Frank Donnellan
Australian rules footballer
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James Francis Donnellan (17 November 1907 – 5 July 1994) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
Clifton Hill, Victoria
Victoria, Australia
| Frank Donnellan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | James Francis Donnellan | ||
| Born |
17 November 1907 Clifton Hill, Victoria | ||
| Died |
5 July 1994 (aged 86) Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team | Xavier College | ||
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1926 | Hawthorn | 3 (2) | |
| 1927; 1931–32 | North Melbourne | 18 (8) | |
| 1933–34 | Fitzroy | 36 (0) | |
| Total | 57 (10) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1934. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early life
The son of James Francis Donnellan and Margaret Ann Fitzgerald, Frank Donnellan was educated at Xavier College in Kew and was a prominent player in their 1924 premiership side.[2]
Football
Donnellan trialled with Essendon in 1925[3] but joined Hawthorn in 1926, making his debut at full-forward in their 141-point loss to Melbourne[4] and making two other appearances before being dropped to the reserves.
Having been released by Hawthorn at the commencement of the 1927 VFL season,[5] Donnellan played with Thornbury in the CYMS Football Association and then moved to North Melbourne[6] and made a solitary appearance late in the season. During the next few years Donnellan did not play VFL football, again playing with Thornbury,[7] but he resumed with North Melbourne halfway through the 1931 VFL season and made 17 consecutive appearances in the team. During this run of games he changed position from being a key forward to playing at full-back.
At the start of the 1933 VFL season, Donnellan transferred to Fitzroy[8] and he played as full-back in every game for the next two seasons before his retirement.