Ernie Schunke
Richmond
AFL career
6 games0 goals
- Debut
- R13 1909 v COL24 July 1909
- Most recent
- R18 1909 v GEE4 Sept 1909
Stats
Bio
Ernie Schunke holds a unique place in league history as a man who officiated VFL matches before playing in them. Originally a boundary umpire who patrolled the line for 11 games during the 1904 season, Schunke waited another five years before making his playing debut. Recruited from Carlton Districts and the younger brother of Carlton forward Charles Schunke, he was called up to the Richmond senior side late in the 1909 season as a mature-age recruit. Standing just 169cm, he operated as a wingman and held his spot for the final six games of the year, contributing to a win over St Kilda at Punt Road. His brief career was followed by tragedy in 1922, when he was killed in a workplace accident at a South Melbourne timber yard.
Profile
- Born
- 26 Oct 1882
- Died
- 06 Nov 1922 (aged 40y 11d)
- Birthplace
- Carlton, VIC
- Deathplace
- South Melbourne, VIC
Teams
Family
- Brother:Charlie Schunke
Bio
1 revisionErnie Schunke holds a unique place in league history as a man who officiated VFL matches before playing in them. Originally a boundary umpire who patrolled the line for 11 games during the 1904 season, Schunke waited another five years before making his playing debut. Recruited from Carlton Districts and the younger brother of Carlton forward Charles Schunke, he was called up to the Richmond senior side late in the 1909 season as a mature-age recruit. Standing just 169cm, he operated as a wingman and held his spot for the final six games of the year, contributing to a win over St Kilda at Punt Road. His brief career was followed by tragedy in 1922, when he was killed in a workplace accident at a South Melbourne timber yard.