Dave Burke
North Melbourne
AFL career
20 games8 goals
- Debut
- R1 1936 v ESS2 May 1936
- Most recent
- R14 1939 v CAR22 July 1939
Stats
1939 | NTH | 1 | 0.0 |
1937 | NTH | 3 | 0.3 |
1936 | NTH | 16 | 0.4 |
Bio
Hailing from Tasmania, Dave Burke was a tall key position prospect who made an immediate impression upon arriving at North Melbourne in 1936. Standing 185cm—a significant height for the era—he featured in 16 games during his debut season, showing potential as a versatile big man capable of swinging between the ruck and forward lines. Despite this breakout year, Burke found opportunities limited in subsequent seasons, managing just four more senior appearances between 1937 and 1939 before his VFL career was effectively concluded by the onset of global conflict. His legacy is defined less by his on-field deeds and more by his extraordinary service during World War II; serving as a Lieutenant in the 2nd AIF, Burke was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the South Pacific, distinguishing him as one of the club’s most decorated war heroes.
Profile
- Full name
- Dave B. Burke
- Born
- 14 Oct 1916
- Died
- 04 Jan 1987 (aged 70y 82d)
- Birthplace
- Bellerive, TAS
- Deathplace
- Burwood East, VIC
- Height
- 185 cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionHailing from Tasmania, Dave Burke was a tall key position prospect who made an immediate impression upon arriving at North Melbourne in 1936. Standing 185cm—a significant height for the era—he featured in 16 games during his debut season, showing potential as a versatile big man capable of swinging between the ruck and forward lines. Despite this breakout year, Burke found opportunities limited in subsequent seasons, managing just four more senior appearances between 1937 and 1939 before his VFL career was effectively concluded by the onset of global conflict. His legacy is defined less by his on-field deeds and more by his extraordinary service during World War II; serving as a Lieutenant in the 2nd AIF, Burke was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the South Pacific, distinguishing him as one of the club’s most decorated war heroes.