) and Geelong
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
O'Connell was a ruckman, who could also play as a key position player, mostly up forward. He played for Claremont during the early 1950s and then moved to Melbourne in 1955 due to his employment. Geelong secured his services, as their defender John Hyde
wished to join Claremont and they needed something in return.
He kicked four goals on his VFL debut, in the opening round of the 1955 season
, against South Melbourne
at Kardinia Park
. The following year he kicked 29 goals for the season to finish second to Noel Rayson
in the Geelong goal-kicking.
When he returned to Claremont in 1961, O'Connell was appointed assistant playing coach. He played until 1963, retiring just one year before Claremont ended their premiership drought. He finished with 156 WANFL games and had also represented the Western Australian interstate team on 10 occasions.
O'Connell remained involved in football as both a radio commentator and administrator. He served as General Manager of the WAFL from 1987 to 1991 and was then appointed Claremont club president, a position he held for six years.
Two of his sons, David
and Michael O'Connell
, played for the West Coast Eagles
.
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 with Claremont
Claremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
in the Western Australian National Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WANFL) and Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
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).
O'Connell was a ruckman, who could also play as a key position player, mostly up forward. He played for Claremont during the early 1950s and then moved to Melbourne in 1955 due to his employment. Geelong secured his services, as their defender John Hyde
John Hyde (footballer)
John Hyde is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League for the Geelong Football Club.Originally from Portarlington, Victoria, he won Geelong's best and fairest award in 1950 before playing in their back-to-back premierships in 1951 and 1952...
wished to join Claremont and they needed something in return.
He kicked four goals on his VFL debut, in the opening round of the 1955 season
1955 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1955.-Premiership season:In 1955, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus two substitute players, known as the 19th man and the 20th man...
, against 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...
at Kardinia Park
Kardinia Park
Kardinia Park is an Australian rules football stadium located in South Geelong, Victoria. The stadium is the home ground of the Geelong Football Club. It is nicknamed "The Cattery" by the club's supporters...
. The following year he kicked 29 goals for the season to finish second to Noel Rayson
Noel Rayson
Noel Rayson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and South Melbourne during his ten year career in the Victorian Football League ....
in the Geelong goal-kicking.
When he returned to Claremont in 1961, O'Connell was appointed assistant playing coach. He played until 1963, retiring just one year before Claremont ended their premiership drought. He finished with 156 WANFL games and had also represented the Western Australian interstate team on 10 occasions.
O'Connell remained involved in football as both a radio commentator and administrator. He served as General Manager of the WAFL from 1987 to 1991 and was then appointed Claremont club president, a position he held for six years.
Two of his sons, David
David O'Connell (footballer)
David O'Connell is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles and Fitzroy in the Victorian/Australian Football League ....
and Michael O'Connell
Michael O'Connell (footballer)
Michael Bryant O'Connell is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian Football League ....
, played for the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
.