Bill Barrot

Bill Barrot (born 6 May 1944) is a former professional Australian rules football player who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL), the South Australian Football League (SANFL) and the Victorian Football Association (VFA).

Barrott made his senior VFL in 1961 for Richmond Football Club where he was known with popular affection as Bustling Billy. Playing as a centreman, Barrot was a best and fairest winner in 1965, an interstate representative and a major driving force behind the Tigers' 1967 grand final win. However, Barrot was prone to injury that limited his senior VFL appearances for the Tigers to just 120 in ten seasons.

In 1971, Barrot was traded to St Kilda in exchange for Ian Stewart. Barrot never truly settled at Moorabbin Oval, managing just a couple of games, and later in the year he was traded to Carlton Football Club, where he finished his VFL career.

In 1972 Barrot played for VFA side Oakleigh which had endured a lean time for more than a decade. Barrot's impact, both on and off the field, was immediate and pronounced, and the Devils lost the first division grand final.

Moving to Adelaide, Barrot was appointed as captain-coach of SANFL club West Torrens. After running seventh in 1973 the Eagles endured a horror start to the 1974 season which ultimately precipitated Barrot's departure, in somewhat acrimonious circumstances, midway through the year. He finished his career back at Oakleigh, where he took over as coach.^[1]

Years later whilst playing in a Richmond legends game, Barrot suffered a heart attack and almost died on the field.

References

• Hogan P: The Tigers Of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
• Richmond Football Club – Hall of Fame
• Bill Barrot's statistics from AFL Tables