BIO

Note: in many contemporary newspaper reports during his playing days, Morison's name was erroneously spelt as Morrison

It was not uncommon for Norwood, in its earliest years, to recruit players from Victoria. Accordingly, Jack Morison, a tall, key defender, was recruited from South Melbourne. He came with a reputation for his high marking and long kicking out of defence.

Jack made an immediate impact in only his first game against West Torrens. The Evening Journal (4/5/03) reported that, “Morrison [sic] in goal was a tower of strength and he saved the situation time and again.”

For 87 games over the next six years, his reputation grew as indeed did the praise from commentators. This perhaps reached its climax when during the 1905 season a Quiz reporter wrote, “Right in goal Morrison [sic] is like a, “Cathedral,” and Norwood’s goal is always safe when he is there.”

Morison played in some of Norwood’s most prestigious games of this era including the famous 1904 Grand Final victory against Port when a 35 point deficit at the last change was converted into a four point win. There was the 1907 Premiership followed a week later by victory over Carlton to become Champions of Australia.  In all these encounters Jack Morison distinguished himself as an outstanding defender.

Jack was almost lost to Norwood at the end of the 1906 season. At a Norwood function in December of that year, the Club made a presentation to Morison and his wife as it was thought he was returning to Victoria. However in the following April an article in The Quiz reported, “Morrison [sic], the tall Norwood goal defender, having secured a position in Adelaide, will once more grace the tall poles.” 

His final game took place at Alberton against the old enemy. From a Norwood point of view it was noteworthy for negative rather than positive reasons. It was played in atrocious conditions of high wind and incessant rain. Norwood lost and remarkably the final score was Port 1 goal 4 behinds to Norwood just 5 behinds.

Nonetheless, this did nothing to lessen the glow of a great career. Jack Morison retired a two time Premiership player and as a member of a Champions of Australia side and with the reputation as one of the era’s most outstanding backmen.

B Ridge June 2017