Kevin O'Donnell (12 July 1924 – 15 January 2002) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Kevin O'Donnell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Kevin O'Donnell | ||
| Date of birth | 12 July 1924 | ||
| Place of birth | St Kilda, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 15 January 2002 (aged 77) | ||
| Original team(s) | South Caulfield CYMS | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1946–1949 | St Kilda | 49 (20) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1949. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early years edit
Born in Melbourne, O'Donnell was a student at St Kilda's Christian Brothers College.[1] He later did a building apprenticeship at Swinburne College.[1]
His early football was played with South Caulfield CYMS.[2]
Military service edit
In World War II he served overseas with the Royal Australian Air Force after enlisting in 1943.[3] Following service in Britain, O'Donnell was a member of the occupation forces in Germany.[1]
Football edit
St Kilda career edit
O'Donnell, a half forward, debuted in the opening round of the 1946 VFL season, against North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.[4][5] He kicked two goals and was named amongst St Kilda's best.[6]
From 1946 to 1949, O'Donnell amassed 49 league games for St Kilda.[5]
Deniliquin coach edit
In 1950, O'Donnell left St Kilda to coach in New South Wales, for Deniliquin in the Murray Football League.[7] He remained senior coach in 1951, then played the 1952 season as a player only, as former South Melbourne player Ted Whitfield took charge.[8]
O'Donnell was in the Deniliquin team which drew the 1952 grand final with Finley and lost by replay by six points.[9][10]
In 1953 he returned as coach for one final season [11] and was runner up in the 1953 Murray Football League best and fairest award, the O'Dwyer Medal.[12]
He was president of the Deniliquin Football Club from 1973 to 1978.[1]
Later life and family edit
A builder by trade, O'Donnell remained in Deniliquin, where he raised four children with wife Bernadette.[1] The youngest, Simon O'Donnell, played 24 games for St Kilda in the 1980s, but is best known as a cricketer.[13] He won a World Cup with Australia in 1987.[14]
Heavily involved in the racing industry, he bred his own racehorses and was a trustee of the Deniliquin racecourse.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Carey, Tom (30 March 2002). "Obituary – Kevin O'Donnell – Builder, Sportsman". The Age. p. 8.
- ^ "League Opposes Barter for Players". The Argus. Melbourne. 1 June 1944. p. 9. Retrieved 5 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "World War Two Nominal Roll". Government of Australia. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785.
- ^ a b "AFL Tables – Kevin ODonnell – Games Played". AFL Tables. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ "Good Finish by North". The Argus. Melbourne. 23 April 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 5 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "C.Y.M.S. Begins 1950 Football Season". Advocate. Melbourne. 27 April 1950. p. 20. Retrieved 5 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Coach, Best & Fairest, Goalkicker – Deniliquin Football and Netball Club". Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ "Deni- Finley tie in Grand Final". Riverine Herald. Echuca, Vic. 22 September 1952. p. 3. Retrieved 5 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Finley Wins Play-off". Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser. NSW. 29 September 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 5 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Kevin O'Donnel to coach Deniliquin". Cobram Courier. Vic. 19 February 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 5 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "1953 - Murray FL - O'Dwyer Medal". Cobram Courier. 3 September 2020. p. 2. Retrieved 5 May 2020 – via Trove Newspapers.
- ^ Hillier, K. (2004). Like Father Like Son. Pennon Publishing, Melbourne. ISBN 1-877029-73-4.
- ^ Dunleavy, Diane (11 June 1993). "A whole new ball game". The Age. pp. 3, Saturday Extra.
External links edit
- Kevin O'Donnell's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Kevin O'Donnell at AustralianFootball.com