AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Hugh Landles Purse
Known as
Hugh Purse
Born
2 October 1881
Died
6 September 1952 (aged 70)
Place of death
Brighton, VIC (3186)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 22y 218d
Last game: 33y 316d
Senior clubs
Melbourne
Jumper numbers
Melbourne: 23
Family links
Jack Purse (Brother)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Melbourne | V/AFL | 1904-1909, 1912, 1915 | 84 | 26 | 0.31 | 35% | — | — | — | 0 |
Total | 1904-1909, 1912, 1915 | 84 | 26 | 0.31 | 35% | — | — | — | 0 |
AFL: 927th player to appear, 2,882nd most games played, 3,199th most goals kickedMelbourne: 122nd player to appear, 203rd most games played, 256th most goals kicked
Hugh Purse was a strong marking half forward who was one of the leading lights at Melbourne during a uniformly lean time for the club. Between 1904 and 1909 and in 1912 and 1915 he played 84 VFL games and kicked 26 goals. He was excellent overhead and a fine kick who seldom lowered his colours. Always seemingly calm regardless of the amount of duress he was under sound judges regarded him as the best Melbourne footballer of his era. Originally from Brighton he returned there in 1910 before resuming at the Redlegs. He did not play football in 1913-14.
In 1908 he was club captain and also represented Victoria at the Australasian football carnival in Melbourne.
Hugh Purse served in the Boer War prior to commencing his football career. His older brother Jack also played for Melbourne.
Author - John Devaney