Bert Rapiport
Fitzroy
AFL career
3 games1 goals
- Debut
- R2 1897 v STK15 May 1897
- Most recent
- R5 1897 v COL5 June 1897
Stats
Bio
A significant figure in the early history of Victorian football, Bert Rapiport holds the distinction of being the first Jewish player to compete in the VFL. Having already established himself as a premiership player with Fitzroy during the VFA era, notably in the club's 1895 flag-winning side, he was a seasoned 31-year-old rover by the time the breakaway competition launched in 1897. Rapiport featured in the Maroons' first three matches of the inaugural season, booting a goal against South Melbourne in Round 2, before concluding his senior career just weeks into the new era. While his VFL tenure was brief, his presence in those foundation games bridged the gap between the association years and the newly formed league.
Profile
- Born
- 30 Sept 1865
- Died
- 30 Dec 1913 (aged 48y 91d)
- Birthplace
- Melbourne, VIC
- Deathplace
- St Kilda, VIC
- Weight
- 80 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionA significant figure in the early history of Victorian football, Bert Rapiport holds the distinction of being the first Jewish player to compete in the VFL. Having already established himself as a premiership player with Fitzroy during the VFA era, notably in the club's 1895 flag-winning side, he was a seasoned 31-year-old rover by the time the breakaway competition launched in 1897. Rapiport featured in the Maroons' first three matches of the inaugural season, booting a goal against South Melbourne in Round 2, before concluding his senior career just weeks into the new era. While his VFL tenure was brief, his presence in those foundation games bridged the gap between the association years and the newly formed league.