Jack Hacker Explained

Jack Hacker (19 April 1914 – 17 September 1984)^[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).^[2]

Career

South Melbourne

Hacker, a defender who could play in the ruck, was recruited by South Melbourne from Oaklands in New South Wales.^{[3] [4]} He won South Melbourne's "most improved player" award in 1938 and went on to play 111 league games for the club.^{[5] [6]} This included two finals in 1942, a semi final win over Footscray and preliminary final loss to Essendon.^{[7] [8]} A knee injury kept him on the sidelines in 1945 and he also wasn't able to play senior football the following year.^{[9] [10]}

His brother, Alf Hacker, played for fellow VFL club North Melbourne.^[3]

Coaching

Hacker was appointed playing coach of Hampden Football League club Camperdown in 1947 and led the team to the grand final, which they lost to Warrnambool.^{[11] [12]}

He was captain-coach of Camperdown again in 1948, when they narrowly missed out on making another grand final, with a seven-point loss to South Warrnambool in the preliminary final.^[13]

In 1949 he coached Shepparton to a premiership in the Central Goulburn Valley Football League.^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Australian Football – Jack Hacker – Player Bio. Australian Football. 5 January 2015.
2. Book: Holmesby. Russell. Main. Jim. The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. 2007. 9781920910785.
3. News: South Completes "Hat-Trick". . Record (Emerald Hill) . Emerald Hill, Vic. . 7 August 1943 . 5 January 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Guide to South Football Prospects. . Record (Emerald Hill). Emerald Hill, Vic. . 13 March 1937 . 5 January 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Oaklands News. . The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser. NSW . 10 January 1939 . 5 January 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
6. Web site: Jack Hacker – Games Played. AFL Tables. 5 January 2015.
7. Web site: Jim Main's Classic Matches - SF, 1942. Main. Jim. 31 July 2013. sydneyswans.com.au. 5 January 2015.
8. Web site: AFL Tables - Essendon v South Melbourne - Sat, 12-Sep-1942 2:30 PM - Match Stats. AFL Tables. 5 January 2015.
9. News: Jack Hacker Refuses to Give in. . Record (Emerald Hill). Emerald Hill, Vic. . 8 September 1945 . 5 January 2015 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Training Begins for South Footballers. . Record (Emerald Hill). Emerald Hill, Vic. . 8 March 1947 . 5 January 2015 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: Football Coach Appointed. . Camperdown Chronicle. Victoria . 3 March 1947 . 5 January 2015 . 1. Afternoons. National Library of Australia.
12. News: League President's Congratulations. . . Victoria . 8 September 1947 . 5 January 2015 . 2. Afternoons. National Library of Australia.
13. News: South Win Football Final After Gruelling Struggle. . Camperdown Chronicle. Victoria . 6 September 1948 . 5 January 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
14. News: Hacker Leads Team To Premiership. . . Victoria . 23 September 1949 . 5 January 2015 . 1 . National Library of Australia.