Wallace Sharland
Geelong · “Jumbo”
AFL career
49 games41 goals
- Debut
- R13 1920 v FIT31 July 1920
- Most recent
- R8 1925 v FIT20 June 1925
Stats
Bio
Wallace "Jumbo" Sharland was a gifted all-round athlete who transitioned from a promising on-field career into one of the game's most significant media pioneers. Recruited from Newtown and Geelong College, he was a towering ruckman for his era, known for his accurate palm work and ability to protect his rovers with strong shepherding. His natural talent saw him represent Victoria early in his career and even score a cricket century against a touring English MCC side, but his football journey was cut short when a wrist injury in 1925 cost him a place in Geelong’s breakthrough premiership team. While denied ultimate on-field glory, Sharland immediately pivoted to the press box that same year to become the first person to broadcast a VFL match on radio, launching a distinguished decades-long career as a legendary commentator and journalist.
Profile
- Born
- 11 Oct 1902
- Died
- 17 Sept 1967 (aged 64y 341d)
- Birthplace
- Geelong, VIC
- Deathplace
- Richmond, VIC
- Height
- 191 cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionWallace "Jumbo" Sharland was a gifted all-round athlete who transitioned from a promising on-field career into one of the game's most significant media pioneers. Recruited from Newtown and Geelong College, he was a towering ruckman for his era, known for his accurate palm work and ability to protect his rovers with strong shepherding. His natural talent saw him represent Victoria early in his career and even score a cricket century against a touring English MCC side, but his football journey was cut short when a wrist injury in 1925 cost him a place in Geelong’s breakthrough premiership team. While denied ultimate on-field glory, Sharland immediately pivoted to the press box that same year to become the first person to broadcast a VFL match on radio, launching a distinguished decades-long career as a legendary commentator and journalist.