Australian Football

James Gosse enjoyed a memorable playing career with Norwood between 1894 and 1905, helping the side to premierships in his first and penultimate seasons, as well as in 1901. It is not known precisely how many senior club games he played during that time, but it is known that he represented South Australia four times in an era when intercolonial and interstate matches took place only sporadically. Gosse, who played or most of his career as a ruckman, captained the Redlegs in his final season, but they slumped from premiers the previous year to third. 

15 years after retiring as a player, Gosse became Norwood club president, a position he retained for 20 years. In 1936 he donated the South Australian centenary premiership cup to the SANFL. Knighted after World War II for his services to the state, Gosse once memorably declared “I think the Australian game of football is the finest thing in existence for the public to look at”. 

He was also an accomplished oarsman, representing the state on numerous occasions.

Author - John Devaney