AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Kevin O'Donnell
Known as
Kevin O'Donnell
Born
12 July 1924
Place of birth
St Kilda, VIC (3182)
Died
15 January 2002 (aged 77)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 21y 284d
Last game: 24y 327d
Height and weight
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Senior clubs
St. Kilda
Jumper numbers
St. Kilda: 7, 18
State of origin
VIC
Family links
Simon O'Donnell (Son)James O'Donnell (Grandson)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Kilda | V/AFL | 1946-1949 | 49 | 20 | 0.41 | 10% | — | — | — | 6 |
Total | 1946-1949 | 49 | 20 | 0.41 | 10% | — | — | — | 6 |
AFL: 5,536th player to appear, 4,414th most games played, 3,724th most goals kickedSt. Kilda: 875th player to appear, 326th most games played, 303rd most goals kicked
Kevin O’Donnell’s entry into VFL ranks with St Kilda was delayed whilst he was undertaking military service. He finally made his league debut in the opening round of the 1946 season when he was just a few weeks shy of his 22nd birthday. Playing mainly across half forward he was a regular senior player in his first three seasons, but struggled in 1949 when he managed just five appearances. He retired at the end of the ‘49 season having played 49 VFL games and scored 20 goals. His son Simon O’Donnell later played 24 games for St Kilda but became better known as a cricketer, in which capacity he was a world cup winner with Australia in 1987.
Author - John Devaney