Ernest Clyde Cowley (17 August 1892 – 20 October 1975)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[2]
| Ern Cowley | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Cowley during his Carlton career | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Ernest Clyde Cowley | ||
| Date of birth | 17 August 1892 | ||
| Place of birth | Brunswick East, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 20 October 1975 (aged 83) | ||
| Place of death | Ivanhoe, Victoria | ||
| Original team(s) | Brunswick | ||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Weight | 72 kg (159 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1918–1919 | Carlton | 24 (51) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1919. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Background
editCowley came to Carlton from Brunswick and had a strong debut season, kicking 35 goals to top the VFL's goalkicking. He played just one more year with Carlton before returning to the VFA where he joined Prahran. Cowley was also a proficient baseball pitcher who represented Victoria in interstate competition.[3]
Cowley invented the football game called "Austus", a combination of Australian and American football which was played between Australians and visiting American servicemen during World War II.[2] He was a journalist with the Sporting Globe and wrote on American sports, particularly baseball.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Ern Cowley – Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
- ^ a b c "Ern Cowley". Blueseum – Online Carlton Football Club Museum. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ "Medal for "Austus" inventor". The Argus. Melbourne. 12 July 1944. p. 11.
- Ern Cowley's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
