Jack Fitzgerald (rugby league)

Jack Fitzgerald (1925-1965) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1960s. He played for Western Suburbs as a winger and later coached the club from 1961 to 1964.

Jack Fitzgerald
Personal information
Full nameJohn Leo (Jack) Fitzgerald
Born4 January 1925
Died1965 (aged 39–40)
Playing information
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1949–55 Western Suburbs 60 21 0 0 63
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1961–64 Western Suburbs 80 53 2 25 66
Source: [1]

Playing career

Fitzgerald began his career with Western Suburbs in 1949. In 1952, Fitzgerald was a member of the Western Suburbs side which claimed their fourth and final premiership defeating South Sydney in the grand final, with Fitzgerald scoring a try. Fitzgerald played for three more seasons before retiring as a player.[2][3]

Coaching career

Fitzgerald began his coaching career in the lower grades at Western Suburbs until taking over as first grade coach in 1961. In his first year as coach, Fitzgerald won the minor premiership with Wests as they made the grand final against the all conquering St George side. Wests lost the match 22–0 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Fitzgerald then coached the club as they reached the 1962 and 1963 grand finals against St George losing on both occasions. This would be the last time that Western Suburbs would make a grand final as a stand-alone club. Fitzgerald coached for one last season in 1964 before stepping down. He died in 1965 aged 40.[4]

References
  1. "Jack Fitzgerald - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. "From the Vault: Magpies' last Grand Final victory". 28 March 2012.
  3. "Western Suburbs Magpies First Grade Players". Wests Magpies.
  4. Masters, Roy (28 August 2012). "With its future secure, league banks on its past for the stuff that legends are made of". The Sydney Morning Herald.
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