About Ern Cowley
Lived 1892 – 1975 (aged 83). Ern Cowley was an australian rules football player.
Ernest Clyde Cowley (17 August 1892 – 20 October 1975) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Background
Cowley came to Carlton from Brunswick and had a strong debut season, kicking 35 goals to top the VFL's goalkicking. He played just one more year with Carlton before returning to the VFA where he joined Prahran. Cowley was also a proficient baseball pitcher who represented Victoria in interstate competition.
Cowley invented the football game called "Austus", a combination of Australian and American football which was played between Australians and visiting American servicemen during World War II. He was a journalist with the Sporting Globe and wrote on American sports, particularly baseball.
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Important facts
People in Ern Cowley's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ern Cowley's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ern Cowley?
Australian rules footballer (1892-1975)
When was Ern Cowley born?
Ern Cowley was born on 17 August 1892 in Brunswick East.
When did Ern Cowley die?
Ern Cowley died on 20 October 1975 in Ivanhoe.
What was Ern Cowley's occupation?
Ern Cowley was an australian rules football player.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ern Cowley. https://biography.guide/ern-cowley/
MLA: "Ern Cowley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ern-cowley/.
Chicago: "Ern Cowley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ern-cowley/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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