Bill Nolan
Richmond · “Barney”
AFL career
30 games4 goals
- Debut
- R1 1914 v STK25 Apr 1914
- Most recent
- R15 1915 v FIT31 July 1915
Stats
Bio
Born in the small Goulburn Valley town of Corop, Bill Nolan arrived at Richmond via a circuitous route that included country football with Yarck, a stint with Brighton Juniors, and employment as a cable tram "gripman" in Melbourne. Known affectionately as "Barney," he quickly established himself as a formidable physical presence in the Tigers' ruck division, utilizing his heavy frame to impose himself on contests and fiercely protect his smaller teammates. Despite his aggression, he was widely respected as a scrupulously fair player who rarely gave away free kicks for foul play. Nolan’s promising career was cut short in July 1915 when he enlisted in the AIF, and he tragically became the first Richmond player killed in the Great War, falling at the Battle of Fromelles less than a year after his final VFL match.
Profile
- Born
- 04 Sept 1888
- Died
- 23 July 1916 (aged 27y 323d)
- Birthplace
- Corop, VIC
- Deathplace
- Fromelles, France
- Height
- 180 cm
- Weight
- 89 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionBorn in the small Goulburn Valley town of Corop, Bill Nolan arrived at Richmond via a circuitous route that included country football with Yarck, a stint with Brighton Juniors, and employment as a cable tram "gripman" in Melbourne. Known affectionately as "Barney," he quickly established himself as a formidable physical presence in the Tigers' ruck division, utilizing his heavy frame to impose himself on contests and fiercely protect his smaller teammates. Despite his aggression, he was widely respected as a scrupulously fair player who rarely gave away free kicks for foul play. Nolan’s promising career was cut short in July 1915 when he enlisted in the AIF, and he tragically became the first Richmond player killed in the Great War, falling at the Battle of Fromelles less than a year after his final VFL match.