Jack Owens

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 Career Highlights
  • Glenelg, 1924 - 1935
    • 177 games
    • 827 goals
    • Captain 1933, 1934
  • Captain of first premiership team for Glenelg 1934
  • Ten time Glenelg leading goal kicker
  • SANFL leading goal kicker 1927, 1928 & 1932 (tied with Ken Farmer, North Adelaide)
  • Kicked 102 goals in season 1932
  • Played 9 matches for South Australia
  • Inducted SANFL Hall of Fame 2002
  • Inducted Glenelg Hall of Fame 2002


Jack Owens about to take possession against Sturt, Unley Oval, 18/6/32. Sturt 17.11 defeated Glenelg 9.7.


Jack Owens was originally from Broken Hill.

He was a prolific left footed full-forward who excelled despite playing much of his career in what was then the League's weakest team. He favoured the screw punt when he lined up for goals and it was effective as he topped Glenelg's goal-kicking every year from 1924 to 1932 as well as for a tenth time in 1934. On three of those occasions he was the league's leading goal scorer, outright in 1927 and 1928 with 80 and 83 goals respectively while he tied for the mantle in 1932 with Ken Farmer on 102 goals.

In one of life's quirky turns, bad luck (or good sportsmanship) cost Owens a chance at a historical record in 1930. Owens had been in friendly competition with North Adelaide's prolific goalscorer Ken Farmer. Farmer had scored 100 goals for the season - the first South Australian to do so - but was unavailable for the last minor round game of the season. In his last match for the year Owens kicked what he believed was his 100th goal. He then conformed with his own wish and that of his team mates, and refused to add to his tally. His generosity backfired as it proved to have been only his 99th goal. To add further salt to the wound it was subsequently agreed to include Finals matches, thereby increasing Farmer's tally for the year to 105.

Towards the end of his career Glenelg began to improve and in 1934 he captained the club to their inaugural SANFL premiership. He was also South Australian captain for interstate matches in 1933 and 1934. In all he appeared for his state team on nine occasions and kicked 26 goals.

See also Gallery Jack Owens

References

1. Wikipedia article

2. The South Australian Football Story, Bernard Whimpress, 1983

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