19th Century Team

TEAM OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Back Line

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Right Back Pocket - Peter Burns (South Melbourne & Geelong)

Recruited by South Melbourne from Ballarat Imperials in 1885, Peter Burns went on to enjoy virtually unrivalled popularity in the Victorian game until his retirement as a player eighteen years later. His combination of a neo-Herculean physique, immense courage, fervent athleticism, and irreproachable on field behaviour perfectly encapsulated the 'ideal of manhood' which was in vogue at the time.

On the field of play, Burns was an instant success. He was voted Champion of the Colony in his first year after making a sterling contribution to South's premiership success. A member of further South Melbourne premiership teams in 1888-89-90, Burns was equally effective whether positioned at full back, or in the ruck, in which latter case he was perfectly capable of remaining on the ball all day.

Names Champion of the Colony for a second time in 1891, he transferred to Geelong the following year and went on to give excellent service for another ten years. He captained Geelong in 1896 and 1900, and also captained Victoria's intercolonial team. In 1902, at the age of thirty-six, he was compelled to retire after sustaining a serious leg injury, but he maintained his involvement in football until 1941 by acting as Geelong's official timekeeper.

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Full Back - Edward 'Ned' Officer (Essendon)

'Ned' Officer, who joined Essendon from Scotch College, was one of the finest full backs of the late nineteenth century. Big, burly and athletic, he played the position with vigour, authority and panache. He was a superb kick, and combined great aerial ability with solid ground play. Originally from Tasmania, he moved to Melbourne without having played senior football in order to study medicine. When Essendon won four consecutive VFA premierships between 1891 and 1894, Officer was a stalwart of the side, and one of its key performers. His last season, 1897, was his club's first in the VFL. After retiring from football he moved to Perth where he worked as a doctor.

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Left Back Pocket - Jim Anderson (Essendon)

Jim Anderson joined Essendon from Scotch College in 1892 and went on to enjoy a long, distinguished and highly successful career with the club over fifteen seasons. Playing almost exclusively as a defender, he was a member of Essendon premiership sides in 1892-3-4, 1897 and 1901, and played in the losing grand final teams of 1898 and - as his team's most effective performer on the day - 1902. Always cool under pressure, he seldom put in a bad game, and was selected to represent the VFL in 1903 and 1905. He also served as club skipper for a couple of seasons. In 1903 he became the second Essendon player, and the eighth in the league, to amass 100 VFL games.

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