Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
George Bickford

Known as
George Bickford

Born
9 January 1927

Died
28 November 2009 (aged 82)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 130d
Last game: 25y 234d

Height and weight
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 74 kg

Senior clubs
Melbourne

Jumper numbers
Melbourne: 16

Family links
Edric Bickford (Father)Stephen Bickford (Son)Rod McGregor (Uncle)Albert Bickford (Uncle)

George Bickford

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
MelbourneV/AFL1945-1952126170.1355%———22
Total1945-1952126170.1355%———22

AFL: 5,450th player to appear, 1,770th most games played, 4,020th most goals kickedMelbourne: 650th player to appear, 112th most games played, 335th most goals kicked

George Bickford, Melbourne centre, grew with the importance of the Demons’ efforts. He slightly shaded Tiger Stokes in the first half but in the last half he really came into his own, revelled in the heavy going in the centre, and established a winning combination between Dockett (wing) and himself.¹

George Bickford was a fine centre line player for Melbourne in 126 VFL games between 1945 and 1952. Recruited from Wesley College, where he had been captain, he was an excellent kick over both long and short distances. He was on a wing when Melbourne lost to Essendon in the 1946 Grand Final, and was a significant contributor from the centre when revenge was achieved via a replay two years later.

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “Sporting Globe”, 12/5/48, page 8. Bickford helped Melbourne come from 15 points down at three quarter time to defeat Richmond 13.11 to 12.12 in this round four clash at Punt Road.

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications, Crème de la Crème

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Footnotes

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