Francis Bourke
Richmond · “St Francis”
AFL career
300 games71 goals
- Debut
- R5 1967 v HAW13 May 1967
- Most recent
- R14 1981 v NTH27 June 1981
Coaching career
46 games26 wins20 losses0 draws
- First
- R2 1982 v FIT20 Mar 1982
- Most recent
- R22 1983 v FIT27 Aug 1983
Stats
1981 | RCH | 11 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 10.5 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
1980 | RCH | 25 | 10.5 | 3.2 | 13.7 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
1979 | RCH | 22 | 11.7 | 4.7 | 16.4 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
1978 | RCH | 19 | 11.3 | 5.3 | 16.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
1977 | RCH | 22 | 11.2 | 6.3 | 17.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
1976 | RCH | 21 | 14.3 | 6.9 | 21.1 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
1975 | RCH | 21 | 14.1 | 4.4 | 18.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
1974 | RCH | 24 | 13.3 | 4.9 | 18.2 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
1973 | RCH | 21 | 14.6 | 4.2 | 18.8 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
1972 | RCH | 21 | 16.0 | 2.8 | 18.8 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
1971 | RCH | 15 | 16.6 | 3.1 | 19.7 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
1970 | RCH | 22 | 20.2 | 3.7 | 24.0 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
1969 | RCH | 22 | 15.6 | 3.9 | 19.5 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 |
1968 | RCH | 18 | 16.2 | 3.7 | 19.8 | 4.2 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
1967 | RCH | 16 | 13.4 | 3.3 | 16.7 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
Bio
Recruited from Nathalia, Francis Bourke arrived at Punt Road with significant expectations as the son of former player Frank Bourke. He wasted little time making his mark, debuting in the opening round of 1967 and immediately cementing his place in a side destined for a golden era. Unlike many who take years to develop, Bourke became a premiership player in his debut season, playing a crucial role in breaking the club's long premiership drought and setting the tone for a career defined by success and consistency.
Bourke was the archetype of the versatile, courageous footballer. Initially making his name as a running wingman and half-back flanker who could drive the ball deep into attack, he successfully reinvented himself later in his career as an uncompromising full-back. His reputation for bravery was legendary, perhaps best illustrated during a match against North Melbourne in 1980 where he continued to compete with a heavily bleeding head wound. This refusal to yield, combined with elite skills and aerial ability, made him one of the most respected opponents of his generation.
Profile
- Full name
- Francis W. Bourke
- Born
- 02 Apr 1947 (age 79y 202d)
- Birthplace
- Caulfield, VIC
- Height
- 185 cm
- Weight
- 84 kg
Teams
Coaching
- Richmond (Senior Coach)1982–198346 games (W26 L20 D0), 56.5%
Honours
- Premiership(5×) 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980
- Hall of Fame1996
- Richmond B&F1970
- 2nd
- 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976
- 3rd
- 1968, 1973
- Top 10
- 1971, 1978, 1979
- Richmond captain(2×) 1976, 1977
- Brownlow Medal
- 3rd
- 1976
- Top 10
- 1970, 1974
Family
- Father:Frank Bourke
- Son:David Bourke
- Nephew:Marcus Drum
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Nathalia, Francis Bourke arrived at Punt Road with significant expectations as the son of former player Frank Bourke. He wasted little time making his mark, debuting in the opening round of 1967 and immediately cementing his place in a side destined for a golden era. Unlike many who take years to develop, Bourke became a premiership player in his debut season, playing a crucial role in breaking the club's long premiership drought and setting the tone for a career defined by success and consistency.
Bourke was the archetype of the versatile, courageous footballer. Initially making his name as a running wingman and half-back flanker who could drive the ball deep into attack, he successfully reinvented himself later in his career as an uncompromising full-back. His reputation for bravery was legendary, perhaps best illustrated during a match against North Melbourne in 1980 where he continued to compete with a heavily bleeding head wound. This refusal to yield, combined with elite skills and aerial ability, made him one of the most respected opponents of his generation.