Bert Rankin

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Bert Rankin
Personal information
Date of birth17 February 1893
Original teamChilwell
Debut1912, Geelong
Height/Weight178 cm / 77 kg
Playing career1

Geelong (1912–15; 1917–23)

  • 132 games, 21 goals
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 1923 season.

Bert Rankin (born 17 February 1893, date of death unknown) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL). His brother Cliff and father Teddy also played league football for Geelong.

Rankin played most of his football as a centreman. A player with exceptional pace, he was also a regular user of the drop kick. In 1917 he won Geelong's best and fairest award. He captained Victoria at interstate football in 1922 and then Geelong in 1923. As captain of Geelong he had his brother Cliff as deputy, the first time in VFL history for a pair of brothers. It turned out to be his last season in the league as he lost his spot in the side during the finals and walked out on the club.[1]

He is credited with suggesting that Geelong adopt the nickname of the Cats.[2]

Rankin made his senior VFL debut one one year and 320 days after the retirement of his father; a VFL/AFL record.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2002). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (4th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Crown Content. p. 538–539. ISBN 1-74095-001-1.
  2. ↑ Cats purrfect cup final omen
  3. ↑ Lovett, M. "New Blues cult hero helping close the generation gap", AFL Record, 11-14 May 2012, p. 10.

External links


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