Bill Pearson
Essendon
AFL career
51 games24 goals
- Debut
- R1 1945 v HAW21 Apr 1945
- Most recent
- R19 1947 v COL30 Aug 1947
Stats
Bio
Arriving at Windy Hill from local side La Mascotte after serving in New Guinea during the Second World War, Bill Pearson quickly developed into one of the VFL’s most effective centremen. Renowned for his polished skills and a beautiful long drop kick, he played a pivotal role in Essendon's 1946 Premiership campaign, polling the most Brownlow votes of any Bomber that season. His rise was tragically halted the following year when an accidental kick to the knee against Collingwood shattered his joint, forcing him into retirement at just 25 after repeated surgeries failed to repair the damage. Though his career was brief, teammates regarded him as a genuine star who was denied the longevity his talent deserved.
Profile
- Full name
- Bill J. Pearson
- Born
- 11 June 1922
- Died
- 06 Dec 2010 (aged 88y 178d)
- Birthplace
- Carlton, VIC
- Height
- 177 cm
- Weight
- 82 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1946
- Brownlow Medal
- Top 10
- 1946
Bio
1 revisionArriving at Windy Hill from local side La Mascotte after serving in New Guinea during the Second World War, Bill Pearson quickly developed into one of the VFL’s most effective centremen. Renowned for his polished skills and a beautiful long drop kick, he played a pivotal role in Essendon's 1946 Premiership campaign, polling the most Brownlow votes of any Bomber that season. His rise was tragically halted the following year when an accidental kick to the knee against Collingwood shattered his joint, forcing him into retirement at just 25 after repeated surgeries failed to repair the damage. Though his career was brief, teammates regarded him as a genuine star who was denied the longevity his talent deserved.