Australian Football

Jack Lynch a footballer who oozed talent, gave West Adelaide superb service in a 149-game league career between 1948 and 1958, winning the club’s best first year player award in his debut season, and its best and fairest award in his last. Elusive and polished, he was said by Jeff Pash to have an “india rubber quality”¹ as well as to seem archly resilient to the pressure brought to bear by either opposition or climatic conditions. 

Noted for his smooth ball handling skills, and excellent foot passing, Lynch was one of many fine West Adelaide players whose careers unfortunately coincided almost precisely with the club’s fourteen year gap between premierships. The high regard in which he was held is evidenced by his selection to represent South Australia on no fewer than 16 occasions. He was also chosen in the prestigious ‘Advertiser Team of the Year’ three times. 

Author - John Devaney