Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Albert Boromeo

Known as
Bert Boromeo

Born
10 May 1892

Place of birth
Timor, VIC (3465)

Died
19 April 1971 (aged 78)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 26y 358d
Last game: 34y 96d

Height and weight
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 91 kg

Senior clubs
Carlton; Richmond

Jumper numbers
Carlton: 27
Richmond: 6

Recruited from
Bowenvale (1919); Carlton (1926)

State of origin
VIC

Bert Boromeo

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
CarltonV/AFL1919-192369240.3559%0
RichmondV/AFL19261480.5757%0
V/AFL1919-1923, 192683320.3959%0
Total1919-1923, 192683320.3959%0

AFL: 2,391st player to appear, 2,910th most games played, 2,826th most goals kickedCarlton: 335th player to appear, 257th most games played, 276th most goals kickedRichmond: 274th player to appear, 607th most games played, 436th most goals kicked

There were splendid footballers in the game. Boromeo, of Carlton, stood out as the best. His marking and his judgment when playing the ball on were splendid.¹

Bert Boromeo's Carlton debut took place in the opening round of the 1919 season² against Fitzroy, and some indication of just how primitive the game was in those days can be gleaned from the fact that he took to the field in his street boots. Despite this not inconsiderable handicap, "he gave decided promise, and looked every inch the footballer"³. Within a matter of half a dozen games it was clear that the Blues had a champion on their hands.

Fairly tall for his day, at 184cm, and weighing in at a hefty 91kg, Boromeo was a formidable figure whom opposition players had tremendous trouble dislodging, both on the ground and in the air. He was a thumping kick, and formed a highly effective partnership with his close mate Horrie Clover. Surprisingly quick for such a solidly built player, he was used to equal effect by Carlton both as a follower and a half forward flank. Arguably his most memorable performance came in the 1921 Grand Final, despite the fact that the Blues lost to Richmond.

First chosen to represent the VFL in 1920, Boromeo also got the nod in each of the subsequent three seasons. However, in 1923 he was unable to take up his place in the team after being suspended by the Carlton committee, for reasons which remain unclear. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the Carlton players apparently supported the committee's decision one hundred per cent. The upshot of it all was that after just 69 spectacular games, Boromeo's career with the Blues was over. 

He spent the next couple of seasons desperately seeking a clearance to Richmond for whom he eventually lined up in 1926. After 14 games with the Tigers, however, his VFL career was over, and one of the most eye-catching players of his era 'went bush', where he continued playing for several years afterwards in places like Horsham and the Victorian goldfields region.

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “The Age”, 10/5/20, page 10. The match under review was between Carlton and Richmond and despite Boromeo’s fine display it was the Tigers who prevailed by 29 points, after the Blues had led by five points at the last change.
2. His age at this point has been variously put at 27, 28 or 29 years and it was reported that he had not played football for three years.
3. Jack Worrall, writing in 'The Australian', and quoted in 'Carlton: The 100 Greatest' by Jim Main and Russell Holmesby, page 25.

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.