Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer)

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Bill Morris

Personal information
Birth	February 24, 1922(1922-02-24),
Recruited from	Old Scotch /Melbourne Seconds
Height and weight	188cm / 86kg
Death	May, 1960,
Playing career¹
Debut	1942, Richmond vs. , at
Team(s)	Richmond (1942) (1944-1951) 140 games, 98 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 1951 season
Career highlights

William "Bill" Morris (born February 24, 1922 - died May, 1960) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the VFL, mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.

Morris started his career with the Melbourne reserve team but before he could make an impression he decided to join the army. He returned to football in 1942 with Richmond and made his senior debut that year. In 1945 he won the first of his three Best and Fairest awards, the others coming in 1948 and 1950.

Morris won the Brownlow Medalist in 1948, joining Stan Judkins as the only Richmond player to win the Medal at that time. He polled well in other Brownlow Medal nights, finishing equal second in 1946 and equal third in 1950. He was a regular Victorian interstate representative, playing a total of 15 games and captaining the state in 1950. He was also captain of Richmond, leading the club in 1950 and 1951.

At the end of the 1951 season Morris left Richmond and joined VFA Club Box Hill as captain-coach. He captain-coached Box Hill from 1952 to 1954, winning the Club's Best and Fairest each season. He played 58 games for Box Hill and scored 101 goals.

Morris's story is perhaps the most tragic of all Brownlow Medalists; in 1960 he took his own life at the age of 38.

In 2002 Morris was inducted into the Richmond Hall of Fame and he is also a member of their official 'Team of the Century', being named in the forward pocket. He is also a member of Box Hill's official 'Greatest Ever Team' as announced in 2000, selected as first ruck.

[edit] References

• Hogan P: The Tigers Of Old , Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
• Richmond Football Club - Hall of Fame
• Fullpointsfooty profile

[edit] External Links

• Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer)'s statistics from AFL Tables

Preceded by Bert Deacon

Brownlow Medallist 1948

Succeeded by Roy Wright & Bill Hutchison

Preceded by Leo Merrett	Richmond Best and Fairest winner 1945	Succeeded by Jack Dyer
Preceded by Bill Wilson	Richmond Best and Fairest winner 1948	Succeeded by Geoff Spring
Preceded by Geoff Spring	Richmond Best and Fairest winner 1950	Succeeded by Des Rowe & Roy Wright