MELBOURNE Football Club is saddened to hear of the passing of Ernest Thomas O’Rourke at the age of 97.

At nineteen years old, O’Rourke debuted for the club in 1945 against Fitzroy, and quickly made his mark in the rover position.

O’Rourke played 39 of his total 48 games for Melbourne, before moving to North Melbourne for the 1949 season.

Wearing the number 22 in his debut year and then number 27 until leaving Melbourne in 1948, O’Rourke kicked 46 goals for the club.

1946 was his breakout season with 28 goals kicked – the fourth highest for the club that year.

O’Rourke was part of the 1946 losing Premiership side, coached by Checker Hughes and captained by Norm Smith.

The diminutive O’Rourke, at only 173cm, was known by the nickname ‘Irish’.

The club extends its condolences to wife Gwen, son Peter and the extended O’Rourke family at this sad time.