GEORGE, Alf

A big and burly ruckman, Alf George came from Essendon Association, prior to that he had been at Numurkah.

He had wonderful pace and immense strength and was a fine mark.

When he left Essendon, he went on to become captain-coach at Melbourne where he played 55 games between 1911, 1913 and 1915. He spent 1914 as coach of North Melbourne.

He then finished his career at Prahran.

George enlisted in the AIF on 17th January 1917, giving his occupation as train driver with Victorian Railways. He arrived in France in May 1917, serving in the 1st Auxiliary Light Rail Operating Company.

His service ended in tragedy. In January 1919 he was found guilty of using violence to a superior officer and sentenced to 90 days field punishment. But he escaped from custody in March 1919 and while drunk "wilfully shot at and wounded" a fellow soldier who died the following day. He was found guilty and sentence to seven years penal servitude. He was initially imprisoned in England but returned to Australia and imprisoned in Pentridge. His commanding officer recommended that his sentence be ameliorated and he was released on the 10th July 1920.

His brother Ernie played one game for South Melbourne in 1911.

He died on 28th April, 1946.