John 'Jack' Worrall was the sport's first super coach, leading Essendon to back-to-back VFL premierships in 1911-12, his first two seasons at the club.
Having previously won three premierships at Carlton (1906-08), Worrall introduced new training methods and game plans at Essendon which took the football world by storm. In all, Worrall led the club in 135 matches (1911-20) and held a 100 per cent winning record in finals.
He was dubbed the 'Napoleon of Football', so effective was Worrall at teaching and implementing a system of team play that would hold up consistently throughout a football season, particularly finals. In an era where team captains undertook the types of duties which we now come to recognise as those of a coach, Worrall’s success at firstly Carlton, then Essendon, helped to revolutionise the role a coach would come to play in Australian Football.
Worrall believed that all figures at a football club should work in harmony and display unwavering faith in one another. Like a strong army general, he demanded discipline among his troops, “otherwise,” he once said, “when a game takes an adverse turn, the best 18 alive becomes a mere rabble.” To Worrall, good management meant “fomenting good fellowship amongst the players.” Essendon had been a fractured club in the years prior to Worrall’s arrival, but, under his stewardship, it became a united group as good as any in the club’s history.
Worrall’s views on strategy were fascinating and he sought to educate his players on all facets of the game. While not as scientific as today’s highly structured training schedules, Worrall was still years ahead of his time in the way that he taught his players the intimate knowledge on all key points and intricacies of the game. And his players responded in kind.
Essendon finished first on the ladder in 1911 for the first time since 1898, then defeated Carlton in the semi-final (21 points) and Collingwood (six points) in the Grand Final, securing the club’s first premiership since 1901. It was claimed in The Daily Post that “any team enjoying the benefit of Worrall’s instruction and coaching has an immense advantage over all its rivals.” He was described as “a veritable wizard of the football world,” and it was stated that Worrall’s equal “could probably not be found in Australia.”
In 1912, Essendon finished third. Then, on the back of Worrall’s structured training and tactical nous, the side peaked throughout September, defeating South Melbourne (12 points), Carlton (four points) and South again in the Grand Final (14 points). The super coach had secured the first back-to-back premierships for Essendon in the VFL era, while personally, having won a fifth premiership in seven seasons, Worrall’s legend was cemented for all time.
This moment is the second of a virtual series presenting the Bombers' best 30 moments over 150 years, which fans can vote on for their chance to win prizes. Click here to view and vote, and see the schedule and prizes below.
SCHEDULE OF MOMENTS
Round 1 (May 6-9) - 1872-1939
Round 2 (May 10-14) - 1940-1959
Round 3 (May 15-19) - 1960-1979
Round 4 (May 20-24) - 1980-1989
Round 5 (May 25-29) - 1990-1999
Round 6 (May 30 - June 3) - 2000-2021
Round 7 (June 4-9) - Finals round
PRIZES
Round 1 – One 2022 merchandise pack, including an Essendon New Era Black on Black 9FORTY Snapback cap ($40) and an Essendon Heritage Bar Scarf ($30)
Round 2 – One Essendon Fibre of Football Scarf ($80)
Round 3 - One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 4 – One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 5 – One 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
Round 6 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329)
Round 7 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329) and one 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
