Place of birth West Melbourne Original team(s) St Patrick's (Albury) | Place of death Melbourne Name Gerry Donnelly | |
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Full name Gerald Vincent Donnelly Date of birth (1903-08-07)7 August 1903 Date of death 4 September 1937(1937-09-04) (aged 34) | ||
Supt gerry donnelly coolock gs
Gerald 'Gerry' Donnelly (7 August 1903 – 4 September 1937) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne, North Melbourne and Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
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Donnelly, nicknamed Gerry, grew up in West Melbourne, Victoria with his two brothers and four sisters. He began his education at St Mary's Primary School, West Melbourne before going on to St. Joseph's Christian Brothers' College, North Melbourne where he stayed until 1919. During his teenage years he performed in a number of local concerts as he had a fine singing voice. While at school he also became a very good athlete and in 1919 was part of the St. Joseph's senior football squad along with Ray Brew.
After leaving school Donnelly trained with Essendon Juniors before going to South Australia where he played with the senior squad of Sturt Football Club. In 1925 he returned to Victoria and his career in a senior league came to prominence at Melbourne Football Club where he played as wingman. That same year he was chosen to represent the Victorian interstate team. Towards the end of the 1925 season he had his playing permit cancelled after it was decided by the League Investigations Committee that he was residentially bound to North Melbourne.
Donnelly crossed to North Melbourne Football Club in 1926 and captain-coached the club for 14 games that year. Although he failed to register a win he did lead North Melbourne to a controversial draw with Hawthorn Football Club in Round 13. Hawthorn were leading by a point when the bell sounded but Donnelly, who was running with the ball at the time, kicked a behind to level the scores. As the umpires had not heard the bell the point stood.
On 4 September 1937, Donnelly died in Melbourne at the relatively young age of 34 from illness.