Jim Abernethy

Noel James Abernethy (4 November 1902 – 1 October 1974) was an Australian rules footballer who played as a half-back flanker who played for the Melbourne Football Club after being schooled at Wesley College. He played 130 games for Melbourne between 1923–24 and 1926–32. He kicked 61 goals.[1]

Jim Abernethy
Personal information
Full name Noel James Abernethy
Nickname(s) Jimmy
Date of birth (1902-11-04)4 November 1902
Place of birth Shepparton, Victoria
Date of death 1 October 1974(1974-10-01) (aged 71)
Place of death Manly, New South Wales
Original team(s) Wesley College, Shepparton
Height 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 81 kg (179 lb)
Position(s) Half back flank
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1923–24, 1926–32 Melbourne 130 (61)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1932.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Abernethy was originally from Shepparton and attended boarding school at Wesley. Abernethy had a successful junior career for Wesley, being the champion player of the Associated Public Schools of Victoria. As such he attracted interest from many VFL clubs. Because he had been living in St Kilda, the St Kilda claimed that Abernethy was in their zone. The Demons, however, argued that he technically still lived with his parents in Shepparton. The VFL committee ended up siding with Melbourne's point of view and the Demons signed Abernethy.[2]

Abernethy played for Melbourne in 1923 and 1924, but moved back to Shepparton in 1925, to further his law career.[3] Abernethy was captain the Shepparton Football Club when they won the 1925 Goulburn Valley Football Netball League premiership.[4]

Abernethy came back to play for Melbourne the next season and was a part of their premiership team. He continued to play for the Demons until his retirement from VFL football in 1932.

Abernethy was made a life member of the Melbourne Football Club in 1961.[5] In 2008, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Football Club's founding, the Demons named their "150 greatest heroes", of which Abernethy was one.[6]

References
  1. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2002). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (4th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Crown Content. p. 1. ISBN 1-74095-001-1.
  2. "FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 29 March 1923. p. 5. Retrieved 9 December 2010 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 2 April 1925. p. 5. Retrieved 9 December 2010 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "1925 - Goulburn Valley FL Premiers". Shepparton Advertiser. 6 September 1946. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  5. "Demons for Life". Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club. 17 August 2005. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  6. Burgan, Matt (7 June 2008). "Melbourne's 150 heroes named". Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
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