JACK “Hopper” McCormick, who played in Wangaratta Magpies four successive premiership teams and played a prominent role in junior football in the city, has died after a long illness.
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McCormick, 92, died on Thursday night, and is survived by wife Lorna, children Ian and Dianne and families.
The Magpies are the only team since the 1920s to win four successive O and M flags with another Hall of Famer Mac Holten leading them to victory from 1949-52.
McCormick had been the only player to play in all four flags still alive and backed up to play in a fifth premiership in 1957 after a coaching stint at King Valley.
His son Ian played in the Magpies’ 1976 premiership and grandson Jon played in the 2007-08 Wangaratta flags and also won a Morris Medal.
Phil Nolan, who coached the 1976 Wangaratta premiership team, said McCormick was held in the highest regard.
“He was obviously an outstanding footballer with Wangaratta, playing in those four premierships in which he was a key player in all of them,” Nolan said.
“But on top of that he was a quality person and much loved around the footy club.
“He basically was the junior competition in Wangaratta for a long time.
“He was one of those fellows everyone loved.”
McCormick’s father started the Wangaratta junior league 80 years ago and he carried on the tradition at the end of his playing career.
Funeral details are still to be confirmed.
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