Australian Football

Originally from South Bendigo, William Burns had a first stab at VFL football in 1904 with Geelong, but he managed just a couple of games before returning home. Four years later he resumed his league career when he appeared on a half back flank for Richmond in that club's first ever VFL fixture at home to Melbourne. In 1909 his career appeared to be over when he was suspended for life for kicking an opponent, but this does not appear to have prevented him from playing 3 games for West Perth in 1910. In 1912, following an appeal, the VFL officially rescinded the ban and he resumed with the Tigers.

Hardy, tenacious and quick, he spent the 1914 season with East Fremantle, and was on a half forward flank in the winning Grand Final against local rivals South Fremantle. He also represented Western Australia at the 1914 Sydney carnival where he played in all five matches and booted f4 goals. Burns returned to Richmond in 1916, taking his final tally of VFL games with the club to 53. 

From 1917 to 1923 he was a key member of a powerful East Fremantle combination that won the 1918 premiership and then played off in four of the next five Grand Finals, only to lose them all. Burns was a wingman for most of this time, and ended up playing a total of 107 WAFL games (all but three for Old Easts).

Author - John Devaney