Australian Football

A formidable all round footballer, Sid Burton could play as a follower or in any key position with equal effectiveness. He took his league bows with North Adelaide in 1930, and at the end of the season, playing at centre half forward, was close to best afield in a stirring four-point challenge final victory over Port Adelaide. In the following season’s premiership decider - the first to take place under the Page-McIntyre finals system - he performed even better, and, fronting up this time at centre half back, was a popular choice as the most damaging player on view as the red and whites comfortably accounted for Sturt.

Always an eye-catchingly vigorous performer, he finished joint fourth in the Magarey Medal voting in 1932, and came fourth in his own right two years later. His versatility and big game mentality helped make him an invaluable interstate player, and he represented South Australia a total of 17 times, including games at the 1933 Sydney carnival, during the course of his nine season SANFL career. In 1936 he served as club skipper, leading the side as far as the preliminary final. He was made a playing life member of the club when he retired in 1938, and later became a life member of the SANFL as well.

Author - John Devaney