Gerry Donnelly

Who is Gerry Donnelly?

Gerald 'Gerry' Donnelly was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne, North Melbourne and Essendon in the Victorian Football League.

Wingman Gerry Donnelly started his career at Melbourne in 1925 and was good enough that year to represent the Victorian interstate team. Towards the end of the season he had his playing permit cancelled after it was decided by the League Investigations Committee that he was residentially bound to North Melbourne.

As a result he crossed to North Melbourne 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 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.

He died from illness in Melbourne on 4 September 1937, aged 34.