George Owens joins the Australian Football Hall of Fame

East Perth legend George Owens has joined a group of remarkable players and football professionals in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Known as ‘Staunch’ amongst peers, Ownes played 195 games for the Royals, primarily as a ruckman. Despite standing at only 180cm (5ft 11in), he dominated the centre square with an impressive leap, and was one of the competion’s best footballers, winning the 1925 Sandover Medal in an era where you could win it only once.

Kalgoorlie-born Owens was a talent early. He joined East Perth as a teenager, playing his first League game in 1917 as a 16 year old. He was part of the 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, and 1927 Premiership teams and played 17 games for Western Australia, winning best on ground in the 1926 edition of WA v Victoria. He was crowned East Perth’s Fairest and Best on six occasions and was an integral part to the success the team had in the early 20th century.

Upon retiring from football, Owens would contribute to WA football in a different capacity, picking up the whistle as an umpire . He went on to officiate in 135 league games, including five grand finals between 1935 and 1941.

Owens was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame for his contributions as a footballer and as an umpire. You can read more about Owens and his induction via the following news articles:

‘A champion with ball and whistle, WA great George Ownes joins Hall of Fame’ – afl.com
Hall of Champions: George Owens – wais.org