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Key Facts

Full name
James Bohan

Known as
Jim Bohan

Born
21 July 1919

Died
13 October 1967 (aged 48)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 2d
Last game: 27y 41d

Height and weight
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 78 kg

Senior clubs
Hawthorn; Camberwell

Jumper numbers
Hawthorn: 15, 16

Recruited from
Hawthorn (1947)

Jim Bohan

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
HawthornV/AFL1938-19461311451.1125%———11
CamberwellVFA1947-1953140———————
Total1938-19532711450.54—————

AFL: 4,644th player to appear, 1,669th most games played, 678th most goals kickedHawthorn: 245th player to appear, 93rd most games played, 40th most goals kicked

Captain Jim Bohan gave Hawthorn another splendid game at the pivot. Although opposed by three opponents and with an opposing follower in the vicinity most of the time, Bohan won hands down. Jim knows the value of long kicking to position and often made Wally Culpitt, full forward, his objective instead of wasting time with passes to players nearer but in poor positions. On bis day Bohan has no peer as a midfielder.¹

Without doubt one of the greatest players in Hawthorn's history, in 2003 Jimmy Bohan achieved the distinction of being named as centre man in the club's official 'Team of the Century'. Perfectly balanced, highly skilled, and a superb kick with either foot, Bohan played 131 VFL games for the Mayblooms between 1938 and 1946 without once appearing in the finals. He captained the club in 1944 and 1946, and won club champion awards in 1943 and 1945.

In 1947 Bohan caused something of a furore by crossing to VFA club Camberwell without a clearance. He spent seven auspicious years with the Tricolours, playing for the majority of his time there in the hitherto uncustomary position of full back. Although Camberwell was not a successful team during his time there, Bohan himself was recognised as a bona fide champion of the highest order, winning best and fairest awards in 1951-2-3, and running second in the 1952 Liston Trophy.

Bohan was a key player for the VFA at the 1953 Adelaide carnival. In all, he played 140 games for the Tricolours, and in 1994 was chosen as full back and captain of the club's official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “Sporting Globe”, 2/8/44, page 13.

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications, Crème de la Crème

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.