Australian Football

A vigorous and hardy centreman or rover, Johnny 'Jack' Karney made his league debut with West Torrens in 1919. He impressed immediately, and was selected to represent South Australia against the VFL that same season.

In 1920, Karney won the first of two consecutive club best and fairest awards, while in 1921 he was a joint runner-up on a countback in the Magarey Medal voting. 77 years later, the SANFL awarded a retrospective, posthumous medal to Karney, as well as to his fellow runners-up, Port Adelaide’s Charlie Adams, and Walter Scott of Norwood.

Always cool and calm under pressure, Karney was a valued member of South Australian interstate teams for most of his career, and often seemed to reserve his best performances for games against the Vics. He had the rare satisfaction for a South Australian of twice appearing in winning state teams against the VFL in Melbourne, in a seven-point win in 1920, and six years later when the margin was 11 points. All told, he represented his state eight times. At the 1921 Perth carnival, despite South Australia’s failure to win a match, he was widely feted as a true champion.

When Torrens secured their breakthrough premiership in 1924 Karney was vice-captain, joint coach with Roy Brown, and first rover. He continued as assistant coach of the team until his retirement as a player at the end of the 1928 season. His games tally with Torrens, a team he continued to support avidly and actively until his death in 1986, was 128.

Author - John Devaney