RAWLE, George

George Rawle played only 19 senior games but they included two premierships.

He had been a star ruckman with North Melbourne (VFA) from 1911 to 1920 playing in their premiership teams of 1914-15 and 1918. He then played with Essendon Association in 1921 and when that team disbanded at the end of 1921, Rawle rejoined North Melbourne as captain-coach in 1922.

He came to Essendon in 1923 as a Seconds coach and the Club dropped a bombshell by selecting him for his first game at the age of 33 in the ruck in the 1923 Grand Final. This made him the League's fourth oldest player on debut and only the third player to debut in a Grand Final. Essendon's Harry Prout was the first to do it.

The selectors felt Rawle would give the "Mosquito Fleet" stability and he did just that, helping them to a premiership in his first game. He also played in the 1924 premiership side giving him two premiership wins in a career of only 19 games.

Incredibly, Rawle played with a deformed foot which was always tightly bandaged and which caused him pain after games.

He became captain-coach of Camberwell in their inaugural season in 1926. He returned to Essendon in 1928 where he served as a committeeman until 1933, including several years on the selection committee.

Rawle also played cricket for Victoria.

His son, Keith, later became a star with the Club.

George Rawle died on 12th June, 1978.