Frank Donnellan
James Francis Donnellan (17 November 1907 – 5 July 1994) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
| Frank Donnellan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | James Francis Donnellan | ||
| Date of birth | 17 November 1907 | ||
| Place of birth | Clifton Hill, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 5 July 1994 (aged 86) | ||
| Place of death | Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team(s) | Xavier College | ||
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1926 | Hawthorn | 3 (2) | |
| 1927; 1931–32 | North Melbourne | 18 (8) | |
| 1933–34 | Fitzroy | 36 (0) | |
| Total | 57 (10) | ||
| 1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1934. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early life edit
The son of James Francis Donnellan and Margaret Ann Fitzgerald, Frank Donnellan was educated at Xavier College in Kew and was a prominent player in their 1924 premiership side.[2]
Football edit
Donnellan trialled with Essendon in 1925[3] but joined Hawthorn in 1926, making his debut at full-forward in their 141-point loss to Melbourne[4] and making two other appearances before being dropped to the reserves.
Having been released by Hawthorn at the commencement of the 1927 VFL season,[5] Donnellan played with Thornbury in the C.Y.M.S. Association and then moved to North Melbourne[6] and made a solitary appearance late in the season. During the next few years Donnellan did not play VFL football, again playing with Thornbury,[7] but he resumed with North Melbourne halfway through the 1931 VFL season and made 17 consecutive appearances in the team. During this run of games he changed position from being a key forward to playing at full-back.
At the start of the 1933 VFL season, Donnellan transferred to Fitzroy[8] and he played as full-back in every game for the next two seasons before his retirement.
Later life edit
In 1935 Frank Donnellan married Jane Elizabeth O’Connell[9] and they lived in Melbourne until his death in 1994. Donnellan is buried at the Andersons Creek Cemetery in Warrandyte.[10]
Notes edit
- ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
- ^ "XAVIER COLLEGE CHAMPIONS". The Argus. Melbourne. 16 August 1924. p. 27.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". The Age. Melbourne. 13 April 1925. p. 4.
- ^ "A MELBOURNE WASHAWAY". The Argus. Melbourne. 28 June 1926. p. 16.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 25 April 1927. p. 7.
- ^ "UMPIRES AND PERMITS". The Argus. Melbourne. 9 June 1927. p. 6.
- ^ "THE JUNIORS". The Herald. No. 15, 960. Melbourne. 13 July 1928. p. 15.
- ^ "LEAGUE PERMITS". The Argus. Melbourne. 29 April 1933. p. 23.
- ^ "Family Notices". Table Talk. Melbourne. 12 September 1935. p. 47 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "James Francis Donnellan". Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.
External links edit
- Frank Donnellan's playing statistics from AFL Tables