Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer)

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Bill Morris
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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.

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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


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