John Nicholls (footballer)
Australian rules footballer (born 1939) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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John Robert Nicholls (born 13 August 1939) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
John Nicholls | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | John Robert Nicholls | ||
Nickname(s) | Big Nick | ||
Date of birth | (1939-08-13) 13 August 1939 (age 84) | ||
Original team(s) | Maryborough (BFL) | ||
Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Weight | 105 kg (231 lb) | ||
Position(s) | Ruckman/Forward | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1957–1974 | Carlton | 328 (307) | |
Representative team honours | |||
Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
Victoria | 31 (?) | ||
International team honours | |||
1967-1968 | Australia | 7 | |
Coaching career3 | |||
Years | Club | Games (W–L–D) | |
1972–1975 | Carlton | 97 (63–31–3) | |
1977–1978 | Glenelg | 50 (30–20–0) | |
1981 | Coburg (VFA) | 18 (9–9–0) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1974. 3 Coaching statistics correct as of 1981. | |||
Career highlights | |||
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Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Widely regarded as one of Australian football's greatest players, Nicholls was the first Carlton player to play 300 games for the club, and was declared the club's greatest player.[1] He represented Victoria a record 31 times in interstate football, and was inducted as one of the inaugural Legends when the Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996.[2] Nicholls played most of his football as a ruckman, and although at 189 centimetres he was not especially tall, he compensated his lack of height with his intelligence and imposing physical presence, which earned him the nickname 'Big Nick'.[1] His rivalry with fellow Australian football legend Graham Farmer raised the standard of ruck play during the 1960s.[1]