Australian Football

Jim Main's 100 greatest: Francis Bourke

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Francis Bourke gets in his kick as North's Sam Kekovich tries to smother.

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ANYONE PRIVILEGED enough to see Richmond’s Francis Bourke in a pre-match build-up knows what concentration is all about. Bourke has a cold gleam in his eye, as the coach gives his address. He is active all the time, flicking handpasses to teammates, shouting advice, encouragement. Doing anything to build up his mates, and himself; he charges on to the ground, ready to run at a herd of rhinos. And his build-up reflects his game. Bourke is scared of no one, prepared to put his body in at all times for his beloved Richmond.

Bourke was a Richmond player from the time he was born. His father, Francis Bourke Senior, played for the Tigers in the 1940s, the son inheriting his father’s football ability. Naturally, the Tigers followed Francis’ football fortunes closely, finally enticing the boy from the bush to the city in 1967. Bourke, then 19, had been playing for country team Nathalia, and he had won a huge reputation for himself as a pacy utility. Under Tiger coach Tom Hafey, Bourke found himself in a unique playing position for his height. Bourke was played on the wing, despite his 6.1. Only 10 years ago most wingers were fleet-footed midgets prepared to run at all costs.

Hafey developed the idea of the tall wingman, still fast and still able to swoop effectively on loose balls. The move was a great winner, and just one of the clever playing styles to help Richmond to their first flag in 24 years in 1967. Bourke, of course, was one of the stars of the year. Already his courage was renowned, and experts were predicting a great future for him in the famous black and yellow.

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A strong mark to Francis Bourke against North Melbourne in a finals match at the MCG.

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Bourke didn’t let anyone down, let alone himself. He played his heart out in each and every game for Richmond. In fact, he was so determined to succeed for the Tigers that he ran into many serious injury problems, including a broken leg. But there was no stopping him. Bourke often wanted to return to the side despite his injuries. By the end of the 1977 season he had played 228 games for Richmond. However, had he been injury-free that tally would have been much larger.

Bourke, relatively slim when he first arrived at Richmond as a teenager, soon put on bulk. This slowed him down, but didn’t cost him his place in the Richmond line-up. Instead, he moved just back a line, to the half-back flank. There, his attacking style has saved and won many a game for Richmond. Bourke knows exactly when to attack the ball, and when to shuffle back to cover in defence. This is part of the true defender‘s style. Bourke is magnificent in this role.

The Tigers used Bourke in this role for several seasons, and his career seemed certain to end there, as a great, steady defender He had won the club's best and fairest award in 1970, and had played in the premiership sides of 1967, ’69, '73 and '74. Few fans expected further honors for Bourke.

Just before the start of the 1976 season the Tiger hierarchy decided to ”retire" champion centre half forward Royce Hart as club skipper. The move shocked the football world as Hart had been Richmond's star of stars in their greatest era. However, the Tigers decided that Hart had enough worries because of injured knees. The captaincy, surprisingly, went to Bourke. And the boy from the bush wore the mantle with true dignity to establish himself as one of the great Tiger skippers.

Richmond had a poor season in 1976, but that wasn't Bourke‘s fault. The Tigers ran into serious injury problems, but Bourke always showed the way for the youngsters grafted to the team. At 29 he had slowed down since his wing days of 1967. However, he had picked up a lot of muscle and used it effectively.

Bourke is all heart, and a man full of character. Humble, dedicated, honest and hard-working. Bourke is all that, and more. And that’s part of the reason behind his success. And that's why he is loved at Richmond, and even nicknamed "St Francis". Bourke, in 1978, shocked Richmond by announcing that he no longer wanted the responsibility of captaincy. Richmond agreed and gave the job to Kevin Sheedy.