Bill Burns (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Bill 'Poet' Burns was an Australian rules football
er who played for Geelong
and Richmond
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Burns, from South Bendigo
originally, started out at Geelong and in 1908 became a member of Richmond's inaugural VFL team. A follower, he went from hero to villain during the 1909 VFL season
after kicking the winning goal in one game and then getting a life ban for a kicking incident later in the year.
His goal came in Richmond's round two encounter against University
, after he had received a bump which gave him bad concussion. He was in the dressing room at three quarter time, preparing to go to hospital, but decided to return to the field as the scores were close.
Against Melbourne
at the MCG mid-season, Burns was reported for kicking an opponent and suspended for life by the VFL tribunal
. Despite the ban, Burns had made three appearances for West Perth
in the 1910 West Australian Football League
season. He returned to Richmond in 1912 once his suspension had been lifted, having missed 46 games.
Once he left Richmond for good, he played at WAFL club East Fremantle
and was a half forward flanker in their 1914 premiership side. He was a premiership player again in 1918 and also appeared in losing Grand Finals over the next few years, mostly as a wingman. Burns then retired, having played 104 senior games for East Fremantle. He was a Western Australian interstate representative at the 1914 Sydney Carnival
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
and Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL).
Burns, from South Bendigo
South Bendigo Football Club
The South Bendigo Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Bendigo Football League .Since South Bendigo entered the league in 1894, no club have won more premierships...
originally, started out at Geelong and in 1908 became a member of Richmond's inaugural VFL team. A follower, he went from hero to villain during the 1909 VFL season
1909 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1909.-Premiership season:In 1909, the VFL competition consisted of ten teams of 18 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves", although any of the 18 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their...
after kicking the winning goal in one game and then getting a life ban for a kicking incident later in the year.
His goal came in Richmond's round two encounter against University
Melbourne University Football Club
Melbourne University Football Club, often known simply as University is an Australian rules football club.The club achieved prominence by being a member of the game's most elite competition in the early 20th century, the Victorian Football League between 1908 and 1914.Although there are no records...
, after he had received a bump which gave him bad concussion. He was in the dressing room at three quarter time, preparing to go to hospital, but decided to return to the field as the scores were close.
Against Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
at the MCG mid-season, Burns was reported for kicking an opponent and suspended for life by the VFL tribunal
AFL Tribunal
The AFL Tribunal is the disciplinary tribunal of the Australian Football League .-Points system:Source: AFL Tribunal 2011 Guidebook...
. Despite the ban, Burns had made three appearances for West Perth
West Perth Football Club
The West Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Falcons, is an Australian rules football club located in Joondalup, Western Australia, competing in the West Australian Football League . It is the oldest existing Australian rules football club in Western Australia. It competes in the West Australian...
in the 1910 West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
season. He returned to Richmond in 1912 once his suspension had been lifted, having missed 46 games.
Once he left Richmond for good, he played at WAFL club East Fremantle
East Fremantle Football Club
The East Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Sharks, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The team's home ground is East Fremantle Oval...
and was a half forward flanker in their 1914 premiership side. He was a premiership player again in 1918 and also appeared in losing Grand Finals over the next few years, mostly as a wingman. Burns then retired, having played 104 senior games for East Fremantle. He was a Western Australian interstate representative at the 1914 Sydney Carnival
1914 Sydney Carnival
The 1914 Sydney Carnival was the third edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition....
.