Australian Football

After a somewhat inauspicious time at Boulder City - he was omitted from the club’s 1935 Grand Final team for disciplinary reasons - ‘Jack’ Reeves went on to become a fine ruckman for Claremont in 96 WANFL games between 1936 and 1941 and in 1946. He was a key member of the Monts’ three successive Grand Final-winning teams from 1938 to 1940, overcoming eyesight problems to produce displays of consummate courage and skill when it mattered most. 

His four interstate appearances for Western Australia included both matches at the 1937 Perth carnival when the home state came very close to securing the championship. Reeves spent much of his final season in league football as de facto coach of the club given that ostensible coach Johnny Leonard was frequently unavailable owing to business commitments. It was not a salutary end to his career, however, as Claremont finished last with just three wins from 19 games.

Author - John Devaney