Australian Football

Despite standing just 175 cm in height, and being afflicted with a badly deformed foot, George Rawle was a ruckman par excellence as he proved repeatedly over the course of a 14-season senior career in both the VFA and VFL. Originally from Melrose United, he joined North Melbourne in 1911 and before long, in harness with fellow ruckman Syd Barker and rover Charlie Hardy, was providing the club with arguably the premier first ruck combination in the game.

Rawle was a member of North Melbourne premiership sides in 1914, 1915 and 1918. In 1921 he crossed to Essendon Association, and then returned to North as captain-coach the following year. In 1923 he was appointed coach of VFL club Essendon's seconds, but at the end of the season was a sensational last minute addition to the Dons' senior Grand Final side against Fitzroy. Aged 33 at the time, he remains the oldest debutant in V/AFL history.

After 19 games and four goals for Essendon Rawle was appointed captain-coach of Camberwell in 1926 as the club made its debut in the VFA. He played 16 of the side's 18 matches for the year as it finished ninth out of 10 clubs. Rawle later returned to Essendon as a committee member.

Author - John Devaney