Jack Worrall

John "Jack" Worrall (20 June 1860 - 17 November 1937) was a top-level Australian rules footballer and test cricketer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Australian rules football career

Worrall played Australian rules football for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football Association, captaining the club from 1886 to 1892. He won the Champion Of The Colony award in 1887 and 1890.

Related Topics:
Australian rules football - Fitzroy - Victorian Football Association - 1886 - 1892 - Champion Of The Colony - 1887 - 1890

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He was the first coach of a Victorian Football League side, coaching the struggling Carlton Football Club from 1902 to 1909. Carlton had never finished higher than seventh of eight clubs prior to Worrall's arrival, but his disciplinarian approach to his players had an immediate effect on the club's on-field performance, improving to a sixth ranking in his first season and third in his second. His Carlton tenure culminated in three consecutive premierships in 1906, 1907 and 1908.

Related Topics:
Victorian Football League - Carlton Football Club - 1902 - 1909 - 1906 - 1907 - 1908

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In 1909 Carlton's players revolted over pay and Worrall's approach to training, and some refused to take the field in the opening round. The club's committee was forced to remove Worrall, and he took up a position as the club's secretary instead. By the end of the season he left Carlton altogether, a year after coaching the club to its third flag, becoming the first VFL coach to be sacked.

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He joined underperforming Essendon in 1911, promising a premiership?which he provided in his first year, and again in 1912. He continued to coach the side until part-way through the 1920 season.

Related Topics:
Essendon - 1911 - 1912 - 1920

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