Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
George Gniel

Known as
George Gniel

Born
6 April 1919

Died
12 September 1989 (aged 70)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 16d
Last game: 28y 146d

Height and weight
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 83 kg

Senior clubs
Geelong; Carlton

Jumper numbers
Geelong: 7, 17
Carlton: 12

Recruited from
Geelong (1942); Carlton (1944)

George Gniel

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
GeelongV/AFL1939-1941, 1944-1947114110.1031%———7
CarltonV/AFL1942-19432900.0066%———0
V/AFL1939-1947143110.0838%———7
Total1939-1947143110.0838%———7

AFL: 4,676th player to appear, 1,433rd most games played, 4,798th most goals kickedGeelong: 427th player to appear, 141st most games played, 395th most goals kickedCarlton: 566th player to appear, 467th most games played, 1,103rd most goals kicked

George ‘Fibby’ Gniel was a fine full back whose tough approach was allied to some classical skills, such as aerial brilliance, and copybook drop kicking. An expert at spoiling from behind, he gave his direct opponent little latitude, and repelled attacks with considerable gusto and skill.

Gniel commenced (1939 to 1941) and ended (1944 to 1947) his VFL career with Geelong, playing a total of 114 games and kicking 11 goals. He skippered the Cats in his last season.

In 1942 and 1943 Geelong was in recess and allowed any of its players an open clearance to the opposition club of their choice. Gniel was one of four Pivotonians to cross to Carlton, and he gave the Blues superb service, capped by winning their 1943 best and fairest award.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby & Jim Main; Wikipedia article; Cats' Tales by Col Hutchinson; https://www.blueseum.org/George+Gniel

Footnotes

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