BIO
Paul McCormack only played 52 games for Norwood but the popular defender left supporters with many fine memories.
Before joining Carlton in 1992 he played for Scoresby (Vic), North Melbourne (U/19's), and Dandenong (VFA). He had impressed Norwood in Dandenong's grand final victory over Werribee, but McCormack was subsequently selected by Carlton in the 1992 pre-season draft. He spent the next three seasons on Carlton's list, but at the end of 1994 he was delisted after 14 games.
Norwood had stayed in touch and when the time came to decide on his football future, McCormack chose to move to the Parade.
Tough, strong and uncompromising, the rebounding half-back flanker made a big impact at Norwood, despite some injury concerns. He will probably be best remembered for some big hits on opposition players.
Debuting in 1995, he suffered groin soreness during the year, and decided to travel in 1996. Back for 1997 and free of injury, he had an excellent season in Norwood's premiership year. He starred in the State game against the Australian Capital Territory, and won the the club's Jim Tummel Outstanding Qualities Award. However, after playing 21 games for the year, he badly injured his knee in the Preliminary Final and was forced out of the Grand Final team.
In 1998 he was awarded the Woods Medal and played in a Reserves premiership. Earlier in the season McCormack had won the Fos Williams Medal for his best on ground performance for South Australia against Western Australia.
His last game for the club was the 1999 Grand Final. Since then he has had coaching stints at East Ringwood (Eastern Football League), Old Brighton Grammarians (Victorian Amateur Football Association) and been an assistant at the Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup).
Paul McCormack is the nephew of former Richmond champion Barry Richardson.
R Cialini Feb 2015