Jack H Morrison 1905-1994

Full Name: John Harold McKay Morrison.Nicknames: Jack, Copper.Born: 26/7/1905 in Murwillumbah, NSW.Died: 17/8/1994 in Coffs Harbour, NSW.Junior Club (RL): Murwillumbah.

Morrison began his playing career at Murwillumbah, where he was born. He then came to Sydney and played rugby union for Randwick in 1930, captaining the NSW XV in Victoria in 1929 and toured Queensland in 1930. The following season he switched codes to link with the Rabbitohs, and captained the side for part of the 1932 season and also NSW against the touring Great Britain team the same year. He also captained the City side against Country in 1932.

First Grade Debut (RL): Souths v Newtown at Marrickville Oval on April 25, 1931 (which ironically was ANZAC Day). His South Sydney player number on the First Grade Player Register is No. 177.

Morrison missed the 1934 season because of appendicitis and then led Canterbury in the club's debut season in the Sydney competition. He retired at the end of 1936.

Served in the Army during WWII as a Staff Sergeant, between 1942-44.

His name appeared on Souths' 2018 ANZAC jersey which included all former players that served in the Armed Forces.

He passed away at Coffs Harbour in 1994, aged 89.

SOUTHS PLAYING CAREER 1931-33:First Grade: 35 games (8 tries, 5 goals) - he was captain in 8 games.Second Grade: 2 games (1 goal).
CANTERBURY PLAYING CAREER 1935-36:First Grade: 18 games (3 tries, 1 goal) - he was captain in 1 game.
REPRESENTATIVE CAREER RL:NSW: 1 game against Great Britain in 1932 (also captain).CITY: 1 game against Country in 1932 (also captain).
REPRESENTATIVE CAREER RU:NSW: 4 games in 1929-30 (scoring 2 tries).

Thanks goes to Souths Historian Michael Curin for his assistance forwarding details of Morrison's playing career and photos.