Australian Football

George Rudolph was a powerful big man (185cm, 92kg) prone to being temperamental. He mostly played either at centre half forward, the position he occupied in Richmond’s losing premiership deciders of 1927 and 1928 against Collingwood, or centre half back. However, he was also given a run in the ruck from time to time. Jack Dyer recalled him as the Tigers player he most admired.

Rudolph’s career with the Tigers had a brief, aborted start in 1922 before a longer second phase from 1924 to 1928. He played 80 VFL games and kicked 61 goals. He crossed to Oakleigh in the VFA in 1929 and played 71 games and scored nine goals for the club over four seasons. He lined up at centre half back in the winning grand finals of 1930 and 1931, both of which were against Northcote. In 1933-4 he served as captain-coach of Coburg where he played 36 VFA games, including the losing grand finals of both years against Northcote, and kicked five goals. Rudolph rounded off his career with a stint as playing coach of TANFL side New Town.

Author - John Devaney