BIO

Charles Daly’s father John D (Bunny) Daly was considered by many as one of the greatest ever to play the game in South Australia. And so when Charles Daly came to Norwood from South Adelaide in 1926, the Norwood faithful believed the stars had come back into alignment.

Charles proved to be not only a versatile and dashing wingman for Norwood, but very popular with supporters and a good club man, always “merry and bright” according to reports of the time. He was also well known and successful in business circles and in July 1928 he was transferred to Perth by his firm. At an emotional farewell, Lionel Hill MP, former Norwood league footballer and Labour Premier of South Australia (1927, 1930-1933), extolled his virtues, and the football memories the name Daly always evoked. He presented Charles with a gold watch and cigarette case (a sign of the times).

In a stroke of good fortune, Charles returned from Perth and continued his career with Norwood in 1929. It turned out to be a stellar year, for him and for the club. Norwood won the Grand Final against Port Adelaide. Daly and Walter Scott shared best on the ground honours. Charles played faultlessly on the left wing, combining judicious use of pace with long drop kicks to the forwards. He was named Norwood’s best and fairest player for 1929. 

Charles missed a number of matches in 1930 through injury and retired at the end of the season. He was made a Life Member of the SANFL in 1931.

Charles served in the 2/10th AIF Battalion, and was in Tobruk during the famous Siege of Tobruk from 10 April to 7 Dec 1941. He was Wounded In Action on 15 May 1941, which ended his time there and he was sent back to Australia, discharged medically unfit for duty on 22 Jun 1942.

R Crompton Nov 2014, Jan 2022