SFNL: Inside the career of Cheltenham captain Jack Worrell after game 200
After a decade as captain and two premierships, it’s easy to see why Jack Worrell is Cheltenham’s “golden boy”. Inside his journey as he lists his toughest opponents.
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Cheltenham president Adam King calls him a “golden boy”.
After a decade as captain and two premierships, seasoned Rosella Jack Worrell has certainly been golden for Cheltenham.
He celebrated his 200th senior game for the proud club in a convincing 41-point win over Bentleigh on Anzac Day in Division 1 of the Southern league - the reigning premiers’ second of the season.
Two-time premiership captain Worrell has now figured in all four of Cheltenham’s grand finals since 2019.
He has represented Southern in interleague on three occasions and has been named in the best 85 times across his 200 games.
In his latest outing, he kicked his 59th goal in the final term and it would have to be one of his most special.
“They put (me) forward in the last quarter and the boys were trying to get us one, I didn’t think it was going to happen,” Worrell said of the occasion’s crowning moment.
“It felt like we were trying a bit too hard but was lucky enough to get one in the goalsquare, which was probably better, if it was anywhere else I might’ve missed it I reckon,” he added with a laugh.
“We had a few guys behind the goals to celebrate with and it was a good moment.”
King was quick to note the role Worrell had played in Cheltenham’s transformation to a Southern league powerhouse, with 2023’s breakthrough premiership the club’s first in 89 years.
“He’s been fantastic for the club, the way he conducts himself, the way he goes about it, his loyalty to the club, his effort, just a really good human being,” King said.
“He epitomises the growth in our club, it’s off the back of him driving a lot of standards. He’s not a huge motivational talker but he’s very much loved within the club.
“We’re very lucky to have someone of his calibre as a footballer and also as a person leading our club.
“He plays every contest at 100 per cent, he doesn’t leave anything on the park, everything that he’s done from training to playing, he plays every second of every minute of the game, he’s never out of a contest. That’s probably why the group love him so much, his commitment to every little cause.”
Worrell’s loyalties have never shifted from Cheltenham.
It’s unsurprising. To the man who bleeds red, yellow and black, the club simply feels like home.
“Just the people that are involved in the club, the players over the years, the coaches we’ve had … “I still love it today, getting to training and having a laugh with the boys and a joke around,” Worrell said.
“Just the determination to have some success and win something was the biggest driving factor in wanting to stay around.
“When I first started playing at the club we were middle of the road, we’d make finals and finish fourth or fifth and bomb out in the first or second week (of finals).
“We had a little period where we struggled and didn’t make finals but come 2019 it was probably the turning point.”
After two heartbreaking grand final losses in 2019 and 2021, that elusive premiership flag was finally in Worrell’s grasp by 2023 – and again in 2024.
“It’s pretty satisfying, stuck it out from the start and had our ups and downs and now reaping the rewards – that’s been the most special I reckon,” Worrell reflected
“It was huge, definitely a massive monkey off the back … the celebrations after were unbelievable, the club was packed, and to go back-to-back was even better, icing on the cake, fingers crossed there’s another one in store this year.”
Of his decorated 200 games, an astounding 132 of those has been as the club’s captain.
Now 33, Worrell has been Cheltenham’s skipper for a decade.
He recalls the final match of the 2015 season, when then-captain Chris Graham asked him if he would lead the side.
“I was a bit hesitant and ended up doing it and it flowed into the next year, I haven’t looked back to be honest,” Worrell said, having assumed the role full-time from 2016 onwards.
“It’s a bit of a step up, especially when you’ve got guys in the side older than you, everyone was great, was able to gain the respect of all the players now and back then ... I was lucky to have such great support from players and coaches over those 10 years.
“Fast forward 10 years, still doing it but it’s nearly time for someone else to have a crack. I’ve been lucky enough to do it for that long, very grateful, can’t do it forever.”
Off the field, King believes Worrell is just as impeccable as he is on it.
“I don’t think he’s done too much wrong in his life, I think once he might’ve crossed the road without waiting for the green man, that might be the extent of his wildness,” the Rosellas president laughed.
“He’s a bit of a golden boy.”
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