Jack Nilson
Collingwood
AFL career
4 games0 goals
- Debut
- R15 1944 v SME12 Aug 1944
- Most recent
- R18 1944 v RCH2 Sept 1944
Stats
Bio
Born under tragic circumstances during the Spanish Flu epidemic and raised by adoptive Swedish parents in West Brunswick, Jack Nilson fought his way into the VFL through the hard-nosed wartime leagues. Originally a Brunswick product who spent a season on North Melbourne's list without breaking through, he crossed to Victoria Park in 1944 where he finally earned his senior opportunity. A rugged and uncompromising back pocket, Nilson played his handful of games during the final rounds of the season, deputising in defence while balancing his service with the 58th Battalion. Although his time at Collingwood was brief, he returned to the VFA to become a stalwart vice-captain for Brunswick and achieved unique sporting distinction away from football as a champion high tower diver who famously performed exhibition jumps off Princes Bridge.
Profile
- Born
- 15 Mar 1919
- Died
- 31 Oct 1970 (aged 51y 230d)
- Birthplace
- Carlton, VIC
- Deathplace
- Parkville, VIC
- Height
- 175 cm
- Weight
- 72 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionBorn under tragic circumstances during the Spanish Flu epidemic and raised by adoptive Swedish parents in West Brunswick, Jack Nilson fought his way into the VFL through the hard-nosed wartime leagues. Originally a Brunswick product who spent a season on North Melbourne's list without breaking through, he crossed to Victoria Park in 1944 where he finally earned his senior opportunity. A rugged and uncompromising back pocket, Nilson played his handful of games during the final rounds of the season, deputising in defence while balancing his service with the 58th Battalion. Although his time at Collingwood was brief, he returned to the VFA to become a stalwart vice-captain for Brunswick and achieved unique sporting distinction away from football as a champion high tower diver who famously performed exhibition jumps off Princes Bridge.