Australian Football - Norm Bussell

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Key Facts

Full name
Norman Bussell

Known as
Norm Bussell

Born
6 January 1945 (age 80)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 23y 100d
Last game: 28y 238d

Height and weight
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 91 kg

Senior clubs
Hawthorn

Jumper numbers
Hawthorn: 16

Norm Bussell

Club	League	Career span	Games	Goals	Avg	Win %	AKI	AHB	AMK	BV
Hawthorn	V/AFL	1968-1973	113	2	0.02	58%	10.68	1.70	1.81	3
Total		1968-1973	113	2	0.02	58%	10.68	1.70	1.81	3

AFL: 7,995th player to appear, 2,120th most games played, 8,166th most goals kickedHawthorn: 582nd player to appear, 116th most games played, 596th most goals kicked

Hard hitting half back flanker, who appears very slow, but his great bulk often has opponents disposing of the ball very quickly. An unspectacular player who has held his place for reliability, rather than brilliance.¹

Centre half back in Hawthorn's 1971 premiership-winning outfit Norman Bussell typified the Hawk ethos of his era in that he was tough, rugged and hard hitting. He played 113 games and kicked 2 goals in the famous brown and gold between 1968 and 1973. His performance in the '71 grand final was crucial to the Hawks' success as he adjusted well to being shifted from his usual place on a half back flank to the key position normally occupied by Peter Knights who was unavailable after being injured in the second semi final.

Originally from Wangaratta Rovers Norm Bussell returned there once his VFL career was over and played in successive premiership teams in 1974-5. (Prior to joining Hawthorn he had been a premiership player twice.) He later coached Whorouly to a couple of flags and spent a single season as coach of Myrtleford. He is a member of the Wangaratta Rovers Hall of Fame.

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “Football Record”, 25/9/71, page 4.

Sources

Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby & Jim Main; Wikipedia article; http://wangrovers.com.au/hall-of-fame-norm-bussell/, Crème de la Crème