AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
William Henry Orchard
Known as
Billy Orchard
Born
9 August 1888
Died
22 July 1965 (aged 76)
Place of death
Geelong, VIC (3220)
Occupation
Accountant
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 23d
Last game: 26y 335d
Height and weight
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Senior clubs
Geelong
Jumper numbers
Geelong: 2, 28, 11, 14
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geelong | V/AFL | 1906, 1908-1915 | 112 | 67 | 0.60 | 45% | — | — | — | 0 |
Total | 1906, 1908-1915 | 112 | 67 | 0.60 | 45% | — | — | — | 0 |
AFL: 1,218th player to appear, 2,135th most games played, 1,637th most goals kickedGeelong: 151st player to appear, 147th most games played, 127th most goals kicked
Blessed with all the skills of the game, Geelong's Billy Orchard, who played 112 games for the club in 1906 and between 1908 and 1915, was regarded during his career as the 'complete footballer', capable of playing well in any position on the ground. Captain of the club in 1914 and 1915, in what would prove his last two seasons in league football, he led by example, habitually playing with great verve, drive and intelligence. He was also coach in 1915.
After his retirement as a player he served as a VFL field umpire during the 1920s.
Author - John Devaney