Allen Burns

Born in the gold-mining town of Steiglitz, Allen Burns was a crafty half-forward best remembered for his ability to slot goals from seemingly impossible angles. The younger brother of Australian football pioneer Peter Burns, Allen established himself at South Melbourne during the VFA era, topping the club's goalkicking in 1894 before becoming a foundation player in the newly formed VFL. While he lacked the sheer longevity of his famous sibling, he was a dangerous operator in the forward half, often bewildering defenders with his capacity to convert checkside kicks from the boundary line long before the technique became common. He played 40 VFL games for the Southerners between 1897 and 1903, serving as a reliable attacking option during the league's formative years before retiring to the suburb he represented.