Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Eric Nicholls

Known as
Eric Nicholls

Born
15 October 1939 (age 84)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 16y 245d
Last game: 23y 299d

Height and weight
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 78 kg

Senior clubs
Geelong

Jumper numbers
Geelong: 33, 2

Eric Nicholls

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
GeelongV/AFL1956-19635800.0041%3.00—0.000
Total1956-19635800.0041%3.00—0.000

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 6,718th player to appear, 3,918th most games played, 11,962nd most goals kickedGeelong: 593rd player to appear, 301st most games played, 1,003rd most goals kicked

After a slow start to his league career with Geelong Eric Nicholls developed into a highly capable, industrious half back flanker. Later still, when asked to fill in at full back, he did so with considerable aplomb, despite being only 180cm tall. Smooth moving and with sound skills, his kicking to position was a real strength. He joined the Cats from East Geelong and played 58 VFL games for the club between 1956 and 1963. He did not kick a single goal during this portion of his career.

After leaving Geelong Nicholls took up the captain-coaching position at VFA side Geelong West. In 1964 he led the side to a winning second division grand final against Sunshine, and won the club’s best and fairest award to boot. Playing in first division the following year the Roosters slumped to the wooden spoon. With Nicholls still at the helm in 1966 the club reached another second division grand final, only to lose to Oakleigh. He played 35 games and kicked 12 goals for the Roosters between 1964 and 1966 and also represented the VFA at the 1966 Hobart carnival.

Footnotes

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