| John Nicholls | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | John Robert Nicholls | ||
| Nickname(s) | Big Nick | ||
| Date of birth | 13 August 1939 | ||
| Original team(s) | Maryborough (BFL) | ||
| Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Ruckman/Forward | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1957–1974 | Carlton | 328 (307) | |
| Representative team honours | |||
| Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
| Victoria | 31 (?) | ||
| International team honours | |||
| 1967-1968 | Australia | 7 | |
| Coaching career3 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (W–L–D) | |
| 1972–1975 | Carlton | 97 (63–31–3) | |
| 1977–1978 | Glenelg | 50 (30–20–0) | |
| 1981 | Coburg (VFA) | 18 (9–9–0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1974. 3 Coaching statistics correct as of 1981. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
John Robert Nicholls (born 13 August 1939) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Widely regarded as one of Australian football's greatest players, Nicholls was the first Carlton player to play 300 games for the club, and was declared the club's greatest player.[1] He represented Victoria a record 31 times in interstate football, and was inducted as one of the inaugural Legends when the Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996.[2] Nicholls played most of his football as a ruckman, and although at 189 centimetres he was not especially tall, he compensated his lack of height with his intelligence and imposing physical presence, which earned him the nickname 'Big Nick'.[1] His rivalry with fellow Australian football legend Graham Farmer raised the standard of ruck play during the 1960s.[1]