Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Colin Niven

Known as
Colin Niven

Born
6 September 1903

Died
1 December 1968 (aged 65)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 25y 233d
Last game: 31y 282d

Height and weight
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 90 kg

Senior clubs
Fitzroy; Melbourne

Jumper numbers
Fitzroy: 8
Melbourne: 10, 1, 2

Recruited from
Maryborough (1929); Fitzroy (1933)

Family links
Ray Niven (Brother)Les Reeves (Nephew)John Reeves (Nephew)

Colin Niven

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
FitzroyV/AFL1929-193259160.2724%15.006.331
MelbourneV/AFL1933-193544130.3032%5
V/AFL1929-1935103290.2827%15.006.336
Total1929-1935103290.2827%15.006.336

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 3,504th player to appear, 2,351st most games played, 3,022nd most goals kickedFitzroy: 372nd player to appear, 212th most games played, 270th most goals kickedMelbourne: 511th player to appear, 366th most games played, 377th most goals kicked

Originally from Ballarat Football League side Maryborough, where he claimed considerable fame as an outstanding talent, Colin Niven joined Fitzroy in 1929 and provided strong service, mainly as a follower, in 59 VFL games over the course of the next four seasons. 

Pacy and rugged, he combined aerial prowess with long, accurate kicking, attributes which remained very much at the forefront of his game when he moved to Melbourne in 1933. Niven spent the final three seasons of his league career with the Fuchsias, the last two as captain, and added a further 44 VFL games to his tally. All told he booted 29 goals, 16 with the Roys, and 13 for Melbourne.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

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