Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Jack Purse

Known as
Jack Purse

Born
28 June 1879

Died
2 March 1953 (aged 73)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 74d
Last game: 29y 48d

Senior clubs
St. Kilda; Melbourne

Recruited from
St. Kilda (1900)

Family links
Hugh Purse (Brother)

Jack Purse

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
St. KildaV/AFL1898100.000%———0
MelbourneV/AFL1900-1906, 1908109120.1141%———0
V/AFL1898, 1900-1906, 1908110120.1141%———0
Total1898, 1900-1906, 1908110120.1141%———0

AFL: 422nd player to appear, 2,150th most games played, 4,590th most goals kickedSt. Kilda: 76th player to appear, 1,444th most games played, 1,142nd most goals kickedMelbourne: 77th player to appear, 145th most games played, 390th most goals kicked

After playing initially with Brighton, and then making just one appearance for St Kilda in 1898, Jack Purse stood out of football for a year in order to secure a clearance to Melbourne. He went on to give the Fuchsias fine service, mainly as a centre half back, in 109 VFL games from 1900 to 1906 and in 1908, the highlight of which was participation in the unexpected premiership triumph of 1900. He also played interstate football for V ictoria in 1901 and 1904. Pacy and a good kick, he had the happy knack of being able to keep his feet in heavy traffic while many of those around him were dropping limke flies.

Jack Purse’s younger brother Hugh was also a fine player for the Fuchsias.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby & Jim Main;http://www.demonwiki.org/Jack+Purse

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.