Jack Dempsey
South Melbourne
AFL career
45 games12 goals
- Debut
- R3 1941 v FSC10 May 1941
- Most recent
- R1 1947 v ESS19 Apr 1947
Stats
1947 | SME | 1 | 0.0 |
1946 | SME | 8 | 0.3 |
1945 | SME | 21 | 0.2 |
1944 | SME | 11 | 0.4 |
1941 | SME | 4 | 0.5 |
Bio
Jack Dempsey was a tenacious ruck-rover whose VFL career was heavily defined by the interruption of World War II. After breaking into the South Melbourne line-up in 1941, his development was halted by active service with the Australian Army, seeing him miss two full seasons during his athletic prime. He returned to the Lakeside Oval in 1944 with immediate impact, booting three goals in his comeback match and cementing his spot as a rugged follower capable of winning the contested ball. Dempsey’s legacy is anchored by his participation in the 1945 season, where he served as the starting ruck-rover in the infamous "Bloodbath" Grand Final against Carlton, battling through one of the most physically punishing deciders in league history. While the war curtailed his games tally, his role in that legendary, hard-nosed era ensures he remains a respected figure in the club's heritage.
Profile
- Born
- 25 Sept 1919
- Died
- 09 Sept 2006 (aged 86y 349d)
- Birthplace
- Richmond, VIC
- Height
- 183 cm
- Weight
- 88 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionJack Dempsey was a tenacious ruck-rover whose VFL career was heavily defined by the interruption of World War II. After breaking into the South Melbourne line-up in 1941, his development was halted by active service with the Australian Army, seeing him miss two full seasons during his athletic prime. He returned to the Lakeside Oval in 1944 with immediate impact, booting three goals in his comeback match and cementing his spot as a rugged follower capable of winning the contested ball. Dempsey’s legacy is anchored by his participation in the 1945 season, where he served as the starting ruck-rover in the infamous "Bloodbath" Grand Final against Carlton, battling through one of the most physically punishing deciders in league history. While the war curtailed his games tally, his role in that legendary, hard-nosed era ensures he remains a respected figure in the club's heritage.