Career : 1955 - 1957
Debut : Round 4, 1955 vs St Kilda, aged 21 years, 138 days
Carlton Player No. 690
Games : 10
Goals : 13
Guernsey No. 8
Last Game: Round 10, 1957 vs Collingwood, aged 23 years, 184 days
Height : 183 cm
Weight : 66 kg
DOB : December 20, 1933
Like Club legend Robert Walls, Jack Ellis was recruited by the Blues while he was still a student at Coburg High School. Unlike 'Wallsy' however, he spent a long apprenticeship in the Under 19 and Reserves teams.
From Merlynston.
Jack wore guernsey number 8 when he finally made his senior debut in 1955. He played six games and booted seven goals in a promising first year, but just four more games and six more goals followed in his last two seasons.
Ellis was a member of the under 19's premiership team in 1951.
In 1953, unable to make the strong Seconds side (Carlton won the flag) Ellis returned to Merlynston. This season he applied for a clearance to St. Kilda. This was refused. Next St. Kilda asked permission to interview him. Refused again. Then, one pre-season Saturday, a player named O'Donohue kicked six goals at St. Kilda against Bruce Phillips. Carlton officials heard on the grapevine: "That young Ellis was down at St. Kilda last Saturday." They realised that "O'Donohue" was Jack Ellis. They took no action. Eventually Ellis was selected with Carlton Seconds.
Footnote
Jack Ellis, 20 year old 6ft full forward booted 11 goals in the 1954 Reserves Second Semi Final against Melbourne. His performance was described as "phenomonal," with his quick leads, good hands, and the ability to kick either foot, the report said he would be a certainty to play senior football in 1955.As good as his 11 goals were, they were not enough to stop a rampaging Demon side coming from 32 points down at the last change to snatch victory over a tiring Blues team. They only hit the front with a 50 yard drop kicked goal after the siren!
The following week Jack kicked 6 goals against Richmond in the preliminary final.
See 1954 Reserves
Career Highlights
1951 - U/19's Premiership1954 - Reserves Leading Goalkicker (4th overall in the competition)