Gerry Donnelly
Encyclopedia
Gerald 'Gerry' Donnelly (born 7 August 1903, date of death unknown) was an Australian rules football
er who played for Melbourne
, North Melbourne
and Essendon
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Wingman Gerry Donnelly started his career at Melbourne in 1925 and was good enough that year to represent the Victorian interstate team. Towards the end of the season he had his playing permit cancelled after it was decided by the League Investigations Committee that he was residentially bound to North Melbourne.
As a result he crossed to North Melbourne in 1926 and captain-coached the club for 14 games that year. Although he failed to register a win he did lead North Melbourne to a controversial draw with Hawthorn in Round 13. Hawthorn were leading by a point when the bell sounded but Donnelly, who was running with the ball at the time, kicked a behind to level the scores. As the umpires had not heard the bell the point stood.
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 Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
, North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
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).
Wingman Gerry Donnelly started his career at Melbourne in 1925 and was good enough that year to represent the Victorian interstate team. Towards the end of the season he had his playing permit cancelled after it was decided by the League Investigations Committee that he was residentially bound to North Melbourne.
As a result he crossed to North Melbourne in 1926 and captain-coached the club for 14 games that year. Although he failed to register a win he did lead North Melbourne to a controversial draw with Hawthorn in Round 13. Hawthorn were leading by a point when the bell sounded but Donnelly, who was running with the ball at the time, kicked a behind to level the scores. As the umpires had not heard the bell the point stood.