Australian Football

As a highly accomplished player with a formidable physical presence, John Wynne enjoyed a long and distinguished league football career in two states. He began with West Perth, where he was a key contributor, from centre half forward, to the 1969 Grand Final annihilation of arch-rivals East Perth. Earlier that same year he had represented Western Australia at the Adelaide carnival.

In 1970, Wynne transferred to Norwood, initially with the intention of playing in South Australia for a year before moving on to the VFL. However, Wynne found a 'home away from home' at the Parade, and went on to spend no fewer than 13 seasons there, contributing in no small measure in the process to the Redlegs' renaissance after a decade in the doldrums. 

Playing mainly as a ruck-rover or centre half forward, Wynne helped the Redlegs secure finals participation on an annual basis throughout the 1970s, capped by premierships in 1975 (with Wynne himself as captain) and 1978. The 1978 Grand Final against Sturt is today arguably remembered almost as much for a controversial incident involving Wynne and legendary Double Blues coach Jack Oatey as it is for Norwood's dramatic, single-point victory.

After retiring as a player in 1982, Wynne helped develop Norwood's junior academy for a while before accepting the position of senior coach at his original club, West Perth, in 1985. Wynne coached the Falcons for two seasons with minimal success.

John Wynne was chosen as an interchange player in Norwood's official 'Team of the Century'. He played a total of 290 senior games, comprised of 193 for Norwood, 85 with West Perth, eight for South Australia and four for West Australia.

Author - John Devaney