Shinboner number: 33
Guernsey number: 23
Born: October 24, 1904
Died: January 18, 1998
Occupation: Railway employee
North Melbourne games: 44 (1925-28)
Goals: 31
Born in Glenrowan, Victoria into a large family of 11 children to Annie Mary (nee English) and Michael Nolan, it is said that his father was a schoolmate and neighbour of Ned Kelly.
At 188cm tall, Clarrie was an all-round athlete who played cricket, golf, tennis, and was the light-heavy-weight boxing champion of the Victorian Railways. He initially played with Glenrowan FC and then transferred to Benalla in the Ovens and Murray League. He also played with Shepparton in the Wednesday League.
Recruited to North Melbourne as a 19-year-old in 1925, he played his first VFL game against Geelong in Round 12. After three seasons at centre half back he was moved to centre half-forward where he was known for his high marking and great place kicking.
Nolan was North's 1928 leading goalkicker with 24 despite not kicking one until Round 9. That year he won the "Sporting Globe" newspaper contest on the MCG for the longest place kick - approximately 66 metres - for which he won 25 pounds.
In 1929 he was captain/coach of West Albury in their regional grand final, in which he kicked seven goals. Future Brownlow medallist Hadyn Bunton took over in 1930, but Nolan continued with West Albury, playing in four consecutive grand finals.
Nolan later became involved in politics, standing for election in a federal election in 1940. He developed a well-known sports store in Albury. Clarrie's older brother, Jack played nine games for North Melbourne in 1926, and his younger brother Leo had six games with Melbourne in 1932.
Clarrie is buried in Glenmorus Memorial Gardens, Albury, with his wife Kathleen whom he had married in 1946.
