Vic Belcher

Player Stats

Biography

The only player to represent South Melbourne in both of its first two VFL premiership teams, Vic Belcher’s league career began in 1907, and ended in 1920, 226 games later. Prior to that he had played briefly with Brunswick in the VFA.

Renowned for his ability to ruck all day, Belcher was also an inspirational leader, and captained the southerners from 1913 to 1917 (with a war-enforced break in 1916), and again in 1920. He also coached the club from 1914 to 1917.

Vigorous, tenacious and hard-working rather than a stylist, Belcher was often at his best when the going got strenuous. This was seldom better exemplified than in the hurly burly of the second half of the 1918 premiership play-off against Collingwood, when Belcher’s resolute and tireless ruckwork was the chief difference between the teams in a photo finish.

Between 1922 and 1924, Vic Belcher was non-playing coach of Fitzroy, steering the Maroons to the 1922 premiership, second place the following year, and third place in 1924. He also served as non-playing coach of his original club, Brunswick, for a time, and was coach of VAFA side Old Scotch Collegians when it won a then record fourth successive A Section flag in 1934.

His older brother Alan was also a fine footballer with Collingwood (briefly) and Essendon while another brother, Norman, played briefly with both Geelong and Essendon. All three of the Belcher brothers hailed originally from Derwent Valley in Tasmania.

Author - John Devaney