Australian Football

Originally from Numurkah, Alf George played briefly with Essendon Association before transferring to Essendon in the VFL in 1906. A hefty ruckman who boasted a surprising turn of speed, he was also strong overhead and difficult to tackle because of his quite formidable strength.

He spent four seasons with the Same Old, playing 33 games without kicking a goal. He does not appear to have played in 1910, but in 1911 he resumed his VFL career with Melbourne. He was a sterling force with the Fuchsias whom he captain-coached in 1912 and for part of the following year. In 1914 he undertook a ‘sabbatical’ by crossing to VFA side North Melbourne as non-playing coach and overseeing a premiership triumph. He returned to Melbourne in 1915 and had played a total of 55 games and booted 12 goals for the club by the end of that season.

In 1917 and 1918 George served abroad in the AIF Railways Unit and upon returning to Australia in 1919 he rounded off his football career by playing briefly for Prahran in the VFA. 

Author - John Devaney